Laszlo Z. Raffay Sr.

MIDDLETOWN -- Laszlo Z. Raffay Sr., 91, of Middletown, died Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Homestead Rehabilitation Center in Frankford.

Born in Zalabaksu, Hungary, on June 6, 1922, he was the youngest of 10 children born to Ferenc and Maria (Grover) Raffai. He and his wife wanted to provide their children with a better future, so the family escaped Communist Hungry in 1956. Laszlo, his wife and three children immigrated to America in February 1957. They lived in Jersey City and Lakewood before moving to Middletown in 1963. Throughout his life, Laszlo worked as a teacher, a cabinet maker and a building contractor.

Laszlo was preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Illona Raffay, as well as his parents and brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his sons, Laszlo Raffay Jr. and his wife, Virginia, of Greendell, and Gabriel P. Raffay, of Brick Township; his daughter, Marianna E. Piazza, of Freehold; two granddaughters, Claudia L. Raffay and Nicole E. Booth and husband, Herb; and three grandsons, Craig L. Raffay and his wife, Amonica, James F. Piazza and Brennan Raffay. He was also the great-grandfather of Hoyt L. Raffay and Lyla G. Raffay.

Visitation will be held today from 7 to 9 p.m. at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home. A Funeral Liturgy will be offered Saturday, March 8, at 9:15 a.m. at St. Catharine’s Church, 108 Middletown Road, Holmdel. Entombment will follow at Fair View Mausoleum, Middletown.

All arrangements are under the direction of John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Road, Middletown.

For more information, to send condolences or for directions, please visit www.pflegerth.com.