May 11, 1934 – July 16, 2014
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joe (Joseph) Nagy; beloved husband of Devonna Nagy; treasured father to Joe Nagy Jr. (Janet Storey) and Mary Lynn Hogg (Andrew Hogg); and devoted grandfather to Krista Dawn Allen and Kurtis Joseph Allen. We are all deeply saddened with the loss of this, proud, kind, sensitive, funny, talented and loving man. Joe died peacefully at home with family by his side at the age of 80 on July 16, 2014.
Joe was born to Louie and Marika Nagy on May 11, 1934 in Minto, New Brunswick. At a young age his parents moved to Rodney Ontario and started a Tobacco farm. He had many jobs as a young man; working on the family farm, then in a saw mill and driving a semi-trailer, until he finally found his passion of working in an auto body shop. He made his way to Calgary in 1957, first working at 12th and 12th Auto Body Shop, then Ollie Sheet Metal and finally Superior Auto Body.
He found his life partner in Devonna and they married June 11, 1958. They built a family together and had a son, Joe Jr. and a daughter, Mary Lynn. He was the lion of our family and worked hard alongside Devonna to renovate our home in Calgary and then to open Nagy’s Auto Body, established in 1977 in Inglewood.
He worked hard to provide us with a beautiful home, which he built east of Chestermere Lake 39 years ago. Nagy’s Auto Body was soon moved to this location. Joe was very proud to have his son Joe Jr. working by his side.
Many camping and fishing trips were taken over the years. He loved to go fishing and could not go often enough with all of his family and dear friends. We also had wonderful times at our home on Shuswap Lake, making memories that none of us will soon forget. Joe loved to relax after a hot day with a beer, looking at the lake.
In 1988 he thought it was a good time to take on a new career, and together Joe and Devonna created Homestead Processing. He continued to work hard until he semi-retired in 1991.
Joe never truly retired. He was always a very busy man; doing beautiful woodwork, mowing the lawn and fixing vehicles or anything else that broke down on the farm. He was a true handyman who could do almost anything. For those who knew Joe, he had a very big heart, big smile and was always ready to lend a hand.
He loved his grandchildren Krista and Kurtis. The time spent making root beer floats, roasting marshmallows, camping and telling jokes were memories he cherished. His family and friends were always the most important thing to him.
Joe is also survived by his brother Frank Nagy (Joanne Nagy), sister Margaret Galacz, and brother Billy Nagy.
He is predeceased by his mother Mary Nagy, father Louie Nagy and brother Louie Nagy.
Our family would like to thank the wonderful care he received from Chestermere home care, nursing and palliative staff, as well as Foothills Hospital Palliative Care.
We all admired him for his strength, bravery and persistence in his last few years. His words were “Always keep looking ahead, not back”.
A celebration of Joe’s life will be announced late August.
Condolences may be forwarded to maryln@shaw.ca
