Lajos Takacs

Lajos "Louis" Takacs was born to parents Lajos and Emma Takacs in the village of Mikepercs, Hungary on September 17, 1938. Sadly Louis' father died tragically when a hand grenade blew up in a field where he was working and he died on Christmas Eve 1944 when Louis was only 6 years old. His mother lived in Hungary until her death in 2005. Louis is one of five siblings: Irma, Jozsef (aka Joe), Istvan (Steve) and Imre (deceased).

When Louis finished elementary school he left to work for a drilling company in west Hungary. However, in 1956 Louis and his friends were assigned to work in Zalaegerszeg, an area near the Austrian border, just as the Hungarian Revolution was breaking out, in which became the largest armed uprising against the USSR during the Cold War, and at age 18 Louis and his friends escaped to Grac, Austria where they sought refugee status and spent Christmas that year. Louis stayed in Crac, Austria a few weeks while he waited until his sister Irma made her escape and joined him there. From there, the two siblings initially fled to England and then to Thunder Bay, Canada.

It wasn't long until Louis left for the west coast of BC and in 1964 he met and married his wife of 56 years, Olga Takacs in the Fraser Valley and they had two children: Karen Takacs and Lisa Edwardsen. Louis was employed as a faller all throughout BC, but predominantly on Vancouver Island, he kept this dangerous job until his retirement at age 65. At times Louis moved his family to very remote logging camps including Port Eliza off Nootka Sound and Stoltz Logging camp and we spend many hours on the ocean fishing, which is something Louis loved to do. During this time Louis did take breaks from falling to open three different businesses, Island Chain Saw, Double Eagle Boat Sales and a car dealership, but he always ended up falling again, mainly in Holberg on the North end of the Island. Once he retired, Louis ran a successful at home business where he repaired boat engines for many years, winning himself the "broken wrench award".

Louis is survived by family in Hungary, his dear sister Irma who, only weeks ago, flew out from Thunder Bay, Ont. to have a wonderful visit with him, his brothers Joe and Steve in Hungary, as well as his daughters, Karen and Lisa and grandchildren Michael Murdoch and Adrienne Murdoch as well as four great grandchildren: Lincoln, Harlow, Mila and Ava. Louis was loved by everyone who knew him because he was such a kind, thoughtful, gentle soul who helped everyone and was always happy. He will be remembered for his giving nature and his willingness to put others needs above his own.