DANBURY—Deacon Richard P. Kovacs, 81, passed away on August 11, 2024.He was 81 years of age.
Kovacs was born on July 15, 1943 in Danbury to Frank and Lena Kovacs. He was baptized on August 8, 1943, and received the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 12, 1954 at St. Peter Parish in Danbury. He attended Danbury High School.
On August 20,1966, Richard and Carol were married at St. Gregory the Great Parish and they raised two children, Kimberly and Alan, in Danbury. Richard attended Western Connecticut State University where his area of specialization was business management. Richard joined the Connecticut National Guard in 1962 until his honorable discharge in 1967.
On August 31, 1987, Richard was accepted into the diaconate formation program. He was ordained to the permanent diaconate on June 9, 1990, by Bishop Edward M. Egan at St. Augustine Cathedral. Deacon Kovacs was assigned to serve as deacon at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Danbury. He served as deacon at St. Joseph Parish in Brookfield, and then Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Joseph and St. Gregory the Great parishes in Danbury. He remained in joyful service until his retirement on his 75th birthday, July 15, 2018.
Deacon Kovacs’ family has been a staple in the Danbury community for generations. He retired from the Archdiocese of New York as a development associate, and was a former director of development at the Diocese of Bridgeport. He was a member of the Catholic War Veterans, Vespucci Lodge, Elks Club, AARP Danbury and Danbury Senior Center. He was a Fourth Degree Knight and Grand Knight of Columbus.
The wake will be at St. Gregory the Great Parish, 86 Great Plain Rd. in Danbury, on Friday, August 16, from 4 pm to 8 pm. The funeral will be at St. Gregory the Great on Saturday, August 17 at 10 am. Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will be the celebrant and Father Michael Dunn will be the homilist. Deacons will gather at the church at 9:15 am to pray the Office of the Dead. Vesting is alb and diocesan stole.
Committal will be at St. Peter Cemetery, 71 Lake Avenue Ext., Danbury.
Condolences may be sent to Carol Kovacs, 12 Juniper Ridge Drive, Danbury, CT 06811. Donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation.
Please pray for the repose of Deacon Kovacs’ soul and for the consolation of his family.
