John Kurtz, 84, of Northampton, passed away on Saturday, October 16, 2021, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Muhlenberg. Born on December 6, 1936, in Szentpeterfa, Hungary, he was a son of the late Mathias and Teresa (Kozarits) Kurcz. He crossed the border into Austria as a refugee soon after November 4, 1956 and was one of the passengers on the USS General W.G. Haan that arrived in the Brooklyn Navy Yards in New York on January 6, 1957. John and his wife, Erika (Kern), celebrated 59 years of marriage together. He was employed at Atlas Cement, Skrapits Concrete and retired from Lafarge Corp. in 1999. He was a devoted member of Queenship of Mary Catholic Church in Northampton, where he served on the church's choir for many years. In addition, John was a member of the St. Peter and Paul Society, Hungarian Hall. He enjoyed gardening, polka dancing and making wine.

Survivors: In addition to his wife, John is survived by son, John Kurtz, Jr.; daughters, Erika Figura and husband, Gregory, Anita Iasiello and husband, Thomas, Linda Schlofer and husband, Michael; grandchildren, Andrea, Alyssa, Kyle, Jared, Olivia, Mason; great-granddaughter, Hayley; and several nieces and nephews. Brothers, Louis and Imre, and a sister, Erza, preceded John in death.

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 23 ^rd at 10:00 a.m. in the church, 1324 Newport Ave., Northampton. Burial will follow in Our Lady of Hungary Cemetery, Northampton. Those in attendance will kindly be requested to wear a face cover and practice social distancing. Arrangements are under the direction of the Reichel Funeral Home, Northampton. Online condolences may be offered below.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church for the John Kurtz Memorial Fund to benefit the Queenship of Mary Church Choir.