Jozsef A. Bauer

Jozsef A. Bauer, II, 76, of Denver died at home October 16, 2007.

Jozsef was born in Ujpest (near Budapest) Hungary, August 9, 1931 to Jozsef and Rozalia (Rukkerosuk) Bauer. He was the second of five children including three sisters and a brother. He came to America May 21, 1957 and became an American citizen in September of 1976. He worked for "Sigman Meats" for many years until, through an accident, he lost most of the use of his right hand and had to go on disability. Jozsef married Thelma Elaine Deal on November 8, 1958 in Denver, Colorado and they welcomed a daughter, Lisa Ellen Bauer, March 14, 1959 who died tragically in 1977. Elaine also preceded Jozsef in death.

Memorials may be sent in Jozsef's name to: The National Kidney Association/3131 S. Baugh Way # 505/ Aurora, CO 80014.

"Joe Stores" – remembered by Cindy Jerome..........

Life in Hungary was difficult. Jozsef's father was a butcher at the stock yard, "I take him his lunch and breakfast too – then he give me meat to take to my mother, my aunt, too...they cook it!" "In Hungary the law say: 14 years old, got to work so he go to work". His father was drafted and sent to war in civilian clothes because the Army had no money for uniforms. The family never saw Jozsef Sr. again.

When young Jozsef was drafted into the Hungarian army at age 20, his job was driving a truck 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. He told how they worked nights for 2 weeks and then days for 2 weeks, but no time off. Joe told us "everything is the government".

Eventually, Jozsef left his homeland with about 25 others "we were on a bridge, here comes big Russian tank and so we run other way." They escaped to Austria, a refugee camp near the town of Ando and worked in a factory making matches and then in a lumber yard for about a year. It "was good job, they pay you right away". I believe Joe then traveled to Italy, before finding a way to come to America. When I asked him why America he answered, "Australia too far!" Somehow Joe managed to be on an airplane heading for America when "plane busted, we stay in Scotland a few days" finally arriving in New York City on May 21, 1957. He was not impressed with New York, "it's a stinking place and you eat fish, fish, fish, three times a day you eat fish...I just hate fish!" (He told us this as he was eating fish that he'd ordered! I guess he just was tired of it back then or maybe it's the smell he hated!) Joe stayed in New York about 10 days with a cousin that had traveled with him. The cousin went on to Canada and eventually back to Hungary where "he get into lots of trouble, should not go back" and Joe caught a train through Chicago (he was not real impressed with Chicago, either!) to Denver. I believe a priest in Denver had somehow sponsored him to come. When Joe arrived in America the only word he knew in English was "cowboy". "That's all words I know, but I get two jobs right away!" (He did not have much sympathy for people who will not work.)

Joe received word that his mother had passed away in January of 1962. When we asked about his siblings he was quite sure that they have all died, he had sent money to someone to inquire a few years ago and they could not find any information. His comment was "not a good place for people to live, they die young there." A sister was one year older than Joe and another sister was the youngest, born around 1940. I didn't understand if the brother was next to him (two years younger) or another sister. He last talked to his family "50 years ago when I leave, that's last I talk or see all of them".

According to Joe, the best paprika comes from Hungary. You can buy it at Safeway (6th and Corona) "should always get Hungarian Paprika, its best". He had me write down several of his favorite recipes with "Hungarian Paprika, make sure you have it, you can use mine" One morning he taught me how to make "Stuffed Peppers" with of course "Hungarian Paprika" (I might note it comes in a lovely red and white tin can, which looks very nice!). We were going to be with him the day after he passed away to learn how to make true "Hungarian Goulash" "you do not put pasta in goulash, NO noodles, no tomato either...that's not goulash, I will show you how". Goulash means cowboy food, "goul" is herdsman like cowboy. The herdsman make it when he works, "I will show you how, Cindy". Get some meat, like stew meat and wash it, and chop some onion...one medium is good. First you cook the onion in fat, butter..." of course it also had paprika in it! I found Joe's cooking stories very fun and fascinating, learning much about a country I knew in name only. Did you know Paprika comes from peppers? Did you know they grind the peppers fine and ship it in big barrels to Cincinnati, Ohio where they put it in the little red and white cans? Did you know they grow many kinds of peppers in Hungary?

I discovered in recent months while helping Joe, that he has made many everyday friends by being a gentleman and a friend. The folks at the European Mart always wanted to know "How is he today? He is such a nice man". The pharmacy staff and checkers at Safeway often inquired about him and he knew some of them by name. Folks at the dialysis center have told us Joe was a bright spot in their world too. His neighbors were concerned for him, especially Vickie. She helped Joe immensely, not out of obligation, but because Lisa had been her best friend and she loved him like a father. I heard stories of Joe taking the neighbor boys hunting and he taught them to play pinochle. Mrs. Jones said he brought over the best pork roast one time because her boys had raved about some they had enjoyed at his house. She told us that her husband, Gaylord, and Joe were called a couple of "grumpy old men". They were best friends who grouched at each other across the alley. Because he needed a little help the last few months, our paths crossed with Joe's friends and they have become ours. We are blessed!

When I would leave Joe after visiting or taking him to dialysis, he would say, "yeah, lock me in, I be fine, don't forget tell everyone Hi…tell your mother-in-law Hi". I could go on and on with the fun "Joe stories and recipes" that I've learned in just a few short months. He made me laugh and brightened my days, he was a champion and I miss him already.

Joe's Memorial Service will be Friday, October 26, 2007 at 3:00P.M. at Faith Baptist Church, 2000 Quail Street, in Lakewood, CO.