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 Walter von Schrenck-Szill, 98
 October 23, 2013
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Walter von Schrenck-Szill, 98, of Pleasant Place died on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013.
Born in Vienna on Nov. 3, 1914, son of Eduard Szill, a colonel in the Royal Hungarian Army, and Baroness Margarethe von Schrenck-Szill, he raised in Budapest, Hungary. After obtaining his law degree, he worked as an international trade specialist in the Royal Hungarian Foreign Trade Office.
He served in the Hungarian army as an artillery officer in World War II, which led to his internment for three years in a Soviet prisoner of war camp in Siberia.
After his release, Mr. Schrenck-Szill fled Budapest for Vienna, where he served as an adviser in the development and implementation of the Marshall Plan. He emigrated to the United States in 1954 and owned a photo agency, Keystone Press, in New York City.
He was an exceptional, kindhearted man who always stood by his principles and integrity, said friends and family. He loved nature, books and genealogy and had an encyclopedic knowledge of European history, politics and world affairs. Though he was devoted to his Hungarian roots, he had a long abiding love for his home in the Berkshires. Above all he dearly loved his wife, his brother and his extended family.
He met and married his beloved wife, the former Marion Loebenberg in New York City and retired with her to Williamstown in 1978, along with his mother.
He was proud of having pressured Hungary's then-Communist government in 1956 into allowing his elderly, politically-persecuted mother to emigrate from Hungary to America. She spent the final years of her life in their loving care.
He leaves his brother, Gerald "Jerry" de Schrenck Sill of Houston; his niece Susan Gramatges and her husband, Daniel, their daughter, Monica Johnson and husband, Matt, and their son, Daniel Beckett Johnson, and their son, Charles Edward Schrenck Gramatges and wife, Shannon, and their son, Robert Reid Gramatges; and his niece Gabrielle Killough and her husband, Michael, and their son, Michael Anthony Schrenck Killough, and Michael’s brother, Patrick Killough, and numerous good friends in Williamstown who will dearly miss him.
In particular, his family wishes to thank Pat Phillips and Dinny Versenyi, both dear and loyal friends whose presence and support were so invaluable, especially during the last difficult days of his life.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A Funeral Mass for Mr. Schrenck-Szill will be celebrated on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 10 a.m. at St.Patrick's Church in Williamstown by the Rev. William Cyr. Rite of Committal will follow at Westlawn Cemetery in Williamstown.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 4, at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels , 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247 with a rosary commencing at 7. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to The Boy Scouts of Hungary, Veteran Organization in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, the Parish of Sts. Patrick & Raphael or to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in North Adams.
"We will all miss him more than words can express and will fondly remember his favorite saying: 'Sleep well and wake up with a smile in the morning.' Walter is now smiling on all of us. May he rest in peace with God and those he loved. Amen."
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