Anthony Vattay

Anthony Vattay, 84 of Keyport, passed away Tuesday October 6, 2015 at home surrounded by his family.

He was born in Kosice, Slovakia (formerly Czechoslovakia), and later immigrated to the United States after World War II.  He survived the Nazi occupation and then he escaped from behind the Iron Curtain that descended upon Eastern Europe after the Allies split up the Axis territories following the end of the War. 

Anthony escaped Slovakia by hiding underneath the Intercontinental Orient Express, by holding onto the brake axels beneath the train for hours at a time.  He would find himself freedom through escaping to postwar West Germany.

He then came to the United States where he would reside in Hoboken for several years and Jersey City for 49 years before later moving to Keyport, NJ. 

Anthony was predeceased by his parents Anton Vattay and Anna Fenus; a brother John and a sister Martha.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Arsenia (Irizarry) Vattay; a daughter, Dr. Janet Mahoney of Keyport, a son Anthony Vattay Jr. and his wife Celia of Boston, Massachusetts; and three grandchildren Patrick Mahoney and his wife Allyson, Michele Taylor and her husband Jason, as well as Anton Vattay III, and three great grandsons Braedon, Avery and Bryce.

And, not to forget, Teddy his parakeet.

He will always be remembered as Grandpa the Great.

At the request of the family, Anthony will be privately cremated.

Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Mass Friday, October 9, 2015 10:30AM at St Joseph’s Church, 376 Maple Place Keyport, New Jersey 07735.                

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial contributions be made to the Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies at Monmouth University, for the Vattay Scholarship, 400 Cedar Ave. West Long Branch, New Jersey 07764.  To visit our website or send the family an online condolence, please visit www.dayfuneralhome.com.