Sandor Istvan Nagy

Sandor Istvan Nagy, our Apu, passed away at 9:48am on Friday 1/27/2023 from complications of Congestive Heart Failure and a major stroke. In his final days he was surrounded by his loving wife Katalin (Kathy), his children: daughter Ilona Pyrich of Hewitt NJ, daughter Alexandra Carrara and grandson Nicholas Alexander Carrara of Woodstock GA, son Sandor Laszlo Nagy with his Daughter-in-law Anne Marie and granddaughter, Hannah Grace of Wayne NJ.

His sister Marta Bajor and husband Sandor from La Jolla CA; Brother-in-Law Attila Laszlo Kemenes and Sister-in-Law Marie-Helen of Montreal, Canada; his dear cousin Katalin LeMasson and family from Montreal, Canada; and grandson Jonathan Pyrich and family from Rochester, NH sent prayers and provided loving support throughout the family’s 2-week vigil.

He also leaves behind his dear grandson James Alexander Pyrich and niece Sylvia Bajor.

Apu was an extraordinarily beloved and committed husband, father, and Elder/Chief Elder for over 2 decades at the Hungarian Reformed Church of Passaic, NJ. He was a gregarious, funny and incredibly kind man. He loved the sea and sunshine, finding them both restorative and relaxing. He had a great appreciation with all styles of architecture from all over the world. He placed his love of God and family above all else and offered comfort, wisdom and a great bear hug or joke for anyone he sensed needed one. He was a gentleman. He was a generous contributor to all things that support or defend freedom, the USA, police and the church.

Since his teenage years leading up to 1956 and as a Hungarian Freedom Fighter, Apu dreamed a life in the United States. After fleeing Hungary In 1957, Apu found the US Immigration quota for Hungarians had been met for the year so instead going straight to New York, Apu sailed into St John, Canada. Shortly after his arrival in Canada, Apu settled in Montreal where he met and married the love of his life, Kathy (the girl next door) in 1959. Determined to live in the ‘Land of the free and the home of the brave’ he pressed on to eventually accomplish moving to Nutley NJ by landing a job in New York City as detail design draftsman in 1968. Apu finally realized his dream of US Citizenship on December 22, 1975.

Apu and Kathy raised their children and lived in Nutley NJ for 38 years. They attended Hungarian charity balls regularly as Apu loved to dance and show Kathy off on the dance floor. He was a loving husband and father who cared for his wife and children with obvious devotion.

Apu raised his family in the Hungarian church communities of Saint Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church and the Hungarian Reformed Church of Passaic. He participated with the entire family in the youth fellowship, Hungarian Rifle Association and all social and cultural events including family church festivals, food fairs and rousing church picnics. Apu made sure all 3 of his children were educated in their Hungarian heritage: history, music, poetry, crafts, sports and language!

Apu’s love and appreciation for family and friends never faltered. If you knew him for 5 minutes or the whole 84 years, rest assured you have a place in his heart.

Apu, we commend you into God’s hands. We can only imagine the incredible joy of your homecoming.

There will be a Family Dinner style celebration of Life (Bring a dish if you wish) on Sunday February 5th, 2023 at 2pm at Everleigh Halcyon Village, 6550 Halcyon Way, Alpharetta GA 30005.