Ignatz Horvath

Ignatz “Iggy” Horvath, 84, of Fairfield, died March 4 in Gardener Heights Nursing Home after suffering for a number of years with Alzheimer’s disease. As an advocate for local ecological controls and preservation, Iggy Horvath was a recognizable figure to the townspeople of greater Fairfield County through the 1960s and 1970s, and many a summer afternoon, he could be found fishing in Taunton Pond and other Newtown waterways.

 Born February 8, 1917, in the old West End of Bridgeport, Ignatz Horvath was the oldest boy of Hungarian immigrant parents. He was a longtime resident of Fairfield, and a retiree of Southern Connecticut Gas Company.

Many fond memories will be cherished by his children, Raymond Horvath and his wife Lucy of Sandy Hook, and Joyce Kalakay of Easton; two grandchildren, Jessica and Adam Horvath; two sisters, Helen Schatra of Shelton, and Elizabeth Morris of Fairfield; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Theresa Martinsky Horvath; a brother, Alexander Horvath; a sister, Margaret Renn; and son-in-law, Michael Kalakay.

As an avid outdoors sportsman, Mr Horvath recognized the importance of protecting Long Island Sound and the surrounding environment. He served as the commissioner on the Conservation and Wetlands Commission of the Town of Fairfield for 12 years under First Selectman John Sullivan, the Harbor Management Commission for ten years under First Selectman Jacqueline Durrell, and on the Fairfield Shellfish Commission.

As a member of the Bunker Commission for the State of Connecticut under State Senator Doc Gunther, Mr Horvath successfully organized sportsmen’s associations in the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, to assist State Senator Gunther in developing legislation to protect public fishing rights from encroachment by private interests. The resultant “Bunker Law” limits commercial fishing operations along the coastlines of all three states.

He was nominated to the United States Government’s Regional Fishery Managements Council by Judge T.F. Gilroy Daly in 1976. He was a co-founder and past commodore for Fairfield Boat Owners’ Association, and served as a past treasurer for Bridgeport Saltwater Sports Association and Save Cockenoe Island Committee.

Mr Horvath was also a legislative delegate to Fairfield County League of Sportsmen, and he served as a representative for The Striped Bass Fund.

Funeral services were held March 9 at Lesko Funeral Home in Fairfield, and in St Emery’s Church. Burial followed in Mountain Grove Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to St Emery’s Church, 836 King’s Highway, Fairfield CT 06825.

The Newtown Bee        March 12, 2004