Geyza Gereben

Geyza Gereben, loving husband of Beáta ( Nagyiván) Gereben, passed away peacefully at his home in Southport on August 8, 2018. Born on September 29, 1938 to the late Irén ( Dold) Gereben and the late József Gereben in Sopron, Hungary, Geyza grew up during World War II in Hungary. He emigrated to the United States following the October 1956 Hungarian Revolution that was overthrown by the Russian Communist government. He had stayed in Austria prior to arriving in the United States with his father, mother, brother István, and aunt Katalin Dold. It was during the family’s stay in Austria, which was partially sponsored by Coca- Cola, that Geyza became a loyal life- long Coke drinker.

After arriving in Bridgeport in 1956, Geyza found work wherever he was needed. He began as an auto mechanic and received his education in electrical engineering from the University of Bridgeport. With his entrepreneurial skills, Geyza founded two lighting companies, which still fl ourish today.

Geyza met his wife Bea on her second day in the United States, Sunday, March 9, 1958, at St. Emery’s Church in Fairfi eld. After marriage, the family lived with Bea’s aging parents, settling and raising their family in Southport.

Geyza was known for his giving nature and quick wit. He kept in close contact with his Hungarian relatives, many of whom had emigrated to Austria and Sweden. His love of family made him bring them all together at the Gereben Family Reunion, a tradition he spearheaded in 1987. Held regularly every four years since 1990, with over 70 attendees at the July 2018 reunion, Geyza will be sorely missed.

Though he was born and raised in Hungary and traveled extensively around the world for business, Geyza would say that there’s no place like home, speaking of the USA. He would tell you that he lived the American dream, having worked his way up from an 18 year old who came over to the United States with nothing but the clothes on his back.

Since his arrival in the United States, Geyza was a die- hard New York Rangers hockey fan. He was a season ticket holder up until the end of the 1993 season, which was a regret for many years after. While he may not have had a chance to witness another Stanley Cup victory, he staunchly defended his team if anyone talked poorly of them.

Geyza’s love of music spanned all genres. From ABBA and Louis Armstrong to Klaus Wunderlich with Elton John and James Last in between, he enjoyed it over headphones… loudly. In his later years, this took its toll. His hearing slowly deteriorated, but by having hearing aids, he was able to turn them off at times when he just wanted some peace and quiet.

Geyza is survived by his wife of 56 years, Beáta; their son, Gregory Gereben and his life partner Marie Baroud of Fairfi eld; daughter Julia Johnson and her husband Kent of Milford; grandchildren, Grant and Greyson Gereben, Stefan and Nicholas Johnson; Marie’s children Gabrielle and Mitchell Head; and many close relatives in the United States, Hungary, Austria, and Sweden. Geyza was predeceased by his parents and his brother István Gereben.

Geyza will be cremated and interred in a private ceremony. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at 10 a. m. at St. Emery’s Church, 838 Kings Highway East, Fairfi eld, CT 06825. Memorial gifts may be made to the American Diabetes Association: http:// www. diabetes. org/