ROBERT C. KOVALSKI
1943 - 2020
ROBERT C. KOVALSKI
1943 - 2020
Obituary
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ROBERT KOVALSKI Obituary
Bob was born in Hatfield on January 14, 1943 to the late John and Helen (Penkoski) Kovalski. He worked in general maintenance for many local organizations. Bob had a particular passion for basketball. He was a very well-rounded player, playing for Smith Academy and Providence College. After college, he was drafted by the pros, but was later released. He was an avid fan of Boston sports, including the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins, as well as many of the college basketball programs.
Bob is survived by his son Todd Kovalski and his wife Crystal; daughter Kimberly Foley and her husband Dan; daughter Cheryl Brown and her husband Charles; grandchildren Erika, Andrew, Charlie, Ryan and Matthew Jacob; sister Rose Mulherin and her husband Joseph; aunts Jane Kovalski and Helen Kagan; nieces Lisa and Kari Ann; and nephews Kevin and Marc. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by brother John Kovalski Jr. and his wife Dolores and brother Charles Kovalski and his wife Connie.
Special thanks are extended to Czelusniak Funeral Home for taking care of arrangements, to the staff at Cooley Dickinson Hospital for their care of Bob, as well as to the caring staff at Linda Manor Extended Care Facility.
Services for Bob will be held at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
William Szych
December 1, 2023
I was visiting Providence RI recently and went to a Dunkin Donuts nearby Providence College. While waiting I looked at some photos on the wall. I was extremely pleased to see Jingles staring back at me in a signed photo of his college team. He was a true hero and legend to all of us who grew up playing basketball at Smith Academy in the 60s when championship teams were the rule and a legit high school dynasty was established. May Bob Kovalski rest in eternal peace and perpetual light shine on him. I understand there are now great scrapbooks about the incredible winning teams he was a key player of in the Hatfield Town Museum, as there should be. From Billy Szych, Champion, PA, a member of Smith Academy, Hampshire League Boys Basketball Championship Teams, 70 & 71.
Shirley Widelo Kimball
February 2, 2023
He passed on my birthday two years ago. Our group has or will turn 80 shortly. We are older and he will always stay younger in our hearts. There will never be another Bob Kovalski and his skills for Smith Academy.
Tom Oakley Springfield, MA
December 23, 2022
My condolences to the Kovalski Family. I did not know Bob personally but a admired his basketball abilities. RIP Bob.
Jim Benedict
August 14, 2020
I want to extend my condolences to Bob’s family and friends. I had the pleasure of playing with Bob at Providence. He was a special player with extraordinary skills that allowed him to make a significant contribution to our success at Providence. He was on some of the greatest teams at Providence many receiving national recognition. Along with his talent as a basketball player Bob was a good friend with a unique sense of humor that his team mates always enjoyed. He certainly will always be remembered for helping to place Providence College on the map and as a result encouraging other student athletes to want to be part of the Providence College success story.
Our prayers are with the family at this difficult time.
Jim Benedict
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Shirley (Widelo) Kimball
March 8, 2020
Bob's children, grandchildren and Rose, sorry to hear of the passing of Bob. I was honored to be a cheerleader when he played the first winning season for Smith Academy in 1960. What a thrill to go to the Boston Gardens to play and the heartbreaker that we lost by 1 point to Providence, RI, a school 10 times bigger than us. Though I was the tallest cheerleader at 5'10", Bob towered over me. I never forget the day when the Springfield Republican had me stand on a chair to kiss his cheek. Many great memories of him. My sympathy and love to all.
Paul Hodgkins
February 20, 2020
My condolences to the family and especially Rose who I had the pleasure of working with her at West Experiment Station at UMass.
I was a sophomore and junior at Amherst Regional and it was always very exciting to watch Bob and his team come to Amherst.
It was an exciting time to watch Bob display his skills. God Bless
Edward Korza
February 18, 2020
Sincere condolences to Rose and all family members. I have great memories of playing soccer with "Jingles". Also enjoyed watching him play a great game of basketball in the Town Hall. He was always "looked up to"!
Ed Korza, class of 63
walter krzeminski
February 14, 2020
Saddened by Jingles death. All the kids on my Chicopee Boys Club basketball team followed Smith's every game (box scores of every game were in the paper then). For those two magical seasons Western Mass had Jingles mania. Then Bob was a starter on the Providence team that won the NIT.
Thomas LaBelle
February 11, 2020
My prayers go out to the family of Bob. He was a class mate of mine and a good friend. We played ball together, basketball and soccer. He will be missed very much by many friends he had made over the years.
George Kopacz
February 10, 2020
Jingles...my lifelong friend and former basketball and baseball teammate @ SA..... RIP !
Marty Wilkes
February 10, 2020
My sincere condolences to Bob's extended family. Jingles was a basketball hero who single-handedly put Hatfield 'on the map' as the sportswriters liked to say. It was, indeed, a privilege to play on the starting five along with Charlie, Terry, Billy and Bob. I hope the Town of Hatfield can somehow honour Jingles in its historic celebrations. He deserves it. RIP
Charlie Symanski
February 10, 2020
So Sorry to hear of Bob's death. It was a privilege to have been on the same team.
Susan Kugler
February 9, 2020
Rose, Joe & family: please accept my deepest condolences. Bob was a legend that will never be forgotten. I remember going to the games with my parents when I was a child, and it was always SRO. He brought so much joy and spirit to our town and beyond. May he rest in peace.
chester Skorupski
February 9, 2020
Rose and family,
Our sincere condolences with the passing of Robert. Robert was a local hero and inspiration for youth throughout the area and beyond. He literally changed the town he loved.
Chet & Chris Skorupski and mom Rose
Rick Konieczny
February 9, 2020
Condolences To The Kovalski Family. I played basketball at Hopkins and remember very well playing against "Jingles". Sorry for your loss.
Coach K (EHS)
Carol Symanski
February 9, 2020
Rose & family,
So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. My sincere condolences to all his family. A classmate & friend from the 60's....RIP, Bob.
Irene
February 8, 2020
Jingles,
Great basketball player
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