Bridgeland 1212.indd - Calgary Communities and Community ...

TRIBUTE TO ZOLTAN NAGY
My friend, Zoltan Charles Nagy, a long time Bridgeland
resident died suddenly on May 21, 2011 at the age of 62.
Zoltan was a generous and gregarious man of endless energy who
loved life and his neighbourhood of Bridgeland. Born in 1949 he
grew up on a farm in St. Brieux, Saskatchewan with his twin sister
and four older siblings.
In 1979 he moved to Calgary and the following year bought his
house at 618 10th Street NE, at the top edge of the hill on the east
side, where he lived for 31 years.
He ran his business, Zoltan Nagy Home Furnishings and Zoltan
Home Staging and Design out of his Bridgeland home. Zoltan adored
living in Bridgeland, volunteered his services wherever he could, and
would tell anyone who would listen about the special place he lived.
My friend not only designed his own house but also countless
others, helping people create wonderfully comfortable environments
to live in. He also put his infectious energy to improving his own
neighbourhood.
Zoltan was a member of the City of Calgary’s ‘Adopt a Park
Program’ for most of the past 30 years. There was a small parkette on
the north side of his home, a short cut for pedestrians walking down
the 10th Street hill. The parkette was a muddy steep unmaintained
green spot in Bridgeland.
Zoltan, out of his own pocket took it upon himself to plant trees
and shrubs to beautify the green space. He even built steps at the
steep part of the short cut for safety. His efforts went way beyond the
‘Adopt a Park Program’ of watering and weeding. He was so proud
of the park; he would talk and take people on tours of the improved
green space.
Zoltan didn’t stop there. Five years ago he could no longer stand the
muddy, weedy hill across from his house on the west side of the 10th
Street hill. He put his energies
to plant various perennials and
bushes he collected from his
own property and his friends,
my plants included, to improve
the Bridgeland environment.
He faithfully maintained both
spaces with loving care and
immense pride.
I believe these spaces are
my friend’s gift to the people
of Bridgeland and The City
of Calgary. The spaces are a reflection of a wonderful man’s life,
his appreciation of aesthetic and community. It would be a great
tribute to him, as well as a wonderful example of community
involvement to others, to have the hill named after him as Zoltan
Hill. A tribute to him, and to individuals who, mostly anonymously,
improve the lives of those around them.
12 Bridgeland-Riverside Bridges
February 2013