Obituary: Dubay, Joseph J.
After the Russian invasion of Hungary in 1956 he escaped and made his way to the United States at the age of 16.
Although he knew nobody and did not speak the language, he taught himself English and put himself through school, first at Hartnell Junior College in Salinas, CA, then graduating with a degree in Animal Husbandry from Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo.
He met and married Susan, his wife of 52 years, while in Salinas.
In 1964, after graduating from Cal Poly he began his family and his career with the Farm Credit Services as a Field Officer in Indio, CA.
Multiple promotions throughout his distinguished career took he and his new family from Indio, CA to Berkeley, CA; Spokane, WA and Sacramento, CA.
He proudly pointed out he had started his new life in the United States as a poor immigrant driving a tractor in the fields and finished as an Executive Vice President with the bank … “Only in America!”
he would tell everyone.
After taking early retirement from the bank in 1994 he traveled and consulted for Moorman Seed/ADM in Quincy, IL for two years before settling comfortably into retirement in Spokane, WA with Susan surrounded by their children, grandchildren and numerous beloved friends.
His family and friends meant everything to Joe, he loved to travel, fish and to spend time with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife Susan; three children and their spouses - John and Denise, Bonnie and Jesse, Patrick and Angela; five grandchildren - Crystal, Caitlyn, Maggie, Chase and Noah.
In Hungary he is survived by his brother Istvan; sister-in-law Judit; nephews Gyuri and Csaba; their wives Kata and Tunde; their children - Andras, Eszter, Zsč´¸fia, Johanna, Mate, Christoph and Orsolya; and a large extended family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice House of Spokane in Joe’s name.
A vigil was held Friday evening, July 17th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 3520 E. 18th Ave., Spokane.
The Funeral Mass was celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning, July 18th at St. Peter’s Catholic Church followed by an inurnment at Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery.
At his request, he will forever be at rest in Hungary with his mother Rozalia; father Janos; and uncle Dr. Szalay Janos.
Arrangements have been entrusted to: