Ludovic "Lajos" Osvath

LAJOS (LUDOVIC) OSVATH, age 84. Beloved husband of Jolan (nee Pacso). Loving father of Judith. Cherished grandfather of Kristina Duda (Paul), Thomas Nagy (Markilynn) and Steven Nagy (Kasandra). Dear brother of Margit Hidan (of Hungary), Miklos (of Romania) and the the late Tibor. Also survived by nieces, nephews, many dear friends and especially his cousins George Feher (Dorina) and Elizabeth Feher.

Lajos Osvath was born on July 22nd, 1938 as the first child to Anna Feher and Lajos Osvath in Lupoaia (Ordogkut), Romania, in the region of Salaj (Szilagymegye). The family grew as God blessed them with 3 more children: Tibor, Margit, and Miklos. By this time the family relocated to Viisoara (Erszolos) in the region of Bihor (Bihar megye) to great grandpa’s farm. The parents wanted a good education for their son Lajos, and at the age of 14, his mother Anna took him to Cluj (Kolozsvar) where she enrolled him in finance school in higher education.  Here Lajos met a Christian man from the local Hungarian Baptist church, who became his role model. From this time until his death, Lajos was a follower of Jesus. At the age of 25 he met his future wife, Jolan Pacso, and they married in 1963.

During the 1970’s and the dark Ceausescu regime, Christians were persecuted by the communists more and more. The communist party confiscated church properties from the villagers as well as the building materials that Christians purchased to build their congregations. The communists used the confiscated properties and materials to build their own communist propaganda party club houses and put many Christians in communist work camps along the Danube River to build dens.

Lajos documented these cases and filed several Declarations and Affidavits on behalf of these churches against the communist party, fighting for human and religious rights. With his Christian friends and brothers, they smuggled Bibles across the border between Romania and then Soviet Union to Moldova where Christians were persecuted by the Soviets. In his old car, Lajos carried hundreds of Bibles. His activities against the communist party resulted in his arrest and beating by the Secret Police, his house was also raided numerous times.

By the year 1979, Amnesty International followed the persecution of Christians in Romania, including the activity of Lajos, and arranged the sponsorship and invitation for Lajos and his family to the U.S.A. With the help of Amnesty International and American churches, the family received political asylum. In April 1980, the family landed in New York, where at the border they entered as legal immigrants. Five years later in 1985, Lajos became a proud citizen of the United States and ultimately settled in Cleveland. During the following years, he helped many other immigrant families who were fleeing from communism in the Eastern block of Europe during the 80’s, most of who remained his friends for decades.

In 1989, after the fall of Communism in Europe, Lajos was overjoyed to hear that the churches he fought for were able to build their new sanctuaries. His suffering for freedom was not meaningless.

Lajos enjoyed a long and happy retirement amongst his family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his three grandchildren and was a member of the local Hungarian Baptist church in Cleveland until his passing. Until his health would allow him, he volunteered to take those who couldn’t drive to doctor’s appointments, church, and even day trips to Niagara Falls or Amish Country. He considered serving others as service to the Lord.

On May 1st, just three days before his passing, Lajos and Jolan were able to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. They were able to reflect on 6 decades of laughter, friendship, and countless beautiful memories. He passed away with his family by his side and will spend eternity worshipping his Lord and Savior.

Funeral services Monday evening May 8, 2023 at the funeral home 7:00 PM. Private interment Woodvale Cemetery. The family will receive friends MONDAY EVENING  5 – 7 PM at the A. RIPEPI & SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY ROAD, MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS (WEST OF I-71).

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