Obituary of Timothy James Kovacs
Timothy James “Tim” Kovacs December 22, 1942 – April 4, 2023
On Wednesday, March 29 th , 2023, Tim made his decision to leave this world on his own terms. He passed away Tuesday April 4 th , 2023, in London University Hospital’s Palliative Care Unit – a fighter to the end. On his 80 th birthday, no one was more surprised than Mr Tim (term of endearment) himself, because over 30 years ago, Kidney disease changed his life and altered the course he would take for the remainder of his time. A long time Leafs fan, Mr Tim suffered more from his team’s perpetual early golf season than he did from his multiple medical challenges which had become more serious, especially over the past 5 years. For 60 years (less 16 days), Tim’s wife Margaret blocked and deflected most of the inevitable slapshots that peppered Tim’s net. Many times for Mr Tim, the glass felt it was half empty due to the burden of his health-related co-morbidities, but Margaret was always at his side, encouraging him to see how full his glass really was in oh so may ways. In retirement, Mr Tim’s (now aka Poppa) purpose and meaning was centered on time spent and experiences shared with his Grandsons Ben and Charlie. Whether it was a Westdale PS assembly, Oakridge Timbit Hockey, Lacrosse, LMFA, Forest City Thunderbirds or Oakridge Oaks football games or practices, Poppa Tim was always there. After both grandsons graduated from University of Waterloo, “the boys” returned often to spend time with Poppa to share “hopes and dreams” conversations, to bring him up to speed on their latest adventure or be there to help him up when he was down (sometimes literally). Tim is survived by his wife Margaret (Tiede), sons Patrick and Martin (Donna), and grandsons Benjamin and Charles. Born in Manitoba, the Son of James and Mary (deceased) and Brother to Olga (Joe Kovacs) and Jim; dear Brother-in-law of Janet LaFleche (Lance Warren) and beloved uncle for many nieces and nephews. Tim had a huge love of family, but knew that he could only have one favorite and for sure, it was Donna. Yep, somehow Tim always appreciated that Donna would be the kindest while all hell broke loose in a house of boys and that she was tough enough to stand up for herself when Mr Tim became stubborn. Mr Tim was fortunate to have strong women in his life and learned from a young age that women truly were the backbone of his family. A lifelong DIY ‘kinda’ guy, Tim acquired many home and mechanical maintenance skills, but it was the story shared with care teams at PeopleCare OakCrossing LTC, UH Dialysis unit, Parkwood Hospital, UH orthopaedic and Thames Valley Family Health Team that truly defines Mr Tim and how tough he really was. Years ago Tim broke his ankle and was promptly casted. Four days later, Mr Tim, hopping on one foot, hoisted a 40 foot extension ladder into the family pear tree, and proceeded to hop from rung to rung on one leg while one- handing a running chainsaw with a lit cigarette firmly planted in the corner of his mouth – and cut it down. A while ago, Tim was described by one of his many Doctors as a young man inside a much older person’s body. Mr Tim being the recycled teenager he really was, remained defiant and tough yet could not outlast the cumulation of his own mortality. As tough as Mr Tim was, it was his overwhelming gratitude that stood out as he directed his own advance care plan. Cremation has taken place. A private gathering to celebrate Mr Tim’s life will occur later - only one tough guy allowed. Online condolences may be left at www.funeraloptions.ca
