Jozsef "Joe" Bukkhegyi

Jozsef "Joe" Bukkhegyi
of Groton, MA

GROTON, MA -- Jozsef "Joe" Bukkhegyi was born in Rakoskeresztur, now a suburb of Budapest On March 17, 1938. The son of Istvan and Eresbet (Dudas) Bukkhegyi. He was born on the eve of the second World War and his first years he was witness to the war and the holocaust.

He attended Catholic school in Rakoskeresztur, where he was an alter boy for l0 years, until the Russian Communist abolish the Catholic school system in Hungary. He spend the rest of his school years under the Communist school regime and attended the Technology Institute in Budapest where he studied electronics.

He was a freedom fighter of the Hungarian Uprising of 1956 against the Russian occupation of Hungary. He was very proud of his participation. The failure of the revolt lead to his exiled from his homeland and his family.

After, the uprising he went to Italy for a year where he was an interpreter in Italian for the other Hungarians. He joined the United States Army in Italy. He had basic training at Fort Jackson, SC and a tour of duty in Korea. While stationed at Fort Devens he met his wife, The former Beverly Kaddy, with whom he celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in May.

He worked at several local electronic companies before joining Digital Equipment Corp. in 1969. He first worked in the electroplating and then in production in the Maynard Mill plant. He traveled to the Puerto Rico plant for several years and made friends there.

He retired from DEC in 1993 and worked at various maintenance jobs in the area. After his retirement they enjoyed spending winters in Punta Gorda FL for several years.

He and his family spent many wonderful summers at their Lake Shirley camp where the entire family learned to swim.

He enjoyed cooking Hungarian dishes, his classic was Pork-Noodles-and-cabbage. His favorite birthday dish was Stuffed Peppers. He even enjoyed washing dishes for public suppers at the Christian Union Church in West Groton.

Joe loved nothing more than the large orange pumpkins in Autumn. He would grow a crop and carve family and friends names on each and every one. He enjoyed cooking pumpkin seeds and passing them around.

He spent several years writing a semi-autobiographical book about his life and his favorite hero, Attlia The Hun.

He is survived by his wife Beverly Kaddy of Groton and his sons, John and his wife, Jackie, of Orange, Ma., Daniel and his wife, Lisa, of Hamilton, Ma. Also, his grandchildren, Lauren & Madeline, of Hamilton, MA, Jessica, Michelle & Dana of Charlotte, NC and Jacob of Orange, MA. His sisters, Szusznna Zsichla of Rakoskarstor and Elizabeth of Budapest. Also, a favorite niece, Szuszi Zsichla. Many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Istvan Bukkhegyi, His sisters, Kathy Kuzma, and Maria Grank all of Budapest.

BUKKHEGYI -- A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday June 9 at 2 pm at the Christian Union Church, W. Main St., West Groton. In lieu of Flowers please make donations to the Christian Union Church, West Groton, Please see www.badgerfuneral.com