Zoltan Francis “Zollie” Horvath, 85, of Hubbardton, Vermont, passed away on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

Zollie was born on June 28, 1941, to Karoly and Francisca Horvath in Nagygyimot, Hungary, where he grew up with his siblings, Marishka and Laszlo. At just 14 years old, he left Hungary during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. After making his way to Austria, he received assistance from the Red Cross and eventually came to the United States. He spent his first several months with his Aunt Helen Tram in Rahway, New Jersey, before coming to Vermont in 1958 and settling in Proctor, where he stayed with the Gurbach family.

Zollie graduated from Proctor High School in 1960 and later lived at Mrs. Christine “Mama” Taranovich’s boarding house in Pittsford. Among the friendships formed during those early years was his lifelong friendship with Joe Bolla, who had made the journey to the United States with him. The two remained close throughout their lives and often joked that they deserved some of the credit for making Proctor such a successful soccer town.

On October 27, 1962, Zollie married Lorraine Marie Ballard at the historic 1839 St. John’s Church in Castleton, Vermont. Together, they made their home in Proctor and raised their two sons, Zollie and Michael.

Zollie worked at General Electric in Rutland from 1964 until his retirement in 1998. Never one to sit still, he also owned and operated Proctor Broach and Tool from his home in Proctor and volunteered with the Proctor Fire Department.

In 2000, Zollie and Lorraine moved to Hubbardton, where they created a home and life that suited him well. He loved hunting, fishing, and being outdoors, but he was perhaps happiest when he was working with his hands. Whether operating his bulldozer or backhoe, running the sawmill on the property, building something, or taking on a new carpentry project, Zollie always seemed to have something underway. He also enjoyed traveling to Europe and, in his later years, the quieter pleasure of being at home with his cats, Mickey and Blackie.

Though Vermont became his home, Zollie remained deeply connected to his Hungarian heritage and cherished his family in Hungary throughout his life. He is survived there by his sister, Marishka; his niece, Ildiko, and her husband, Károly; his nephew, Sandor; his grandnephew, Balázs, and his family; and his grandniece, Kitti, and her family.

Zollie was a loving grandfather to Brett Kent and his former wife, Krystle Kent; Ashley (Buxbaum) Wert and her former husband, Jamie Wert; Connor Horvath and his partner, Rachael Scovish; and Breanna (Horvath) Warren and her husband, Matt Warren. He was a proud great-grandfather to Brady and Bella Kent, Jamyn and Aubrey Wert, and Grayson and Chandler Warren.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Lorraine; his sons, Michael and Zollie, and Zollie’s partner, Eileen; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his son Zollie’s former wife, Debra, who remains a cherished member of the family; his extended family in Hungary; and many other family members and friends who were dear to him.

He was predeceased by his parents, Karoly and Francisca Horvath; his brother, Laszlo; his daughter-in-law, Patti Horvath; his grandson, Brett Kent; and his brother-in-law, Sandor, Marishka’s husband.

The family would like to recognize Shannon Little and her children, Ashleigh and Colby, for the care and companionship they gave Zollie in his later years. They have long been a cherished part of the family and will always remain so.

The family also extends its heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Rutland Regional Medical Center, the Foley Cancer Center, and the Transfusion Center. Zollie especially cherished the time he spent with the nurses in the Transfusion Center and was deeply grateful for the warmth, kindness, compassion, and care they showed him.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Ducharme’s Funeral Home in Castleton, Vermont.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Church in Castleton, Vermont.

Following the funeral service, family and friends are warmly invited to gather and celebrate Zollie’s life at a location to be announced.