Bela Eugene Varga Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Béla Eugene Varga survived cancer, heart bypass surgery, even exposure to atomic bomb testing, yet he celebrated 91 full years of life. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family on the first day of spring, as he loved the sunshine. He was born December 5, 1929, in Ecorse, MI, the son of Vincent and Mary (Gergye) Varga, Hungarian immigrants who came to America through Ellis Island. He graduated from Ecorse High School and served in the US Army at Fort Bliss, TX from 1951-53. As Private First Class, he was proud to be part of the First Guided Missile Group serving on the short-range anti-aircraft missile (SAM) project. He received a National Defense Service Medal. In 1959, he married Patricia Nowak and they embarked on a journey of 61 vibrant years together. Known throughout his life as Bill, he was gregarious, loved by all, and brought a ray of sunshine wherever he went. He served as President of the Ecorse Jaycees and belonged to several organizations, including St. Malachy Church, Warren Theatre Guild (as resident videographer), and – his favorite – the Clean Plate Club. Bill owned Post Cleaners in Detroit before his final career with Prudential Insurance, where he spent 20 years earning many accolades including Rookie of the Year. His nature was not as a salesman, rather a good friend who sincerely cared about people. A devoted father and grandfather, Bill attended countless school concerts, athletic events, plays, school art shows, and Thanksgiving Day basement talent shows. He was proud of all the kids. His favorite phrase, which became our family creed, is “This is living!” Bill had a great sense of humor and enjoyed having fun. He and Pat never passed up an opportunity to rip up the dance floor doing the Jitterbug, Cha-cha and Foxtrot. He made a mean Southern Comfort Manhattan and was a creative guy who could fix just about anything with duct tape, paper clips and string. He and Pat had a great retirement, traveling the U.S. and abroad. He loved food and often closed his eyes while eating. Bill savored everything, and he wanted you to savor life with him – his joy was infectious. Bill is predeceased by his parents, brother Richard Varga, and son-in-law Alan Shippey. He is survived by his wife, Pat, and children: John (Cheron Surant), Laura (Colette Jacobsen), Lynn Shippey, and Jeff (Riley Whinnery); and 9 grandchildren: Dylan (Brandy), Vance, Brendan, Jay, Emily, Kara, Adam, Evan, and Mary; as well as his nephews, David and Tom Varga. There will be a private Celebration of Life, and his ashes will be inurned at Resurrection Cemetery. As in life, he would like to take care of Pat, so in lieu of flowers please donate to Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation (www.parkinsonsmi.org) or simply be nice to people. Bill would love that.

Bela Eugene Varga

December 5, 1929 - March 21, 2021