Bethlen Almanac 1997 (Ligonier)

Ausztrália

As time progressed and our branch grew, we were asked by Paul St. Miklossy, the Field Supervisor of the HRFA, to service the branches in New Castle, Sharpsville and Meadville, Pennsylvania. We serviced these additional branches since 1961.

In 1956, I was elected to the Board of Directors of the HRFA. This began the most rewarding fraternal experience a person could have. During my first board meeting in 1957, a very memorable gathering took place in the furnace room of the Kossuth House. The board members got together for a smoker at the end of the day and enjoyed kolbász, szalonna and pogácsa supplied by the Bethlen Home, Ligonier, Pennsylvania. These hors d’oeuvres were prepared by Bela Toth and enjoyed by all.

During the Board of Directors meetings in Washington, D.C., it was a tradition that after a hard days meeting, the officers, board members and their wives would dine together. We also attended shows and plays as a group enjoying each other’s company.

The following is a list of people that we learned from, enjoyed working with and truly admired:

First, the Field Supervisors and District Managers that shared their skills with developing branch managers: Paul St. Miklossy, Alex Csik, Joe Molnár, Jr., Joseph Dula, Joe Arnasky, Albert Orris and Elmer E. Vargo.

Second, the Branch Managers from Pennsylvania that we met that gave years of service and dedication to the HRFA: Alex Brody of Farrell, Mr. Toboz of Meadville, Mr. Farkas of Erie, Louis Skarosi of Sharpsville, Frank Zoltani of New Castle, Frank Jantek of Hazelwood, Steve Üveges of Springdale, John Tamas of Leechburg, Michael Rezes of Duquesne, John Rigo of Homestead and Emry Bota of Uniontown.

And lastly, the Advisory Board and Board of Directors that were among my most admired colleagues. Steve Syposs our first honorary vice president taught me the importance of the by-laws and keeping an updated file on all HRFA correspondence. Emery Király treasurer and brotherly teacher. Albert Fiok and Alex Eger taught me fraternal responsibility. I.H. Zeitlin, Ben Koppelman and A1 Eglow for years have been our soldiers of investment and finance. Geza Vespremi, Mr. HRFA, lived, believed and supported all of our organization’s values.

I look back on the years spent with the HRFA as a time of growth and giving. As I grew from agent to branch manager, to board member, to vice-president and honorary vice president, I enjoyed all the people I worked with and learned from. Being able to give my time as a liaison officer between President Rev. Arpad George and Rev. Imre Bertalan for construction of the retirement cottages in Ligonier was most rewarding.

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