Sandor Lakatos
CHARDON – Sandor Lakatos completed his life journey at his home, surrounded by family, on April 25, 2014, in Chardon. He was 78.
Sandor fought his battle with many health complications for years before his body grew too weak to continue fighting.
Sandor was born on July 9, 1935, in Szirak, Hungary. He later came to the United States to pursue a new life and freedom with his loving wife, Heidelinde, and first daughter, Heide Marie.
They later had three additional children, Alex, Gabriella and Tibor, who were born in Painesville.
Sandor leaves behind Heidelinde Lakatos, his loving wife of 56 years; children Alex (Dianne) Lakatos, Gabriella (Russ) Wheeler and Tibor (Lisa) Lakatos; 10 cherished grandchildren, Christopher (Jessica) Cook, Matthew (Amanda) Cook, Michael Cook, Alex Lakatos, Kristen Welch, Kaila Lakatos, Hayley Wheeler, Tibor Lakatos, Adrianna Lakatos and Dominick Lakatos; as well as sister Marika and brother Josef.
Sandor was preceded in death by his first born daughter Heide Marie (Lakatos) Cook; parents, Josef and Jolan; and sister Lenci and brother Tomi.
Sandor had an uncanny ability to make those around him laugh and was an inspiration to all.
He lived for his family and enjoyed traveling extensively with all of them.
He spent his winters in tropical locations and visited his homeland, Hungary/Austria, regularly to continue to carry on its traditions and instill the European culture to his children.
Sandor’s main passion in life was providing for and creating unity for his growing family.
He was fluent in three languages: Hungarian, German and English.
He enjoyed to make homemade wine, butcher livestock and grow and can vegetables, all while owning a successful landscaping and tree farm business. He enjoyed living his dream of creating beautiful landscapes for over 40 years.
Sandor loved to play the violin and cook European traditional meals during weekly Sunday gatherings with family. Whether it was drawing funny pictures, singing songs or playing dress up with the grandchildren, there was never a dull moment.
He enjoyed many family traditions: singing Christmas carols by candlelight on Christmas Eve, picnics, pig roasts, indulging in crepes at 10 p.m., golf cart rides through the tree farm to feed the fish and geese at the pond, homemade wine with most meals, and singing Hungarian songs for all to hear with his three vino boys, Chris, Matt and Mikey.
Sandor embraced and lived the American dream, all the while assuring those values were instilled in his children and grandchildren.
His final resting place, although in our hearts, will be hand-in-hand with the Lord and his daughter Heide.
A Memorial Mass will be held 4 p.m. April 30 at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon, followed by a viewing from 5-8 p.m.
Private family burial to be held at Lakatos Cemetery. Flowers welcome.
