Obituary of Michael M Gorgenyi

Michael M. Gorgenyi, 72, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully on December 3, 2020 in Winchester, Massachusetts; the community in which his American life commenced after a harrowing escape from Hungary in 1966. Michael, also known as "Béla" to many, was born October 15, 1948 in Budapest, Hungary to parents Ilona (d. 2000) and Bela (d. 1952) Gorgenyi. Michael is survived by his wife, Livia “Kati” (Wolf) Gorgenyi, of 43 years; son André Gorgenyi and wife, Melissa of Chelmsford, MA along with their 3 kids Lewis, Jocelyn, and Jacob; brother Tom Gorgenyi and wife, Althea of Woburn, MA; and his nephew Marc Gorgenyi and wife, Lisa; nieces Mae Cieplik and husband, Gary, and Erika Gorgenyi. He was predeceased by his oldest son Jeremy Kanouse (d. 2017) of Somerville, MA. He arrived in the U.S. in October of 1966, after escaping Hungary in the rear of a car. Once in the U.S. he found work at Thompson Electric with his brother to secure finances for college. He spoke three languages; however, English was not one of them. He recalled learning conversational English by watching the Impossible (Boston Red Sox) Dream Team of 1967 thus spurring his lifelong devotion to the Red Sox and all sporting teams from New England. He began school at Lowell Tech, earning an associate degree in Mechanical Engineering and left college before earning his bachelors to work for Stone & Webster in Boston, MA for over 25 years. He excelled in a career as an engineer in the nuclear power industry, eventually landing on Long Island at Shoreham Nuclear Power Plant. By the early 1990’s he moved his young family to Colorado to work at EG & G Rocky Flats in Golden Colorado. In 1994 he retired early from the nuclear industry and relocated the family to Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, he and Kati joined his brother’s laundry business, soon after branching off to build their own elder care laundry services corporation. For 25 years, headquartered in Billerica, they built One Stop Clothing Care Inc. into a brand that valued and went the extra mile for their clients. In late 2019 they sold the business and retired and had hopes and aspirations for a restful season in their life. Unfortunately, shortly after Bela fell ill to a currently unknown illness and navigated the healthcare system through a pandemic. He and Kati’s plans for a long retirement together was cut short. Together, Bela and Kati lived a life focused on service and showing Christ’s love to others as constant companions. In the last few years Bela had been blessed with three grandchildren, whom he enjoyed playing chess and board games with along with going to sporting events. He was a proud grandfather. He was blessed to have an amazing and supportive extended family. Bela will be remembered by his giant heart full of generosity for loved ones and strangers alike, his wry sense of humor, and quick wit. He was a humble man who lived a hard-working life. He will be sorely missed. The family would like to thank the wonderful Intensive Care Staff at Beth Israel Lahey Winchester Hospital who worked diligently to make his final days as peaceful and pain free as possible. Services will be held in the spring at Faith Evangelical Free Church of Acton Massachusetts. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored if you would make a donation in Bela's memory to support the Massachusetts Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyma.org Arthur P. Graham Funeral Home, 3 Arlington Road, Woburn MA 01801, is directing arrangements. To leave a message of condolence visit www.grahamfuneral.com