Arpad Zigmond Barabas passed away peacefully on October 30, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta just days before his 86th birthday. Arpad is survived by his four children Christina, Attila, Arpad and Aron and their ten grandchildren and one great grandchild. Arpad was predeceased by his wife, Heike Barabas, and his only brother, Miklos Barabas.
Arpad was born on November 4, 1936 in Budapest, Hungary. He loved living in Hungary with all of its beautiful culture and history, but times were hard in post-war Europe. Without even telling his family he escaped Hungary during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution at the age of 20 with the hope of a better life. After a harrowing ordeal he made it to England to start his new life.
Though difficult, he was able to learn English quite quickly and earned five university degrees in the fields of immunology and veterinary science at the Universities of Edinburgh, Belfast and Birmingham. He first worked as a large animal vet in England before moving to Belfast to focus on immunology.
He met Heike Cords in Edinburgh Scotland and they were married in 1967. They moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1972 where he worked at the University of Calgary as an Immunologist. He also practiced for many years as a small animal veterinarian and he was one of the first vets in Calgary to make emergency house calls. He went back to the University of Calgary in 1998 to continue his work in immunology and cancer research before retiring in 2018.
Arpad was a fervent member of the Hungarian community in Calgary and participated in numerous theatrical productions over the years. He also enjoyed traveling back to Hungary, whenever he was able to see his family. Arpad had an amazing talent to entertain and bring joy and laughter to those around him. We will miss hearing his beautiful whistle, singing, and poetry recitals. He worked very hard for his family to give them the things he did not have growing up. We are all so grateful for his love and devotion and he will be greatly missed.
A Funeral Service will be held for Arpad at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Coach Hill Chapel (996 Strathcona Dr. SW, Calgary) on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 10:30 am. The funeral will be live streamed at zoom.us/j/97097325921?pwd=VSsvNVVXYjRjYnBaMi85OXBoK1VEdz09 Interment will follow at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens.
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Service
Funeral Service
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Coach Hill Chapel
996 Strathcona Drive SW, Calgary, Alberta
November 12, 2022
10:30 am
Interment to follow at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Arpad Zsigmond Barabas 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Calgary, Province: Alberta