Fr. Geza Pazmany

Father Geza Pazmany, Sch.P. passed away in his sleep at Devon Senior Living in Devon, PA on November 23, 2024. 

He was born in Budapest, Hungary on September 19, 1929. He studied with the Benedictine monks of Gyor, and he made his novitiate with the Cistercian monks of Zirc in the 1948-1949 school year. He began his theological studies in the diocesan seminary of Vezsprem from 1949 to 1951, and he continued his studies at the University of Vienna in Austria from 1951 to 1953.

 In 1953, he tried to return to Hungary, but the Communist government captured him and sent him to prison. He was originally sentenced for 15 years, but his sentence was later extended by another 10 years. Like Saints Peter and Paul, he managed to escape from prison. He returned to Austria and then moved to the United States in 1956.

 Once in the United States, he again began to re-think his vocation as a religious order priest. He had become aware of the Piarist Fathers while in Hungary. He particularly liked their call to educate the young. He entered their novitiate in Derby, NY on September 8, 1957 and professed his simple (temporary) vows on September 9, 1958. He then moved to the Piarist House of Studies in Washington, DC where he continued his theology studies at The Catholic University of America. He graduated in 1961. He professed his solemn (perpetual) vows on May 16, 1961 and became a priest on June 3, 1961.

 Father Geza spent all but three of his remaining years as a teacher at Devon Preparatory School in Devon, PA. He taught theology and mathematics. He helped at the Piarists’ House of Formation in Vienna from 1968 to 1969, resided in the Community of Derby, NY from 1978 to 1979, and taught mathematics at Calasanctius School in Buffalo, NY from 1979 to 1980. Father Geza returned to teach at Devon in 1980.

 Father Geza drove the school bus for many of the sports teams at Devon Prep. His pet dog, Joey, accompanied him on these trips and always sat on the seat just behind the driver.

 Throughout his years as a priest, he assisted at parishes, convents and diverse communities. He also served the Piarists in an unofficial capacity as an infirmarian, by graciously helping the other senior priests in Devon. 

 In the last few years, Father Geza resided at Devon Senior Living. When possible he concelebrated Mass in the facility’s chapel during the weekly Mass on Saturdays.

 The viewing and funeral Mass for Father Geza will take place at Saint Anastasia Church in Newtown Square, PA on Saturday, December 7. The viewing will begin at 9:30 AM, and the Mass will begin at 11:30 AM. His body will be buried at Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken, PA. 

 In lieu of flowers, the Piarist Fathers request that donations be made to the Piarist Fathers’ Formation and Retirement programs. Donations can be sent to: Piarist Fathers Development Office, P.O. Box 11822, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33339 or through their web site at https://piaristchallenge.com/

 The Piarist Fathers of the Province of the United States and Puerto Rico greatly appreciate the humble and devout contribution of Father Geza Pazmany. May he rest in peace.