Fabri

Jozsef Fabri, 86, of Gibsonia, formerly Chippewa, passed away from this life on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.

Born in Szentdomonkos, Hungary, on Jan. 31, 1937, son of the late Jozsef and Veronica Fabri.

A young man who battled tuberculosis as well as chronic health issues, he rose to the elite level as a two-time National Champion Wrestler of Hungary and realized his childhood dream by earning a spot as a member of the Hungarian Olympic Wrestling Team.

On Nov. 24, 1956, Joe escaped from Hungary with his dear cousins and best friends, the late Endre Csoman and Andras Spagina. They first escaped to Austria and then to Germany, before arriving at Camp Kilmer in New Brunswick, N.J., a former army camp that became a resettlement camp for some 30,000 refugees following the Hungarian Revolution. His patriotic passion for the USA drove him to become a citizen after completing the USA citizenship classes.

Joe was proud of his vocational training and worked at Mayer China in Beaver Falls and Babcox & Wilcox in Beaver County and finished out his working career at Elbach & Johnson in Glenwillard, Pa.

Joe was passionate about sports and coached soccer and wrestling in the Blackhawk School District for over 25 years. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, he served as a board member for GBU and HRFA fraternal insurance companies. He also served on the Bethlen Skilled Nursing Facility board. He was an active member with the Lions Club, Tiger Paws and Life Family Church in New Brighton, Pa. (formerly New Brighton Christian Assembly). He did many service projects with veterans and also loved to visit shut-ins.

Joe treasured his yearly vacations on Hilton Head Island with his wonderful wife, children and grandchildren. He always anticipated his morning coffee jaunts with his family.

Joe deeply loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, his family and the USA. He always loved sharing his faith and loved being with his family and never hesitated to tell people about how the USA is the greatest country!

He was the beloved husband for 64 years of Margaret Ann Lentz Fabri; loving father of Julia DeSantes (Jeffrey), Renee Maldonato (Sam) and Jodi Fleishman (Josh); brother of the late Ilonka Kovacs and Julia Fabri; and proud grandfather of Jessalyn Vandergrift (Corey), Alexa Pietranton (Daniel), Rachel DeSantes, Jeffrey DeSantes Jr., Alexandra Chotiner (Will), Haylee Fleishman, Gracie Fleishman, Sophie Fleishman and the late Gabrielle Kochasic (Matthew). He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Alaska, Wesley and Theodore.

FABRI — A celebration of life service for Jozsef Fabri, who died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, will be held on Saturday. Family and friends are invited to attend the service beginning at 11 a.m. at Life Family Church, 1810 Valley Ave., New Brighton, and a luncheon following at Penn Bistro, 615 Penn Ave., New Brighton.

Arrangements are under the direction of SCHELLHAAS FUNERAL HOME, 5864 Heckert Road, Bakerstown.

Online condolences can be given at www.schellhaasfh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.