Erno “Ernie” Juray, Sr., age 80 years, of Hopewell, NJ, died on Monday, November 28, 2016 at Capital Health System Fuld Campus, Trenton, NJ.

Born in Himod, Hungary, October 14, 1936, son of the late András Juray, Sr. and Terezia Barna Juray, he resided in Hopewell for the past fourteen years, having formerly lived in Flemington and Passaic, NJ.

Growing up in Hungary, Ernie was one of the “Freedom Fighters” who fought against communist rule during the Hungarian Revolution. He immigrated to the United States in 1956 through Camp Kilmer in New Jersey, which served as housing for Refugee’s of the Revolution. He visited his homeland of Himod Hungary this past summer for the 1st time after leaving 60 years ago. His home coming was featured in the local Hungarian paper as “Local Hero Comes Home”!

He became well respected in the field of construction, specializing for 55 years in Sheetrock and Spackle, operating Juray Drywall and later E. Juray Construction, based in Frenchtown NJ. He was very well known for his sheet rocking and spackling abilities, his level of detail and customer service was of paramount importance and why his customers became his friends.

Above all else, Ernie will be remembered for the hard work and long hours he put in to support his family. Coming to the United States with only $14 in his pocket made him acutely aware of what it took to survive in a new country. He always made certain that his word was his bond and that he would help anyone in need.

He enjoyed deer hunting, horses, and was an avid soccer fan. His favorite teams were Hungary and Real Madrid. After the death of his loving wife, Katalin M. Kovacs Juray’s in 1998, he took up cooking and was well known for his famous Hungarian cooking and baking amongst family and friends! He hoped after retiring this year to open a Hungarian restaurant in Hopewell.

Always full of spunk, Ernie was a longtime member of the Hungarian Club of Garfield and Woodbridge, NJ where he enjoyed celebrating festivals, attending parties, and enjoying friends.

Surviving are his son, Erno Juray, Jr. of Hopewell, NJ; a daughter, Gabriella Juray Kelly and son in law, Michael C. Kelly of Hamilton Sq., NJ; his grandsons, Dean and Bryce Kelly; two brothers, Robert and his wife, Linda Juray of Frenchtown, NJ and Andras Juray  and his wife, Edit Nagy of Himod Hungary; several nieces, nephews and extended family; and many dear friends.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel at Ewing Cemetery, 78 Scotch Road, Ewing, NJ, 08628 under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. Cremation will follow. Everyone is kindly asked to be at the Chapel on Saturday no later than 10:25 a.m.

Everyone is invited to visit Ernie’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to send a public or private message of condolence and to share stories and photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes anyone desiring to make a contribution in Ernie’s memory to do so toward the funeral expenses. Donations may be made c/o Wright & Ford, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822.