Julius Balogh 1938-2025

Julius was born July 15, 1938, in Erd, Hungary. While he was still a young child, his parents — Stephen and Helen Kopocs Balogh — left Hungary and took Julius with them to escape deadly attacks during the Russian takeover of Hungary. Julius’s older brother Stephen and most of the extended family were lost in the Russian conflict.

The First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown on Wick Avenue sponsored and welcomed the Balogh family, who remained grateful to the church for helping them make a new life in the U.S. Church members such as Marti Brenner taught Julius to speak English.

In adulthood, Julius gave more than 40 years of humble, selfless service to the First Presbyterian Church community. For years, he served as a stellar deacon, chaired the annual Thanksgiving free community dinner and served on numerous church committees, including Christian education and the Gutknecht Towers mission. Every Sunday, Julius would volunteer to deliver flowers to parishioners who were ill, grieving or hospitalized.

Julius lived with great compassion. Over the years, he became a caregiver to numerous people who had no one else to help them during old age, illness and isolation. Julius always looked for ways to serve, to care, to help. If you knew Julius, you know that.

Julius and his family were grateful for being in this country; he often mentioned how much he loved the USA. He served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1965 and honored the service and sacrifice of every veteran. He especially appreciated the Veterans Administration and the Carl Nunziato VA Clinic in Youngstown for providing essential VA medical services during his illness the last six years. Dr. Singh was Julius’s long-appreciated physician, aided by Karen, the physician’s assistant.

The Balogh neighbors around Palestine Avenue became cherished friends and adopted family. Julius was appreciated for his continued commitments and caring for several of these neighbors.

Julius graduated from Boardman High School in 1958 and then attended Youngstown State University and graduated in 1963 with a degree in political science. Julius was a purchasing officer for GoJo, after working in New York City; Newport News, Virginia; and Conneaut, Ohio.

Julius devoured his passions, becoming a self-taught master of opera, classical literature, classical music, history and the Bible. Some close friends thought he was the smartest person they knew.

The staff at The Inn at Glenellen provided a caring, comfortable and peaceful home for Julius; nurse Kathy was his favorite staff person.

Julius will be deeply missed by friends Jay Blackstone, Patrick Alberti, Dave Burnette and Jeanne Goodman — as well as others.

On earth, Julius held a special caring space: a source of kindness, selflessness and compassion. To many folks, he was special. Well done, good and faithful servant. Heaven holds Julius now, free from trauma and illness. Free to understand how much he is loved.

Friends are invited to recall memories of Julius at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in the parlor of First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave., Youngstown, where a memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Julius will be buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Boardman.

Arrangements were entrusted to the professional care of the Thompson Filicky Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman. Family and friends may visit www.thompsonfh1932.com to view this obituary and to send condolences to Julius’s family.

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