Zoltan L. Lehel (91), known to his loved ones as Zoli, passed away in Tigard, Oregon on All Saints Day November 1st 2023 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was a kind generous husband, the best father a girl could dream of, and a dedicated loving grandfather.
Zoli was born in Budapest Hungary on Aug 15th, 1932. His parents were János Lehel and Rosália Uzsorás. Zoli escaped Hungary with Erika during the Hungarian Revolution/uprising of 1956. They lived in a refuge camp in Austria for 3 years. Zoltan and Erika were married there on June 7, 1957 and came to America in 1959.
Zoli was a mechanical engineer and spoke 3 languages. He owned several small businesses. Projects that he worked on included building emergency safety exit signs, Coors canning machinery, Popcorn Harvesting equipment and designed meat packing machinery. He built tennis rackets, was a great welder, and many know him for his pet supply business. His favorite job ever was when he worked at Tucson High and taught Machine Shop to high school students. He was a committed 4-H leader Welding teacher (including teaching his own daughter) and loved helping the kids create amazing projects they were so proud of. He retired from IBM after working there for 15 years.
Zoli is survived by his wife Erika (marriage for 66 years) their daughter Christine, son-in-law John Feleciano, and his 2 grandchildren: John (21) and Gabriella (19).
There is nothing more in life that he loved more than family and he devoted everything to them.
A vigil service and Rite of Comital will take place on Nov 22, 2023 at 2:30 pm at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
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