THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY HEFFLEY, KNOWLES, BEAR, BOYD, BRADFORD, BROOKS, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, CARROLL, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, DAY, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, EVANKOVICH, EVERETT, FARRY, FLECK, GEIST, GILLEN, GILLESPIE, GOODMAN, GROVE, HARHART, HENNESSEY, HICKERNELL, KILLION, KORTZ, KULA, MAHER, MAJOR, MARSICO, METCALFE, MILLARD, MILLER, MIRABITO, MOUL, MURT, MUSTIO, MYERS, PAYNE, PEIFER, PICKETT, PYLE, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW, REED, REESE, REICHLEY, ROCK, ROSS, SAINATO, SCHRODER, SONNEY, SWANGER AND VEREB, MARCH 28, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 28, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Honoring the life of John J. "Sonny" Kovatch, Jr., a pillar of

Carbon County.

WHEREAS, John J. "Sonny" Kovatch, Jr., of Nesquehoning, died

Saturday, January 29, 2011, leaving behind his wife of 63 years,

Helen (Yelito); his son, John J., III; four daughters, Marianne

Meixell, Jane Beury, Kathy Reaman and Judy Lebo; brother,

Joseph; three sisters, Helen Homcha, Agnes Barachie and Ann

Orner; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, During a career that spanned more than six decades,

Mr. Kovatch went to great lengths and sacrificed much for his

community, employees, country and family; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Kovatch graduated from Nesquehoning High School

and bravely served his country in the United States Army in the

Pacific during World War II; and

WHEREAS, In March 1946, he opened a small car repair shop;

and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years, Mr. Kovatch became the founder

of several companies bearing his name that today are global

leaders in specialty vehicle manufacturing; and

WHEREAS, His company, Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corporation

(KME), was created in the 1980s to begin the manufacture of new

fire apparatus, and today, the company is the largest family-

held fire truck manufacturer in North America; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Kovatch operated under his philosophy of hard

work and commitment to a family-operated company that puts its

customers and employees first; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, Mr. Kovatch provided jobs to

hundreds of people in Carbon County; and

WHEREAS, Not only was Mr. Kovatch a great businessman, he

also truly cared about improving the quality of life in his

community; and

WHEREAS, Through Mr. Kovatch's efforts, many businesses and

services were brought to Nesquehoning, including a large

supermarket, a community college and other manufacturers located

in the Green Acres Industrial Park; and

WHEREAS, Over the last several years, Mr. Kovatch was

instrumental in the push to bring solar power to the Carbon

County area; and

WHEREAS, Nesquehoning Fire Chief John McArdle stated that Mr.

Kovatch had "been a pillar of the community for a long, long

time" and was a "friend and asset for our fire companies"; and

WHEREAS, William J. O'Gurek, chairman of the Carbon County

Board of Commissioners, described Mr. Kovatch's impact on the

community as "phenomenal" and stated, "He not only built a great

organization, but he contributed greatly to helping to enhance

the quality of life for those in his hometown and all of our

surrounding communities"; and

WHEREAS, Wayne Nothstein, Carbon County commissioner, stated,

"What he did for the local fire departments is

incredible...bringing in a quality manufacturing plant, so many

jobs, letting firefighters leave their jobs to fight fires, he

was a community-oriented person who went above and beyond"; and

WHEREAS, His son, John Kovatch, III, who is now the CEO of

the Kovatch Corporation, said, "My father was a true American

success story. He loved what he did and had a passion to build a

legacy that will continue to positively affect our lives for

generations to come"; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the life of

Mr. Kovatch by recognizing his dedicated service to his country,

this Commonwealth and his community.