Joseph George Szabo

1950 - 2016

Joseph George Szabo of North Wales Joseph George Szabo, 65, of North Wales, PA, passed away Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016 at his home, just two days shy of his 66th birthday. Joe was born February 4th, 1950 in Budapest, Hungary to Jozsef and Erzsebet (Solyom) Szabo. He graduated from the Academy of Journalism in 1974. On July 19, 1975 he married the former Flora Toth of Budapest, Hungary. In 1980, the couple took the brave leap in fleeing the communist country in search of freedom. Joe worked as a writer and editor for various companies, including WittyWorld, an international cartoon magazine he founded. He was a passionate risk taker, boundless world traveler, and world-class debater. He never once lost an argument. Joe’s friends described him as having an infectious personality with a continuous thirst for knowledge. He had a life-long love affair with politics, swimming, ping-pong, chess, dark chocolate, and collecting artifacts from the various countries he’d visited. Joe took fashion cues from no one. His typical attire consisted of a short-sleeved patterned button-up, cargo shorts with at least 6 pockets, and brown sandals with black socks. Joe marched to the beat of his own drum and was a proud man. He loved his family dearly and excelled at giving gifts that were unique in every way imaginable. He thoroughly enjoyed telling stories and spending time with his children and grandchildren. Joe is survived by his three sons, Ago Denes Szabo and his wife Megan of Dover, DE, Sylvo Joseph Szabo and his wife Alyson of Brownstown, PA, Dominick Zoltan Szabo and his wife Joy of Mercer Island, WA, and his two daughters Veronica Flora Szabo of Alexandria, VA, and Cecilia Victoria Szabo of Alexandria, VA; six grandchildren: Owen, Cole, Kylie, Mia, Sophia, and Sylvia Szabo; brother Zoltan Szabo of Baltimore, MD; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jozsef and Erzsebet, and his sister Agota Bardos (Szabo). A celebration of life service will be held between the hours of 1:00 and 6:00 pm, Saturday, February 13th, 2016, at Christopher Dock High School 1000 Forty Foot Lane, Lansdale in the chapel/cafeteria. Memorial contributions can be made to the International Spring Festival, Lansdale Public Library, 301 Vine Street, Lansdale, PA 19446.