Paul Varga, 85
SALISBURY - Paul Varga passed away on August 24, 2021. Born in Szarvas, Hungary, he moved to the U.S. when he was 20. After graduating from high school in 1954, he trained at a vocational school as a machinist. In 1956, while working and training away from home, he joined a group that supported the Hungarian Revolution Army. After the Russian army dissolved this group, and fearing for his safety, he fled Hungary. He and his friends crossed the border to Austria, where he elected to immigrate to the United States. Paul arrived at U.S. Army Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, as a refugee. The refugee resettlement agency found lodgings and work for him at Pratt and Whitney Mgr. Co. in Hartford, Connecticut utilizing his machinist skills.
In the summer of 1957, he took advantage of a scholarship program offered at the University of Florida to speak, read and write English. He had no exposure to the English language while living in Hungary. That same year, he was accepted into the University of Massachusetts Engineering program. He graduated in 1961 with a degree in Engineering and then earned his Professional Engineering Certificate.
Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army in the fall of 1961 and served until 1964 at the Ft Lee, Virginia army base. He worked for an engineering section on various projects. For his diligence and unblemished record, he received a "Soldier of the Month" award. During this time, he was also granted US citizenship.
After his tour in the U.S. Army, he accepted an engineering position with the Armstrong Rubber Company in West Haven, Connecticut. In 1966, he took a position with the engineering division of ILC Industries in Dover, Delaware, that was focusing on the space program. During his tenure with ILC, he worked designing parts for the space suit that was used by astronauts in space flights and moon missions. He left ILC in 1972 when the NASA moon mission program ended, and relocated to Salisbury, Maryland. He worked for the Salisbury Steel Company until 1976 when he started his own company called "Salisbury Special Tool". His new company specialized in machined parts and later specialized in making precision gages.
Paul was a life-long tennis player and enjoyed the sport for many years. In retirement, he enjoyed playing and watching competitive tennis tournaments, reading, cooking and "tinkering" around his house and workshop.
He is survived by his daughters, Cynthia Varga Coccio (Steve) and Denise Varga Insley (JR); five grandchildren, and five great grand-children.
A private memorial service for family will be held in November.