Donald Joseph Kovacs of AuGres, living in East Tawas since late 2013, died on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. He was 78 years old. He was born on Feb. 9, 1936 in Detroit. He attended University of Detroit where he received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Don worked in many engineering related fields during his career including teaching classes at U of D, owning Kovacs Engineering in AuGres until retiring in 1999, and investigating fires as a private investigator in the State of Michigan. He is survived by his ex-wife Carolyn Kovacs; his four children, Kathy (Jim) Besson or Charlotte, N.C., Philip (Mary) Kovacs of Twining, Linda (Patrick) Deyarmond of East Tawas and Michael (Ann) Kovacs of Turner; brothers, Jerry and Robert; and sisters, Lauraine and Rosemary. He is also survived by grandchildren, Andrea and Jenna Besson, Kyle and Kevin Kovacs, Mallory (Zachary) Troyer and Katie (Scott) Gorbold; and special friend, Jan Rutkowski. Don had a love for boats and the water, metal and wood working, inventions, and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He instilled the importance of work ethic in both his children and grandchildren and his intelligence was genius. He was loved and will be greatly missed. He was cremated at his request and a memorial will be privately held. Memorial donations may be made in Don's name to Lakeview Manor, 408 N. 5th Ave., Tawas City, MI 48763, where he was treated with dignity and respect until the time of his death. Cremation arrangements were handled through Buresh Funeral Home in Tawas City. An on-line guest registry is available at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.