Joseph F. Demendi

Dr. Joseph F. Demendi of Crystal Lake, Illinois , passed away on Sunday , January 23 , 2022 at his home at the age of 89 after a short illness. Joseph grew up in Gyula , Hungary , where he met his childhood sweetheart at age five and declared that he would marry her. Mary Jeszenszky and Joseph married on St. Joseph’s feast day, March 19, 1955 . Joseph was a very tenacious and persevering man who found ways to overcome many challenges in his life. Joseph, his wife and infant daughter left Hungary in December, just after the failed revolution of October 1956. The National American Academy of Science sponsored him to come to the U.S.

Joseph raised his family in St. Marys , PA, and after 27 years mov ed to Strongsville, OH, for a brief period, and then to Crystal Lake in 1992, where he remained until his death.

With a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Hungary and a Ph.D. Summa Cum Laude in Physical Science from the University of Strasbourg, France , Joseph had a long career and worked for several companies to include the former Pure Carbon of St . Marys , the former Tri-Bon of Cleveland, John Crane of Mor t on Grove, IL . With wide recognition in the U.S. and abroad he used his expertise in carbon processes and friction technologies design ing and buil ding friction and seal components for rockets, airplanes, space shuttles , to mention a few . He obtained many patents for his work. In the last decade he designed and built coking ovens for companies like S aint- Gobain.

Joseph was preceded in death by his wives, Mary Demendi an d Elizabeth Demendi .

He loved his family, friends and cherished the memories he made with them. Joseph is survived by his daughter, Lillian (Mark) Connor of Charlottesville, VA, and his son, Joseph Demendi Jr. of Crystal Lake, IL ; grandchildren, Justin Connor and Agnes (Claude) Clement of Charlottesville, VA, Alycia (Ryan) Demendi of Crystal Lake, IL, Brittany Demendi of Tampa, FL and Celeste Demendi of Long Branch, NJ ; great-grandchildren, Bode, Harper and Madeleine.

As a n avid chess player , Joseph was known to snag any willing victim to play every chance he could get. He repaired cuckoo clocks and even refurbished an anniversary clock . He enjoyed candle making for a while, ordering different gauges of wicks and pouring anew wax from remnant candles. Cooking was easy for

him as it was just “chemistry” with food. Joseph relished cooking and baking with his granddaughters , teaching them all the standard Hungarian and German dishes. He was smart and liked passing on what he knew by telling stories, teaching Latin proverbs and lessons from history. He will be missed.

A mass will be s aid for Joseph at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake on Monday, January 31 at 10:00am .

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, h eart.org/donate or the National Fragile X Foundation, fragilex.org/donate.