Mickey Lavicska

AIKEN, SC - Mickey Lavicska, 86, passed away Thursday, August 14, 2025.

Mickey was born in Budapest, Hungary. Having lived in WWII war-torn Europe as a young boy, and then through the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Mickey was left with a profound appreciation of freedom and the qualities it endures. Mickey escaped Hungary through the forest under machine-gun fire in the middle of the night at age 18, crossing into Austria, where Austrians gave Refugee Hungarians fresh bread and water at the border. That was his first taste of freedom en route to the United States. On January 1st, 1957, Mickey sailed into New York Harbor on the USS LeRoy Eltinge, an old WWII General GO Squire-class transport ship which was later refit to transport civilians. He spoke often of the sight of the morning sun shining on the Statue of Liberty for the first time as he entered the harbor having been the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. He was most proud of being an American and proclaimed it as the best country in the world. He wanted to join the U.S. Marine Corps to fight communist regimes upon his arrival to the U.S., but was turned down due to his refugee status. Ironically, his son Mickey Jr. became a Marine.

Mickey was an avid Soccer player and played on many teams in the NYC/NJ metropolitan area in the late 1950’s. He spoke highly of the great soccer team that Hungary had in the 1950’s – the “Mighty Magyars.” In 1958, he briefly attended John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio in hopes of becoming a Medical Doctor.

His career interest in Electronics instead resulted in his many managerial roles in the manufacturing industry at Delmonico, JVC NIVICO, and SONY Corporation, amongst others. Mickey also owned Thor Electronic Communications, located in the Catskills for many years.

We have fond memories of working beside him as he repaired television sets and installed roof antenna systems. Mickey’s work ethic and care for his employees were second to none.

He was truly a multi-faceted person and will also be remembered for his profound love and ability to restore classic Volvo cars, his craftsmanship in renovating old homes, his home-baked bread and cheesecake, and his insistence upon providing the family with home-grown tomatoes and Hungarian peppers. He shared the appreciation of American and Hungarian cultures simultaneously with his dear Hungarian wife, Marsci.

Mickey was pre-deceased by: his parents, Margit and Pál, who also came to the United States as a result of the Hungarian Revolution and a sister, Klara.

Mickey is survived by his wife Marcsi Fekete Lavicska; his children, Miklos (Mickey) Lavicska (Cheryl), Susanne Lavicska Gille (John Gille), and Monika Roosa (Michael). His grandchildren, Alexis, Nicholaus, Miklos (Mickey) III, Mia, Preston, and Jovi. His great-granddaughter Elizah.

In honor of Mickey's wish for cremation and a private, peaceful departure from this world, there will be no service.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local Catholic Diocese in Mickey’s name, your local SPCA as Mickey owned rescue dogs in addition to the Hungarian Kuvasz and Hungarian Komondor breeds, and any organization beneficial to Hungarian–American families

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC 29801