1920
Bela
2023
Bela Bill Gaspar
September 1, 1920 — September 17, 2023
FRANKFORT – Bela "Bill" Gaspar, 103, of Frankfort, passed away on September 17, 2023, in his favorite room in his home on the hill.
He was born September 1, 1920, in Nyiregyhaza, Pest, Hungary, to Bela and Maria Gaspar. He married Ilion Attorney, Mary Panarites in 1968, at Sts. Peter and Paul’s Orthodox Church and they shared an incredible bond, filled with travel, sports and adventure. They were hikers, climbers and avid downhill skiers. Bill and Mary shared a lifetime in their 30 years of marriage until Mary’s death in 1998.
Bela escaped Hungary as a young man and with assistance of the Hungarian Community in North America, he resettled and was an engineer at Allegro Shoe in Little Falls. His passion of photography became a part time profession for 30 years (Gaspar Studios), where his high standard built a busy wedding and portrait practice. He joined Mary in the family partnership of Herkimer Motel – now Red Roof Inn and Suites. He was active in many local civic and local organizations, as well as local hiking, ski and travel clubs and was a beekeeper and incredible gardener.
Bela was a brilliant man that lived a remarkable life without serious illness or taking any medication. He worked to maintain his physical health through diet and exercise and was driving and managing quite well independently until 100 years old, when his vision began failing him.
Bela leaves his sister- in- law, Mrs. Leslie (Eva) Gaspar; as well as many nieces and nephews; sharing a Father/Son relationship with his nephew, John Brown, his 13 year old best man.
Bill was the definition of the word “gentleman,” his kind and quiet ways will be missed by those of us closest to him. 103! – May his memory be eternal.
Bill enjoyed a wonderful group of people that allowed him to be where he wanted to be – in the comfort of his beloved home. Thanks to Greg and JoAnn Savas, Nancy Cox Marafioti, Tammy Palumbo and Geraldine Petingill, Bill appreciated every single thing.
In Honor of Bill, memorial gifts are welcome to the Panarites Sisters Scholarship Fund of Keuka College, 141 Central Avenue, Keuka Park, New York 14478, or CABVI (former Association for the Blind), 507 Kent St., Utica, NY 13501
Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Ilion, on Thursday, September 21, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. The funeral will commence on Thursday morning also, with prayer at 10:15 a.m., at the funeral home, continuing at Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, East Herkimer, at 11:00: a.m., with Fr. Vasil Dubee, officiating. Bill will then be laid to eternal rest at Armory Hill Cemetery, Ilion.
Bela’s funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate Funeral Directors.
Online condolences may be left at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.
He was born September 1, 1920, in Nyiregyhaza, Pest, Hungary, to Bela and Maria Gaspar. He married Ilion Attorney, Mary Panarites in 1968, at Sts. Peter and Paul’s Orthodox Church and they shared an incredible bond, filled with travel, sports and adventure. They were hikers, climbers and avid downhill skiers. Bill and Mary shared a lifetime in their 30 years of marriage until Mary’s death in 1998.
Bela escaped Hungary as a young man and with assistance of the Hungarian Community in North America, he resettled and was an engineer at Allegro Shoe in Little Falls. His passion of photography became a part time profession for 30 years (Gaspar Studios), where his high standard built a busy wedding and portrait practice. He joined Mary in the family partnership of Herkimer Motel – now Red Roof Inn and Suites. He was active in many local civic and local organizations, as well as local hiking, ski and travel clubs and was a beekeeper and incredible gardener.
Bela was a brilliant man that lived a remarkable life without serious illness or taking any medication. He worked to maintain his physical health through diet and exercise and was driving and managing quite well independently until 100 years old, when his vision began failing him.
Bela leaves his sister- in- law, Mrs. Leslie (Eva) Gaspar; as well as many nieces and nephews; sharing a Father/Son relationship with his nephew, John Brown, his 13 year old best man.
Bill was the definition of the word “gentleman,” his kind and quiet ways will be missed by those of us closest to him. 103! – May his memory be eternal.
Bill enjoyed a wonderful group of people that allowed him to be where he wanted to be – in the comfort of his beloved home. Thanks to Greg and JoAnn Savas, Nancy Cox Marafioti, Tammy Palumbo and Geraldine Petingill, Bill appreciated every single thing.
In Honor of Bill, memorial gifts are welcome to the Panarites Sisters Scholarship Fund of Keuka College, 141 Central Avenue, Keuka Park, New York 14478, or CABVI (former Association for the Blind), 507 Kent St., Utica, NY 13501
Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, Ilion, on Thursday, September 21, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. The funeral will commence on Thursday morning also, with prayer at 10:15 a.m., at the funeral home, continuing at Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, East Herkimer, at 11:00: a.m., with Fr. Vasil Dubee, officiating. Bill will then be laid to eternal rest at Armory Hill Cemetery, Ilion.
Bela’s funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate Funeral Directors.
Online condolences may be left at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bela Bill Gaspar, please visit our flower store.
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors