Joseph Komlo, 83, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2018 at Bethel Health Care in Bethel. Joe was born in Görömböly, Hungary to Erzsébet and Gábor Komlo on March 20, 1935 and grew up in Miskolc Tapolca. After living through WWII as a child with his family and serving as a freedom fighter during the Hungarian Revolution, Joe, as a refugee, fled to the United States. In 1956, at the age of 21, he began a new life in New Jersey where he earned his first $2 paycheck working on the George Washington Bridge. He later settled in the Danbury, CT area where he met and married Margaret Hüttig. He maintained a successful building career and became a well-known quality craftsman, leaving a legacy of beautifully constructed homes.
Joe also had a love for the game of soccer and was instrumental in developing the game in the community. He was actively involved in coaching and refereeing both youth and adult soccer leagues. He was known by the men’s league as a fair referee who ‘kept the game moving.’ Komlo Field in New Fairfield, a gift from “Coach Joe”, is an illustration of his love for the game and a testament to his dedication and service to young athletes and the community.
Joe became a member of the Arion Singing Society in 1965 and, through the years, served the organization in many capacities. He was known as ‘the best potato pancake maker’ for the Arion’s annual Oktoberfests. Dancing was one of his favorite past times and he always had enough energy, never missing a beat when he danced with his wife and daughters.
Joe attended the New Life United Methodist Church in New Fairfield and, over the years, served the Lord by building churches at home and abroad. He demonstrated his love by giving of himself, whether in small tokens or larger projects and was the happiest when he served others.
Joe was predeceased by his brothers Gabor in Budapest, Hungary, and Laszlo of New Milford, CT. He is survived by his wife Margaret, daughters Deanne and Gail, extended family in Hungary and CT, and many friends who will miss him.
Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 1st at the New Life United Methodist Church, New Fairfield. Burial will be in the Mountain View Cemetery, New Fairfield. The family will receive friends at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main Street, Danbury on Tuesday, July 31st from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
