Gheza Nagy

Gheza Nagy, age 88 of Clinton Twp., passed away on October 22, 2025 in Willowbrook Assisted Living in Auburn Hills. Gheza was born on November 14, 1936, in Oradea (Nagyvarad) Romania. He was 3 years old when World War II started and 8 years old when it ended. He remembered the horrors of the war all his life and talked about them quite frequently. He remembered the fighting in the streets, the air raids, and the bombs. He had to start first grade 3 times because of the war. The first time was in Oradea, but when World War II started, his family managed to escape to Austria to a refugee camp where he started 1st grade again. After the war ended they returned to Romania and he started 1st grade for the third time. He graduated from high school in 1955. After graduation, he played soccer professionally on a club team, while also working at a shoe company. This is where he met his future wife Susan (Zsuzsa). He always said that he had to choose between soccer and Susan, and he chose Susan. They got married on November 29, 1961. In 1965 God blessed them with the greatest gift, a daughter Cathy (Kati). He and his family lived under communism. Life was pretty hard, but he worked hard to provide for his family. After living many years under the communist regime, Gheza and Susan concluded that they had to leave Romania to create a better life for themselves and their daughter. In 1982 the family managed to get to the refugee camp near Vienna, Austria, with nothing in their possession except 3 suitcases of clothes. Here they waited for 9 months to get approval to immigrate to the United States. Susan worked as a translator for the refugees. Cathy attended the American International School in Vienna. Gheza always joked that he was the maid, cleaning the bathrooms and washing dishes at the refugee camp. With the help of very good friends who sponsored them, on March 22, 1983With the help of very good friends who sponsored them, on March 22, 1983, they arrived in the United States. He became a US citizen in 1989 and was very proud of that moment. In the US he worked various jobs, from welder, to delivery driver, to machine operator. In 1986, Gheza and Susan built a house in Clinton Township where he lived almost until the end. He had a wonderful circle of close friends. They got together quite frequently and had huge dinner parties (the old-fashioned ones, where people dress up, the hostess cooks an elaborate meal). He loved classical music. Gheza and Susan and some of their friends had season tickets to the Detroit Symphony for many years. He also enjoyed traveling. After retiring, Gheza and Susan traveled all over the US, to many national parks, the east coast, Hawaii, and California. They traveled extensively in Europe and South America. They spent many weekends in northern Michigan at Boyne Highlands where their daughter and son-in-law had a condo. He always said that I have been to many places, but Michigan is one of the most beautiful. He loved all sports, especially soccer, hockey, and basketball. He was a huge Red Wings fan, and his favorites were the Russian five. He loved Michigan State and Michigan basketball. Some of the happiest moments of his life were his daughter’s wedding and when his two grandsons were born. He loved to spend time with his two grandsons, Jeffrey and Justin. When they were little, he watched them all the time, picked them up from day care or school. Once they were older, he attended almost all their events: basketball games, orchestra concerts, and track meets. He used to joke that he had been in every high school gym in Oakland County. He was very proud of them. He had a good life, loved his family, his friends, and this country that adopted him and where he found a better life. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a great friend. He is survived by his wife, Susan, daughter and son-in-law, Cathy and Jeff and grandchildren, Jeffrey and Justin. Inurnment will be held on November 21, 2025 at 1:00pm in Resurrection Cemetery in the main chapel. Lay Me To Rest Lay me to rest with pure love and understand that pure love is forever. When the right time comes, we will once again be reunited. For in our hearts we have eternally been as one. Not even time can stand between us. For I am always at your side and deep within your soul. Grieve not in my passing.

Gheza Nagy

November 14, 1936 - October 22, 2025