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Joseph Nyiri Obituary
May 24, 1937 - October 27, 2020
San Diego
Joseph Anton "Joe" Nyiri passed away on October 27, 2020. He was born and raised in Racine, Wisconsin and graduated from William Horlick High School. In 1962, Joe arrived in San Diego armed with degrees in Art and Education from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He quickly made a name for himself in the local art scene as he created Modernist, inventive metal sculptures. He earned a reputation as one of the area's top sculptors.Joe also held positions of teacher/art consultant with the San Diego Unified School District, was an art instructor at the San Diego Zoo and the S.D. Zoo Safari Park for over 45 years, and at local public libraries. Nyiri was comfortable with a variety of media including drawing, painting, sculpture, and using found objects in his work. He was represented by Orr's Gallery in San Diego for many years. Joe was the consummate observer. All things seemed worthy of his wonder. His delight with the world was contagious! Survivors include his wife, Melissa, numerous family members, many wonderful friends, and thousands of former students. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in Joe's memory to "Doctors Without Borders."
"What Constitutes Success"
By Bessie Anderson
Stanley (1904) He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much;who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children;who has filled his niche and accomplished his task;who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul;who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it;who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had;whose life was an inspiration;whose memory a benediction.
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Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Nyiri
M. Ivanez
May 15, 2024
Joe was the first art teacher I ever had that made me feel like I was capable. He was also one of many amazing people who made me want to go into teaching myself. I am not a teacher and whenever we do a drawing or art project, I think of Mr. Nyiri. I always reflect back to how patient, joyful, and creative he was. I hope to bring that same joy that he did when I teach. Thanks, Joe.
Molly Lee Richmond
October 27, 2023
Today I was rehanging a painting that Joe had given me in 1965. I had earned the painting by babysitting his children over several evenings. In 1965 I was 16 years old and Joe had been my art teacher in elementary school. That painting has hung in every home I have lived in and is one of my prized possessions. In 1968 Joe came to my wedding and I have a lovely photo of him in my wedding album. Several years ago, I found out that Joe and Melissa still lived on Albatros St. and he was still active in the art world. I called him on the phone and we had a lovely conversation and caught up on 50+ years of living. Today, after hanging the painting in its new home, I decided to look up Joe and perhaps have another chat. I was saddened to read that Joe had passed exactly 3 years ago today. So sorry that we did not have that last chat.
Larry Navarro
August 1, 2022
Sad to know of Joe's passing.
I've not seen him in a very long time but thought of him often.
He was my favorite Art teacher when I was in high school and he pointed me in the right direction for my art career.
He was more than a teacher. He was also a good friend and mentor. Many will miss him.
Stacey Westley
December 14, 2021
My sincere condolences to the family. Mr. Nyiri was my Art teacher many years ago. Such a nice patient and kind man. Rest well.
Tim Nigh
December 4, 2021
So sorry to hear of Mr. Nyiri´s passing. He was my favorite teacher. Serra HS 1984-86
Debbie Attwood
March 14, 2021
Joe knows art! That expression arose from several summers of art camp at the Zoo. Now I have it on the back of a t-shirt, with one of his wonderful animal paintings on the front. He was a gem of a man. I accompanied my “challenging” child to camp as a class participant. After the first day, he took me aside and gently told me to just be a student and he would handle my child. That started many wonderful summer experiences with Joe. He treated my child with firm, loving respect and I loved him for it. His spirit does indeed live on, in all of us. Blessings to Melissa & family/friends, and thank you for sharing him with us.
Robert (Bobby) Hollcraft
March 6, 2021
There are some people that I would rather not know that have passed and Mr.Nyiri is one of them. I could go on and on about Mr. Nyiri who knew 40+ years later I still apply things that he taught me, not just in Art either. He had a knack at identifying when someone would make paraphernalia and he would fire everyone's ceramic projects but some got broke coming out of the kiln or when he was pointing out what a wonderful piece it was to the class he would drop it stating how clumsy he was. Others made it home with their creators, I was one of those creators. I took Mr.Nyiris class from 1977 to 1980. My heart truly aches !!
Serra High class of 80
Barbara Varsano
November 26, 2020
I absolutely adored Mr. Nyiri as my art/ceramic teacher at Serra High I took his classes till graduation!
Terri Castro
November 26, 2020
So sad to hear the news of Mr. Nyiri’s passing. He was such a great Art teacher. He was a good man and really cared about his students. I had lots of fun in his class at Serra High School. Thank you Mr. Nyiri for such happy memories
Terri Castro
November 26, 2020
So sad to hear the news of Mr. Nyiri’s passing. He was such a great Art teacher. He was a good man and really cared about his students. I had lots of fun in his class at Serra High School. Thank you Mr. Nyiri for such happy memories
Aaron Townsend
November 23, 2020
Joe lived quite the bohemian lifestyle, clever in every way and so easy to love. His creativity was like a box of Sees candy and his house reflected every flavor. I got to know Joe over the course of the summer of 2015 when I produce “The Art of Seeing” for KPBS. The man may be gone but his soul lives on in his art and people he left behind.
https://video.kpbs.org/video/kpbs-specials-art-seeing/
Terri Cox
November 15, 2020
I use to volunteer in my son’s class at Grant Elementary absolutely loved it when Joe cam to teach the kids art. I posted a picture when 2nd graders went a zoo field trip to draw Jane the Orangutan. That was my son and Joe’s masterpiece. Joe’s nickname for me was Viking Princess . Your Viking Princess bids you a fond farewell. You were the best.
Terri Cox
Terri Cox
November 15, 2020
Joyce Cooper
November 14, 2020
I first met Joe in the early 1990's when my son Greg took an art class with him at the San Diego Zoo. After noticing Greg's work ethic as a young middle school age student, Joe hired him to be a teaching assistant in his zoo classes for several summers, as well as an assistant in some of Joe's sculpture projects. He always treated my son with great fondness and respect, and he once told me that when teaching classes he and Greg were so in sync that he rarely had to tell Greg what to do to set up and assist the class, and he was a better assistant than most of Joe's previous college age assistants. As a parent I was extremely proud of my son, and very grateful to Joe for his mentoring and friendship. Years later this wonderful man and his beautiful wife Melissa drove to Northern California to attend my son's wedding, something I will always remember with great fondness. He will surely be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Sarah Thomson
November 13, 2020
Joe was such a kind man that made everyone smile while talking to him. Years ago I was his student in elementary school art as well as I took a zoo art class with him one summer. He never failed to make me smile and taught me to become more confident in myself. Over the years I have run into him at our neighborhood Vons and he never failed to remember my face and we would exchange a few words. He will be greatly missed and I wish the best to his family and loved ones.
Noah Schuhmann
November 12, 2020
As far as I can remember, I was in the first grade at Grant K8 when I met Mr. Nyiri; he came in to help the class draw birds of paradise. Two to three times a year in elementary school he would come in and help us draw gourds and birds, and sometimes he gave us a template on which we could draw whatever was on our mind. I remember that the days he came in were always good ones. He was kind and supportive even when I thought I did a bad job, and he always encouraged us to think outside the box. I considered him not only my teacher, but a friend as well. He was a wonderful person who brought light and life to our classroom, and needless to say, I will miss him.
Nikolai Wood
November 12, 2020
Oh my god, I am so sad. I had the absolute pleasure of knowing Joe in elementary school. He was my art teacher. He was so great with all the students in my class. He inspired me so many times. Such a talented artist. I still have a few of the paintings and projects I did with him around my house. Joe Nyri, thank you for being amazing! You will be missed.
Emily
November 11, 2020
I have such fond memories of zoo art classes with Joe as a child and 42 years of Joe living across the street from my family home. Sending lots of love and hugs to Melissa and the family. I will miss seeing Joe on every one of my future visits home.
Karen Ledterman
November 10, 2020
I am one of Joe’s many friends at the Y. We all enjoyed chatting with Joe when he came to the Y, he was such fun and often had a group of us standing around and listening (instead of working out like we should have been). He was such a friendly, kind man, and a wonderful artist, we will all miss him!
Kathy Blavatt
November 10, 2020
Joe and his 1975-1976 Applied Arts Occupation Class was inspirational, which spark my dreams and paved the way to my life and careers in art, teaching, writing and endless creative endeavors. It was a wonderful to reconnect with Joe in recent years. His art on my walls will always remind me of the his joy for life, art and teaching.
November 10, 2020
I so enjoyed Joe’s artwork on display at the San Diego Audubon Society offices from time to time. I also ran into Joe quite often at the Mission Valley Y and he was always so upbeat. So sorry for your loss. Conny Jamison.
Tom Cassie
November 9, 2020
It was my privilege to have worked with Joe at Serra High for almost 20 years. We were running buddies, basketball playing buddies, and best of all, friends. He was an original. He was also an unforgettable character. The world was much better off with Joe as a part of it. I will miss him greatly.
Sarah
November 9, 2020
I was lucky enough to grow up across the street from Joe and Melissa. They were such a happy part of my childhood and our friendship has grown as I became an adult. I remember going to art camp at the zoo with Joe as a kid and feeling extra special because sometimes we would go early before the zoo opened and try to see some of the new baby animals.
Our street and our community is poorer with the loss of Joe, my family and I will always miss him.
Stanley Hoersch
November 9, 2020
I (& countless others) often chatted with Joe at the Mission Valley Y. His friendly, outgoing personality will DEFINITELY be missed there! :(
Dave Oleary
November 9, 2020
He was a great man ,and a wonderful teacher. I had Joe for 4 years in high-school, he always made class fun . He made the world a better place . He will be missed by myself and many others!
S Chet Sewell-Thurston
November 8, 2020
Joe and Melissa were the one of the first two people John wanted me to meet when we started dating. They were at our wedding and their love and friendships are two of the best gifts I was given for having fallen in love with John. Thank you for being John's "Art Dad" and a dear friend to me. S. Chet Sewell-Thurston, "Art Son-in-law".
Mary Wood
November 8, 2020
Joe Nyiri was a consummate professional, artist extraordinare, and a delight to work with in my classroom..My students always loved having him teach them ..his enthusiasm and expertise was invaluable!
Andrea Lehman
November 8, 2020
So sad to see this. I was a huge fan. My kids all benefited from Joe's impressive artistic talents and his generous community-mindedness through his free library art classes. Condolences.
Sarah Ekedal
November 8, 2020
I had the pleasure of working with Joe at Grant K-8 in Mission Hills. He donated many art supplies (literally dropped them off at my house) to use at the school. He loved the kids at school, and was extremely kind. What a wonderful artist and human. I’m so very sorry that he’s not with us anymore.
Mary Peterson
November 8, 2020
I knew Joe over 35 years as he married my dear friend, Melissa. I was blessed to see them often over those years..the laughs and conversations and story telling at their dining room table were many. That same table now holds an altar made by Melissa in honor of her beloved husband. It’s hard to imagine a world without my friend, but his legacy will remain in his art and his love. I think if you live in SD, you either knew Joe or knew someone who did. Those he touched and taught are so much better for knowing him. I know I am. His humor and personality and story was wondrous.
“Unforgettable, is what you are“
S. Chet Sewell-Thurston
November 8, 2020
Joe and Melissa are two of the best gifts I received for falling in love with John Thurston, a dear friend to Joe and whom John called his "Art Dad". Love!
Cyndie Taylor
November 8, 2020
I had My Nyiri for art class in 1984-88 at Serra. He was amazing, kind and patient. Over the years I have often wondered about him & what he was up to. Rest well, Mr Nyiri- you were a great man!
Cyndie Taylor
November 8, 2020
I had My Nyiri for art class in 1984-88 at Serra. He was amazing, kind and patient. Over the years I have often wondered about him & what he was up to. Rest well, Mr Nyiri- you were a great man!
Cyndie Taylor
November 8, 2020
I had My Nyiri for art class in 1984-88 at Serra. He was amazing, kind and patient. Over the years I have often wondered about him & what he was up to. Rest well, Mr Nyiri- you were a great man!
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