1-Oct-1930 - 4-Mar-2024
Joseph Frank Harshegyi was born October 1,1930 in Hungary. Throughout his youth, he was an avid soccer player and a junior national chess champion. He attended University to study for an Engineering degree.
Joseph and his wife, Elizabeth lived on the same street in the same small town in Hungary and so perhaps it was a matter of fate or proximity that brought them together. But together they were and together they decided to start a new life here in Canada.
They landed on the East Coast of Canada by ship on a cold day, December 10, 1956, and that is when their Canadian adventure began. They were lovingly hosted by the Kriza family in Windsor which helped them to integrate into this country.
Soon after they moved to Toronto, they connected with many others in the Hungarian community and church. Joe and Elizabeth were the dancing king and queen at many Hungarian dinner and dances throughout the years.
They worked hard over the years and were able to purchase a cottage up in Lake Simcoe, Ontario where they hosted many goulash parties and where their daughter, Lisa and her friends spent most of their childhood summers. They had a lovely life, full of friends, laughter, song, dance, and traditional Hungarian food.
Joseph continued his love for chess and would play with his daughter regularly and of course win every time! In the remaining years of his life, he brought song and dance to those around him in his retirement home. In his last few years, as he needed more attentiveness, he received such amazing care, attention, and support from the caregivers at Meighen Manor who gave him all the comfort possible as he passed on.
Joseph will always be remembered for his wit, candor, and wise cracks!
He is survived by his daughter Lisa (Elizabeth), his granddaughter Gisella, his great grandson Adam (whom he met), his sister Magdeline and his nephew Peter.
We will all miss you, but your vital energy will remain in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to Meighen Manor:
https://donate.salvationarmy.ca/page/62322/donate/1?location=Meighen%20Manor
Or, to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada: https://alzheimer.ca/en
Celebration of Life
Taylor Funeral Home
524 Davis Drive
Newmarket ON L3Y 2P3
17-Mar-2024
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM