Turai – Benedek (Benito) Jozsef Turai, it is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Ben Turai on April 17, 2007, beloved husband of Piroska Teresa, father of Marta and Judith. Ben was born on March 09, 1931 in Fot Pest Megye, Hungary. Ben was the 10th child of Turai Jozsef and Maria. He was predeceased by brothers Jozsef, Janos, Istvan, Andras and Sandor and sisters Maria, Julianna, and Borbala. In 1931, Benito Mussolini became Ben’s godfather in an act to solidify relations between Italy and Hungary. Ben received his schooling in Fot, Budapest and in the military and was a fine machinist by trade. In 1954, Ben and Piroska were married on Palm Sunday. It was a turbulent time in Hungary and Ben was forced to leave his homeland because of his role as a Freedom Fighter in the 1956 Revolution he escaped to Austria on Nov 21, 1956. Theresa went to Austria to be with Ben at the same time Ben had returned to Hungary to find his wife. Ben and Theresa were reunited on Dec. 28, 1956. They immigrated first to Windsor Ontario and then settled in Brooks from 1957-61 where Ben learned the floor covering trade. Marta was born in 1958 and Judith in 1960. In 1961, Ben started his own floor covering business (Benito’s Floor Covering) in Calgary. He returned to Brooks in April of 1968 when he set up his business in the old Newell Plumbing Building on 1st street. The family lived in the back of the store for 5 years to help realize their dream. On Feb 01, 1973, Ben became the happiest man in the world when he was able to purchase the Brooks Bowling Center. Ben was an accomplished bowler in Hungary and carried that passion with him to Brooks. As a proprietor of Ben’s Bowling and Billiards, Ben was able to combine his love of the game with his other great passion, meeting and enjoying people. Many a wayward boy unexpectedly learned life skills in things such as good manners, respecting others and enduring friendships from the big man with a bigger heart behind the counter at Ben’s Bowling. Ben truly enjoyed engaging with people of all ages. Ben is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Theresa, his daughter Judith and Pal Varga, daughter Marta and Murray Hampshire and 5 grandchildren – Rico, Laszlo, Alexandra, Benjamin and Sydney. He is survived by his brother Peter in Hungary and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held in celebration of the life of Ben Turai at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brooks on Monday, May 07 at 2:00 PM. Rev. John Theiss officiating. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Brooks and District Health Foundation for Palliative Care, Bag 300, Brooks T1R 1B3 or the Stars Ambulance Foundation, 1441 Aviation Park NE Box 570, Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7. arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME. Telephone 362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652.
