Geza Kakuk

Geza Kakuk passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on November 12, 2024, at the age of 81. He was born on May 15, 1943, in Budapest, Hungary to Mihaly and Ilona Kakuk and was the oldest of four siblings (Gustav, Gitta and Gizella). At the age of 13, he and his family escaped Hungary during the 1956 Revolution. They entered a refugee camp in Yugoslavia and were sponsored to come to the United States in November 1957, eventually settling in Fairfield, NJ.

Geza graduated from West Essex High School in 1963 and then attended Rutgers University. He served honorably in the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1970 as an aircraft mechanic during the Vietnam War, dedicating four years to his new country during a pivotal time. Following his military service, Geza returned to Fairfield, NJ where he met the love of his life, his wife, Sara, and together they built a beautiful family. As a proud father to Peter, Cindy, and Christy, Geza dedicated his life to providing for his family. He was a hardworking and self-made man, starting a successful plumbing and welding company with Sara’s brother, Joseph Petocz, that served the community for 32 years. He enjoyed building and fixing things around the house and spent numerous hours working in his shop. After retirement, Geza moved to California to be closer to his children and beloved grandchildren. He was a dedicated member of the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Los Angeles, where he enjoyed attending church on Sundays.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sara, and his children: Peter (son) and Marita (daughter-in-law) Kakuk, Cindy (daughter) and Paul (son-in-law) Santorelli, and Christy (daughter) and Mike (son-in-law) Fach. Geza was also a proud grandfather to seven grandchildren: Mia, Caitlin, Nicholas, Taylor, Jolie, Brody, and Drew, who brought him so much joy and happiness.

A celebration of his life will be held on November 30th at 10:30 am at the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Los Angeles in Hawthorne, CA. The family asks for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Geza’s legacy of love, hard work, and devotion to family will live on in all of us.

If you would like to honor Geza, please consider a donation in lieu of flowers to the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Los Angeles, 12717 York Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250. https://www.elsoegyhazla.org/p/adomany-donation.html