Miklos Pusztai

Miklos “Nick” Pusztai, 84, the husband of the late Terez (Szente) Pusztai, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 17, 2012. Born on March 4, 1927 in Budapest, Hungary to the late Julius and Barbara (Toth) Pusztai, Nick, his wife, and daughter Katalin, fled to Austria to escape the Russian invasion that culminated in the Hungarian revolution of 1956. While in Austria, he began his apprenticeship as a shoemaker; his family expanded to include daughters Agnes and Barbara. With wife and three children in tow, the family made their way to America.

They lived briefly in West Virginia, then New Jersey, adding daughter Terez, and later moved to Hartford, finally settling in East Hartford, where his son Peter was born and Nick and his family were residents for many years.

A testament to his iron will and determination, within ten years Nick attained his American dream, owning his home and business, Nick’s Expert Shoe Service, where he and wife worked side by side for the better part of forty years until her untimely death in 2000. He was passionate about his craft and became a master of his trade, and regularly worked on shoes of local politicians, athletes and celebrities. Nick was an active member of St. Isaac Jogues Roman Catholic Church for many years. He will be remembered for his loving and caring nature, love of family, his hard work ethic, and for being “the best shoemaker”. He was an avid fan of the Whalers, UConn Huskies, and loved gardening. He will be dearly missed by all who loved him.

He is survived by his five children: daughters Katalin Milak and husband Michael of Wethersfield, Agnes Pusztai of Enfield, Barbara (Sue) Noel and husband Paul of Coventry, Terez Gagne and husband Lenny of Hebron, and son Peter Pusztai and wife Carla of South Windsor; his grandchildren: Michael, Daniel and Amanda Perciballi, Rebecca and Alex Milak; Christopher and Jessica Noel; Amy and Nikki Gagne; Kaitlynn Pusztai; and great grandchild Robert Hill.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, February 22, 2012 from 4-7PM at the Benjamin J. Callahan/Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave, East Hartford. His funeral service will begin at the funeral home on Thursday at 9AM, followed by his Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM in St. Isaac Jogues Roman Catholic Church, 1 Community Street, East Hartford. Burial will be in St Mary Cemetery, East Hartford. For more information, or to leave online condolences, please visit www.callahanfuneral.com .