James J. Kovaleski

I will never forget the presence my Grandpa JJ possessed. I will miss him with all my heart, but his words of wisdom and encouragement will stay with me always. I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of such a phenomenal person's life! Love&Sympathy ~Michala

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kovaleski's. It was so nice to have finally met JJ last August for Wendy & Jim's wedding. I'd heard lots of wonderful things about JJ over the years and it was obvious what a loving husband, father and friend he was. Please accept our sincerest condolances.

Please accept my deepest sympathies. Like others who have signed this guest book, I knew Mr. Kovaleski vicariously through his son, Dr. Tom. In my many discussions with Dr. Tom it is clear that Mr. Kovaleski was an incredible man with an exceptional outlook on life who raised amazing children. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

I'm sorry to hear about your father, I know how hard it is to lose a parent. You still have the memories from all those years....

I was saddened to hear of Jim's passing this week. My sympathy's and prayer go out to the Kovaleski family. It will be odd to not see Jim in his hat! at our MIAC meetings. We are all better for having known him and for having shared in his passion for officiating. He touched many lives and is in a better place.

All our Love - The Buffington's



We will miss JJ so very much, Our hearts go out to all who are missing , remembering, Love , JJ & his family. We are so blessed to have meet & shared so many wounderful times together. We are thankful to have been able to shared that time. It will always be in our hearts. Our thoughts, prayers Always.



xoxoxo

To the family of Jim Kovaleski; i want to express my sincere condolenscenes in th loss of Jim. he was a great friend & a tireless football assignor for MOA. He will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. Please know that God is with you always and especially now at thsi time. Now Jim has an arial view of all the sports he officiated for. Sincerely, Jim Mylander

Thoughts and prayers are with the Kovaleski family. Thank you Jim for opening the football officiating door to a "newcomer."

Jim will be missed by many. He was a wonderful advocate for quality athletic opportunities for students with disabilities. As an official, he valued sportsmanship and teamwork. He was always courteous, professional and friendly. I noticed Jim seemed to have a soft spot in his heart for teams and athletes that were struggling. My deepest sympathy to Pat and the rest of the Kovaleski family.

Words never seem enough at a time like this but you will always be in our hearts and our wonderful memories of the vacations we had The pleasure of the fishing trips we shared and the fish fries after. We were fortunate to spend time with you and your family at the camp sight in Eastport Sitting round the fire chating (telling those fish tales!)having a beer or two Whenever Steven and I get a grandslam we will always be thinking of you. You are in our thoughts and will be truely missed. All our love alwaysxxxxxxxxxxx

the Hickman family from England

I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the Kovaleski family on your loss. We are remembering all of you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.



I had met Mr. Kovaleski on several occasions during his frequent trips to Alaska to visit Tom and Royann and grandchildren. Although I didn't know him well in a direct sense, I feel I did however know him indirectly through his son Tom and the outstanding virtues he instilled in him. It is obvious from the many wonderful responses I have read in the guest book that Mr. Kovaleski lived life to its fullest and enjoyed a complete, rich, and rewarding life - we all should be so fortunate. A life of service to his God, his family, his country, and his community. Winston Churchill once said a living is what you earn but a life is defined by what you give to others. Mr Kovaleski exemplified this quality and reached out to others and touched the lives of many; he is a model to us all of a life well lived. It is comforting to know that through his beautiful family his legacy will continue to live on and impact the world.



So until the family is reunited in Heaven please be comforted in the knowledge that one more American Marine has been placed on the roll of honor and has reported for eternal duty in Paradise. We all sleep safely in the knowledge that the Pearly Gates are secure on this Marine's watch.



From Rev 21: 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, or crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.



From John 11: 25-26 I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.



May God bless and comfort you.

I will miss J.J. He became a friend.

Pat and Family - Nothing but good memories as we remember Jim, and we pray for you during this difficult time. From all of the Messers, we will never forget all you did for us and Mom when we were young. What a wonderful role model Jim was for so many young people, not just in his days as our Principal, but in his officiating as well. How proud you must be of his life and legacy.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jim was a wonderful person.



Ann Linden Brownell, Patricia Strauch Backman and other members of the WSHS Class of 1947

Our sympathy to Pat, Tom, Mary, John, Jim, family, relatives and friends. We will miss VFW Post 5462 comrade Jim.

Jim, I will miss you as all will miss you who coached and officiated in adapted sports. You always gave me a hard time with a smile on your face. You are a wonderful human being. thanks. You made a difference for alot of coaches and athletes.

I just wanted to say I am sorry for your loss, and your family is in my prayers.

I used to live next to Jim and Pat when I was a little girl. I think it's been around 20 years. Jim was a great neighbor. Its hard to believe that all that time has passed and he is gone. I remember him like it was yesterday. He was such a wonderful and kind man. He always made me laugh and was there for me when I needed him. I will never forget him as long as I live!

Please accept my deepest sympathies. I never met Mr. Kovaleski but feel fortunate to work with his son in Alaska, who has touched many lives in a good way.



Best wishes



Dr. Ted Mala

Although I didn't know Jim, I have worked with his son, Dr Tom for many years. Seeing him work day in & day out truly shows what an amazing person you all have raised. It is obvious after reading all the posts where those leadership skills came from. God Bless your family.

I was shocked by the news along with many other officials that worked with Jim. He has been a great mentor to many of us over the years and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Jim's family.

Our hearts and prayers go out to your family at this time.



Sincerely Yours;



Bergitt Kahula

My deepest sympathies are with the Kovaleski family during this difficult time. What wonderful memories you have of your Dad, Tom, but the pain will still be there for some time. Jenni and I wish you healing time to reflect and enjoy our precious gift of life.

Please accept my sympathies and prayers for your loss. Although I never met James, I do feel like I knew him pretty well over the years through many, many discussions with Tom. Tom is certainly among my oldest and dearest friends since moving to Alaska 30 years ago. Losing a parent is one of life's toughest tolls along the journey. My thoughts and best wishes are with the Kovaleski family during this time.

Although I did not know Jim I have worked with his son, Dr. Tom, for many years and would like to extend my thoughts and prayers to the Kovaleski family.

The Kovaleski and Bloomgren family are in our thoughts and our prayers.

Jim was a life-long friend and mentor to many of us, with a gift for making each of us feel special in his life...he certainly was an incredibly important influence in my life as an educator. By sharing his vision, creativity, and basic common sense, he helped me weather the storms and climb to those mountain-top experiences as an elementary school principal. My life has been richly blessed through his love, friendship and great sense of humor. He will be dearly missed. My prayers surround Jim's family and friends at this most difficult time.

Its hard to believe that Jim is gone. He was great for football officiating in Minnesota and will be missed. He would talk fondly of his son in Florida and how much he enjoyed spending his time there.



We will miss you Jim!

My heart and prayers are with the Kovaleski family. God bless you all.

Tom and Royann,

I met James a time or two when he was visiting you here in Alaska. Having recently lost my Mother and Brother, I understand your feeling of loss. You are in our prayers. You are special people to both of us.

Bloomgren Family,

Heather and I are saddened by your loss. Amanda, may you carry on your grandfather's spirit and zest for life.

Love,

Paul Nelson & Heather Goodman

Jim was a good friend to countless numbers of officials in the area. He will be missed by many, but is certainaly in a better place now. Our prayers are with the family

To Jim,

I am still in shock to hear the news. I am truely going to miss working with you and being your "side kick" and "little helper" for adaptive softball. I have learned a lot from you and will miss working with you in the sport. You have been my mentor and my friend these past years, and I hope to make you proud of me now that I am taking over your job as the head of officials. I thank you for your friendship, your leadership as an official and the encouragement you just gave me on Monday in your email you sent me about taking over for you. I hope you are now able to be out on the golf course "up there" enjoying the life that was taken away from you so quickly. My deepest sympathy to your family.

Michelle Schneider- Adaptive Official

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I was shocked and saddened to hear of Jim's death, and can only imagine how hard it is for all of you to accept. I will miss seeing him out doing yard work as I walk by with Penny. He was a wonderful man, and gave so much to the community. You should all be very proud of the life he led and the legacy he left. If there's anything I can do, Pat, please do not hesitate to let me know. I'm sorry that I will not be able to attend the service on Saturday, but I will be out of town. I will be praying for God's blessings for you and your family to help you through this diffult time.

My heart goes out to the Kovaleski / Bloomgren family. As a life-long friend of Amanda's, I've heard many great stories of her grandfather Jim. She truly loved and respected her grandpa. I know he will be missed dearly and I wish his friends and family strength in a time of sorrow.

Pat,

Marlys and I extend our deepest sympathies to you and your family. You know only too well the great freindship that existed between Jim and I. Our years as reffing partners was the foundation for a true and lasting frendship. Jim's work in both able-bodied athletics and adatptive athletics was a wonderful example for all. His concern for others was always evident. I count my blessings that I was able to visit with Jim last week. I know that he is in heaven organizing a golf game at this moment. His leadership will be missed. Those of us that were touched by Jim will forever be better for it. Our love and prayers go to you and the family in this time of need



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I didn't know James Kovaleski personally, but I knew of him. He is the father of one of my favorite people, Dr. Tom, so I know what a great person he must have been. My thoughts and prayers are with the Kovaleski Family.

i was happy to have jim as referey

he use to give me a hard time about my jurlery i liked it when he was the guy umpireing my adapted soccer and hockey, softball i will really miss jim alot he meant alot to me at least now he will rest in peace and not sufer anymore u will always be in my heart jim i will miss u alot bye jim

Many thanks to Jim for all the work he has done leading and coordinating the football assignmnets. We will all miss him and find it hard to replace him.

Pat..... I just want to say that You and Jim have meant so much to me and were such great neighbors.

I feel so sad that I didn't get to

talk to Jim after his surgery to

tell him how much his friendship

meant to me.. I will miss him and

his wonderful smile.. no matter when I saw him he always made me

feel like I could count on him if

I ever needed anything... what a

wonderful, caring man.. I am so

lucky to have known both you and

Jim. My thoughts and prayers are

for you and your family...



Love.. Joanne Plocher

The deepest sympathy of the Don & Mary Schuler family is with you and your family Pat - he was a wonderful man, always a ready smile for you no matter where or when we met.

Please accept my sincere condolences. Jim did so much for so many of us in the officiating community. He will be missed as our Supervisor and leader of the MIAC football officiating staff.

I'm proud to have had Jim as a mentor for football officiating. I particularly remember driving with him to one of the last games he worked on the field. On the way to the game we talked a bit of football (and how gracious his wife was with his officiating career), but on the way back he couldn't say enough about how proud he was of his kids, the great times he had visiting them across the country, and the upcoming trips.

I learned some football and a lot about priorities that day.

Thanks Kovi.

My observation of Jim was that he was very devoted and dedicated to the causes he embraced. Football will be poorer without him.

My dear friend Jim has gone home, but will never be forgotten. Jim brought me so much in life and I will always, forever be grateful that I had the time to spend and learn from him.