Gyula Harsay

Gyula “Julius” Harsay passed away peacefully on May 21, 2012, at his home in Hot Springs Arkansas, after a decade long battle with cancer. He is survived by his three children, David Harsay in Phoenix, AZ; Edina Harsay in Lawrence, KS; Sofia Twiss (Todd) in Omaha, NE along with two grandchildren. Many living relatives reside in Hungary, Europe, including his Mother, and six siblings. Julius was born in Kecskemet, Hungary, on January 16, 1944. With a keen ambition to come to the United States, he learned English by reading from books as a teenager. His motivation was made intense by his exposure to and participation in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. He was an active athlete in competitive swimming and martial arts. Julius married Apollonia Jasz in 1966, and together they raised three children. He received his B.S. Degree in Forestry from the University of Sopron in Hungary. Later he visited the United States on a Yale University Scholarship, only to have to return to Hungary for political reasons. With Apollonia, he permanently left his homeland in 1976, and settled in New Haven Connecticut. Julius subsequently completed his Masters Degree in Forestry and Environmental Studies from Yale University. Following graduation, he attained a position in New Haven Connecticut studying the impact of railroads on the environment. Julius also worked tirelessly to secure emigration for his three children. With the help of Congressman Robert Giamo, the children rejoined their parents Julius and Apollonia in 1978. The family later moved to Lee’s Summit, Missouri, as Julius wanted to be closer to the Unity School of Christianity. He worked at Unity, and was instrumental in computerizing that organization. He authored two books, CREATIVE CONSERVATION and QUOTABLE QUOTES FROM UNITY BOOKS. Following the dissolution of his 21-year marriage in 1988, he moved to Arkansas, and taught yoga in Hot Springs. Gyula “Julius” Harsay was a very determined man, a deep-thinking intellectual, and not only a goal setter but also a goal achiever. The Harsay family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at the Arkansas Hospice in Hot Springs. Cremated remains will be returned to Hungary for interment and Memorial Services with family and friends in Europe.