John Szerdi

Szerdi, John, 84, of Fort Lauderdale passed away on June 9th, 2011. John was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey on May 4th, 1927, but grew up on the family farm most of his youth in Budapest, Hungary. He began to realize his American Dream when he returned to the U.S. to work with his father as a stone mason. After serving in the US Army and learning the English language, he met his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Payti. He started his own construction company, building and selling houses around Fords, NJ. John and Betty with their three children, moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1963.

John, also known as “Jacques” for Jacques Costeau, would take the family and his treasured boat on fishing and diving vacations every summer to the Florida Keys. He was happiest spending time on the ocean with his family and friends. He and Betty always had a house full of neighborhood kids from Jenada Isles and Wilton Manors. He also loved animals since his farming days, especially the Szerdi dogs. After building the family apartment complex, he and his partners founded and later sold a successful marine business, American Marine Products, Inc. John and Betty then took their RV around the country with their best friends, Annie and Ed Leitner. They continued to have all their children’s families join them back in the Keys to share in their love of boating and the Florida lifestyle. John so loved all of his five grandchildren that he constructed a baby seat so they could enjoy the water before they could even walk. They all loved their “Pop Pop”, who had the “bestest hug” ever.

Preceded in death on Sept. 22, 1998 by his beloved wife of 38 years, Elizabeth Payti Szerdi and his youngest son, Kenneth on June 5th, 1991. Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Cynthia Williams and husband, Ken, of Fort Lauderdale; his son, John William and wife, Jamey, of Lake Worth; and his five grandchildren: Nicole and Dane Williams, and Joelle, Jaclyn, and Johnny Szerdi.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00am, June 18th, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church at 1750 East Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Vitas Hospice Charitable Fund, 5420 N.W. 33rd Avenue, Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309. Arrangements were made by: Kraeer-Fairchild Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 4061 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308. Phone: 954-565-5591