MIKLÓS, DEZSO JR. February 13, 1945 – August 19, 2021
Promoted to Glory, peacefully, after a short but courageous battle against cancer, on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at the Juravinski Hospital, Hamilton. Best friend and beloved husband of Donna, in his 77th year. Loving father of Stephan (Veronique), Lyla, Csaba (Daryn), Erin (Erin) and Mihaly (Sandra) and step-father of Lynn (Craig) Richmond and Ryan (Stephanie) Ward. Proud and loving grandfather of Aiden, Madysen, James, Finn, Jessica Rose, Rebecca, Jessica, Nathan, Keegan, William and Lauren and great grandchildren Franko and Rockelle.
Dezso Miklós Jr. lived his life like a long drive – enjoying the journey, handling twists and turns with care, and not getting lost in the rearview mirror. Dez got so much out of life by living this way. He is remembered as a proud Hungarian, a driven entrepreneur, and a loving family man. He passed away in Hamilton, Ont. on August 19 after a short battle with cancer.
Born in Hungary, Dez was the only child of Dezso and Kathleen Miklós. He came into the world on a historical day – February 13, 1945, when the « Glorious Red Army » liberated Budapest from the forces of Nazi Germany. He grew up under the care of his grandmother, Emma Antal, because Hungary’s economy after the war was « lower than a frog’s behind, » as Dez would say.
The revolution came when Dez was just 11 years old. His family escaped into Austria in the middle of the night through farm fields. The ground was cold and muddy, causing Dezso to lose a shoe. It was too dark for the family to look for it, so they continued with Dez’s father wearing only one shoe. He had severe frostbite on his foot by the time the family arrived in Vienna on December 4, 1956. They remained there only briefly, before making their way through England, Scotland, and Ireland. The ultimate destination was always Canada, with the family arriving in Toronto on Easter Sunday of 1957.
The family settled in Cornwall, Ont., with Dezso finding work at a hotel and Kathleen taking a job at the local hospital. Dez lied about his age and became a bellboy at the age of 14. This lasted until the family moved to Brockville, Ont.
As a child, Dez was energetic and creative. He once cooked breakfast for his teddy bear and almost burned down his parents’ apartment in Hungary. He had a hard time in school once he moved to Canada because of the English language. It wasn’t until he got his hands on some James Fenimore Cooper books that Dez fully grasped reading and writing his second language.
In high school, Dez developed an interest in photography. He would later go on to open two camera shops – one in Frobisher Bay, N.W.T and another in Hamilton, Ont. The shops were successful but ultimately closed because Dez was determined to become an excellent hotelier and restauranteur. He attended Ryerson University and graduated in 1966 with a diploma in hotel and restaurant management.
After spending a year in Bermuda to learn about the resort business, Dez returned to Ontario and married Heather Gunn. The marriage ended after a brief period together and then Dez moved up to the Arctic. He met his second wife, Susan Donovan, and spent 20 years running the Frobisher Inn on Baffin Island with his family.
Dez became heavily involved in the community while living in the Arctic. He was one of the founding fathers of the Northwest Territories Chamber of Commerce and the Baffin Tourism Association. He was also a charter member of the Frobisher Bay Rotary Club. It wasn’t until the lease for his hotel ended in 1989 that Dez decided to return to hospitality in Ontario.
On March 15, 1980, Dez was inducted into the Order of Saint Ladislaus as a knight. The award honours expatriate Hungarians who show exemplary promotion of the Hungarian culture and traditions. Dez was very proud of his heritage and took every opportunity to explain the ways of his home country to those who weren’t familiar with it.
Dez left the hospitality industry and became a driver trainer in the late 1990s when his parents became ill, and his wife was diagnosed with cancer. Dez developed a passion for safe driving and set out to improve the industry. He wrote articles, taught, sold the curriculum, and even hosted a radio show about safe driving for nearly a decade. As Dez got older, he geared his efforts toward seniors and their driving issues. He also expanded his driving expertise by picking up all sorts of licenses – from big trucks to school buses.
Throughout his life, Dez was always thankful for two things: the feeling of peace he carried about himself, and the love he had for his family. He dearly loved his late wife, Susan Donovan, and treasured his present wife, Donna Conrad Ward. The couple cherished the moments they shared at their dinner table, which seemed to grow more crowded with each passing year. When they had time to themselves, Dez and Donna enjoyed going on road trips throughout Ontario and Eastern Canada. Dez also counted camping and fishing among his favourite pastimes. He will be dearly missed by all.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held at The Salvation Army Mountain Citadel, 835 Stone Church Road East, Hamilton on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 11 am. Those wishing to attend the service must RSVP through the funeral home website. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home Facebook page. If desired, donations to The Salvation Army Mountain Citadel or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to COOPER FUNERAL HOME, Jarvis (519- 587-4414). Friends are invited to send condolences and sign the Book of Memories at www.cooperfuneralhome.ca
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Thursday August 19th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Dez Miklos Thursday August 19th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Jarvis, Province: Ontario