Edward John Ujvagi

Edward John Ujvagi, 78, of Toledo, Ohio, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2023, surrounded by his family. Ed was born on October 17, 1944, in Budapest, Hungary, to his late parents, Edward B. and Magdolna (Zsábenszky) Ujvagi.

When the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 erupted in Budapest, he emigrated to the United States with his parents and siblings. After a brief stay in a refugee camp in Austria, the family settled in the Birmingham neighborhood of Toledo, Ohio. After settling in Toledo he attended and was a parishioner at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. He attended high school at Macomber Vocational Technical High School. After graduating, he obtained an associate degree in mechanical engineering while working with his father and brothers at the family owned tool and die shop, E & C Manufacturing, Inc. Ed married his wife of 53 years, Eleanor “Cathie” (Toeppe), on August 2, 1969, and cherished their marriage. The two raised four children together and built a life full of memories and a big, extended family with many grandchildren.

Memories of Ed always include a big smile, jokes, his perfectly combed hair, and those amazing blue eyes. He was someone you could count on, someone to help lift another person up, just an overall fun, selfless, and amazing man to spend time with.

He was a faithful Catholic man. As a parishioner at Little Flower Catholic Church he was involved in the ACTS retreats. For decades he also was a reader at St. Stephen’s church at their Hungarian Masses.

He was a Hungarian-American proud of his heritage. He was very active in the Hungarian Club of Toledo where he served many years as president and held many other offices. When he was younger, he could often be found there playing the Hungarian card game called snapszer and socializing. He loved people! At the Birmingham Hungarian Festival you could find him cooking bacon for the famous Hungarian bacon dripping open faced sandwiches! He even designed and made a specialized spigot that could turn the bacon and collect the grease so none went to waste. Something true Hungarians would appreciate!

Ed also loved all things soccer - starting in Hungary, playing for the Hungarian Club team and then becoming their manager. When he wasn’t playing on the field you could find him referring high school and college games. His love of soccer extended to Notre Dame Academy where he was a co-founder of their varsity program and remained as a head coach for several years.

For all his work and dedication to the Toledo Hungarian community, Toledo soccer and business community, he was inducted into the Birmingham Hall of Fame.

Ed was also very involved in The Boy Scouts of America where he was Scout Master of Troop 70. He attended the National Jamboree with his sons and returned in future sessions as a volunteer. His camping supplies were always accessible in his blue mini bus he bought just for Scouts, affectionately called the “Blue Goose”. He earned the prestigious Wood Badge after completing an advanced, national leadership course.

Those that know Ed know his knees took a beating from his years on the soccer field. After his last knee replacement thirteen years ago, his body was wrought with infection that he fought for over a year and ultimately took his left knee. Sadly, that began his decline from the active, social man he had always been.

These past sixteen months he has resided at Otterbein Sunset House where his wife Cathie has been with him for endless hours twice a day just about every single day. Their love for one another was something to see.

Ed is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Cathie Ujvagi; children, Tricia (Gus) Culotta, Tom (Kerry) Ujvagi, Chris (Shannon) Ujvagi, Jen (Todd) Taylor; grandchildren, Nicholas, Benjamin, Marie, Lucas, Emma, Jack, Addison, Nathan, Hope, Kendra, Vanessa, Edward, and Emily Barnett and her family; brothers, Charles (Diana) Ujvagi, Peter (Betty) Ujvagi; sister, Berna Ujvagi; as well as many nieces and nephews, and extended family who still reside in Hungary. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Magda, and his sister, Baba Ujvagi and his brother-in-law, Imre Bertalan.

Friends are welcome to visit at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, from 4-7 p.m. A scripture service will begin at 7 p.m. Ed’s funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church, 5522 Dorr St., Toledo, with interment to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Little Flower Catholic Church https://osvhub.com/little-flower-toledo/giving/funds (Memorials) or Hungarian Club of Toledo at 224 Paine Ave, Toledo, Ohio 43605 in Ed’s honor and memory. Condolences may be sent at walkerfuneralhomes.com.