William Penn Life, 1974 (9. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1974-04-01 / 2. szám
1 3n ürmnriam JOHN BENCZE, HONORARY PRESIDENT It is a sad occasion for which we are gathered here this evening. We are here to pay our last respects to JOHN BENCZE, the patriarch of the William Penn Association. It is with saddened hearts that we call to mind, in capsule form, his many achievements and contributions to the Magyar heritage in the United States of America. In the truest sense of the word, he was a pioneer, who left his native Hungary at the young age of 19 to become one of the great fraternalists and champions of the Magyar cause in America. John Bencze was born in Bodva,Borsod megye Hungary on November 5, 1882. He ended his earthly life here in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania 91 years later. By his exemplary life he showed us, the official William Penn family of today, how we are to carry on our duties and obligations as William Penn leaders. Mr. Bencze married the former Klara Flaskay in Passaic, N.J. in 1906 and they were blessed with 62 years of happy married life which ended in 1968 when Mrs. Bencze passed away. ments, for we as humans are weak with faults and imperfections. Yes Brother we will miss you and we will never be the same again — because you lived — and we were honored to have you because you served so well; and now you have entered into the Kingdom of the Lord for you have fulfilled a life of accomplishments. Lord remember your Servant Andrew who now comes before you marked with the sign of faith and his earthly deeds, and we pray for the Lords mercy, charity and forgiveness. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, from henceforth now they may rest from their labors for their works follow them. May Brother Andrew and those who sleep in Christ find in your presence perpetual Life and Peace — May the eternal light shine upon him — May his Soul and all the Souls of the faithfully departed through the Mercy of God Rest In Peace. Our beloved Honorary President is survived by his daughter Yolanda who loses a beloved and devoted Father, who in his later years depended entirely upon her tenderness and care. Daughter Ella Havecotte and her husband Curt, Daughter Helen Dickson preceeded him in death this past October. Son-in-law Ernest R. Dickson, three grandsons John and Paul Havecotte and Ernest J. Dikovics. He was always so proud of his grandsons and their many accomplishments. Mr. Bencze became a member of the former Verhovay Association in March, 1920 at Branch 70 in Newark, N.J. He immediately became active in the local lodge activities offering his services to those—who were in need of help in a strange new country. In 1923, because of his keen interest in the Association, he was elected a delegate to the National Convention and from that date on was present at every Convention of the Association. In 1928 there were serious problems within the Association when undesirable elements attempted to wrest Authority from the Officers. This necessitated the call for a special Convention. After 2 weeks of serious deliberations Mr. Bencze was prevailed upon to accept the full-time position of Supreme Secretary, to bring order to the Association. All of us who so much respected Mr. Bencze can recall the many times he recanted the events of those weeks and what a difficult decision he had to make to uproot his family and move to what was then Smoky Pittsburgh. He accepted the responsibility thrust upon him, because he wanted to serve his fellow Hungarians. The steady growth of the Association after that date was due by and large to his dedicated efforts. At the 1943 Convention he was unanimously elected National President, the Office which he held until his retirement on December 31, 1955. In 1952 he commenced negotiating with Mr. Joseph Vasas, Supreme Secretary of Rákóczi Aid Association for the merging of the two Societies, a dream of many Hungarians for more than 40 years.As we all know this great effort, thanks to the cooperation of many, was crowned with success. Mr. Bencze always considered this merger as his greatest and most lasting contribution to the Hungarian cause in America and we who have followed him fully agree with his views. His Association honored him with the Illustrious Member citation and he takes with him to the land of eternal reward the lapel pin which is the badge of this honor. The greatest love the grateful Association could show towards him was his being named Lifetime Honorary President of that William Penn Association which he helped to create. To us he will always be President Bencze. When we Officers, Directors and Members of William Penn, now say our final farewell to our beloved President Bencze, let us all here dedicate ourselves to the principals he espoused, let us all carry on our assigned tasks of perpetuating in this great land our Hungarian Heritage. John Bencze with his kindness and thoughtfulness showed us by example what our obligations to our people are. We pledge to you President Bencze that as the Official Family of the William Penn Association, we will carry on in your tradition. Thank you for showing us the way. We hope that when we meet again in the great Ireyond you will say as we say: Faithful servant, you have served well, you have earned your eternal reward. ISTEN VELED JÁNOS BÁCSI A VISZONTLÁTÁSIG! 7
