Robert Michael Kovalsky, age 79, of Wilmington, Vermont, passed away on Thursday, October 13, 2022, in his home.

Born in Bridgeport on September 19, 1943 to the late Michael and Anna (Sutyak) Kovalsky, he had been a lifelong area resident prior to moving to Vermont 6 years ago. Robert grew up in Bridgeport and graduated from Harding High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Vietnam War before beginning a long career at Nash Engineering Co. in 1973. "Grandpa Bert," as he was affectionately known by his grandchildren, loved cycling, hiking and the solace of the Green Mountains, where he found his true passion, skiing. He enjoyed tinkering with and fixing anything and would hearten family and friends with his succinct wisdom or distinctive laugh.

Survivors include his beloved children, Ann Meloro of Allendale, New Jersey and Bryan Kovalsky and wife, Rita, of Ridgefield, his cherished grandchildren, Tess and Sadie Meloro, and Leigh, Kate and Lucas Kovalsky, brothers, Richard Kovalsky and wife, Maggie, of Fairbanks, Alaska, Paul Kovalsky and wife, Donna, of Fairfax, Virginia, Michael Kovalsky of Breckenridge, Colorado, sisters, Arlene Tomer and husband Charles, of Oxford, Marilyn Van Volkenburgh and husband, James, of Stratford, and Susan Luchsinger of Wilmington, Vermont. In addition to his siblings, Robert is survived by his aunt, Barbara Sutyak of Stratford, nieces, Christine Wright and husband, Joseph, Catherine Brown, and husband, Jared, nephews, Edward Tomer and wife, Pamela, Christopher Kovalsky and wife, Holly, Andre Kovalsky and wife, Michelle, and Charley Maasak-taalak Kovalsky and his wife, Bridget.

Family and friends may call on Friday, October 21, 2022 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. in the Adzima Funeral Home, 50 Paradise Green Place, Stratford.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 11:00 a.m. in the Carpatho Russian Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist, Bridgeport, for a Requiem Funeral Service. Interment with full military honors will be in St. John's Cemetery, Monroe.