Paul Joseph Nagy, age 81, passed away on February 18, 2026, at Cambridge Senior Living Center in Hudson, WI.
Born September 28, 1944, in Lowville, New York, to Michael Joseph Nagy and Eunita (Bealuk) Nagy. He graduated from General Martin Central School in Glenfield, New York. Growing up, Paul loved reading books and developed an abiding interest in history and classical music.
Paul earned a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics from Harper College in Binghamton, New York. He went on to earn his masters’ degree in German with a minor in French from at Schiller International University in Heidelberg, Germany.
Paul worked as an instructor at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC), in Mason City, Iowa for 36 years. He taught German and French, and then after earning a second masters in ESL, he taught English communications the last years of his career.
He was united in marriage to Jane Ann Barker on June 12, 1976, at St. Marks Catholic Church, in Iowa Falls, Iowa. They settled in Forest City, Iowa, where they raised 3 children, Jason, Blaise and Marissa. During summers they enjoyed spending time in Glenfield, NY and vacations around the US.
With his interest in linguistics, travel, and his Hungarian family history, Paul and Jane took a two-year sabbatical to teach English to college students in Szombathely, Hungary from 1992-1994. After returning to the U.S., the family hosted 6 foreign exchange students. In retirement, Jane, Paul and their son, Jason, continued their love of travel by visiting Hungary and Croatia and embarking on a Mediterranean cruise.
Paul was a devote Catholic and served as a lector at the St. James Catholic Church in Forest City, Iowa. For many years, he actively served on the Central Committee of the Winnebago County Democrats. In retirement, Paul’s interest in genealogy led him to be active in IAGenWeb and serving a year term as state coordinator.
Paul is survived by his wife, Jane, his three children Jason Nagy, Blaise (Sarah) Nagy, and Marissa (Steven) Hahn, 3 grandchildren, Marvin Nagy, Archer Nagy, and Lucas Hahn and by his brother, John (Mary Ann) Nagy.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Patrick Catholic Church 1500 Vine Street Hudson, WI at 11 am on Monday, February 23, 2026 with visitation at 10 am. Burial will be in the Old Glendale Cemetery in Upstate New York at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Paul’s memory to www.PBS.org. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
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9 Comments
So sorry for your loss, Blaise. Praying for you and your family. Your Dad sounds like he was an amazing man!
What an amazing life and accomplishments . Paul’s love of God was always important. He will be missed and sending my love to you all.
Dear Jane, Jason, Blaise and Marissa,
Accept our sincerest condolences for the loss of Paul.
I pray for my good hearted, joyful host father to find peace and meet his ancestors in Heaven.
I keep many loving memories of Him and family Nagy when you hosted me in 1997/98.
Thank you again for the great experience living with you.
Your heart is truly “Nagy”! (“Great” in Hun)
May he rest in peace!
Roli Pall
We are so sorry for your loss. Paul was such a good person
We are so sorry for your loss. Paul was such a good person We always enjoyed seeing both of you at events
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Myra and I send our deepest sympathies.
Paul and I both taught at NIACC and our offices were a few doors apart. He occasionally wandered down to my office to share a student’s humorous grammatical miscue. We were both lap swimmers and I often saw him at the Y, sometimes with one of his children. He was a good colleague and I’m sorry to learn of his passing.
Dear Jane, and beloved of Paul,
My prayers and sympathy are with you.
May memories of his life and your shared times bring strength in the midst of loss.
Peace and hope in our Risen Lord,
Sr. Diana
Jane, I send my sympathy to you and your family at the death of Paul. May you hold your sacred memories of him in your hearts. He now knows the peace and comfort of our Risen Savior.
Peace to your hearts.
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