Dezso "Danny" Szalai

This won’t be your typical obituary—because Dezso “Danny” Szalai wasn’t your typical man. He would have rolled his eyes at something too formal anyway. So, instead, we choose to honor him in a way that truly reflects the life he lived—one defined not only by where he came from, but by the love, laughter, and loyalty he gave to everyone he met.

Danny came to this country as an immigrant in search of a better life. What he found here was so much more than a new beginning: he found his one and only, Jane. The love of his life, and through that love, a family not bound by blood, but by something just as strong. He was embraced by his wife’s family as one of their own, and in turn, he loved them fiercely, fully, and without condition. He became a father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and so much more to so many people, simply because he chose to be.

His presence was a constant at the Golden Dawn Diner, where he wasn’t just a familiar face—he was family. To the servers, customers, and friends, he was the heart of the place, always ready with a sarcastic remark, a stubborn opinion, or one of his endless stories that never failed to make you laugh—or shake your head.

He worked hard, told it like it was, and found joy in the simple moments. He was stubborn in the best way, funny without even trying, and proud of the life he built from the ground up. He lived on his own terms and often reminded us all with a grin, “Don’t behave—it’s no fun that way.”

We will miss his voice, his humor, his strength, and the way he made everyone feel like they belonged. But more than anything, we will carry forward his legacy: that family isn’t always who you’re born to—it’s who you choose, and who chooses you back with love.

Please join us for a remembrance ceremony on Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 5:00 until 8:00 PM at the James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown, PA.