William Penn Life, 1968 (3. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1968-12-01 / 12. szám

Joseph Vasas

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Let us not be shocked over the fact that the Prophet compares our lives to that of mere grass. He did not intend to belittle us, but rather he did lead us to magnify God to whom each bending blade of grass, and each flitting sparrow is precious. How much more precious are we than, of whom the Psalmist David said, “Yet thou has made him little less than God and dost crown him with Glory and Honor.”

Yet, to be compared to grass keeps us humble, as we should always be; especially in the presence of death. We must remember that grass is the most essential nourishment without which there would be no life at all. Grass is the meekest of all vegetation, but our Savior had said, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.” So we magnify Joseph Vasas when we compare his life to the essential life giving cholorphyll, the basic substance of survival, and at the same time pay tribute to the Creator, who sent him into our midst and whose protecting love has given Joseph Vasas 86 years of splendid life.

Eighty-six years, four score and six, what a life span and yet to God 86 years are as a fleeting moment; to us it spanned three generations and to Joseph Vasas, it was a noble schooling, a preparation for that other realm into which he has departed.

Now, as National President of the William Penn Fraternal Association, friend of the family, in behalf of my fellow Officers, Board of Directors, Auditing Committee and Employees, in audible words, pay tribute to his life of personal ivork and historic fulfillment.

When in 1882, 86 years ago, in

Hernádvécse, Abauj County, Hungary, Josephls mother gave birth to a beloved son, little did she realize howy much good she had given to our world; particularly to our Hungarian American world.

Joseph Vasas striving forever upward, at the age of 19 made this beloved “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave”, his own and expressed his gratitude for life, liberty and the opportunity to pursue happiness in Fraternalism.

The Rákóczi Fraternal Association was a mere 29 years old, when Joseph Vasas became its Supreme Secretary, a job which he filled with outstanding merit for 38 years. From 1917 to 1955, he stood as a navigator alongside parttime presidents and directed their flight into ever bluer skies of success. At that height, he saw that there is strength in unity and after being rebuffed by the other Hungarian Fraternal Association, headquartered in Bridgeport, illfated then and still ill-fated, he and his fellow officers sought and found warm welcoming Hungarian hearts in the

leadership of the Verhovay Fraternal Association; together, step by step, we built a majestic monument to Fraternalism, the greatest and strongest Hungarian entity, “The William Penn Fraternal Association.”

Now, as final tribute, I want to thank him for giving us not only his dream, his statesmanlike cooperation, but youth, and strength for a greater future, in the talent and loyality of his son-in-law, Albert Stelkovics, my associate and a loyal friend, the National Secretary of the William Penn Fraternal Association.

After his retirement in 1955, he withdrew to Orlando, Florida, to share a sunny old age with a beloved wife, whose absence, due to illness, weighs heavily upon our hearts. May the spirit of comfort be with her.

After 38 years of Fraternal living, how could Joseph Vasas, cease from doing good? Very shortly after moving to Florida, he became instrumental in organizing the Hungarian Club of the Golden Age in Orlando, Florida and to the end of his days, he was a source of cheer and comfort to the members of the club.

Joseph Vasas’ life was fruitful in other ways, he supported his church and was a member of the Holy Name Society. His life reminds us of the First Psalm where it is said, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season and its leaves does not wither, in all that he does, he prospers.”

His life had been blessed with six children, 3 sons and 3 daughters, 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Could we pay a finer tribute to this fruitful life than to enumerate those whom he soloved and cherished?

Margaret, Mrs. Stephen V.arga of Bridgeport, Conn.; Mary,' Mrs. Albert J. Stelkovics, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Anna, Mrs. George Sucheczky, Bridgeport, Conn.; Joseph Vasas and wife, Mary, Bridgeport, Conn.; ' William Vasas and wife, Christine, Bridgeport, Conn.; Dr. Julius Vasas and wife, Helene, Bridgeport, Conn. Grandchildren: Rosemary Vasas, Katherine (Stelkovics) Eitel, Christine, William, Jane and Michael Vasas, Susan and Jean Sucheczky. Great-grandchildren: Jill and Susan

Eitel. He is also mourned by a beloved sister, Mrs. Barbara Alexander.

Dear Friends:

Words, especially humble words like mine, cannot pay adequate tribute to a great life, like the life and works of Joseph Vasas. Therefore, may we pledge here that our remembering and our deeds in the service of Fraternalism, especially among Hungarians in America and the world over, will be the best memorial we can erect in his honor. May nothing that he worked for and believed in ever go to waste, but instead may we build upon the foundation

he and his contemporaries have left for us, so that someday we also may hear the heavenly verdict which, 1 am sure, must have greeted him at the very gates of Heaven, “Well done good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.”

Joseph Vasas, fraternal brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, companion, compatroit, God be with you, till we meet again.

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HONORARY PALL-BEARERS Messrs: Elmer Charles, National President; Albert Kocsis, Supreme President of former Rákóczi Aid Association; Louis L. Varga, Vice President; Frank Bero, Director; Joseph Toma, Director; László Kereszti, Member of Auditing Committee; Alexander Zelle representing Szt. László Branch of the American Hungarian Catholic Society.

PALL-BEARERS: William Vasas, Jr. (grandson of Mr. Vasas), Frank Ando, Joseph Tamas, Edward S. Gall, Andrew Balogh (Agency Manager), Martin Zadravec.

Religious services were conducted by Fr. Zoltán Seregely, Pastor of St. Stephen’s R.C. Church and Rev. Vincent P. Bodnar, Pastor of St. Ann’s Church was in the Sanctuary. Rosary was said by St. Stephen’s Holy Name Society.

At the graveside, Vice President, Louis L. Varga delivered the final tribute to Mr. Vasas which again we bring in its entirety as a final and deserving tribute to Mr. Vasas who in his lifetime was such an inspiration to so many of us to do better and more for our fellow man. Of him it can be truly said that he was a great fraternalist. While he was living, we could always call upon him for advice and suggestions, now he is no longer with us but if we be in need of inspiration or cheering up when things don’t seem to be going right, remembering him and his exemplary leadership will be enough to inspire us to achieve all those goals he dedicated his life to. He has departed from this earthly world, however his spirit will remain with us so long as we can think and be grateful. May he rest in the peace of his Father in whose name he did so much for his fellow men.

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We gather here to-day to pay our final respects to our Beloved friend Joseph Vasas. For me to speak at such an occasion is most difficult, almost impossible, for I have known him since 1 was a child. Thoughts come to me but my lips cannot express what is in my heart. / was attracted to him because of his gentleness, his soft voice, his patience, his understanding.

Joseph Vasas was born to succeed — not to fail. His life’s work is indelibly marked with deeds of his time. His (Continued on page 7)

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