Obituary for George Thomas Sziraki
George Thomas Sziraki (Tomi)
November 25,1950 - December 18, 2020
After a courageous battle, and during a difficult time in our health care system, Tomi surrendered in his fight with cancer.
He leaves behind his cherished daughter, Rhea (Justin); grandchildren, Leroy and Amelia; his dear Mom, Etel; sister, Julianna and extended family.
Tomi, as his Mom lovingly nicknamed him, was born in Dunakeszi Hungary. Etel saysthat his birth was challenging, and was the first sign to her that Tomi would live life on his own terms.
Following the collapse of the 1956 uprising in Hungary against Soviet authority, Tomi’s family were among the 200,000 refugees who fled the country. Tomi’s Mom Etel, 29, and his Dad George, 30, Tomi, then age six and sister Julianna, then four, fled Hungary with the clothes on their back and what they could carry. Tomi could remember crossing through a vineyard that had become a minefield, the sounds of shots being fired, and the family briefly losing track of sister Julianna in the mayhem. Refugees were provided choices to make their new homes, and Tomi’s Mom and Dad chose Canada.
Once they made their way to Calgary, the family settled in Bowness and Tomi attended Bowness Elementary School, followed by St. Mary’s Catholic School. Tomi loved sports and was a natural athlete. He played volleyball, basketball and track sports in
school and played hockey for his community team.
Tomi delivered newspapers in his neighbourhood and won a contest; the prize being a pair of downhill ski boots. He would hitchhike back and forth to what was then known as Happy Valley ski hill (now known as WinSport). He had to rent the skis and because he couldn’t afford a lift ticket, he edged his way up the hill on his skis for every run. A gentleman that picked him up one day while hitchhiking, listened to Tomi’s story. A few days later, Tomi came home from school and this good Samaritan had dropped off a pair of downhill skis for Tomi. This was the start of a passion for downhill skiing for many years.
Tomi possessed a thirst for knowledge. He loved history, appreciated fine art, and was fascinated by astronomy. He loved to travel, learn and experience other cultures, and meet new people.
When Tomi left high school, he started painting with his Dad and this became his lifelong career. He incorporated Geodec Painting in 1977 and did residential and commercial painting up until 2019.
Tomi married in 1983 and his cherished daughter Rhea Laine was born in 1986. He wanted the best for Rhea and provided a guiding influence through her life. Tomi enrolled Rhea in soccer at the age of four and this led to a coaching passion that
lasted many years. Tomi helped numerous young women in South Calgary reach their full potential in soccer. This also led to a position painting soccer lines on fields around Calgary.
Tomi thrived on friendships. He loved a good night at the Ranchman’s back in the day, enjoying a great steak dinner with a friend, or “running into a chum with a bottle of rum” and belting out favourite Jimmy Buffett tunes. He always had a place to go to talk sports, politics, and anything else that came up. A particular location just off Macleod Trail became his haunt, first in 1982 called Pasta etc followed by Wok with Chan and currently the Adventurer’s Pub at Tom's House of Pizza. Tomi has made many close friends at this pub who have been unbelievably supportive during his difficult time. He wants you to know that he truly appreciated your friendship and support. He also attended for a number of years an annual golf tournament with SAMAA, the Southern Alberta Men’s Athletic Association. It was a combination of golfing, male bonding, and lots of laughs, and this was the kind of living Tomi enjoyed the most.
He said recently that he “wished he had the cash for all the rum and cokes he had bought over the years, he would be a very rich man.”
Tomi disliked structure or routine, he embraced spontaneity and was not scared of risk. He loved nothing more than to beat the system, be it the government, the grocery store or his own home renovations. It was a game to him. He loved to get a deal and
then telling the world about it.
Tomi enjoyed a very special relationship with his mother, Etel. He loved his mother dearly, and for many years, although she is very independent, acted as her protector, her private driver, her fellow cooking partner and either phoned or saw her nearly every day. Tomi never stopped loving authentic Hungarian dishes that no one could prepare like his Mom. They shared a love for history and art and learning. He proudly displayed her intricate needlework which is an art in itself. Etel had a dream of visiting Egypt, and in 2008, Tomi accompanied Mom on this once in a lifetime trip.
Tomi was a realist. He accepted his cancer diagnosis with dignity, put his life in order the best way he knew how, and felt he’d had a great life. He had visited his homeland twice as well as other exotic travel to Europe, Australia, New Zealand , Fiji, Egypt, the Caribbean, Mexico and more. He had two memorable holidays with his daughter, experienced the birth of his grandchildren, and built a successful business.
No, Tomi was not perfect, but who in this world is? What we CAN say is that Tomi was perfectly himself —-strong, stubborn and opinionated.
Tomi’s three year cancer journey exposed him to many professionals in our health care system. For his fabulous care, the family thanks the doctors at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Foothills Hospital, Carewest Glenmore, Rockyview Hospital, Dr. Walji, the numerous EMS staff he met during transports, and the Southwood Hospice. He would want to acknowledge Mary Grace, a very special nurse at Rockyview whose kindness and gentle way, even during COVID, touched his heart. A big thank you to Terri Kerr, his palliative nurse, who gained Tomi’s respect immediately, and played a loving and influential role to him and his family.
Tomi also thanks the many angels who provided comforting words and support in his final days. His unconditional angel Colleen, Gerry, Carla, Duaine, Rhea and family, and his forever friends Neil, Gail, and BJ (Bob).
If friends so desire, a donation can be made to Between Friends organization in Calgary, which supports people with disabilities in reaching their potential.https://betweenfriends.ab.ca/donate
Due to restrictions, a Celebration of Life will be considered at a future time.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of George please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
November 25,1950 - December 18, 2020
After a courageous battle, and during a difficult time in our health care system, Tomi surrendered in his fight with cancer.
He leaves behind his cherished daughter, Rhea (Justin); grandchildren, Leroy and Amelia; his dear Mom, Etel; sister, Julianna and extended family.
Tomi, as his Mom lovingly nicknamed him, was born in Dunakeszi Hungary. Etel saysthat his birth was challenging, and was the first sign to her that Tomi would live life on his own terms.
Following the collapse of the 1956 uprising in Hungary against Soviet authority, Tomi’s family were among the 200,000 refugees who fled the country. Tomi’s Mom Etel, 29, and his Dad George, 30, Tomi, then age six and sister Julianna, then four, fled Hungary with the clothes on their back and what they could carry. Tomi could remember crossing through a vineyard that had become a minefield, the sounds of shots being fired, and the family briefly losing track of sister Julianna in the mayhem. Refugees were provided choices to make their new homes, and Tomi’s Mom and Dad chose Canada.
Once they made their way to Calgary, the family settled in Bowness and Tomi attended Bowness Elementary School, followed by St. Mary’s Catholic School. Tomi loved sports and was a natural athlete. He played volleyball, basketball and track sports in
school and played hockey for his community team.
Tomi delivered newspapers in his neighbourhood and won a contest; the prize being a pair of downhill ski boots. He would hitchhike back and forth to what was then known as Happy Valley ski hill (now known as WinSport). He had to rent the skis and because he couldn’t afford a lift ticket, he edged his way up the hill on his skis for every run. A gentleman that picked him up one day while hitchhiking, listened to Tomi’s story. A few days later, Tomi came home from school and this good Samaritan had dropped off a pair of downhill skis for Tomi. This was the start of a passion for downhill skiing for many years.
Tomi possessed a thirst for knowledge. He loved history, appreciated fine art, and was fascinated by astronomy. He loved to travel, learn and experience other cultures, and meet new people.
When Tomi left high school, he started painting with his Dad and this became his lifelong career. He incorporated Geodec Painting in 1977 and did residential and commercial painting up until 2019.
Tomi married in 1983 and his cherished daughter Rhea Laine was born in 1986. He wanted the best for Rhea and provided a guiding influence through her life. Tomi enrolled Rhea in soccer at the age of four and this led to a coaching passion that
lasted many years. Tomi helped numerous young women in South Calgary reach their full potential in soccer. This also led to a position painting soccer lines on fields around Calgary.
Tomi thrived on friendships. He loved a good night at the Ranchman’s back in the day, enjoying a great steak dinner with a friend, or “running into a chum with a bottle of rum” and belting out favourite Jimmy Buffett tunes. He always had a place to go to talk sports, politics, and anything else that came up. A particular location just off Macleod Trail became his haunt, first in 1982 called Pasta etc followed by Wok with Chan and currently the Adventurer’s Pub at Tom's House of Pizza. Tomi has made many close friends at this pub who have been unbelievably supportive during his difficult time. He wants you to know that he truly appreciated your friendship and support. He also attended for a number of years an annual golf tournament with SAMAA, the Southern Alberta Men’s Athletic Association. It was a combination of golfing, male bonding, and lots of laughs, and this was the kind of living Tomi enjoyed the most.
He said recently that he “wished he had the cash for all the rum and cokes he had bought over the years, he would be a very rich man.”
Tomi disliked structure or routine, he embraced spontaneity and was not scared of risk. He loved nothing more than to beat the system, be it the government, the grocery store or his own home renovations. It was a game to him. He loved to get a deal and
then telling the world about it.
Tomi enjoyed a very special relationship with his mother, Etel. He loved his mother dearly, and for many years, although she is very independent, acted as her protector, her private driver, her fellow cooking partner and either phoned or saw her nearly every day. Tomi never stopped loving authentic Hungarian dishes that no one could prepare like his Mom. They shared a love for history and art and learning. He proudly displayed her intricate needlework which is an art in itself. Etel had a dream of visiting Egypt, and in 2008, Tomi accompanied Mom on this once in a lifetime trip.
Tomi was a realist. He accepted his cancer diagnosis with dignity, put his life in order the best way he knew how, and felt he’d had a great life. He had visited his homeland twice as well as other exotic travel to Europe, Australia, New Zealand , Fiji, Egypt, the Caribbean, Mexico and more. He had two memorable holidays with his daughter, experienced the birth of his grandchildren, and built a successful business.
No, Tomi was not perfect, but who in this world is? What we CAN say is that Tomi was perfectly himself —-strong, stubborn and opinionated.
Tomi’s three year cancer journey exposed him to many professionals in our health care system. For his fabulous care, the family thanks the doctors at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Foothills Hospital, Carewest Glenmore, Rockyview Hospital, Dr. Walji, the numerous EMS staff he met during transports, and the Southwood Hospice. He would want to acknowledge Mary Grace, a very special nurse at Rockyview whose kindness and gentle way, even during COVID, touched his heart. A big thank you to Terri Kerr, his palliative nurse, who gained Tomi’s respect immediately, and played a loving and influential role to him and his family.
Tomi also thanks the many angels who provided comforting words and support in his final days. His unconditional angel Colleen, Gerry, Carla, Duaine, Rhea and family, and his forever friends Neil, Gail, and BJ (Bob).
If friends so desire, a donation can be made to Between Friends organization in Calgary, which supports people with disabilities in reaching their potential.https://betweenfriends.ab.ca/donate
Due to restrictions, a Celebration of Life will be considered at a future time.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of George please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.