JOHN

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JOHN de KENYERES Capt. John de Kenyeres passed away after a lengthy illness on May 30, 2004. John was born in 1918 in Hungary. In 1939 he graduated from the Ludovika Royal Hungarian Military College with the rank of lieutenant. He was assigned to the 4th Hussar Regiment of Nyiregyhaza. He participated in the Second World War, was wounded and decorated for bravery. In 1945 was captured by the Soviet forces and spent six years in a prisoner of war camp under very trying conditions. After his return to Hungary he was interned as a political prisoner for another three years. He was released in 1954 and worked in different menial jobs. In 1956 after the Hungarian Revolution was defeated by the Soviets he and his wife Kathy left Hungary and found refuge in Canada. They settled in Toronto where he was offered a position with the Eglinton Pony Club as manager and chief equestrian instructor. He became Honorary Captain of the Lieutenant Governors Horse Guard. In 1970 John was offered a position in Winnipeg with the Charleswood Riding Club later known as Westgate, where he continued as instructor until his retirement. He was also a judge of international equestrian competitions. His excellent training skill left his mark on many of his students who became also his loyal friends even after his retirement. His wife Kathy predeceased him in 1998. He is mourned by his loving daughter Erzsebet Karolyi and his son-in-law Laszlo, his two sisters and their spouses, a nephew in Hungary, two granddaughters and four great-grandchildren in Austria, two nieces in the United States and many friends and his former students in Hungary and Canada. The family wishes to convey their gratitude to the staff of the Grace Hospital for the good care given to John during his illness. Funeral services will take place on Monday, June 7, at 11:00 a.m. at the St. Paul the Apostle Church, 2400 Portage Ave. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Capt. Kenyeres Scholarship Fund, in care of Dressage Winnipeg, Box 206, Oakville, MB R0H 0Y0. We will miss you John, rest in peace.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 05, 2004