Tivadar Meszaros

June 13th, 2025. Our Dad/Papa is now free to join his beloved wife and our

Mom/Nana Aranka where they can be happy and fulfilled once again. Life has

been particularly challenging for Dad these past few years after the loss of his

wife and combined with the health challenges he endured.

Dad was born March 1, 1937 in Vág, Hungary (a tiny farming village) to Matild

Mészáros née Németh and Tivadar Mészáros. Ted had 8 siblings: sisters Irma,

Margit, Terri, Erzsi, Gizi, Anna, and brothers Miska and a baby brother who

passed away after birth. At age 4, Ted and his eldest sister Irma went to live with

their widowed grandmother in Rábakecöl, Hungary to help her with her home.

As was common in those days, Ted finished his schooling in his mid-teens and

went on to work. Many don’t know, but he started his logging career in Hungary.

(Each county had small tree lots and selective logging occurred annually.)

In late October, 1956 with the Russians attempting to control Hungary, Ted, at the

age of 19, and his childhood friend Steve Ori snuck across the open Hungarian

border into Austria with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing, starting

their journey to a free and better future. They then took a train to Germany

where they stayed for a few months arranging their trip to Canada. Having

learned a little German in his earlier years of education, Ted became the

translator to help arrange their journey along with helping other Hungarian

refugees wanting to relocate elsewhere. Finally in January 1957, the journey

from Ingolstadt, Germany on board the Arosa Sun took Ted and his new and

re-acquainted friends to Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, arriving February 4,

1957. A day or so later, a train was taken across Canada to Abbotsford, BC and

after a brief stay, Ted and many of his friends took another train to Burns Lake,

BC where they started their new lives in Canada. Ted started working loading

lumber onto boxcars and later worked primarily for two companies: Omineca

Lumber and Ferguson Lake Sawmill in various positions before training to

become a faller. During weekends and breaks, Ted loved playing soccer on his

Hungarian team as well as on other teams all across BC. As soon as Ted could,

he purchased a car and became the driver for all of these excursions.

Over time, Ted also travelled to see his sister Margit who had settled in

Cleveland, Ohio with her husband and son due to the Hungarian Revolution. He

also visited New York, France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, and back to Hungary

in 1967. In 1969, Ted married his wife Aranka in her home city of Budapest and

they moved and settled in Campbell River after the birth of their first child Suzy.

After Suzy, came Christine and then a few years later Ted Jr. They lived in their

house on South Alder Street (formerly called Murphy Street) until Ted’s passing.

He was always so proud of our home and to have created the beautiful yard and

gardens and memories our family shared together.

Ted leaves behind his children Suzy Roberts (Ralph and Olivia), Christine

Jochimski (Chris, Carrissa, Tom, Norah, and Clara}, and Tyler), and Ted Jr., as

well as their cherished Hungarian Puli and “best friend” Bodri! In addition, Dad

leaves many beloved relatives and friends in Canada, the US, Holland, and

Hungary.

Ted was a hard worker and learned everything from paying attention and gaining

experience. Computers and YouTube were obviously not available, so desire,

perseverance, and trial-and-error helped him achieve his goals. Ted was always

helpful to others and had a great sense of humour and enthusiasm for life. In

addition to his family, Ted’s greatest pride was working as a faller for MacMillan

Bloedel in their Kelsey Bay Division. Ted also loved photography, watching

hockey (the Montreal Canadiens and our local Storm team), going on walks with

his dog, going to the gym (he would complain when the gym was closed on

statutory holidays since he couldn’t go), having coffee with friends, working on his

puzzles, and working in his garden where he produced the most delicious fruits

and vegetables, often sharing with our local Food Bank, and growing his flowers

that could take your breath away! Dad was a very proud man and this showed in

his work ethic as well as with his family!

Our days are now quiet from all the stories Dad and Mom would tell, the love

they shared, and all the things they produced. They are together and living their

best life at last. Life will never be the same without you both, but you will forever

live on in our memories, in all your photos, and in all of your stories. We will

always love you both so much!