Obituary of Lajos Kovacs

Oneida-Lajos Kovacs, age 77, of 114 Hunt Valley Rd. Oneida, NY died on November 13th, 2019 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, NY. Lajos was born on August 11th, 1942 in Szigetszentmiklos, Hungary, the son of Jozsef Kovacs and Bakonya Julianna. He received his degree in pharmacy from Budapest University in 1967. In September of 1970, he defected from communist Hungary and spent 8 months in a refugee camp in Italy while waiting for a visa to the United States. On May 25th 1971, he emigrated to the United States and first settled in Buffalo, NY with his sister. Lajos was united in marriage to Ibolya Kiss on June 5th 1971 and together they lived in Amhurst, NY. He worked at Buffalo China while also interning at a local hospital until he received his pharmacy license from New York State in March of 1976. On November 18th 1976 Lajos received his United States citizenship. In 1981, Lajos moved to Vernon, NY with his family where he owned Vernon Rexall Drugs and was the pharmacist for over 20 years. After selling the business he worked as a pharmacist at Eckert Drugs and Price Chopper until he retired in 2007. After retirement, Lajos enjoyed traveling with his wife, visiting his sons in Atlanta and Los Angeles, and trips back to Hungary and Italy. Lajos is survived by his wife, Ibolya, his sister Julia Horvath of Hungary, two sons, Louis of Atlanta, GA and Peter and wife Sarah of Monterey Park, CA, one daughter Erika Medvegy of Hungary, three grandchildren, Miles, Zsolt, Istvan and multiple nieces and nephews. Calling Hours will be 4:00-6:00 PM on Wednesday November 20th and the funeral service will be at 10:30 AM on Thursday November 21st at Malecki Funeral Home located at 23 Front St. in Vernon, NY. Interment will be at St. Helena Cemetery in Sherrill, NY.