Obituary of James J Ovady

James John Ovady, age 89, passed away Friday, November 10, 2023. Born July 26, 1934, in Alpha, NJ, he was the son of the late James E. Ovady and the late Elizabeth J. (nee Regitz) Ovady.

James was a 1952 graduate of Hunterdon Regional High School located in Flemington, NJ, where he was part of the National Honors Society as well as an inductee to the high school's Hall of Fame in 1952 for football and baseball. He continued his education, earning his bachelor's degree at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA, and then his master's degree at SUNY in Oneonta, NY. James served in the US Navy as a quartermaster third class. He married Rhoda Sue (nee Dutcher) on June 25, 1960. They were married for thirty-six years until her passing. James shared his life with Carol S. Pierce Smith, they enjoyed twenty-one years together. 

James had a lifelong love of teaching and learning. He was blessed to turn his passion into a career working as a history and economics teacher at Stamford Central School in Stamford, NY. He also taught as an elementary school teacher and coach in Walton, NY, and Belvidere, NJ. James was an avid sportsman who loved hunting, fishing, and trapping in his free time. He was a talented, expert cabinet and furniture maker, home builder, and stone mason. James enjoyed quiet time gardening, as well as taking adventurous road trips. Most of all, James loved spending time with his precious family and friends. 

James will be forever missed by Jim and Arlette Ovady Jr., of Bow, NH; James J. Ovady III, Cindal Menard, and James J. Ovady IV of Epson, NH; Joseph W. Ovady of Gray, ME; Kiren J. Ovady and Cara Worthing of Portland, ME; Kaj A. Ovady of New Gloucester, ME; Liz, Barry, and Mathis Moore of Columbus, OH; Betty Ann Nesbitt and Randall Post, along with children, Randy, Andrew, Brett and Rosie of Hobart, NY; Thomas and Abbey Ovady of Glen Gardner, NJ; Timothy and Brandy Smith  daughter Sariah and her husband and children, and son TJ of Stewartsville, NJ; Jeffrey, Lilyana and Jason Smith of Woodbridge, NJ; Norman and Kristen Smith of Nazareth, PA; Laura Smith of Easton, PA; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

James is predeceased by his parents, James and Elizabeth Ovady; his first wife, Rhonda Sue Ovady; and sisters, Elaine B. Adriance and Sylvia Apgar, and his partner Carol Pierce Smith.

In lieu of flowers, donations in James' name may be made to the Glen Gardner Fire and Rescue Squad located in Glen Gardner, NJ. 

Family and friends are invited to visit with James' family on Saturday, November 18, 2023, from noon until 2:00 pm. Funeral Service with Naval Honors will start at 2:00pm, all services will be held at the Martin Funeral Home, located at 1761 Rt. 31, Clinton, NJ 08809. Reception to follow at the VFW in Glen Gardiner. Cremation will follow privately, with interment in Walton, NY graveside service to follow Memorial Day Weekend in 2024. To send condolences to the family please visit www.martinfh.com