John Matusek

John “Hunky John” Matusek, 77, passed away August 7, 2016.  John was born November 28, 1938 in Dorog, Hungary.  John was a Hungarian Freedom Fighter, part of the movement against communism and escaped Hungary, to avoid persecution, in 1956 to Germany where he resided 6 months before coming to the USA.  John was not your typical refugee, teaching himself to read, write and speak the English language.  He met his future bride in Buffalo, NY and eloped with Lucy Haberman Matusek to be wed in Erie, PA in 1959.  They started their journey in life and were on their way to Southern California from Buffalo NY when as fate would have it the car broke down in Pittsburgh PA, found a Hungarian support system and there they stayed.   They lived in Pittsburgh, PA from 1959 until 1999.  John was very mechanical supporting his family as a mechanic at Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealerships in the Pittsburgh area and later in his career out of his own shop where he did general repairs, inspection and High Performance work.  John’s passion was Drag Racing, building chassis’s and engines and driving those creations where he raced at numerous racetracks in and around Pittsburgh.  John was inducted into the second class of the Pittsburgh International Dragway Hall of Fame in 2005.  He passed that passion on down to his children and grandchildren.   In 1999 John and his wife Lucy moved to Kansas City where he worked with his son Steve at his company, Aeromotive Inc.  as a mechanic and crew chief on The Aeromotive Company Race Cars.  John was known to be a fierce competitor, spending many hours working on his cars and many weekends at the race track.  John “lived by his rules” and had a stiff demeanor using criticism and negativity as a motivator.  All you had to do to light his fire was to tell him something could not be done.  John fought to the end not accepting to sit even for a day in a wheel chair and went out on his own terms.  Preceding him in death was his wife Lucy in 2003.  Survivors include his sons, Steve Matusek (Lori), John Matusek (Amy), sister Anna Daubner,  sister-in-law, Rose Cohen (Stuart) and their daughter Deborah Creech (Jeff), grandchildren, Andrew, Amanda, Jessica, Kristen and Lacy Matusek.
Visitation will be from 2-3 PM Saturday, August 13 with at graveside service to follow at Johnson County Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS.  There will be a reception to follow immediately after the services.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association 3846 W 75th St, Prairie Village, KS 66208.  Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com.

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