Zoltan William Fazekas, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully at home in Mooresville, N.C., on August 30, 2025, at the age of 91.
He was born on February 3, 1934 in Linden, N.J., and was preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Julius Fazekas, and brothers, Julius Jr. and Ernest. Bill is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Ruth Kaslander Fazekas; daughters, Anne Kraemer and her husband John, Barbara Farish and her husband Tony, and Cathy Jellinek and her husband Larry; grandchildren, Maddie and her husband Michael, Will, Andrew, and Anna; great-granddaughter Amelia; nephew and nieces, Bobby, Caryn, Donna, Tracy, Susan, and their families.
Bill graduated from Lehigh University as a chemical engineer before serving in the U.S. Army. He then joined American Cyanamid Company, and his career took him all over the world. During this time, Bill and Ruth moved their family to the Netherlands, where they gained lifelong friends, including their treasured Tandraderen group.
Throughout his life, Bill enjoyed tennis, golf, any football game, reading, boating, cards and games, puttering, and, maybe more than anything, candy. He also found satisfaction through community service with the Verona Lion’s Club as a member and past president.
His Hungarian heritage was very important to him, from spending time at the Hungarian Club during his youth to indulging his legendary sweet tooth by teaching his grandchildren how to make his mother’s palacsinta.
Bill loved his Jersey Shore and welcomed everyone with a big smile, a good laugh, and a seat at the table. Above all, family and friends were most important to him, and whether you knew him as Zeke, Zolie, Dad, Pa, Uncle Bill, or Mr. Half-Right, he will be missed by so many.
Egészségére, Pa. We love you.
A celebration of Bill’s life will take place at a later date in New Jersey.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Fazekas family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.