Emery George Dora, Jr.

Emery George Dora, Jr., 82, born on October 7, 1932 in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, passed away September 26, 2015. He resided in Los Angeles, California at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California.

Emery was the firstborn of his parents Imre Gyorgy and Maria Nemeth Dora. He was a beautiful baby and grew up into a happy, healthy kid, loved and spoiled by parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. At a young age he became a devout Catholic, having many philosophical discussions about the teachings of the church with his best friend Bela. This stayed with him as he walked close to God all through his life.

Life was good, but then World War II happened. On December 24, 1944, the Siege of Budapest was began, one of the bloodiest of the war. The Russians encircled the city, sealing it off completely, thus trapping the German and Hungarian troops as well as 800,000 civilians. Food supplies ran out and starvation was rampant. With air raids, bombings and street fighting going on, the Dora family found refuge in their cellar. They were almost out of food when a stranger knocked at the door, bringing a food packet from an aunt. It remained a mystery how he had crossed the enemy lines and come through the street fighting unharmed. Telling this story Emery always became very emotional. It made such an impression on his young life.

After the war the Russian occupation of the country brought oppression, communism, loss of freedom, secret police and scarcity of any kind of food. In 1956 the people rebelled (the Hungarian Revolution). As a student at the Technical University of Budapest Emery found himself in the midst of it. At one time when the Russians shot point blank into the people two of his friends standing next to him were hit. Emery saved himself by diving into a recessed doorway. He, his friend Bela and Bela's wife decided to escape the country. In December of 1956 they said good-bye to loved ones and traveled to the border city of Sopron. After a harrowing trek in the dark on narrow goat paths over the hills behind Sopron, ducking each time a border searchlight flashed by, they finally made it into Austria.

From Austria they were moved to France, to the city of Metz. Here the met the baroness De Wendel, who took the three of them under her wing and invited them to live at her castle. The baroness was a member of the De Wendel family who owned the largest steel mills in Europe, having 45,000 employees. Both Emery and Bela were offered jobs as engineers in their offices. Life was very good, but Emery kept dreaming of California, where some of his friends had already settled. In January 1959 he obtained the necessary papers and finally was able to come to the United States and California.

He had no trouble finding work. After he received government clearance he worked on the Atlas missile and later also on the Sigorsky helicopter. He worked very hard to get ahead In his new country, taking classes in business at UCLA and further educating himself. In December 1961 he met Rita, shortly arrived from the Netherlands and here on a temporary basis. They married September 1, 1962 in Beverly Hills and soon thereafter bought their house in the Hollywood Hills. Carina Michelle was born May 20, 1966 and Emery George III arrived April 19, 1969.

Travel was a favorite of the family and even when little the kids were always part of that, traveling every other year to Hungary, the Netherlands and parts of Europe, where each time a different part was visited. The in between years were reserved for travel in the US and camping trips among the redwoods. After they flew the nest to attend their different universities and build a life for themselves, traveling became more extensive.

Emery had a deep love for this country, for its values, for the freedom and the opportunities it provided for all who were willing to work hard. However in his heart he always remained Hungarian, proud of Hungary's culture, its tradition and heritage.

He was a wonderful and dear husband and a caring father. He loved his family, celebrating each and every occasion. He will be terribly missed. We rejoice that his suffering here on earth is done and he is at peace and experiences the joy of our Father's heavenly home.

He is survived by his wife Rita, our children Carina and Emery III and his brother George and family.


Note: Please send no flowers. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to 'The Little Sister of the Poor', 2100 Western Ave, San Pedro, CA 90732.