Laszlo Lesku

Laszlo Lesku was born on April 8, 1940 in Budapest, Hungary. He passed away on April 7, 2014.
Laz grew up in Communist Hungary, and defected from there in 1956 after the Revolution, when he was 16 years old. Soon after his arrival in the United States, he attended Verde Valley High School in Sedona, Arizona. His roommate there was Starr Lanphere, which led him to Arcata, California. After graduation, he attended Humboldt State University and worked at Safeway as a Box Boy. In the middle of his college attendance, he served two years in the Army. He graduated from HSU in June of 1966 with a BA in Social Studies. In 1968 he received his teaching credential.
While working at Safeway, he would often help a cute, young woman out with her groceries. This woman was Deanna Deuel. The two were married on June 8, 1968. They were blessed with their daughter Erika in 1971.
Laz began his teaching career at Fortuna High School in 1968. Over the years he taught History, U.S. Government, Economics and an Honors Political Science class he created. He retired in 2000 after 32 years of teaching.
Over his 32 years in education he was also a positive, motivating coach. He coached track, football and soccer, but as everyone knows, soccer was his love. He was the driving force to bringing soccer to Humboldt County. He coached youth soccer, high school soccer and formed and played on many adult teams. He also earned his A license in refereeing, and taught many classes in refereeing. In 1992 he was honored as CIF North Coast Section Boys Soccer Coach of the year. The following year he was honored as the California Soccer Coach of the year.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years Deanna, and his daughter Erika Lesku. He enjoyed getting to know Erika’s boyfriend Demetrius Williams. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Darrel and Janet Deuel; niece Jamie (Tim) Eisenbeisz, nephews Dan (Miriam) Deuel and Darren (Candace) Deuel and 10 great nieces and nephews. He is also survived by 2 brothers, Ferenc and Pal of Hungary.
A Memorial service for Laz will take place on Friday, April 11, 2014 at 11:30 AM at Christ Lutheran Church, 2132 Smith Lane, Fortuna, CA. In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Laz may be sent to Christ Lutheran Church or to the Fortuna High School scholarship fund.
Arrangements are under the care of Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary, Fortuna, CA.

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