STEVE “ISTVAN” NAGY of Lethbridge, beloved husband of Helen Nagy, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family at home on Friday, May 28, 2010, at the age of 74 years after a lengthy illness.
Steve is survived by his wife and best friend of 46 years, Helen Nagy, daughter Kathleen Helen (Mike Shymkiw), and their sons Connor John and Kodi Steven; daughter Marlene Barbara (Greg Crawford), and their sons Jaden Andrew and Rylan Gregory.
Steve’s other remaining family includes his brother J?zsef Nagy (Mary), sons Joseph Nagy Jr. (Carmen) and Stephen Nagy (Amy), in Georgia. Sister Reg?s Ilona, son Reg?s Istvan (Erzsi) and daughter Kohaupt Judith; nieces Molnar Marika, Csord?s K?talin (Heged?s Szabolcs) and Csord?s Gabriella, step-nephew M?nesz J?zsef, all of Hungary; step-niece Irene Vetro, of New Jersey; special friend Horvath J?zsef of Tiszakar?d, Hungary; numerous family in Hungary and many special friends.
Steve was predeceased by his father Nagy J?zsef, mother Nagy Ilona, sisters Iren and Olga passed away as infants, sister M?nesz Gizella (brother-in-law M?nesz J?zsef ), brother Nagy Tivadar, sister Csord?s Katalin (brother-in-law Csord?s L?szlo), and in-laws Andrij and Ahafia Synelnyk.
Steve was born July 26, 1935, in Tiszakar?d, Hungary, the sixth of eight children. He grew up and attended school in Tiszakar?d and later served in the Hungarian Army. During the Hungarian Revolution in November 1956, Steve made the agonizing decision to leave his home and family behind and crossed the border into Austria.
In March 1957 he was issued a Visa allowing him to immigrate to Canada. Steve, speaking only Hungarian, flew from Vienna, arrived in the Montreal Airport in April 1957, then traveled by train to Lethbridge, Alberta. A couple of weeks later, he went
to work in Senate, Saskatchewan, as a Sectionman for Canadian Pacific Railway and in August 1957 Steve was promoted to First Man at Mossleigh, Alberta. He then worked at Brant, Seven Persons and later as Relief Foreman in Burdett, Alberta. Six years later Steve decided to work on the oil rigs traveling as far north as High Level. He soon returned to work in the Taber, Alberta area working as Motor Man and Derrick Man.
On May 23, 1964, Steve married Helen Synelnyk in Lethbridge, where they raised their two daughters Kathleen and Marlene.
In April 1966, Steve purchased his first gravel truck and worked for Tollestrup Construction. In 1975 he leased a gravel pit near the Lethbridge Airport and began working for himself as Steve Nagy Sand and Gravel Ltd. Steve faced many challenges running his own company and became handy at so many things.
In January 1996 Steve and Helen purchased the land where his gravel pit was located. Steve loved starting seedling trees and he planted them everywhere. Even in his retirement, Steve loved spending time at his shop and could be found there most days, except Sunday.
Steve was a proud and dedicated member of the Hungarian Canadian Old Timer Society, the Hungarian Cultural Society of Southern Alberta and the Royal Canadian Legion.
Steve had many interests and hobbies, including dancing, painting, gardening, curling, playing pool, traveling (especially to Las Vegas), socializing with friends at the coffee shop, entertaining friends on his violin, keyboard or accordion, but his greatest love was to be around his family.
Steve lived a very full life and divided his energy and time between family and business. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather (nagypapa). With his shop doors no longer open, his family are reminded how deeply he will be missed.
"Save the last dance for me Sweetie."
Family and friends are invited to a visitation at ST. ANDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1818 - 5 Avenue South, Lethbridge, from 10:00 to 10:45 A.M. on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 with funeral to follow at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Hugh Jack, officiating.
Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 317 - 10 Street South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 2M7.
Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca
