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Peter Hargitai Obituary
Peter was a widely recognized as an award-winning author, translator and poet. He had boundless energy for creativity, literature, and the daily adventure. He was a life-long companion for his wife of 60 years, Dianne; a father of two, Suzie Juliano and Peter Hargitai; and Big Daddy to five, Shain, Katie, Peter, Luke and Alec (and his new great- grand baby, Jenni). He championed his family and instilled virtues in his children and grandchildren that seem lost in today's world. He didn't really care what you cared about (if it wasn't about love or a view of the mundane that only a keen eye could appreciate); he didn't waste any time with false idols. He was full of creativity and laughter, and he had zany stories and personal adventures that will continue to entertain us for our lifetimes. If you met Peter, you'd remember Peter (and you'd be smiling doing so).
As a professor at University of Miami and Florida International University, Peter spent four decades imparting his wisdom on students and faculty. Later, after retiring to Gulfport, he served as the local Poet Laurate for three consecutive years – and frequently entertained with his poetry readings. Friends, family, and academia in Hungary, Cleveland, Miami and Gulfport will miss Peter dearly. We'll see you in heaven, and we can't wait to find out what kind of mischief you've caused up there!
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Peter Hargitai
5 Entries
susan koenig
Yesterday
Steven and I are shocked and so very saddened to learn of Peter's passing. He enriched not only our lives, but the entire Gulfport community and beyond. No words can express our sympathy for his family. He was, indeed, a "Big Daddy! "
Susan Koenig/Steve Fernand
Martha Pereszlenyi-Pinter
February 2, 2026
Dear Peter and Family,
Peter, your passing came as a profound shock to all who knew you. You were truly one of a kind in our academic community and in our friendship circle. Your vibrant personality, deep passions, boundless creativity and energy, and wonderful sense of humor will long be remembered. The light you brought into our lives will continue to live on in the stories we share and the memories we hold close about you.
You are fondly remembered and deeply missed by your many friends, including those in the Cleveland, Ohio Hungarian American community. I am sending my heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to your family and to all who loved you.
Katalin Takacs
February 2, 2026
My deepest condolences to the family. Very sad to hear this we had a good time in Florida
After not seeing you for so many years. God rest your soul.
Éva Terézhalmy Ginn
February 2, 2026
My deepest condolences to the family, sending prayers to help you through these difficult times. RIP Pérer
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István Hargitai
February 1, 2026
I received my brother's latest book of poems for Christmas, which he dedicated to me. It has been only a week or so that he went to the hospital for a routine gallbladder procedure and just a few days later on January 28th, on his birthday, he left us forever. It has been 79 years exactly when at the age of two and a half years my father and I went to a Budapest hospital on a cold and snowy January day where my mother gave birth to a baby boy. This was the very first event of my life that I can remember. After I hung up the phone and looked out the window at the bleak snowy street, I realized that he departed this world on a similar cold and snowy day as it was then when he came into my life 79 years ago.
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