Verhovayak Lapja, 1955 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1955 / Verhovay Journal
PROOF THAT WE LIVE OUR FRATERNALISM April 20, 1955. Verhovay Journal PAGE 5 John Bencze Feled on 25th Anniversary VETERAN EMPLOYEE SHARES HONORS A quarter century cf labor well done at the Verhovay Home Office by John Bencze, former Supreme Secretary and now National President, culminated in a grand tribute paid him by the Verhovay office corps and Home Office personnel at a magnificent gathering in the Ten-ace Room of Pittsburgh’s famed William Penn Hotel the evening of March 22, 1955. True to the living democratic principles of Verhovay and its genuine practice of fraternalism, another member of the Home Office who has completed twenty-five years of continuous service there, Mrs. Paul Hudacek, the former Mary Köteles, sal at the same table with her superior to share similar honors with him. It was a beautiful sight to witness officer and employee reigning together as the guests of honor. The Board of Directors, in session the week of March 21st, the fellow National Officers of Mr. Bencze, the Chairman and the Secretary of the National Auditing Committee, the General Counsel the Chief Medical Advisor, the Deal Field Supervisor, the local Traveling District Manager, the entire body of the Home Office employees, the wives and husbands who could attend, Miss Yolanda Bencze, daughter of the National President and Andrew Fay Fisher. Pittsburgh Hungarian newspaper man and long-time friend of Mr. Bencze — all gathered together in the beautifully appointed and spacious Terrace Room to honor by their presence National President John Bencze and Mrs. Paul Köteles Hudacek. By six o’clock most of the guests had arrived. There was much pleasantry of greeting and conversation before National Auditor John Sabo announced at fl:50 that all should take their places for dinner. Mr Sabo then introduced National Secretary Colomat! Révész as toastmaster of the evening, whereupon Mr. Revesz greeted the assemblage now seated. The National Anthem was played while the voices of all reverently sang its inspiring message. As the delicious dinner was served the toastmaster introduced the Thegze-Gerber orchestra which played delightful melodies during the course of the evening. Nicholas Thegze-Gerber, leader of the orchestra. Dr Gabriel Szent-Iványi and Joseph Meszar bowed as they were applauded. The leader played and sang a number of his own compositions, and he was encored enthusiastically. A photographer was on hand to take pictures, some of which appear in this issue and will be shown in the next issue. Toastmaster Revesz, who himself has been at the Home- I Office for twenty-three years, eulogized the long service of National President Bencze. Next Vice President Julius Macker cf Detroit addressed the audience. He related his early days in Detroit., how his discouragements were lifted by the kindly advice of Mr. Bencze, and the many sacrifices which all the officers have made for our .-society. Ending his words, the vice president then presented National President Bencze with the gift from the Board of Directors. Now Vice President Dr. Andrew Kovács of Cleveland spoke in English. Dr. Kovács emphatically pointed out that the repeated tenures of office of Mr. Bencze attest to his worth and popularity. Waxing humorous, the toastmaster named many towns near the birth place of Mi. Bencze, places having odd but humorous names. Mr. Revesz then spoke of the long and faithful service of Mary Köteles who became Mrs. Paul Hudacek. Following Mr. Revesz Director Coloman Kolozsvary added to the already rich tribute given this long-time Verhovay Home Office worker. Then he presented her with a gift from the Association. Again assuming- the speaker’s stand, the toastmaster affirmed that basically the success of National President Bencze has been the inspiration flowing from his fine spouse. Mr. Revesz went on to mention that while one daughter, Miss Yolanda Bencze, was present to honor her father, two other children, married daughters living in the East, were unable to come. Next Mrs. Stephen Dudrick, the former Gizella Stefurosky, presented the employees’ gift to Mr. Bencze, and this was followed by Mr. Revesz’s presentation cf the employees’ gift to Mrs. Hudacek. Both National President Bencze and Mrs. Hudacek voiced Doctor of Traveling District Manager Stephen Lukacs of Branch 36, Detroit, Michigan sent us this picture and story of one of his members, Dr. Louis F. Lawrence. Dr. Lawrence, with office at 17300 Schaefer Road, Detroit 35, is in private practiae of psychiatry in the Motor City, on the staff of St. Joseph Retreat, Dearborn, Consulting Psychiatrist for Providence Hospital in Detroit, Consulting- Psychiatrist for the Catholic Family Center of Detroit. Of Magyar parentage and speaking the Hungarian language, he was born and reared in Detroit. He attended the Detroit public schools and went on to the University of Detroit and Marquette University Medical School for his medical degree. Dr. Lawrence interned at Harper Hospital in Detroit. He was on the staff of the Ypsilanti State Hospital in Ypsilanti, Michigan for two and a half years for training in psychiatry. As First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, the psychiatrist was stationed at Camp Roberts, California where he was Chief of the Neuropsychiatric Clinic. Dr. Lawrence holds the following affiliations: Member of the Marquette University Alumni Association, Wayne County Medical Society, Michigan State Medical Society ,American Medical Association, their deepest sentiments of appreciation for the lovely gifts from the Association and from the employees. At this point the toastmaster read messages from those who could not attend but sent their regrets: from Msgr. Dr. Stephen Nyiri to Mr. Bencze, from National Auditing Committee member Andrew- Bandy to Mr. Bencze, from Rákóczi officers Joseph Vasas and Albert J. Stelkovics to Mr. Bencze, and a telephone call from Coloman Kaldor, Director of the American Life Insurance Association, to Mr. Bencze. Mr. Revesz, after the reading of these letters and telegrams, called upon National Treasurer John Szalanczv to speak. Mr Szalanczy announced that he could do no better than the previous speakers, that their words of praise, so well spoken, voiced his feelings too, and he added kind words for Mrs. Hudacek. Next the toastmaster asked National Auditor John Sabo to speak, and his address was both in English and in Hungarian. Richly this youngest of Verhovay officers praised the many years service of Mr. Bencze and the loyalty of Mrs. Hudacek. Mr Sabo went on to recall some of the personal tragedies that have befallen Verhovay, as the loss of Directors Albert B. Ari, Frank Brogley and Joseph Turner. Tne National Auditor stated that National President Bencze has seen many changes during his twenty-five years at the Home Office. Other speakers were Chairman Caspar Papp, of Detroit, for the National Auditing Committee, Traveling District Manager John Fulop, Editor-Publisher Andrew Fay Fisher, who greeted both Mr. Bencze and Mrs. Hudacek. Very interesting was the farewell article -written twentyfive years ago to Mr. Bencze on his preparing to leave New Jersey for Pittsburgh, as read by Mr. Revesz. Climax of the speeches was the address of National President Bencze. As he traced his twenty-five years at the Home- Office. from the beginning on up to the present, his listeners seemed to relive with him his vast experiences. He ended bis words by expressing again his profound gratitude to all who surprised him wdth this great testimonial dinner. The singing of the Hungarian National Anthem signalled the finis of formalities. But no one left immediately. The mingling cf delightful fellowship kept the assembled guests together until the early hours. National President John Bencze and Mrs. Paul Köteles Hudacek shall always have the evening cf March 22, 1955 to draw upon from their storehouse of beautiful memories. Medicine Michigan Society of Neurology and Psychiatry, American Psychiatric Association and the Guild of Catholic Psychiatrists. He is also President of the Detroit Hungarian Council and Delegate to the International Institute of Detroit. And important to us is to congratulate this young physician Verhovay member of Branch 36, Detroit, Michigan on his many accomplishments.
