Eugene Varga passed away in Brooks on December 18th, 2005 at the age of 90 years. Born in Hungary on April 5th, 1915 Eugene came to Canada with his father in the late 1920’s to Ontario where they operated a greenhouse. They lost the greenhouse during the depression and his dad returned to Hungary. Eugene rode the rails to California and later to Alberta looking for work, eventually settling in Retlaw. He met Helen Mezei there and they were married in 1947. They moved to Calgary where Eugene took a job with Standen Springs and later operated a street sweeper for the City of Calgary. They came to the Brooks area in 1967 to farm in the One Tree district until moving to town in 1981. Eugene had worked for the County of Newell for a short time. He will be lovingly remembered for his sense of humour, by the coffee group at Ace’s Café and for his extremely slow and cautious driving. He was predeceased by Helen on December 7th, 2000 and his daughter Elizabeth Riste on March 19th, 2002. He is survived by 2 sons Nicholas of Vancouver and Jim (Dorothy) of Lloydminster; granddaughter Laura (Calvin) Bassett of Iddesleigh; grandsons Christopher Varga, Jason Varga and Richard Varga and his brother Emil and his family in Hungary. In memory of Eugene, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Brooks and District Health Foundation, Bag 300, Brooks T1R 1B3. Arrangements in care of SMITH FUNERAL HOME. Telephone 362-4636 or Toll Free (866) 362-4652.
