Nicholas Lovich

Nicholas Lovich, 85, of Novi died peacefully at home Tuesday, January 4, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Nick was born November 22, 1936, in Monessen, Pennsylvania and was the eleventh of twelve children born to the late Peter and Anna (Giach) Lovich.

Nick was a 1954 graduate of Monessen High School. After high school, Nick started work at Diethorne’s Garage in Monessen. On July 20, 1958, Nick married the love of his life, Valeria Rusnak, and the two remained married for 63 years until his death.

In 1960, Nick was drafted into the US Army and spent two years at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Upon discharge from the Army, Nick started college at California State Teachers College in Pennsylvania while continuing to work nights and weekends at Diethorne’s Garage. By the time Nick graduated college in 1966, he and Val had three young children. Nick then taught for two years in the Westmoreland County Pennsylvania School District. In 1968, Nick and his family moved to Livonia, Michigan, where he embarked on a 31-year teaching career in the Livonia Public School system where he taught with his brother George for many of those years.

Nick was instrumental in establishing the Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church in Livonia and was active in the church until his death. Nick was known for captivating an audience with his many stories and jokes. He made several cross country car trips with his wife and sister & brother-in-law or church friends.

Nick liked the Orthodox church, the casinos, golf, fishing, reading, watching cowboy movies from his La-Z-Boy, Pittsburgh Steeler football, and Michigan State basketball, but his favorite hobby was spending time with his wife (Momma) and family. Nick loved driving around town with Val doing their errands and visiting their favorite eating spots. They never missed their grandchildren’s sporting or school events in Michigan or Pennsylvania. His family, and especially his wife Val, were the true loves of his life. Known as the “Patriarch”, Nick was a man of extreme humility and always put his family first and was a model of hard work and good character.

Surviving is his wife Val, son Scott (Sherie) Lovich of Howell, Michigan, daughter Becky Kline of Fayette City, Pennsylvania, daughter Kristen (Paul) Downs of Plymouth Michigan, grandchildren Sophia Lovich, John Lovich, Gabby Lovich, Rachel (Justin) Roycroft, Jimmy Kline, Hannah Kline, Maddie (Dave) Downs, and Nicholas Downs and great grandchildren Greyson and Parker Roycroft. Also surviving are a brother, with whom he was very close, George (Mary Ann) Lovich of Canton, Michigan, and a sister, Bertha “Bebe” Myers of Mt. Pleasant, Ohio. In addition to his parents, Nick was preceded in death by two brothers: Andrew and Emil and four sisters: Helen Gimon, Anna Johnson, Pearl Kelly, and Stella “Sis” Becker.

Friends and family will be received on Friday, January 7, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church at 36075 Seven Mile Road, Livonia, with a memorial service scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The funeral will be held on Saturday January 8, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. (in state 9 a.m.) at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church or St. Joseph Mercy Hospice.