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Geza Henni Obituary
June 15, 1926 - April 7, 2014
Geza A. Henni, 87, of Sarasota, Florida, passed away, April 7, 2014 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, April 11 at St. Martha Catholic Church, 200 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota, FL. Mr. Henni was born in Hungary on June 15, 1926, and graduated in 1949 from the University of Budapest, College of Physical Education. In 1944, he was signed by Ferencvaros, the most popular and successful soccer club in Hungary. He became an All Star Goalkeeper, selected to represent his country in international competitions, during an era when the Hungarian National Soccer Team was among the best in the world. In 1956, to escape Communism, he fled Hungary following the Soviet invasion. Rather than continuing his soccer career in Europe, he joined family in New York to build a new life in the United States. During the 1960's, Mr. Henni taught at St. John's Prep and Christ the King High Schools while continuing his soccer playing career with the New York Hungarians. He then coached the United States World Cup, Olympic and Pan American teams before moving on to the Houston Stars of the North American Soccer League. In 1969, Mr. Henni was hired by the University of Rhode Island as head soccer coach and lecturer in physical education. He retired in 1989, as Assistant Professor Emeritus and with 20 years of service still remains the longest tenured coach in URI sports history. To this day, he continues to hold the highest winning percentage in URI soccer history and the second highest winning percentage in the 120+ year history of all URI men's team sports.
Mr. Henni retired to Florida in 1989, and is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Waltraud; his son Geza Jr. and wife Rosario of Tampa, FL; daughter Cornelia Lineham and husband David of Charlestown, RI; son Christopher and wife Christina of Sarasota, FL and his grandchildren, Alex, Laura and Sarah Henni, of Tampa, Fl. Arrangements are by Jennings Funeral Home & Crematory.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Geza Henni
LTC (ret) Jim Chapman
May 4, 2014
Coach...just heard of your passing and it brought back many great memories of my time at URI. The lessons you taught me on the soccer pitch stayed with me throughout my military career! I'm proud to say that one of my two college career scores helped you achieve your 100th coaching victory!
See you on the high ground!
John Resendes
April 16, 2014
I was sadden to hear of the passing of Geza Henni a coach / teacher I admired, respected and trusted on and off the the field. As a young soccer player, I alway dreamed of playing at a high level and was fortunate to have quality coaches along the way who taught me a great deal about soccer, but Geza with all his knowledge and experience took the game to a whole new level for me. Soccer has always been a big part of my life, but it's only a game with many life lessons and Geza, a stern man with great character helped influence me as a person. It was also a pleasure to know his wife Waltuard who came to every game, Geza Jr. who was a teammate at URI, Chris who I coached during his time at URI, Cornila who attended most games with her mom. I also need to add a close family friend Leo who assisted Geza. Thank you for all the memories Geza on and off the field, go easy on the Hungarian hot peppers, rest in peace.
Deepest Sympathy
John C. Resendes
April 13, 2014
Good friend, great colleague, wonderful man.
Jack Cooke, URI Athletics '70 - '75
Robert Fitch
April 12, 2014
It was a privilege to be coached by an iconic person and national hero . Years after graduation I spoke with a man in Budapest . When I mentioned I was coached by Geza Henni he said "you had Mickey Mantle -- we had Geza Henni." URI was fortunate to have him among their ranks. God bless him.
David Nedwidek
April 11, 2014
Geza Bachi. There was always something royal in your manner. Upright posture. Proud visage. Never too far removed from the fluid movements a fencer, and badminton
master, and goalie supreme. My family loved you. My favorite memory is the evening you brought a cassette tape of the Hungarian national anthem for me to hear and I watched you swell with pride as you sang along. I cherish each and every moment of talking with you as I was growing up. Mom, Michael, Cynthia, Trisha and your "lovely assistant" Linda miss you greatly. I am hoping you are having a good time reminiscing with your great friend Raymund, right now.
Katalin Maar
April 10, 2014
I am a Hungarian, and so sorry I did not know he is around us in Sarasota. Here is how his fellow Hungarians think about him: Gyászol a magyar labdarúgás: elhunyt Henni Géza
People in my country remember him very well.
Hoping my deepest sympathy brings you comfort in some small way: Katalin Maar
Danya DuBoys
April 10, 2014
prayers to the family.
Ken Osfield
April 10, 2014
Coach Henni was a wonderful teacher and coach. As a URI student from 1970-74 I had him as a teacher and I also worked with him when I was the soccer teams student trainer. He was truly a wonderful person. My prayers go out to his family!
Rich Coudurier
April 9, 2014
Mr. Henni will be greatly missed. I will forever remember his witty sense of humor and the interest he always showed in my career and family each and every time I saw him. It was a pleasure to know such a friendly person and an honor to be around a former athlete of his caliber. My family's heartfelt condolences go out to the Henni family during this difficult time.
April 9, 2014
We are touched with his presence from the past memories. May this time remember the happy days of such a great man and his long time supportive and loving wife, their children and their spouses, and grand children and all those who were around Geza, know he contributed positively, a full life, as a man, a husband, and a father. May he rest in peace.
Richard Wilcox
April 9, 2014
Goodbye to a great coach and a great man. Will always appreciate my years at URI with coach Henni.
Christina Henni
April 9, 2014
I will miss you. You and Val raised 3 wonderful strong children. I am honored to be included in your family.
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