Obituary

Harvey Samuel Cova

Harvey S. Cova, a longtime Orange County businessman and community leader, died on April 30 from complications of a stroke, surrounded by the family members he loved. He was just two days away from his 81st birthday.

Harvey loved sports and loved to travel, visiting Asia, Europe, Hawaii and North Africa during his long and rewarding life. But he was at his happiest enjoying the simple company of friends and family. For many years an annual family vacation to Santa Cruz was the highlight of his year.

Born in Braddock, PA on May 2, 1932 to John and Nell Cova, Harvey moved to Los Angeles with his family in his teens and attended Manual Arts High School. During the Korean War, he enlisted in the Army, which put him through its finance school and stationed him in Japan. His military training eventually led to his career as a tax accountant and financial advisor.

After the war, he enrolled at Woodbury University of Los Angeles, where he earned a degree in accounting and met his future wife, Marilyn Barsotti of Madera, Calif. The young couple lived in the Los Angeles area for two decades and had four children.

Harvey started his accounting career at Charles Ford and Associates of Los Angeles. In 1971, he co-founded Fox & Cova, a tax practice and financial advisory firm, with partner Julian Fox in Beverly Hills.

Harvey relocated to Irvine in 1978, establishing an Orange County office of Fox & Cova. For a time he was also a partner and board member of Homes for Sale magazine. In 2004, Harvey joined Wertz & Co., continuing to provide tax and financial advice to clients he had served for decades.

In Irvine, Harvey became an active coach in AYSO and served on the Irvine Sports Council, which was dedicated to ensuring adequate playing fields for the community’s burgeoning population. He also served on the board of trustees of Woodbury University, his alma mater, for more than 20 years.

Harvey was a leader in his church, St. Thomas More Catholic Church of Irvine, serving in the Knights of Columbus and the Italian Catholic Federation.

Harvey leaves his wife, Marilyn, and their four children: Alison Corrigan (John), Karen Cova, Marianne Merizalde and Jeff Cova (Anne). He also leaves seven grandchildren–Kelly, Kevin (Magali) and Katie Corrigan, Mathew Merizalde, and Shane, Sam and Mia Cova.

He is also survived by his brother Cliff Cova and sisters Carol Smith and Doris McDonald. He was preceded in death by an older brother, Jack.

A rosary will be said at 7:30 pm Friday May 3 at St. Thomas More in Irvine, and a funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 am Saturday at St. Thomas More.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Woodbury University of Burbank, St. Thomas More building fund, Irvine, or the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, Orange.