Joseph J. Kovacs

Joseph J. Kovacs, 86, of Three Mile Bay, NY, passed away on Friday, August 8, 2025 at Crouse Hospital of Syracuse, NY.

Joseph was born on June 12, 1939 in Manhattan, New York City to the late Joseph and Anna (Nickonchik) Kovacs.

Joseph graduated high school and obtained a technical certificate allowing him to work as a mechanical engineer, he soon joined the Naval Air Force and served in The Vietnam War. Joe lived in Massachusetts until he moved to Rochester, NY to work at Xerox where he met his now partner. Joe and Trudy bought a camp in Three Mile Bay in 1980 and decided to move there permanently in 1984. Joe and Trudy undertook many projects in their years together including buying and flipping houses and operating Cape Vincent Lumber & Supply for three years.

Joseph was one of the original members of the Northern New York Corvette Club and a lifetime member of the Cape Vincent American Legion. He was a man of many trades, he enjoyed tinkering, woodworking, boating, mowing the lawn, and shopping at Price Chopper where he was an unofficial honorary member.

Joseph is survived by his partner Waltraud “Trudy” Stauffer of Three Mile Bay, two children, Mark (Rae) Kovacs of Alexandria, VA and Lisa (Brenton) Clough of Santa Barbara, CA, sister Anita Woodworth, Grandchildren Elizabeth and Sean Zurek, and many nieces and nephews.

Joseph is predeceased by his brother James Kovacs.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Becker-Cleveland Funeral Home, Inc., Chaumont, NY. Online condolences may be made at www.clevelandfhinc.com.

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