Paul Racz Sr

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father Paul Racz Sr (age 89 years, 10 1/2 months) at the Grace Hospital on Monday, November 4, 2024. He was born January 22, 1935, in the town of Bekessamson, Hungary and came to Winnipeg in late  1955.

Paul only had a grade 8 education when he arrived in Winnipeg. However, he later attended evening classes at Tech Voc High School where he learnt a sheet metal trade and some basic English. He was very hard working being first employed for a short time at a sewing factory doing ironing of men's pants, then hired at Silverline Trailers and finally landing a good job at Bristol/Magellan Aerospace (where he worked as a Punch Press Operator for 37 years). He tried to better his English speaking and writing skills and took several "English as a Second Language" courses offered by Bristol Aerospace over the years. Paul retired at the age of 67 in November 2003.

Being Hungarian was a special part of Paul's life. He loved cooking Hungarian Goulash and Chicken Paprikas for the family and enjoyed listing to the Hungarian music program on CKJS on Sunday evenings. Paul belonged to the Hungarian Cultural Society of Manitoba for many years. He supported the club faithfully by attending special cultural holidays and dinners. The Racz family joined him at the Budapest Pavilion at Folklorama every year.

Paul liked travelling and made solo trips to Hungary and stops along the way in London, Paris and Vienna. Paul and Ottilia visited Las Vegas, Hawaii and Florida and family trips were made to Austria, Hungary, South Dakota, Minnesota, Hawaii, Nevada, Grand Canyon, Vancouver, Victoria, Penticton, Edmonton, Jasper, Banff, Thunder Bay, Toronto and Niagara Falls.

How Paul enjoyed fishing. Many trips were taken alone as well as with Paul Jr to Lockport, Breezy Point, Selkirk and the creek in Clandeboye. It was with great pride he displayed his 25 1b northern pike (which he had caught at a fishing derby) that was mounted on the wall of his rec room. The chance to go deep sea fishing was always a wish for Paul. He fulfilled this wish when he went on a I-day deep sea fishing trip off the shores of Oahu, Hawaii in 1996. His reward for the hard day of fishing was catching a large blue tuna.

Paul is survived by his loving wife Ottilia (having celebrated their 65th Anniversary on Feb. 7, 2024). He is also survived by his daughter Loretta and son Paul Jr, sister Vicky Ravacsz Laszlone and nephew Laszlo Ravacsz (Hungary), great-niece Nora (New York City) and sister-in-laws Theresia Opitz & Veronika Thell (Austria). Paul was pre-deceased by his parents Paul and Viktoria Racz, brother-in-laws Laszlo Ravacsz and Hubert Lang and sister-in-laws Anna Lang and Franciska Potzmann.

The family would like to thank Dr. Bashorat and nurses at the Grace Hospital (Unit 3 South) for their kindness and dedicated care of Paul. Thanks to nurse Emma for sitting and comforting us in Paul's hospital room after his passing.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on November 15,2024 at Eternal Grace Funerals, 1111 Logan Avenue (at McPhillips Street). Reception to follow immediately after the service and burial of ashes taking place at Glen Eden Cemetery, 4447 Main St., West St. Paul.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Paul's honour may be made to the Grace Hospital's campaign for the new Diagnostic Imaging Centre, 300 Booth Drive, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3J 3M7.

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