Joseph Anthony Csubak

Joseph Anthony Csubak, age 89, of Douglasville, Georgia passed away Tuesday, October 5, 2021. He was born January 22, 1932 in Biel, Czechoslovakia. The love of “football” as it is known, is a way of life for most residents in Europe. This team sport taught Joseph many lessons that he carried and taught throughout his life. Soon after arriving in the USA, he helped form The Hungarian-American Junior Soccer League in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Despite the name, the 16 to 21-year-old members were German, Russian, American and Hungarian. Although the language barriers and cultural differences were great, they made it work—For The Team! Interviewing prospective team members, the first question Joseph would ask, “Are you here For The Team?”

Enlistment in the US Army found Joseph back in Europe. Summertime meant “Soccer Time”. Playing with others on the base was a pleasant pastime. Stateside, Joseph coached in community leagues until work and family became a priority.

After a move to Florida with his wife and four children, The Miami Toros/Ft. Lauderdale Strikers were his team to cheer for. Joseph would attend soccer games when he wasn’t hard at work, volunteering at church or helping his daughters at Girl Scout meetings and with the help raising of their daughters. Joseph’s greatest passions in life were Faith, Family and Soccer. He was a very simple man and did not need much to make him happy.

Joseph retired from Bell South, where he had worked as a linesman for many years before becoming a supervisor. After retirement from Bell South, he worked with the Broward County Water Authority in Hollywood, Florida.

A move to Georgia in 2015 to be closer to a daughter, gave him time and opportunity to recognize the tremendous talent and teamwork in Atlanta United. He watched as many games as possible. Even after suffering a severe stroke in 2014, which left him paralyzed on his right side, he would still wave his arm and cheer loudly for his game and his team. While in rehab, he was unable to watch the US Women’s team play for the World Cup. He was updated by many phone calls to his sickbed as to how the US team was doing. One game against Thailand resulted in a half dozen phone calls, because we knew how much he loved soccer! Joseph had a love for soccer that spanned over 70+ years and remained as strong throughout the years as it ever was as a young man.

One of Joseph’s dreams was to meet the Atlanta United players and eventually that dream would come true.

Preceding him in death were his beloved wife of 65 years, Elizabeth "Betty" (Zsorey) Csubak; parents, John and Helen (Zelenak) Csubak; and sister, Marion Bruck.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Ellen (Kenneth) Keck, Terri Ondrizek, Barbara Lynch, and Margaret Colman; brother, Steve (Kathy) Csubak; and grandchildren, Michael Keck, Kenneth R. Keck, Caroline Ondrizek, Jessica Ondrizek, and Trent Colman.

A memorial service is planned for Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 2:00 PM in the Rosehaven Chapel. Joseph will be laid to rest at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Joseph to the The Dream Foundation at www.dreamfoundation.org or by mail to 1528 Chapala Street, Suite 304, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. 888-4DREAMS / 888-437-3267.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitleygarner.com for the Csubak family.

Services have been entrusted to the care of Whitley-Garner at Rosehaven Funeral Home, 8640 Rose Avenue, Douglasville, Georgia 30134 / 770-942-4246