Warwick, New York
A Tool Belt as a Symbol
"I always knew Australia would bring me something special and magical," said Jane Gyulavary. So it did in 1986, when, after traveling there nine times in less than 10 years, she met Peter Gyulavary, a strapping Australian graduate student 11 years her junior, who in an instant convinced her that soul mates do exist.
They married, had a child, Geniveve, now 13, and returned to New York. They settled into a three-story Victorian in Orange County which Mr. Gyulavary, a 44-year-old environmental engineer for Washington Group International, insisted on painting yellow and green, the colors of Australia.
"All week he would work in an office, writing these massive reports," Mrs. Gyulavary said. "And then he would come home and put up a roof, paint the porch or sand a floor. He loved the physical part of life, getting his hands dirty. I'd have to ring a gong to get him to come in for a cocktail and dinner."
For weeks, she has hoped her husband would come home once more. Now she has resigned herself to saying goodbye to "his physical presence" by honoring him with a memorial service, where there will be no coffin, just a photo, draped with his tool belt, hard hat and a picture book of their beloved Australia.
You and my husband were students at Hunter College together. Two transplants; you from Australia and my husband from California. A friend in common told us that you had perished. I want to say that you had been highly thought of in the world of urban planning.
We remember you still.
Madeleine Henley
September 12, 2023 | Brooklyn, NY | Acquaintance
♥ We still miss you Peter.
Your smile is still imprinted in my mind.
Mo Raybourne
September 11, 2023 | Cleveland, OH | Coworker
Amy Crump and I worked with Peter and his team on the Metrolink expansion in St Louis in the 90s. He was living at the MAC, as we recall. He spoke of his wife and daughter and his various projects at the house in NY. He talked about living in Australia, and his family there. We so enjoyed working with him! He was smart and funny and seemed to be entertained by Amy’s impression of his accent. (And, his impression of our Midwest accent.) I stopped off to see him at his office on a trip to NY,...
Donna Vandiver
September 12, 2021 | St Louis, MO | Friend
I grew up a few houses down from Peter in Warwick. That house was truly beautiful. Everyone who walked by commented on how wonderful the yellow and green looked. May it stand forever as a monument to him. May he rest in peace.
Matthew Hoffman
September 11, 2021
You are not forgotten and you are still missed!!
Mo Raybourne
September 14, 2016 | Cleveland, OH
Peter and I had the opportunity to work together on transit projects from the east coast to Orange County.
We collaborated on the pursuit of the Centerline LRT project for OCTA. Peter served as the project manager and was truly the heart and soul of our team.
He along with Steve Gazillo and many other friends led a vibrant transit group for Washington Group International.
It was an honor to work with Peter may God rest his soul.
Tim Maurier
September 13, 2016 | Orange, CA
Craig Hebebrand
September 11, 2013 | Cleveland, OH
I pray for his family every day when I pass our 9/11 Memorial Plaque here in the Cleveland office of URS.
We still miss you Peter.
Mo Raybourne
October 02, 2012 | Cleveland, OH
God bless Peter...
September 11, 2012