In Celebration of
Nicholas Michael Stephen Bethlenfalvy
April 4, 1930 - July 13, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce Nick’s passing at the age of 95. He died peacefully surrounded by family. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Ester in 2023, whom he was married to for 68 blessed years. Nick will be deeply missed by his children - Peter (Paula Hughes), Carla and Sylvia, and grandchildren Alexandra, Matthew, Allegra, Ryan and Nicholas.
Nick was born in Slovakia near the High Tatra Mountains where he had an idyllic childhood. He loved nature and his goal was to become a forestry engineer. But after WW2 his dreams were dashed when communism destroyed his prospects. At the age of 19, Nick and his best friend Joseph Kissoczy escaped through deadly landmines to freedom in Austria. They never saw their parents again.
Nick emigrated to Canada at age 21 and worked his way through U of T, obtaining his engineering degree in 4 years. Living in a foreign city and not speaking English was challenging, but he viewed his situation as an adventure. Nick met Ester in Toronto and after graduating, they married and moved to Shawinigan, Quebec, where he began his 30-year career with Alcan.
Nick built furniture in his spare time and later, 2 cottages in the Laurentians, where the family spent wonderful times together. They raised their 3 children in Montreal and in 1980 moved to Geneva, Switzerland for 6 years. After his great career at Alcan, they moved to Toronto, and he started an import-distribution business of children’s ride-on toys, “Kids in Motion,” which brought him great satisfaction.
In retirement, Nick and Ester spent many years snow-birding to Naples, Florida, and traveling and cruising. Their senior years were filled with the joyful company of family and cherished friends.
Nick arrived in Canada with nothing and built a remarkable life, always grateful for the opportunities this country provided to him and his family. He was an old-school gentleman who lived his life with dignity, strength, passion, industriousness, positivity and devotion to family (and our pets!). He will always remain a hero to his children and grandchildren.
Our family is tremendously grateful for the wonderful care Nick received from doctors, nurses, PSWs and his much-loved live-in nurse Ashley.
A celebration of life will be held in the fall.
If interested, donations may be made in Nick's name to the Diabetes Association of Canada.
Nick was born in Slovakia near the High Tatra Mountains where he had an idyllic childhood. He loved nature and his goal was to become a forestry engineer. But after WW2 his dreams were dashed when communism destroyed his prospects. At the age of 19, Nick and his best friend Joseph Kissoczy escaped through deadly landmines to freedom in Austria. They never saw their parents again.
Nick emigrated to Canada at age 21 and worked his way through U of T, obtaining his engineering degree in 4 years. Living in a foreign city and not speaking English was challenging, but he viewed his situation as an adventure. Nick met Ester in Toronto and after graduating, they married and moved to Shawinigan, Quebec, where he began his 30-year career with Alcan.
Nick built furniture in his spare time and later, 2 cottages in the Laurentians, where the family spent wonderful times together. They raised their 3 children in Montreal and in 1980 moved to Geneva, Switzerland for 6 years. After his great career at Alcan, they moved to Toronto, and he started an import-distribution business of children’s ride-on toys, “Kids in Motion,” which brought him great satisfaction.
In retirement, Nick and Ester spent many years snow-birding to Naples, Florida, and traveling and cruising. Their senior years were filled with the joyful company of family and cherished friends.
Nick arrived in Canada with nothing and built a remarkable life, always grateful for the opportunities this country provided to him and his family. He was an old-school gentleman who lived his life with dignity, strength, passion, industriousness, positivity and devotion to family (and our pets!). He will always remain a hero to his children and grandchildren.
Our family is tremendously grateful for the wonderful care Nick received from doctors, nurses, PSWs and his much-loved live-in nurse Ashley.
A celebration of life will be held in the fall.
If interested, donations may be made in Nick's name to the Diabetes Association of Canada.