Very sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. We shared apartments in Ottawa and Montréal when we were social work students about 1970. Enjoyed care packages from his mom. 

I just learnt today of Joe’s passing. I am in disbelief. Joe was very special to me. He was my Social work supervisor as a student on the Forensic Unit at Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital during the era of Dr. White when the unit was located in the century manor building. I learnt so much from him and then we worked together many years later ( for 13 years) when I became Director of Social Work.
Joe was certainly a class act. He spoke often of you Catherine and was so proud.
All the best to you and all who loved Joe.
Desmond Pouyat

I worked with Joe for 22 years.  He was an amazing man who always shared stories from the past.  Catherine, I am sending my deepest condolences to you and your family.  I like your quote from Dr. Lemieux as did Joe.  Working with Joe was easy as he always made me feel comfortable.  I enjoyed working with him.  He truly was happy cooking in the kitchen.  He was an amazing chef, wine connoisseur and great father.  My last conversation with him was a couple of weeks earlier and we were talking of meeting soon once the Covid pandemic was lifted.  He talked of you and Lauren.  He was very proud of you and your achievements in this world.  RIP Joe.

To the Kovacich family, sending my sincere sympathies.  
I was saddened to hear of Joe's passing, and fortunate that I was able to share a little bit of life with him behind the bar at Vineland Estates Winery. Joe was kind man; soft spoken, humourous, a good listener, and always had a story to share. He was so knowledgeable about numerous subjects but especially wine and food. We had many a customer who would come in to the winery and request "Joe" for their tasting or tour. Rest in Peace Joe.   You made this world a better place just by being you.



There are many ways one could describe Joe.

  In short,  I always really enjoyed his company.  He was a class act.

Bright, sensitive, artistic, kind.

I miss him.

We were very sad to hear of the passing of Joe. Rick and I both had the privilege of working with him on the forensic program. He was a man of many talents, and loved to share this knowledge if you asked. 

Condolences to Catherine and family.
RIP: Joe K you made the world a better Place.
Nancy and Rick Miller 

To all of Joe's beloved family and friends,

I was very privileged to know the "muffuletta king" for a long time as both his teacher at Niagara College and at Vineland Estates Winery.  Joe was such a keen student in the night classes AND he even took my food and wine synergy course twice!  He got something like 92 the first time around and when I asked why he was there again (although I was pleased to see his smiling face), he just said that he loved the class and wanted to absorb more.  He truly honoured me that day.  It was also a pleasure to hire him at Vineland Estates.  He was an amazing team member and many, many guests would come in asking for Joe.  He was just that memorable a spirit.  All of us at the winery who knew Joe will miss him very deeply.  He was so kind, caring, welcoming and knowledgeable.   He was a hospitality giant.  Our sincerest condolences to all of you.  

I was saddened to have learned of Joe's passing. Joe & I worked together at Vineland Estates & became good friends. A knowledgeable man with wine! RIP Joe & here's to the White Meritage! Darryl

Joe was a wonderful kind and gentle soul .  He was full of and always willing to share his vast knowledge with others.
It was a honour and a pleasure to have worked with him.
My sincere condolences to the family’
Rest In Peace Joe 


Professionally, I recall as a young nurse cold calling Joe with a forensic question and with patience and guidance he told me step by step what actions I needed to take.  So thankful.
In later years, I had the privilege of meeting his daughter, Catherine,   through our work in mental health and developing a lasting friendship despite our age difference.  I recall fondly, Joe welcoming me into his home  and setting another place and pouring a glass of wine and including me in their gathering in a genuine friendly manner.

It was an honour to have known and worked with you.  Rest in Peace Joe.

Joe was a colleague, a mentor and good friend. Always kind, always helpful and always a true gentleman. I feel honoured to have worked alongside him for so many years. He was one of a kind.

Dear Catherine, Adam, and Lauren, 

Mark and I were truly saddened to hear about the loss of Joe.  He was an extraordinary man who was a person who inspired many, including us.  He was an amazing colleague and friend who was caring, thoughtful, and respected by all.  Joe shared his knowledge and was always willing to lend a helping hand.  Simply put, he was the ‘Renaissance Man’ - the master of social work and a true gift to the public service.  He has left us with so many great memories.  It was truly an honour and privilege to know Joe.  He will be missed by us all.  

May he rest in peace. 


Sending lots of love and prayers,
Cindy and Mark Nicholls 


BIG JOE as we referred to him.We remember meeting him about 6 years ago and it was his voice and demeanor that was always so soft and caring He always asked how you were doing and if you were ok.
BIG heart BIG soul BIG JOE

Our hearts go out to him and his family.

Puppies loved him too.

Love Ben and Joanne

Joe and I have been friends through the elementary and high school years. We hitchhiked together all through the States and Mexico back in the 60's, we were 18 years old. What an adventure!

 In our senior years we reconnected and spent a great deal of time together. We had dinners at each others home, he was an amazing chef and always had a variety of wines and spirits for each course of food. We also went out for dinner with John Galoni also his lifetime friend and his wife Liz.  We went to the movies together and spent a lot of time talking on the phone. 

Often visited him at Vineland Estates, his expertise with wine was amazing.

His favourite topic was his Daughter Catherine and her husband Adam and of course Lauren his granddaughter whom he adored. He loved his family so much.

My wife Debbie and I will miss him so much.

Eddie Valevicius

Our hearts go out to ALL of "Joe's" family, friends, colleagues and people that benefited from "Joe's" unique charm, eloquence and understanding of the human condition. We had the honour and privilege of witnessing his professional care when he visited the mentally ill clients at the local detention centre. "Joe" had the ability to make everyone feel at ease to open up and tell their story...he was a genuine listener. We share in his love for wine...so let's ALL toast the life and fond memories imparted graciously upon us by "Joe"

Dave and Debbie Heiliger 

Working with Joe over many years was always enjoyable, educational, and an opportunity to enhance the reputation of the department of Social Work at the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital and then the Mountain Site of St. Joseph's Hospital. Joe was always a great teacher and colleague. Having retired in 2011 I have not seen Joe since then but my memories of Joe remain strong. 

Joe was such a wonderful man and respected colleague. You could always count on him to share his wealth of knowledge. 

Dear Joe, 
There are no other words to describe you …. other than “The Master!” You were an exemplary social worker – someone who mastered the skill of social work/mental health/ risk assessments, knowing how to balance the need for details, particularly in the area of forensic risk, but always within the context of individual/ family strength and dignity. You were an exemplary Hospital spokesperson – someone who mastered the skill of speaking to the crowns, judges, police, counsel, detention centres, corrections, community workers, etc. – someone who carefully spoke to any legal/ medical query within the context of Hospital logistics and priorities. AND, most of all, you were an exemplary teacher – someone who mastered the skill of teaching ALL colleagues no matter what discipline …. with particular attention given to forensic residents, new doctors and Fellows. 
 
Thank you for sharing of your Gracious GIFTS ….. Your gift of knowledge, your gift of understanding without judgement, and your gift of guiding the HUGE ship with all its’ workers. You were indeed “The Master” ... The one everyone looked up to, the one everyone respected and the one everyone leaned-upon. For anyone who experienced a piece of your wisdom, we knew that we were touched by “The Master” and for that we are indeed truly grateful. 

Good-by Dear Friend, You will truly be missed !  
May you Rest in Peace. 

I truly had the good fortune to work with Joe in Forensics at Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital which became St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton.   
A gentle man who gave willingly of both his knowledge and experience.  Always friendly with a lovely warm welcome and witty sense of Humour.
I discovered his interest in Wines during a Tasting at Vineland Estates Winery,  where Joe often could be found weekends serving others and sharing his vast knowledge and passion for Wines.  
He will be missed by so many!!

I first met Joe in 2008 as a young social work student in Forensics.  A few years later he became my colleague and more importantly a mentor.  The encouragement, guidance and time he gave me were invaluable and remain with me today.  He was a joyful man,  who you couldn’t help smile around, even on your hardest days.  My heartfelt condolences to his family.


Spent many years working with Joe 
Genuine, caring and a truly great soul 
Huge loss  for all
My condolences to the family 

I have so many memories of Joe beginning with how gracious he was to a brand new community nurse who had some forensics when she first came to Hamilton in the 1990’s, to being lucky enough to work with Catherine and meet Adam at Joe’s  home  and to then being his colleague in forensics at St. Joe’s when we moved into a brand new building.
What a Renaissance Gentleman!!!!!  Knowledge, humour, humility, wine and love of family and friends.   How privileged  I was to know him.  
My heartfelt sympathy to Catherine, Adam and Lauren.  So glad you shared Joe with us 
Lee Anne 

Joe was an extraordinary man, quiet, calm and dignified.He was a liaison with the courts and adept at this with dexterity and diplomacy.The forensic service owes him much.I am so pleased he became a grampa.I raise a glass of wine in his honour.Thank you Joe .   Mary Weir




I had the pleasure of working with Joe in the Forensics program as a nurse. When I was first hired years ago he always took time to chat with us newbies and share his extensive knowledge - he had an answer to every question!  He was wise, kind, soft spoken and the heart of the forensic program. So sad to hear of his passing. My condolences to the family. 

As you know Catherine, I'm not often at a loss for words. I met your dad in 1995, a Social Worker, one year out of school and newly moved to Hamilton. Your father was an inspiration and a mentor for me. I loved it when I was finally able to work alongside him in Forensics. I was sad when I left Forensics, and then Hamilton, because I knew I would never work with him again, and that I might never see him again. Your dad always made time to share his invaluable  SW knowledge and advice, a funny story, a wine recommendation or amazing food with me....He talked of you and Adam and Lauren in a way that I could see how very much he loved you. Your memories will hold you strong. I can picture Joe relaxing in conversation with Leonard Cohen and I sing for him "a broken hallelujah".  

With much love
Sue McGowan, Cold Lake, AB

Catherine, Adam, Lauren and family,

I am saddened to hear of the loss of your father and grandfather. He was such an incredible man. I worked with Joe in Forensics for many years, but we also shared a passion for good wine and food. He was a caring and thoughtful person. He talked about his love for his daughter and his special relationship with his granddaughter every time I spoke to him. Becoming a grandfather gave his life much meaning. Please find some comfort in knowing that you meant everything to him. He will be greatly missed by so many people. I am truly sorry for your loss. — Michelle Fram-Kovar

I worked as a nurse with Joe on Forensics.  He was a lovely colleague to work with:  available, a great listener, gentle.  He was such a good problem solver we wouldn't let him retire when he wanted to, kept calling him back in.  They say no one is indispensable, but he was to us.  Rest in peace Joe.

OBITUARY

Joseph "Joe" Kovacich

Markey-Dermody Funeral Home

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