Zoltan (Zoli) Honeczy Sr.

Zoltan (Zoli) Honeczy Sr. was born in Feled Czechoslovakia (currently known as Jesenske, Slovakia) in 1927. He left home at the young age of 16 and supported himself with odd jobs until he graduated from the University of Budapest with a degree in Horticulture. He then worked as a head agronomist in a vineyard tending hundreds of acres of grapes that were used to make wine. It was there that Zoli met the love of his life Anna, who worked as a bookkeeper for the company.

In 1956 (Hungarian Revolution) Zoli left Hungary and immigrated to the US - the land of the free - with hopes of a better life. He worked as a head landscaper in Florida but ended up in Maryland where he was hired by a local civil engineering company Greenhorne & O'Mara as a draftsman. He later became a water and sewer designer for the company as well as a mentor to many. Zoli had a strong work ethic, was well respected by his colleagues and retired 35 years later. Zoli and Anna married in 1964 in Vienna, Austria where they eloped. They settled in the suburbs of Maryland where they raised their children Zoli Jr and Iris. They built their dream house together after many years of working long hours and diligently saving wherever they could.

Zoli was an artist, loved to swim, had a sense of humor ("keep the change"), loved classical music and appreciated all forms of art. He always enjoyed a good glass of wine, chocolate, his Costco hotdog with mustard, but most of all his wife's delicious authentic Hungarian cooking and baking. Zoli took pride in his "castle" growing vegetables from seed and doing all he could do himself without having to hire someone to do it for him. The manicured gardens where Zoli and Anna grew hundreds of azaleas, tulips, hostas, roses, cannas and annuals are often admired by the neighbors as they tenderly planted and maintained them for decades. Zoli still mowed the lawn at age 90 because he loved to do it.

What Zoli loved the most in life was his family. He was a loving husband, father & grandfather and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Anna, son Zoli (Lisa), daughter Iris (Bruce) and grandchildren Joey (Victoria), Julia, Lilian and Christopher.

Rest in peace Papa