Laszlo Bojtos, the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Hungary in Cleveland, went to be with the Lord on February 23, 2021 just one week shy of his 90th birthday. He was born March 2, 1931 in Vadosfa, Hungary. Laszlo graduated as an Architect from the University of Technology and Economics in Budapest. He married the love of his life, Gyorgyi (Georgianna) in April of 1956. On October 23, 1956, he participated in the initial demonstration in Budapest along with hundreds of thousands of Hungarians who demanded Hungary’s independence from the Soviet Union. This was the start of the 13-day long Hungarian Revolution that was eventually defeated by the Soviet Army. After the Revolution’s defeat and seeing the hopelessness of the situation, Laszlo and Gyorgyi fled Hungary making the dangerous crossing into Austria in the middle of the night on December 1, 1956, after which they arrived in Cleveland in late December with the help of the Lutheran World Federation. Laszlo established a successful architectural practice, Bojtos Architects, Inc. in Cleveland. Among his many accomplishments are the building of eight churches, health care facilities, multiple commercial buildings as well as several residential homes in numerous states. In addition, he enjoyed working on multiple historical preservation projects.
Throughout the years, Laszlo made it a priority to look for ways to remain spiritually a part of the Hungarian nation despite the physical distance. He advocated dual citizenship in the firm belief that two cultures—two languages—enrich one’s life better than one. He was staunchly American and proudly, patriotically Hungarian. In 1968 he was a founding member of the Hungarian Communion of Friends, a group who sought to foster a spiritual and intellectual community of and for Hungarians dispersed outside of Hungary. For nearly 50 years he hosted leading writers, artists and leaders of the Hungarian opposition to the communist system. After the fall of Communism in Hungary, Laszlo worked tirelessly toward creating opportunities for Hungarian diplomatic, political and commercial interests that would help Hungary transition from Communism to a democracy and a market economy. He served as Chairman of the American Hungarian Federation and as President of the Magyar Club of Cleveland multiple times. He participated in the work of the Cleveland Hungarian Development Foundation and was a valued member of the Hungarian American Coalition since its founding in 1991. In 1993 Laszlo Bojtos was named Honorary Consul by the Hungarian Prime Minister, Jozsef Antall; then in 1997 he became Consul General of the Republic of Hungary. In 2002, he received the Order of Merit Middle Cross of the Republic of Hungary from the Hungarian President Ferenc Madl.
Throughout the years Laszlo loved to travel in the United States and back to Hungary as well as throughout Europe enjoying the cultures and cuisines of the native people. He was well known for his culinary skills, bread making and welcoming hospitality.
Laszlo is survived by his loving wife Gyorgyi (Georgianna), his daughters Dr. Anita Bojtos Luksa (Jeff) and Barbara Johnson (Tony) and his three grandchildren, Vivien Luksa, Erik Johnson and Eva Johnson.
The family will receive friends from 5-7p.m., Friday, March 5, 2021 at Nosek-McCreery Funeral Home, 8150 Brecksville Rd. Brecksville, Ohio 44141. Masks are required and social distancing will be encouraged and maintained. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 1 p.m. at the First Hungarian Reformed Church, 14530 Alexander Road, Walton Hills, OH 44146, followed by interment at Brecksville Cemetery, 9012 Highland Dr, Brecksville, OH 44141. The service will also be live streamed through Bocskai Radio’s Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to American Hungarian Friends of Scouting, PO Box 6783, Cleveland, Ohio 44101; or MBK (Hungarian Communion of Friends) attn: Hajnal Minger, 1603 Knight Rd., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103; or First Hungarian Reformed Church, 14530 Alexander Rd., Walton Hills, Ohio 44146.
