Eugene Zador
May 19, 2020
Dr. Eugene Zador of St Johns, FL, passed away on May 19, 2020.
Eugene Zador lived a remarkable life. Born in Hungary in 1933 at the peak of the Great Depression he faced many struggles in early life. Because of poverty his mother had to place him in state care. He spent most of his childhood far from family working on isolated farms where he received little food and less love. The one way he could escape his difficult life was through education. However, he found his education options were severely limited due to his open criticism of the communist system. After the Hungarian uprising in 1956, Eugene took his chances on a new life, leaving Hungary on foot on Christmas Eve. When asked about this experience later, he said “although it was sad to leave in a time when families were gathering and celebrating, it was for me a time of birth, of new life and hope.” He made his way to Austria and was taken to Vienna where international efforts concentrated on placing the refugees. Along with several other college students, Eugene was sent to McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada. He graduated from McMaster with a Ph.D. in chemistry in 1967. It was in Canada he met and married the love of his life, Sheila, an immigrant from England.
Eugene moved to the United States from Canada soon after graduating for better employment in his chosen field of industrial organic chemistry. He specialized in UV radiation curing, a field then in its infancy. His work was based on many inventions such as the development of a process of UV curing for printed circuit boards that helped launch the computer revolution of the late 70’s. Eugene was proud to receive his United States citizenship. He was a member of the American Chemical Society. Eugene was an avid reader and spoke a number of languages. He had many hobbies and interests. He loved to travel, play chess, woodworking, gardening, cooking delicious Hungarian food. He had a keen interest in sports, particularly tennis and soccer. His enthusiasm for soccer helped jumpstart the development of a community soccer league that he coached for years. He was passionate about education and intensified the love of learning in his children and later grandchildren
Eugene is survived by his wife, Sheila; his son Steven and his wife Karen and his two grandchildren Alison and Chloe; his daughter Louise and her husband John and his three grandchildren Joshua, James and Elizabeth.
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Dear Sheila , Steven, Karen, Louise, John , Alison , Chloe, Joshua, James and Elizabeth.
Charlene and I were extremely saddened to hear of Gene's passing in a card from Sheila.
My father and Gene formed a long lasting bond after the Hungarian revolution.
Sheila is my sister Andrea's godmother.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Our deepest condolences and sympathies.
sincerely
love Alex, Charlene, Christopher, Jonathan, Matthew Balogh
Calgary Alberta Canada