Many tributes to Imre have been circulating around in emails threads among the soccer community. It is important to share this with the soccer community. If you want to add something, please either add to the comment section of this post or email soccerreptile@gmail.com
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From Pete Kealy
Imre will be very much missed,
Not only was he a fantastic player, he was a natural coach and teacher,
I will miss his passion and his inspiration.
Here is a line from an email he sent me just 4 days ago;
“We are in agreement. Imagine the FC Georgia guys getting stronger and better.”
What a pleasure and honor to have to have known him and played with him for the past 10 years!
I enclosed some fond memories. Your playing in a better place now Imre!,
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Yianni, “It is about time that you showed up” Imre said. He was glad to see me one Tuesday morning, last September when I came to practice with you all.
I had the luck to meet Imre and play with him for a couple of seasons, about 10 years ago. I have to say that it was a unique experience. He was one of the best soccer players that I ever played soccer with. And most importantly, he was a great person who was trying always to help his teamates, both physically and mentally. It was a pleasure knowing Imre and it was a great privilege to be able to play in the same team with him too.
I agree with Phil. I think God needs Imre to show them up there how to pass and control the ball. Nice and easy as he always did it with us down here.
We will miss a beautiful friend for sure!
Sincere Condolences,
Yiannis Maxouris and Family
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That is a true loss to the soccer community in the area. He was a incredible person and I feel blessed to have known him for the short time I did.
Brian Maloney
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My thoughts and prayers are for his family and friends this morning. I don’t understand why these things happen, but what I do know is how Imre lived his life and for his example I am grateful. Go with God Imre.
Terry Shay Breed
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Imre you are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
Dear Imre,
Words never seem to capture the true feelings a person has for another individual. We may not remember all the things you said, but we won’t forget how we felt when we were with you. We felt God’s love through you. I see you playing that perfect game of soccer in heaven this morning, running beautifully with a perfectly ageless intelligent performing body making good memories.
You can’t be replaced Imre, there was only one unique you. We are going to miss you brother. You’ve left us with good memories.
Andy Goddard
This writing from Max Lucado could have been written by Imre. I feel he lived with these verses in his spiritual heart.
Each Day Max Lucado
It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.
In a few moments, the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.
I CHOOSE LOVE…
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love.
Today I will love God and what God loves.
I CHOOSE JOY…
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be cynical… the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I CHOOSE PEACE…
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
I CHOOSE PATIENCE…
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world.
Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I CHOOSE KINDNESS…
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.
I will be kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
I CHOOSE GOODNESS…
I will go without a dollar
before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.
I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS…
Today I will keep my promises.
My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. Lisa will not question my love. Jamie and Kelly will never fear that their father will not come home.
I CHOOSE GENTLENESS…
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle.
If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.
I am a spiritual being…
After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.
I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal.
I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy.
I will be impassioned only by my faith.
I will be influenced only by God.
I will be taught only by Christ.
I choose self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
To these I commit my day.
If I succeed, I will give thanks.
If I fail, I will seek His grace.
And then, when this day is done,
I will place my head on my pillow
and rest.
Galatians 5:22-23(ESV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Rest in peace Imre, you were so loved by everyone.
Andy Goddard
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God Bless him
Rafael Salerno
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I am stunned. . .that such a positive and encouraging force in our soccer community is gone. His example and coaching helped me.
I will miss him.
Bob Gaare
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I was stunned by this . I enjoyed playing with Imre so much. He always had a suggestion or thought how to improve your game or in your approach to life. I consider him my friend and I will miss him.
Soccer will be a little less fun without him.
If his family needs any help count me in
Gary Howington
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Try as I may , I have been unable to find the words to describe how shocked and saddened I am at the news of imre’s passing .
I had spent many evenings this past two years
Try as May there are no words to fully explain how shocked and saddened I was at the news that our dear friend Imre had passed away, over the past two years I had spent many hours in conversation with my wife about this one” older ” player in particular that on many occasions turned me inside out with his football skills ,touch and control specifically , my Tuesday and Thursday mornings will never be the same again , the world not just us have lost a very special human being, my condolences to your family Imre.
Gone never to be forgotten
Gerald Newton
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He was a special human being as a mentor and as a friend.
I’m shock, very special men that I won’t never forget.
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I only knew for less then a year but found him to be a great human being, friendly and full of good and friendly advise
Please let me know when the wake and funeral arrangements are made.
May he rest in peace and may God provide his family and friends the strength they need to cope with their/ all of our loss
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Playing with him made me a better player , exercising and stretching with him made me physically better. All of us , young and old , have benefited from his enduring care for us.
The word selfishness did not exist in his vocabulary , he gave to all of us and made us better.
Although Imre’s body has departed he still lives in all of us. We all carry him and his mantras with us for the rest of our lives.
Our family wishes his family all the strength and love in this trying time , may he rest in peace.”
Edwin and Christine Hoenderdos
Playing with him made me a better player , exercising and stretching with him made me physically better. All of us , young and old , have benefited from his enduring care for us.
The word selfishness did not exist in his vocabulary , he gave to all of us and made us better.
Although Imre’s body has departed he still lives in all of us. We all carry him and his mantras with us for the rest of our lives.
Our family wishes his family all the strength and love in this trying time , may he rest in peace.”
Edwin and Christine Hoenderdos
—————————————When I met first met him, I was out of shape, angry, and generally horrible at soccer. When he would see me starting to lose my temper, he would jog over, give me encouragement and advice (even if he was on the other team), and go back to playing. MANY times I thought about throwing away my cleats before a well-timed Imre intervention set things right. Years later, he was reffing my over 30 men’s league games…always asking how my dad was doing, saying he was proud of me for making a healthy turn in my life, and how much I’ve improved as a player. This meant the world to me. Imre taught “the gentile art of Akido” to kids when he wasn’t refereeing games. He always told me how invested he was in ensuring that people had a healthy outlet,and that I should sign up for one of his classes. It was this past Sunday after donating his time refereeing for a Christmas charity soccer tournament that Imre passed away…his final moments spent in service. I thought about playing in this tournament…but I didn’t. I didn’t get a last chance to see my friend. So I’ll have to remember the last time I saw him on the field, his arm around my shoulder much like a grandfather… “Nicholas, you played well today.” Thanks Imre… I needed that. Nick Aliffi Truly one of the most unique human beings I have ever met and his love for the beautiful game and people in general was most evident in his quest for perfection of the skill and his gentle manner. God seems to take these special people from us early I guess with the hope that the impact of their special ways spreads. As I read the tributes he has impacted us all so lets honor him by applying a little each day of what he taught us especially, kindness, patience, understanding, and teaching which are attributes we need much more in today’s seemingly upside down world. Rich Leone Imre’s passing is a shock (he was a great man), a friend – but what’s more its a reminder we are all on borrowed time. I sometimes throw my feelings down in writing, and shared this with a close soccer friend, who suggested passing on to you. I don’t know his family – but feel free to pass anonymously the poem below (its rough and I am no poet) on your blog, to his family, whatever, if you think appropriate. He was a good soul. The Referplayer! The turf, the dreams, a pick up game, The game may rest but the adrenaline flows To judge a spirit so enthusiastic and loose But in all things the right call is soul liberating And like an encouraging crowd Mick Shannon |