Eugene Kerekes' Obituary
Gene Kerekes, formerly of Lorain and Amherst, passed away on April 7, 2011, in Florida due to a brief illness.
He was born in Lorain on December 13, 1929 and attended Lorain city Schools. He graduated from Wentworth Military Academy in 1948, where he competed in track and swimming. He then joined the U.S. Air Force.
On April 28, 1951, he married Dorothy Zvosec and moved to Amherst. He operated Kerekes Café which became known for his roast beef sandwiches.
Gene retired from the Avon Lake Ford Plant. He was a member of the UAW Local 2000 and 425. He also had served as a volunteer firefighter for the City of Amherst. He was a lifelong member of the Elks, was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of Eagles, Amvets, I.A.V., and American Legion. He also was a member of the Amherst and Florida “Browns Backers”.
While living in this area, he was a member of the former St. Ladislaus Church in Lorain, St. Joseph Church in Amherst and also a St. Leo Catholic Church in Florida. He was extremely proud of his Hungarian Heritage and spoke the language fluently.
He enjoyed hunting, traveling through Europe and Jamaica, attending ethnic church picnics and telling stories about his childhood in Lorain.
He is survived by his son, Eugene Kerekes II; his daughters, Renee (Mike) May, Julie (Greg) Peltz, Mary (Greg) Northeim, of Amherst; his grandchildren, Mike (Jessica) May, Bryan May, Allison Peltz, Gregory Peltz II, Gabrielle Northeim, Elizabeth Northeim; his sister, Helen Nemeth and brother, Joe Kerekes.
He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy (nee Zvosec), his parents, Joseph and Helen (nee Ger) Kerekes and his sister, Yvonne Kerekes.
A private Catholic service, for the immediate family, was held on April 16th at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain.
In memory of their beloved father, Eugene (Gene) Kerekes, the family is asking for memorial contributions to be made to: Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, 7445 Deer Trail Lane, Lorain, OH 44053.
Family and friends may leave online condolences at www.dovinreberjones.com.
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