Frank Gergelyi

GERGELYI - Frank Gergelyi, 84 passed away on June 14, 2010 after a long, hard-fought battle with Alzheimer’s. Frank was born in Stara Lubovna, Slovakia on January 28, 1926 to the late Margarita and Nicholas Gergelyi. He grew up on a farm and the enjoyed the comfort of his small town but was forced to leave after the communists invaded. He watched as friends who resisted the communists were killed or sent to uranium mine labor camps so he carefully planned his escape for weeks and ran across the border for freedom. With no friends or family in Germany, he quickly learned German and found a job. He remained in Germany for several years until he boldly decided to go to America, the land of opportunity. In another new country with little family he found a job as a technician fixing televisions and learned English as quickly as he could. He later worked at Lionel Trains, ITT and RCA in their Astro-Electronics Division on their Relay 1 project which helped contribute to the 1960’s space program. He then decided to chart his own destiny, and put wheels in motion to establish his own business. For the next 30 years he owned and directed one of the most successful technical colleges in New Jersey, Metropolitan Technical Institute. His leadership at the school proved to be one of his greatest contributions as he helped thousands of young men and women chart their own destinies, by providing them with an outstanding education and at every opportunity helping to mold them into good human beings with strong character and moral values. Frank worked tirelessly to ensure he did the ‘right thing’ for his students and his family. Frank was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was an outdoorsman who loved nature, the mountains, hunting and especially skiing which he continued to enjoy until his 81st birthday. Survivors include his wife Mildred Gergelyi, his daughter Karen Gergelyi and son-in-law Neil Borthwick, his son Frank Gergelyi and daughter-in-law Debbie Gergelyi, his granddaughters Kathleen Kelly Borthwick and Kristyn Gergelyi; and his nieces and nephews in New Jersey, Florida and Slovakia. A church memorial service will be held at St Thomas Aquinas on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Northside Chapel Funeral Directors and Crematory, Roswell/Alpharetta, 770/645-1414

Frank Gergelyi

January 28, 1926 - June 14, 2010