Pal I. Kovacs

Pal (Paul) Kovacs of Leominster

Pal (Paul) Kovacs passed away on June 12, 2024 at his home in Leominster, Massachusetts. Born on June 8, 1939 in Nagyatad, Hungary, Pal was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Pal loved his family, especially his grandchildren. Pal’s smiles were never brighter and his laughter never louder than when he was spending time with his grandchildren.

Pal spent the first 17 years of his life in Nagyatad. Following the invasion of Hungary by Russia in 1956, and after the failed Hungarian uprising, Pal fled to bordering Yugoslavia. Shortly after his escape, Pal was captured, arrested, and imprisoned by Yugoslavian soldiers. After spending about one year in a concentration camp, and while imprisoned, Pal was introduced to CIA operatives who offered him and his fellow male Hungarians the deal of a lifetime: the CIA would arrange their evacuation from the camp and the Hungarians would be transported to the US, where, after serving 5 years in the US Army, they would be free to apply for American citizenship. Pal jumped at the chance.

At first, Pal was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii (not a bad gig). He was then transferred to Fort Devens where, at a dance, he met his first wife, Barbara (MacMillan) Kovacs. Pal and Barbara raised four children together: three sons, Paul (Paulie), Christopher (Butchie), and Eric, and one daughter, Lorna. Later on, Pal met and married his second wife, Frieda (Majo) Kovacs.

Pal was an avid traveler who would go anywhere, anytime, at the drop of a hat. He especially enjoyed visiting the Caribbean with Frieda. Continually staying in touch with his Hungarian relatives, Pal often returned to his homeland to visit family and friends. They always remained close to his heart. Pal loved playing golf with Butchie and his old union buddies, spending his free time playing card games with friends Shirley and Eddie, puttering in his garden, fixing things around the house, and walking on the beach at Cape Cod with his girlfriend, Joanne. Following New England sports teams was a favorite of Pal’s (including going to the PATS games with Mark) as was hanging out at Lake Winnie with Lorna’s family and shopping with Sammy and Danny (the girls obviously liked it more than their grandpa).

Pal is survived by his daughter, Lorna Hebert, and her husband, Michel, both of Wayland, his son, Christopher Kovacs, who lives in Hayward, CA, and his son, Eric Kovacs, who lives in Sterling. He was grandfather to Jacob, Nicholas, Joshua, Sammy, and Danny, as well as his great granddaughter, Miya, all of whom brought immense joy to his life. Also surviving Pal are his stepdaughters, Romy Bailey, and her husband Jonathan, of Virginia Beach, VA, Carolyn Majo of Nashua, NH, Michelle Young and her husband, Mark, of Canton, GA, as well as grandchildren, Jason, Susie, Kawika, Sean, Heather, Jessica, Alyssa, Ryan, Tyler, and Trevor, and great grandchildren Noelle, Kiana, Kai, Caleb, Savannah, Nai’a, Cayden, Kady, Connor, Sepp, Charlotte, and Cody, all of whom will forever hold dear their memories of Pal.

Pal was predeceased by his son, Paul (Paulie), his first wife, Barbara, his second wife, Frieda, parents, George and Theresa Kovacs, and his brother, Bailo.

Pal lived a wonderful life. He is now pain free and at peace.

Calling hours are July 1, from 9:00 am- 11:00 am at Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West Street, Leominster, MA, followed by a burial service at Evergreen Cemetery, 257 Main Street, Leominster, MA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at P.O. Box 49104, Baltimore, MD 21297 (by mail), or 1-888-999-NAMI (6264)(by phone).

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