Louis Budi of Walled Lake, Michigan passed away on Sunday evening, October 18, 2020 at the age of 86.

He was born in Hungary. He had not planned on escaping that country prior to the communist takeover in 1956 but at age 22 he honored his mother's request and fled the country. The journey was not without risk. We are told that it was during nightfall and along the way he helped a young boy who was also traveling alone reach Austria safely. With that decision, he said goodbye to his mother Ilona, his father Lajos, his older sister Ilona, and his younger brother Istvan. No one from his immediate family left Hungary and it would be many years before he could see them again.

With only a few dollars to his name and not speaking any English, he arrived at the doorstep of his Aunt, Julia Senay and her husband who lived in Windsor, Ontario. They eagerly anticipated his arrival and looked forward to raising him. They had no children of their own. I guess they did not realize at the time that he was no longer a child, but they welcomed him just the same.

It was there in Windsor that he met the lovely Stella Poberezny. They would later marry and on September 3, 2020 his entire family celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary via Zoom. In attendance was his wife, his youngest son Daniel, his daughter Kathy and her husband Eric and their two daughters, his beloved granddaughters Emily and Claire, and his eldest son Michael and his wife Kathleen. That was the last time we all were able to reunite as a family and we are all ever so grateful for that opportunity.

Louis attended a technology school in Hungary where he completed his training as a mechanical engineer. Upon his arrival to Canada he found employment as a bartender and then later as a draftsman. Eventually he was hired by an engineering firm in the United States, Giffels Associates, where he worked as an engineer for most of his career before retiring in 1998.

Louis played soccer, both in Hungary and when he first arrived in Canada in 1957. He also competed in table tennis at both the state and national level, loved camping and fishing and taught all his children to ski. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling, spending time with his grandchildren and golfing.

He was generous and loved by all who had the pleasure of knowing him and he will be dearly missed but not forgotten.

A service to honor him will take place at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home located in Farmington, Michigan. It will be attended by immediate family only and will take place on Saturday morning, October 24, 2020. Should you wish, in lieu of flowers, a donation to a charity of your choice can be made in his memory.

Saturday, October 24, 2020

33603 Grand River Avenue
Farmington, Michigan 48335

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