Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Joseph J. DUBAY

About

California Polytechnic State University

Joseph DUBAY Obituary

DUBAY, Joseph J. Joe was born in Hegyko, Hungary on June 4, 1939, the second of two children. After the Russian invasion of Hungary in 1956 he escaped and made his way to the United States at the age of 16. Although he knew nobody and did not speak the language, he taught himself English and put himself through school, first at Hartnell Junior College in Salinas, CA, then graduating with a degree in Animal Husbandry from Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo. He met and married Susan, his wife of 52 years, while in Salinas. In 1964, after graduating from Cal Poly he began his family and his career with the Farm Credit Services as a Field Officer in Indio, CA. Multiple promotions throughout his distinguished career took he and his new family from Indio, CA to Berkeley, CA; Spokane, WA and Sacramento, CA. He proudly pointed out he had started his new life in the United States as a poor immigrant driving a tractor in the fields and finished as an Executive Vice President with the bank ... "Only in America!" he would tell everyone. After taking early retirement from the bank in 1994 he traveled and consulted for Moorman Seed/ADM in Quincy, IL for two years before settling comfortably into retirement in Spokane, WA with Susan surrounded by their children, grandchildren and numerous beloved friends. His family and friends meant everything to Joe, he loved to travel, fish and to spend time with family and friends. He is survived by his wife Susan; three children and their spouses - John and Denise, Bonnie and Jesse, Patrick and Angela; five grandchildren - Crystal, Caitlyn, Maggie, Chase and Noah. In Hungary he is survived by his brother Istvan; sister-in-law Judit; nephews Gyuri and Csaba; their wives Kata and Tunde; their children - Andras, Eszter, ZsÃ³fia, Johanna, Mate, Christoph and Orsolya; and a large extended family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice House of Spokane in Joe's name. A vigil was held Friday evening, July 17th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 3520 E. 18th Ave., Spokane. The Funeral Mass was celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning, July 18th at St. Peter's Catholic Church followed by an inurnment at Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery. At his request, he will forever be at rest in Hungary with his mother Rozalia; father Janos; and uncle Dr. Szalay Janos. Arrangements have been entrusted to:

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Spokesman-Review from Jul. 15 to Jul. 19, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph DUBAY

14 Entries

Keith Harrop

November 9, 2015

My name is Keith Harrop and I first became acquainted with Joe Dubay in 1971 when I worked at Twin Falls, Idaho in the local PCA office and Joe came with some other people to conduct an audit. Later I had the opportunity to attend various classes at the FICB in Spokane, WA that Joe taught. May I say he was a gifted teacher. I had a working relationship with Joe from about 1971 to 1981. He was a man I admired and looked up to. About 19 years later I contacted Joe and asked him if he would consider doing some contract work for ADM. He said yes and what a valuable resource he was for ADM. Joe was a gifted credit person. Near the end of his contract I invited Joe to come to my home. After we had eaten I inquired about the stories of his youth in Hungary. I shared with him when I worked at PCA I had heard stories about his youth and asked him if they were true. He confirmed, yes they were true. My wife and I invited him to share his story. He shared what life was like in Hungary, about his dad's death, about his escape and how he had to say an abrupt good-by to his mother at such a young age. I can only imagine a Mother loving her child so much that she would let him go at such a young age to what she hoped would be a better life. He also shared how the Government took possession of the family's farm. We sit spell bound listening to him late into the evening when Joe said, it is late I need my sleep. I filled several pages in my Journal about Joe's stories. That night he made us laugh, cry and realize how grateful we are to live in this great country the USA. If they were to make a movie of Joe's life I am certain it would be an academy award winning movie. A story of one who was in a hopeless situation and ended up with such success as a husband, father, uncle and grandfather. He shared with us about his wife and how he loved her. He talked of her often. Also, he shared with us about his family, it was obvious they were his life, they were what brought him joy and happiness in life. My wife said, we would all do well to follow Joe's example.

During the many conversations I had with Joe while he was in Decatur, IL I shared with him my belief about life after death. Joe listened intently and wept when he said; I believe in life after death. I shared with Joe that my wife and I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and we believe before we came to earth we lived with the Lord in the Spirit World and we came to Earth for two reasons; 1) To receive a body and 2) To be exercise our God given agency to determine if we will choose to keep His commandments why we live on earth. I shared with Joe about the Book of Mormon which tells about Prophets in ancient America, their experiences and foremost, it testifies of Jesus Christ. I promised Joe I would send him a Book of Mormon and I never kept that promise. I pray he will forgive me for breaking that promise. Joe if you can read these words I promise you, I will send copies of Book of Mormons to any of your family members that I can obtain an address for. I pray your family will not be offended with me in my effort to keep this promise to you. Now that you have seen Christ and have witnessed the marks in His hands and feet, you now know without a doubt, what we can only believe to be true, through our Faith. I am thankful for the opportunity I had to know Joe and for the life experiences he was willing to share with me and my wife.

Cell Phone: 217-412-9181

Diane Dyel

November 5, 2015

I meet Joe back in February, 2000 when he became my boss at ADM Moorman's. I will have to say that he was the best boss that I ever had. We had a great time working together. I truly believe that he is the reason that I have the job I have today with ADM. Joe's humanity and sense of humor left lasting impressions on me and influenced how I try to conduct business today. I am blessed to have known and worked with him.

Paul Hatten

August 5, 2015

Mr. Dubay was always friendly and kind to me. When John and I were kids, it didn't seem as though many parents would take the time to be so gracious to a teenager. I never dreamed of calling him by his first name until just a few years ago. I look back now and the greatest tribute I guess I can try to offer him is to attempt to emulate him, especially with my own kids and their friends. Joe left this earth better than he found it, maybe we can also.

Laura Hatten

August 2, 2015

My favorite memories of Joe will forever be when I was lucky enough to catch a football game at John and Denise's house with him. I loved the banter between John and Joe on the ability to pause, rewind and fast forward the game. I felt lucky to be able to spend those few hours with Joe talking football and catching up on what was happening in our lives.
Joe always made me feel like I was part of the Dubay family. I will truly miss Joe and I am thankful to have had those times with him.

Tom Brown

July 19, 2015

Joe's life was celebrated beautifully at his funeral; he was a wonderful man in thought, word and deed; deserving of all of the accolades and love expressed by family and friends.

Joe dedicated his professional life to the Farm Credit System (FCS). His many years of service to the Spokane Federal Intermediate Credit Bank (FICB) which funded and supervised the 30 Production Credit Associations(PCA's)located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana needs to be recognized - as his contribution was extraordinary.

As an Officer of the FICB for many years, Joe represented everything that is great about the FCS. His commitment to the mission of protecting the integrity of the organizations, while serving the needs of the member/borrowers, was unwavering. Joe was highly respected by all employees in the FICB and the Associations. His positiveness and humor were infectious; he was a natural teacher. He willingly shared his highly specialized knowledge with the staff. He turned many farm kids into credit men & women as he knew how to advance credit and how to manage a lending business. He gave many people careers.

Joe was a humble man; he adhered to the Hungarian axiom; "the tallest willow bends the furthest". He was never about ego or personal recognition; he was about mission and purpose. Joe Dubay was respected and trusted by everyone.

His strong leadership of the Bank as an EVP inspired and gave hope to those the worked with him in the 80's when a prolonged economic recession and other extraneous factors exposed overtly aggressive growth policies and practices that were not of his making. No matter how difficult the challenges became or how long the adversity continued, Joe's character, integrity and ethics never wavered. He was a guiding light of positiveness and hope in spite of unbelievable personal and professional pressure; his character could not be broken. To those who worked in the Spokane District during these times, Joe Dubay is remembered as a hero.

Debra Luehmann

July 18, 2015

He was a perfect uncle, always caring and smiling and wanting to help when needed. My life has been truly blessed having had Joe as part of it. When all of our family was together in the Spokane area, I always felt that Susan and Joe were the glue that kept us all together. Even after we moved back to the west side of Washington, they would drive over for a visit and I always felt our family was complete again. Thank You Uncle Joe for your gift of love to us all. I will miss you beyond words. Your niece, Debra.

Doug & Wendy Baker

July 17, 2015

Our friend Joe Dubay was such a gentle man. He always had a good word to say with a chuckle in his voice. He was so proud to be a husband, a dad, a papa and a friend. We will miss him terribly. He was truly one of God's blessings shared with us.

July 17, 2015

His journey has ended. He has gone full circle. I am so very proud to have been part of it.
FATHER, Hold this beloved mans soul close. We all loved him so.
Isabelle Faye Robbins

Leslie Deering

July 16, 2015

Joe was truly one of the most incredible human beings I've ever met. His family was everything to him and it shows. He and Sue have raised three of the most caring individuals you could hope to meet. His influence is clearly seen in his grandchildren. I will deeply miss Joe. There aren't enough words to say how sorry I am to the Dubay Family. I Love each and every one of you so very much.

Caitlyn Baker

July 16, 2015

Thank you for being my grandpa, my best friend, and the only man in my life who truly and unconditionally loved me since the day I was born. You called me everyday and we would talk and you supported me in every decision I made. You always Came to every event I had and always told me to do my best. On July 9 at 11:28 Heaven gained another angel and I gained another guardian angel❤ you were my hero and the person I always looked up to and I will miss you forever and now you're in a better place! You always taught me Hungarian and all your life lessons and I will always remember the kind of man you were❤ I love you papa! His always said his family was his biggest blessing but he didn't realize that he was our biggest blessing!❤

george beitzel

July 16, 2015

Joe and I worked together at Farm Credit when Joe was at a CA. association and in the bank in Sacramento. He was a sincere, honest and hardworking friend. God will gain a good helper with Joe.

Richard Weathered

July 16, 2015

I had the privilege of working with Joe in the Spokane FICB in the early 80's and again in Sacramento in the early 90's. Joe's humanity and sense of humor left lasting impressions on me and influenced how I try to conduct business today. Heaven just got a little more exciting. We'll keep the Dubay family in our prayers.

In his peaceful place

Scott Robbins

July 15, 2015

A daring young man who escaped through the mine fields during the Hungarian Communist Revolution for a better life in the USA. The most caring, honest and loving person I was lucky to have as an uncle whom I will dearly missed. Now in Heaven, w/o pain and filled by the love of our Lord. Good Night Uncle Joe.

Paul Lamothe

July 15, 2015

My sincere condolences to the Dubay family.

Those of us who worked with Joe in the Sacramento Farm Credit office loved and admired Joe for his integrity, wit and charm. Truly, Joe was one of a kind and you always knew where he stood. I enjoyed how frustrated he got with American sayings and how he laughed when he totally butchered them. Joe also had a wonderful laugh and smile.

RIP Joe

Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results