Anthony F. Kovacs, 99, of Vero Beach and a WWII veteran, passed away.
He is survived by his loving wife Mary Frances (Joy); two sisters, Irene Kelleher and Violet Kovacs, both of Bethlehem; brother-in-law Ralph Tileston and a sister-in-law Dot Hogan of Fort Pierce; and numerous nieces and nephews.
His brother Kalman and a sister Catherine (Andrew) Horvath, and a Nun, Sister Andrea of The Daughters of Divine Charity, predeceased him.
Kovacs was born in Bethlehem, Pa., on June 16, 1917, to the late Antal and Irene (Varga) Kovacs.
He served in World War II with the Third Infantry Division and later with the First Armored Division (Old Ironsides). He earned a Purple Heart. In addition, he received four bronze stars, a combat infantry badge and ribbons from various campaigns.
Kovacs graduated from Stetson University in Deland, Fla. He owned and operated Kovacs Beverage Co., a beer and soda distributorship in Bethlehem from 1953 to 1983.
He is a lifetime member of Military Order of the Purple Heart, The American Legion, The Society of the Third Infantry Division, The 15th Infantry Regiment, The Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of Spanish Lakes Veterans Club. He was an artist, basketball player, bowler, and until recently a member of different golf leagues. He was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach where a Mass of Christian Burial was held on July 20, 2016.
Donations may be sent to VNA Hospice House 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
