Paul Kalman Viragh

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Paul in his later years. Dad loved to work in his garden while listening to the melodious songs of native birds and inhaling fresh, pine-scented air from the forest a few feet away. Paul's beautiful childhood summer cottage property was his home again for 7 years until he returned to Canada in 2019. Dad also very much enjoyed visits from his family and was always willing to tour museums, art galleries, the Castle District, historical landmarks and wherever we wished to explore.

Paul was born, raised and married in Budapest, Hungary. Dad was gentle, kind, caring, helpful and a devoted husband, Father and Grandfather. Dad always took time to tell stories about his childhood, life experiences including lessons learned, wisdom gained and he described what WWII was like for him and his family.

Barely married for a few years, Mom and Dad fled Hungary to start a new life in Canada in 1956. Paul was passionate about discovering how things worked and fixing them if they were broken. Dad worked as an Electrical Technician until his retirement. Dad never sat still for long and was always doing something around the house, repairing broken items or in the garden when not at the shop he jointly owned in Medicine Hat.

Kelowna became Mom and Dad's new home in 1993, and they were happy to live there until they decided to move back to Hungary in 2012. Mom passed away in 2014 and Dad remained there until his health declined in 2019.

Dad then became all too acquainted with sitting and watched wrestling, listened to classical music while doing word searches or browsed his iPad for hours. Attending Mass, eating Luigi's Hawaiian pizza and Pop's Pub Friday night Fish & Chips meals were also highlights for Dad in his last years.

Paul peacefully passed away late in the afternoon on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. Paul leaves behind his loving son, Steve, daughter, Ildiko, son-in-law, Monte and grandson, Macallum.

Paul will be forever missed and always loved by his family and friends.

Paul’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Basil’s on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 11:00 am. All are welcome to attend.

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