Obituary of Jozsef L. Balazs

Jozsef (Joe) L. Balazs, 87, of Bainbridge NY passed away January 22nd surrounded by his immediate family. He was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1935 and was a lover of adventure, freedom, and life. While growing up in Hungary, Joe apprenticed as a carpenter, played semi-professional soccer as a star goalie for his team, and was a stage actor where he performed in the local theatre. When the Hungarian Revolution broke out in Nov. 1956, Joe, his fiancé Mária and many of his friends--all freedom fighters protesting against the communist take over --were forced to flee their beloved Hungary. They escaped through the Austrian mountains and found their way to a refugee camp set up along its borders. Joe left for America with Mária in 1957 and they married in Camp Kilmer in New Jersey. Mária had an aunt who sponsored them and the newly married couple traveled to Michigan to live near her. But eventually, Joe and Mária moved back to New Jersey. Joe learned to speak, read and write English, became a proud American citizen, raised three daughters, and started his own successful construction company. Joe never forgot his love for the sport of soccer and played throughout his life. He met Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer and played as a guest for the Cosmos at Giants stadium, NJ. Later, Joe became a soccer coach for kids. When he retired he moved to The Villages, Florida where his zest for sports and fun continued. Jozsef will be greatly missed; he is survived by his wife, Mária; his daughters, son in law, grandchildren and their spouses, and great grandchildren. An intimate family service is planned. Condolences and memories can be shared online at www.landersfh.com. Because Jozsef loved children so much, in lieu of flowers please make donations to Saint Jude's Children's Hospital.