Peter Lengyel - RIP

Antipodean Andy · Nov 16, 2008

World War II vet Peter Lengyel remembered by family as real American hero - Flint, Michigan Community News - The Flint Journal – MLive.com

GRAND BLANC, Michigan -- Peter Lengyel downplayed his time spent fighting in World War II, saying only "I was there."

But to his family, his service in the war and his lifetime of working to support and raise them made him an all-American hero.

"They don't just give medals to people who show up -- they give them to real heroes. My dad was a real hero," son David Lengyel of Flint said.

Lengyel, 90, of Davison, the recipient of a Purple Heart and the Bronze star, died Monday of heart failure at Wynwood Brookdale Senior Living facility in Grand Blanc.

David Lengyel said his father rarely mentioned his time overseas -- he fought in the Philippines and New Guinea -- until he was in his 80s, and he thought of his service as a duty not a choice. He was wounded twice by shrapnel.

David Lengyel said his father enjoyed building and making jokes.

"He built birdhouses with me when I was young," David Lengyel said. "He once took a TV console, took out the screen and made it into a desk. I still use that desk to this day."

As kids, David Lengyel said he and his siblings found their father's jokes to be corny -- but he always made them laugh.

A Flint native and 30-year Davison resident, Peter Lengyel married Helen Lorenc in 1941 and the two raised their children, David, Steven and Mariann Lengyel with a belief in a Catholic faith, hard work and prioritizing.

"My mom and dad taught us to work hard, keep your nose clean and give it your best shot," David Lengyel said. "It was a formula for success -- emotional, financial and spiritual success. He taught us priorities -- that's God, family, city, state and nation."

David Lengyel said the notion of hard work was formed in Peter Lengyel after hisfather died in 1929, and then-10-year-old Peter -had to work to help support his mother and three brothers.

Peter Lengyel worked for 42 years with AC Delco and was a loyal union and General Motors man, said David Lengyel.
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Kyt · Nov 16, 2008

Sounds like a good family man too. RIP

Antipodean Andy · Nov 16, 2008

Yes, he certainly seems to have made sure his kids had a good family life after losing his Dad at 10.

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