Alexander Hernikl went peacefully to his Savior on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 while at his store, John's Decorators in West Bend.
Alex was born on June 12, 1944 to the late John and Maria (nee Varga) Hernikl near Budapest, Hungary. In his early more carefree days, Alex loved spending his summers near Lake Balaton pitching hay and riding horses bareback.
By 1956, however, Alex and his parents were prominent freedom fighters. An arrest warrant was issued for Alex's family on Nov. 20. They were warned by the officer serving the warrant because they had saved him during the Holocaust. Alex said they had five minutes to leave the country with just the shirts on their backs. Alex's family traveled 100 miles in 27 hours... partly through an icy swamp.
At age 12, Alex and his family boarded a Flying Tiger with about 100 Hungarian refugees. They were low on fuel during a snowstorm and about to land in New Jersey on Christmas Eve. Alex said, "All the runway lights were covered in snow, so attendants working on the ground pulled all of the emergency vehicles out and turned on the lights. Once we broke through the clouds, all we could see were these rotating beacons. It was a sight I'll never forget." And he never did.
Alex arrived speaking no English and was automatically put back a grade in school. Due to his previous survival experiences, Alex said he was quick to anger and hit out.
Alex went to Madison to become an electrical engineer. His failing eyesight required a change in direction so he attended the Chicago School of Design and the Harvard Graduate School of Design and was a member of A.S.I.D .
By the 1970's, Alex expanded John's Decorators to include a showroom with furniture and accessories while making high-end draperies. In semi-retirement, Alex truly enjoyed designing and crafting a variety of wooden items.
Alex lived a life of service... to his God, family, friends, and community. He was a devoted Catholic attending Holy Angels regularly. Most of his life was spent working with or caring for his parents. Friends received skilled and willing help. As a young man he belonged to Jaycees and even helped start the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County. He worked as a Red Cross volunteer and trainer. Recently he was honored for his 30 years of volunteer service to the West Bend Police Department from 1984-2014. For almost 15 years, Alex volunteered with Mary at the Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove where their favorite activity was taking tickets.
Alex is survived by his beloved life partner, Mary Sparks; his honorary family, Allen and Louise Schut, Lindy, Andrew, and John, and dear friends Rev. James and Mary Booker; and many relatives and friends in Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, March 11, at 2:00 p.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church in West Bend. Visitation will be at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the time of Mass. Father Jerry Brittain will be the celebrant. Burial of his cremated remains will be in St. Mary's Cemetery at a later date.
Please consider memorials to Holy Angels School Trust Fund.
Alex, a good man who loved deer hunting... even early on Saturday mornings in front of the TV while feet up in the recliner with a perfect cup of coffee. My cherished partner. I love you forever, Mary.