Erno Takacs

Erno Takacs, a highly respected engineer and beloved family man, passed away on November 23, 2025, at HavenCare at Valerie Manor in Torrington, CT. Born on May 18, 1936, in Alsobagod, Hungary, he was the son of the late Istvan and Erzsebet (Farkas) Takacs.

Erno grew up in a small village in Hungary under Nazi and then Communist occupation. He frequently shared stories about his youth in the farmlands of Bagod, from tending to his cherished cow, Hatyu, to playing with discarded grenades. Under post-war Communist rule, it was decided that Erno would be a schoolteacher and, so at age 18, he began to teach first through fourth grade in a neighboring village. Less than two years later, in November 1956, his best friend appeared in his classroom with a plan to escape to Austria, after sharing the news of Soviet tanks crushing the Hungarian Revolution in Budapest. Without having time to say goodbye to his family and with the barest essentials, they set off on bicycles in what could only later be described as a comedy of errors—along the jagged border between Hungary and Austria, they escaped, re-entered, and escaped again. They eventually found their way to a refugee camp in Austria, then flown by US military transport plane to Camp Kilmer, NJ, where they were welcomed into their new country. Erno was ultimately sponsored by a family in Torrington, which he proudly called home until his death.

Erno’s life truly embodied the American dream. He worked his way from janitor to chief engineer, learning English and obtaining a degree in metallurgical engineering through correspondence school, ultimately retiring from Brunswick Corporation after 41 years of service. A proud veteran, he served in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1962, fulfilling his duty to his new country with honor, meeting lifelong friends (“brothers”) and traveling to exotic places like Thule Air Base in Greenland and Christmas Island. He often shared his experiences with family and friends, sometimes declaring: “Best years of my life!”

Erno lived life to the fullest. He was a talented soccer player through his 40s, playing in local leagues. He and some of his fellow teammates and friends started Torrington Youth Soccer, for which he coached into his later years. Erno was an amazing cook and gardener; he and his friends shared gardening tips and proudly showed off and shared their produce. Erno was also an accomplished photographer in a time before digital photography took away some of the subtle skills required. A life-long learner, he voraciously read everything from National Geographic and Time magazines to books about philosophy, space, and quantum physics. Erno loved to travel and expose his family to new places; he would spend countless hours mapping out driving routes throughout the US and planning trips to Europe and especially his beloved Hungary.

Erno was a dedicated husband and cherished every moment he could with his wife Erzsebet. While they grew up less than a mile apart, it was only after Erno returned to visit Hungary, 10 years after escaping, that he again set eyes on the love of his life in the final hours of his trip. Their subsequent two-year courtship-by-correspondence led to a proposal by airmail and ultimately, their wedding in Bagod and a beautiful and inspiring 58-year marriage. They were rarely apart and he declared she was the best thing that ever happened to him.

While Erno and Erzsebet had to leave their beloved country behind, they became one with the local Hungarian community who became not only friends for life, but truly family. Erno was so proud of his Hungarian heritage, cooking the most amazing dishes and teaching his children how to read and write a language whose origin fascinated him to his last days. His greatest joy was sharing his life and the Hungarian culture with all, cooking delicious meals like gulyás and csirke paprikás and proclaiming “Eat! Eat!” and telling stories over a glass of wine or pálinka.

Erno was a generous, loyal and caring husband and father, always encouraging and fully supporting his children’s interests and education above all. While he was never a pilot, he was dedicated to his son’s interest in aviation and was an honorary member of the Balsa Bandits Model Airplane Club. He also honored his daughter’s passion in ballet, from daily drives to The Nutmeg Ballet, attending countless performances, and volunteering backstage at the Warner Theater. Erno’s work ethic and perseverance were a model for his children and allowed them to go on to successful careers in aviation and medicine.

Erno’s faith sustained him and shaped his character. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary’s and then St. John Paul the Great Parish in Torrington. He could be found almost every Sunday morning at 7am Mass and one of his favorite Christmas traditions was to watch the Pope’s Mass from Rome.

He is survived by his loving wife, Erzsebet (Kiss) Takacs, and his cherished children and their spouses: son Robert Takacs and Cheri (Neumon) Takacs of Oxford, CT, and daughter Catherine Takacs Witkop and Jeff Witkop of McLean, VA. Erno's legacy continues through his four grandchildren, Lukas Takacs, Skyler Takacs, Gabriel Witkop, and Paul Witkop, all of whom held a special place in his heart.

In addition to his immediate family, Erno is also survived by his sister, Maria Kovacs, residing in Hungary. He is predeceased by his sister, Erzsebet Boncz.

The family would like to thank all those who cared for Erno and supported Erzsebet over the past few years: doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, health aides, and all other health professionals from Hartford HealthCare, Valerie Manor, Charlotte Hungerford and Hartford Hospitals.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at St. Peter Church (St. John Paul the Great Parish), 99 East Main St., Torrington, CT 06790. Relatives and friends are asked to meet directly at St. Peter Church. There are no calling hours. Entombment will follow at St. Peter Cemetery with full military honors accorded.

Memorial contributions can be made in lieu of flowers to The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory (www.nutmegconservatory.org).