James Howard Kovalsky

James Howard Kovalsky EWING James H. Kovalsky (Coach K./Mr. K.) passed away peacefully on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, at his home with his wife and good friends by his side. He was 71. Born on April 14, 1948, to Gus and Viva Kovalsky, he grew up in Washington, NJ. He graduated from Washington High School in 1966 and Glassboro State College in 1970, majoring in elementary education. Jim and his wife, Eileen (Lovenduski) celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on July 8. Jimmy always said meeting Eileen was the best thing that ever happened to him, calling her Eileen the Good! He enjoyed getting to know the Lovenduski family saying that he needed a scorecard to keep everyone straight! In high school he was a three sport athlete earning two letters in basketball, and four in both football and baseball. On the field few matched his accomplishments in football and baseball. The Newark News (Star Ledger) selected him as the First Team Group II All State Quarterback in 1965, and the First Team Group II All Groups Catcher in 1966. He was voted Most Valuable Athlete in his class. In 1966, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates scout, Bill Weaver, and he was named the Co-MVP of the Mercer County American Legion League. In college he continued to play both football and baseball, lettering three years in football and four years in baseball. He still holds the school's kickoff return record, a 99-yard return against Southern Connecticut. In 1970, he was a tri-captain of the baseball team and the First Team All-NJAC catcher. That same year Frank O'Rourke scouted Jim as a free agent draft pick for the New York Yankees. After graduating college Jimmy served six months active duty with the U.S. Army. Jim started his teaching and coaching career at Antheil Junior High in Ewing, NJ. He was a reading teacher and the last coach of the Antheil Hawks baseball team. He continued his Ewing teaching career at Fisher Junior High and Fisher Middle School. Mr. K. loved teaching the junior high and middle school students. He made a big impact on many lives especially the young men he coached. Many of his students and athletes became lifelong friends and several got to coach with him and against him. During the 1998-99 school year, Jim was named the Teacher of the Year for Fisher in the N.J. State Governor's Teacher Recognition Program. In 1999, he was awarded the Fisher Junior High Golden Apple Award for enthusiasm, attitude and loyalty. He taught for the Ewing Township School District for 34 years, retiring in 2004. In 2002, Jim became a member of the Washington/Warren Hills Wall of Fame. In 2006, he became a member of the Ewing High School Hall of Fame. In 2017, he received the "Nick Gusz" Good Guy Award from the Delaware Valley Chapter National Football Foundation. He loved coaching and was the freshman football coach for 18 years, and the Ewing High JV baseball coach for 23 years. As head coach he continued Ewing's winning tradition in baseball, as his teams qualified for the state tournament in all but two seasons. He finished his coaching career with five straight winning seasons. From 1990 to 2003, he was the Blue Devil's assistant head football coach in charge of the offense and quarterbacks. Coach K. volunteered as a Babe Ruth coach, manager for both J&L Texaco and Larkin's Gulf teams. He was manager of the year in 1979, and in 2000, he was awarded the Babe Ruth "Karl Harder" Award for Outstanding Dedication to Youth Activities. Jim always enjoyed watching sports, but once retired a perfect weekend was attending a high school game on Friday night, another on Saturday afternoon and going to a college game on Saturday night! He loved driving whether a local ride, or going cross country. He was an avid reader of nonfiction and enjoyed World War II history. Jimmy had so many friends because no one was more fun to be with, and no one enjoyed his friends more than he did. He always enjoyed a good time. He was predeceased by his parents, Gus and Viva Kovalsky. He is survived by his wife, Eileen; sister, Janie Smickle; nieces, Laurie Smickle and husband, Eric Comunale; Elaine and Mike Ryno; two grand-nieces, Ella and Brielle Ryno, along with several cousins. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10 at the Princeton Community Church, 2300 Pennington Rd., Pennington 08534. Friends may call at the church Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and again Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim's name to Multiple Myeloma Program, Dr. Sundar Jagannath, 1470 Madison Ave., 6th Floor, NY, NY 10029. Arrangements are under the direction of Timothy F. Reeg, Funeral Director, Pennington, timreeg.com.