Magyar Református Egyház

Posts Tagged ‘Obituary’

At 5:11 this evening a great man passed from death into life. My father’s 62 years of patient suffering have ended, and he is now beginning his real story. He left behind an enormous legacy measured in the lives of those brothers and sisters in Christ who were touched by his merciful ministry and won by his changeless devotion to the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There is a new doorkeeper in the House of Our God tonight.

In celebration,
Izzi Elliott
(Dr. Elliott’s daughter)

Julius Albert Pongracz

Julius “Juice” Pongracz, 77, of Lorain passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at Community Regional Medical Center surrounded by his family following a year-long battle with renal cancer.

A lifelong resident of Lorain, he was born January 22, 1932, the eighth child of the late Antal and Pricilla (nee Kalassay) Pongracz. He graduated from Clearview High School in 1950 and then served in the U. S. Army where he was stationed in Alaska. Upon completion of his military service, he accepted employment at the Lorain National Tube where he continued to work in many different departments. He retired as an expeditor in the Rolling Mills after thirty-nine years of service.

Julius was a very devoted member of the Lorain Hungarian Reformed Church and served in many leadership roles including General Chairman Emeritus of the church Consistory, President of the Men’s Brotherhood, member of the Sick Benefit Society, Chancel Choir, Koinonia Softball Team and coach of the Men’s Basketball Team and Youth Fellowship Advisor. He also took an active leadership role in the Calvin Synod of the United Church of Christ, serving on many committees and representing the bilingual churches at the National Conferences.

Born of immigrant parents, Julius worked diligently to share his Hungarian culture by participating in the Hungarian Council, the Hungarian American Citizens Club and the Spotlight Nationality Committees when the Hungarian Community was recognized in 1972 and 1999 for the Lorain International Festival. As a result of his participation, he was honored as “Hungarian Man of the Year” at the annual “Nite in Budapest.”

Juice was an active member of the Steelworkers Union 1104 and was proud to serve as the Political Action Chairman for three different presidents. He attended training at Kenyon College and the Ohio State University for labor relations and represented Lorain at many national conventions. He also organized a trip to Washington, D.C. of community leaders, workers, and families for the “Save American Industry & Jobs Day.” For his hard work and dedication, he was named “Man of the Year” by the Lorain County Labor Unions and the Lorain City Democratic Party.

During his retirement years, the job of supportive father and grandfather was his top priority. He took great pride and joy in attending the concerts, scouting events, and sports activities of his daughters and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of almost fifty-four years, Donna (nee Poirier), daughters Jill Pongracz Murrell, Sheffield Lake, and Susie (Larry) Fortner , Amherst and grandchildren Rebekka and Zach Murrell, Sheffield Lake, Sara Fortner, Arlington, Va., and William (Kelly) Fortner, Amherst, brother Louis (Carol) Pongracz, Elyria, sisters Wilma (Joseph) Deliman, Lorain, Serena (Bennie) Molnar and Helen (Andrew) Dennis, Oberlin, Ohio and many nieces and nephews.

Julius was preceded in death by his parents, Antal and Priscilla Elizabeth Pongracz, and siblings William “Bill” Pongracz, Julia (John) Berki, and Agnes (Edward) Thompson.

The family will receive friends on Monday, August 17, 2009 from 3:00 until 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 from 10:00 until11:00 a.m. where he will lie in state in the sanctuary of the Lorain Hungarian Reformed Church, 1691 East 31st Street, Lorain. A prayer service will be conducted by the Rev. Peter Toth at 7:00 p.m. on August 17, 2009 and the funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. on August 18, 2009 with internment at the Ridge Hill Memorial Park.

Contributions may be made to the Lorain Hungarian Reformed Church, 1691 East 31st Street, Lorain, Ohio. Arrangements entrusted to the Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, Lorain, Ohio 44054; (440) 277-8164.