Mr. Gregory J. (Greg) Koval, 37 a resident of the North End section of the city, passed into Eternal Life unexpectedly Thursday afternoon in the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Born April 14, 1980 in Wilkes-Barre, he was the son of Gerald “Jay” and Linda (Christian) Koval, Bear Creek Township. Educated in the city schools, Greg was a member of the 1998 graduating class of the James M. Coughlin High School, Wilkes-Barre.
He was a member of the Parish of Saint Andre Bessette, North Wilkes-Barre, having been a life member of the former Sacred Heart of Jesus Slovak Roman Catholic Church prior to its closure and subsequent merger. He was employed in the maintenance department of East Mountain Apartments, Plains Township. Greg touched many lives by way of his service as an emergency medical technician.
He was also recognized with the highest civilian commendation in heroism from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for saving the life of an individual while stationed as an E.M.T. at Fort Indiantown Gap. To those who knew and cherished him best, Greg was a loving son, husband and devoted father, serving as a little league and soccer coach for his son, Zach. He was a fun loving and generous person who enjoyed making people smile, especially on family vacations.
He took a piece of everybody’s heart with him. He and his wife, the former Cheryl Borish, celebrated ten years of married life together on August 18th of 2017. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed playing golf, fishing, and spending time at the cabin.
He also loved to cook with every pot and pan he could find in the kitchen. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, John and Helen Koval and by his maternal grandparents, Thomas and Joan Christian. Left to mourn his passing, in addition to his beloved wife Cheryl at home, are the couple’s son, Zachary (Zach), also at home; his parents, Jay and Linda Koval of Bear Creek Township; Sisters, Colleen Chapple of Hudson and Amy Centi and her husband David of Bear Creek Township; He was a wonderful uncle to his nieces and nephews including Brooke & Connor Chapple, Gino & Brody Centi, Madison, Chase & Eric Maciejczak; Numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services for Greg will be conducted on Monday at 10:30 a.m. from the North Wilkes-Barre location of the John V. Morris Family Funeral Homes Inc., 625 North Main Street, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in the Parish of Saint Andre Bessette, 668 North Main Street. The Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic, pastor of the Church of the Epiphany, Sayre and Greg’s cousin, will serve as celebrant and homilist. Interment will be private and at the convenience of Greg’s family in Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Cemetery of Saint Andre Bessette Parish, Dorchester Drive, Dallas.
Relatives and friends may join the Koval family for visitation and remembrance Sunday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of floral tributes, Greg’s family would be humbled if those contemplating a monetary donation in his memory kindly consider a contribution to a trust fund established for his son Zach, which will gladly be accepted at the funeral home.
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