Kamill Janos Zsigmond Apt

Kamill Janos Zsigmond Apt lived more in one lifetime than most people pack into half a dozen. He lived in half a dozen countries, and spoke as many languages, was talented in so many areas and an enthusiastic engaged participant in a dozen more. Born in Barcs, southern Hungary in 1937, he spent an idyllic childhood in Gyulaj on the forested hunting estate that his father managed for Prince Eszterhazy. During WW2, they lived in Austria for some time, returning to Hungary when it was safer. He continued his schooling in Szekszard and Sopron, starting his university degree in Forest Engineering in Sopron. The 1956 revolution when Hungarians rose up against the Soviet occupation, changed his life in very unexpected directions. The entire Forestry faculty came to Vancouver at the invitation of the UBC forestry school. Many of BC’s foresters for a generation were the Hungarian Sopron graduates, and those friendships lasted a lifetime.

Using the civil engineering part of his degree, he went to Colombia, South America to build a hydroelectric dam, where he met his beloved wife, Csilla (nee Tattay). As he was delighted to share, he had known her for only ten days before he asked her to marry him, and a year later, they had their wedding 1963. That was the beginning of 60 years full of love for them. Everyone who ever met them was delighted in their clear affection for each other, and their deep love and respect.

Their daughter Kinga was born in Colombia (1965), and their son Attila was born in Vancouver (1967), as Kamill returned to UBC to do his Master’s degree in Environmental Resources. Soon after, they packed up everything and went across Canada to live in St. John’s Newfoundland. Kamill worked for Provincial Parks conducting a resources survey, creating a unique reference showing the location and interaction of many different potential land uses, so there was synthesis of information leading to better possible decision making. It was in these years that he had the opportunity to become familiar with Northern Labrador, which deeply impacted his world view, as found in one of his writings “From the Equator to the Arctic Circle”, tying together his experiences and observations from Colombia to the Canadian north.

Intending to move back to Hungary, the home he had never wanted to leave, he had a position secured as an engineer planning the newest Metro line in Budapest, when tragedy took him in the opposite geographic direction. His brother Edward Apt (Odon) was in a catastrophic motorcycle accident which left him needing support for the rest of his days.

So back to B.C. in 1973. His remaining nearly 50 years were based in Victoria, with many rich work related and personal adventures, taking him to Northern BC, all the western Canadian provinces, much of Europe, Latin America, China to study acupressure, and to having a beautiful vineyard in Southern Hungary. Their home in Gordon Head became a hub for the neighbourhood, with the many fruit trees, rich gardens, and a perpetual welcome for all.

While he loved many genres of music and dance, he was deeply committed to, and an integral member of the Hungarian folk community ranging from Hungary, to the USA and of course, the Canadian Hungarian groups that he loved dearly. He danced with Victoria Buza Virag into his 8th decade, and played music for many years after he retired from the dance group, especially enjoying the dance/music/singing into the wee hours week at Ti Ti Tabor every August.

His deepest love was his family, from his parents, Odon and Sarolta Apt, His brother Odon (Eddie), His wife, Csilla, his children Kinga and Attila, son in law Michael, to his grandchildren Delphine, Kalenta , Kenni and Rio. And animals. He absolutely loved animals, dogs most especially, as anyone knew him could attest to.

There is so much more. If you would like to read his memoirs, they are written in English as well as in Hungarian, and are an amazing glimpse into a life very rich in love and experiences.

Anyone who ever met Kamill will remember his larger than life personality full of joy, laughter, generosity, brilliance, knowledge on almost every imaginable subject, kindness and warmth embracing everyone who entered his sphere.

We will be having a celebration of life for him at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Victoria on July 9 from 11am to 1pm. Please contact Kinga for details [email protected] ( please note the address is .ca not .com)