Kalman "Kal" Vitez Illyefalvi, 95, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, Friday,
October 4, 2024, at the UPMC Hanover Hospital.

Born September 18, 1929, in Budapest, Hungary, he was son to the late Arpad and
Gizella Illyefalvi. Kal was the loving husband to Phyllis (Schwab) Illyefalvi with whom he
shared 62 years of marriage until her death on January 1st, 2015.

Kal immigrated to America with his mother in 1942 where they settled in New York City.
He attended the prestigious Bronx High School of Science. After graduation he served in
the United States Air Force which allowed him to attend and graduate NYU through the
GI Bill.

Kal was self-employed as a philatelist, forgery examiner and appraiser of stamps. He was
one of only nine International Stamp Judges in the world and was tasked to speak and
judge at many Philatelic Conventions. In addition to his life-long procurement of stamps,
over the years, he held many unique and interesting positions doing numerous types of
work. Kal worked for JHH as the Head Emergency Room Administrator, Plant Manager
for Teledyne, manufacturer of specialty model paints working for The Armory and many
years spent working for Hechinger's Paint Department after retiring.

In his free time, Kal loved collecting stamps, kachinas, American Indian artifacts, Eskimo
artifacts and completing jigsaw puzzles. He was an avid reader. He enjoyed regularly
reading numerous publications including Time, Scientific American and the Wall Street
Journal. Kal also further studied geology and astronomy. Kal was the ultimate volunteer.
Including donating countless hours and money to US Geological Survey, NARFE, the
MESA Health Study at JHH, numerous committees at Cross Keys Village/The Brethren
Home Community and hundreds of charitable organizations.

Kal absolutely loved soccer. He scheduled his retired life around watching as many soccer
games as possible. Most of all, Kal enjoyed spending his time with loving family,
grandchildren and beloved cat Whiskers. He truly was the most interesting man in the
room and would speak on any topic with anyone at anytime.

Kal is survived by his two children: daughter, Gizelle "Jill" A. Knoch and husband Dennis
of Westminster, MD, and his son, Stephen A. Illyefalvi and companion Laura Massoni of
Baltimore, MD, seven grandchildren: Dennis, Doug and Dawson Knoch, Brooklynn and
MacKay Illyefalvi, and Karly and Nora Massoni, and one great grandchild, Dennis.

Following cremation, a service will be held at the Brethren Home in the future.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions may be made in
Kalman's memory to The Brethren Home Foundation, 717-624-5208.
Wetzel Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. has been entrusted by the family with the
arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.wetzelfuneralhome.com .