George Livney fled from his native Hungary to escape persecution during World War II. A Zionist organization helped him once he arrived in Israel and, in return, he led other Hungarian Jews to safety. He eventually served in the Israeli Air Force, spent time in Belgium and, in 1959, migrated to the United States with his wife and first child.
Here, Mr. Livney began a decades-long career in computers while the technology was in its infancy. He worked as a systems engineer for major corporations at various locales across the United States. He became a U.S. citizen, and while he was an American patriot, he was a staunch supporter of Israel, too.
"He became a Zionist during his teenage years in Hungary," said a daughter, Tricia Hirsch of Sandy Springs. "He was a fighter. We created a video on his life because there are very few people who can tell history."
On Sunday, George Uri Livney died from complications of stomach cancer at St. Joseph's Hospital. He was 82. A funeral will be held at 3:30 p.m. today at the Sunrise Chapel at Arlington Memorial Park. H.M. Patterson & Son, Arlington Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Livney was born in Pecs, Hungary, a region where his family was relegated to the local ghetto and endured heinous atrocities during World War II. He saved the lives of many Jews, a cause that endangered his life and led to his placement on a government blacklist. He didn't share much about his experience -- fleeing his native country at 16 or 17, swimming the Danube River to freedom -- till he was in his 60s, said a son, Patrick Livney of Winnetka, Ill.
"He did this from his own calling and with his own fortitude," he said. "He was raised as a Catholic alter boy" until he found his calling to Zionism.
Upon arrival in Israel, Mr. Livney stayed in a kibbutz, a collective farming community, before joining the military. When Jackie Livney, his wife of 53 years, required medical care, the couple moved to Belgium. Their next stop was Fort Worth, Texas, where he found employment with Interstate Grain Co. He'd studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and continued his education here, making computers his specialty.
Mr. Livney worked as a systems engineer for Reynolds Security Inc., American Express and the Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. His last employer was Fireman's and he was based in San Francisco.
"He developed their computer systems," his daughter said.
In retirement, Mr. Livney moved to Naples, Fla., where he and his wife resided 10 years. They relocated to the Vinings area to be near family when he turned 80.
Mr. Livney liked to read and was known for preparing a wonderful hummus dish. Practitioners could follow his recipe to the letter, but theirs would never taste as divine as his.
Additional survivors include his wife, Jackie Livney of Vinings; another son, Roland Livney of Highland Park, Ill.; a sister, Viola Banosi of Budapest; and seven grandchildren.
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