ASHTABULA — Joseph Lovas Jr., age 86, of West 7th St., died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009, at Country Club Retirement Center.
He was born Oct. 30, 1923, in Rocky River, the son of Joseph and Sophie (Nagy) Lovas Sr. and had been an Ashtabula resident since 1952. After high school, he graduated from Dyke College with a degree in Business. A Veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during World War II.
After working as an insurance agent for Prudential Insurance, he moved to Ashtabula to be closer to many of his clients and opened the Lovas Insurance Agency, still operated by his two sons.
A member of Mother of Sorrows Church for over 50 years, Mr. Lovas had served as a Eucharistic minister and volunteered at the soup kitchen.
A member of the Ashtabula Lions Club, he served as Cabinet Secretary Treasurer for District #13 from 1964-65 and received the 50 year Monarch Milestone Chevron Award from the International Association of Lions Clubs. He also served on the Ashtabula Port Authority for over 10 years; had received his 25 year pin as a member of Rising Sun Lodge #22, Free and Accepted Masons after joining with his son, John, in 1982; and was a 20 year volunteer at Ashtabula County Medical Center and member of El Kadir Grotto.
A faithful Cleveland sports fan, his true passion was golf. Joe enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, looked forward to his Friday night poker game with great friends, and loved growing tomatoes and garlic in his garden. He was a good cook who enjoyed making traditional Hungarian dishes.
A true perfectionist, those who knew him always understood there were two ways to do things - Joe’s way and the wrong way.
His survivors include his wife of 62 years, Charlotte (West), whom he married May 30, 1947; six children, Joseph M., William J. (Carol), John E. (Cathy) and Ann L. Lovas, all of Ashtabula, Kathy Lovas of Madison and Edward (Ruth) Lovas of College Station, Texas; four grandchildren, Dawn Cochran, and Karina, Cameron and Kyle Lovas; three great-granddaughters, Taylor, Aryn and Paden Cochran; and his sister-in-law, Florence Lovas of Willoughby.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Jo Lovas; brother, Alan Lovas; and his parents.
Calling Hours will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5th, at the DUCRO FUNERAL SERVICES AND CREMATORY, 4524 Elm Ave., Ashtabula. Rising Sun Lodge #22 will conduct a Masonic Memorial Service at 7:45 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 6th, 2009, at Mother of Sorrows Church, 1464 West 6th St., Ashtabula, with Fr. John MulQueen as celebrant. Entombment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to St. Herman’s House of Hospitality, Monastery of the Little Brothers, 4410 Franklin Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44113 or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Md. 20814.
Obituary and condolences at www.ducro.com and starbeacon.com
