Imre Pataki Died last night at the Stars Complex

Our soccer community was dealt a huge blow last night when Imre Pataki died at the Stars Soccer Complex in Alpharetta. Imre was a big part of our soccer community and was always involved in helping people. I saw him yesterday, at the St. Nickolas Charity Soccer Event for Must Ministries Toy Store,where he was donating his time to ref the tournament.
Imre Pataki

Imre was always smiling and had a great perspective on life. He was devoted to helping others achieve full physical function. From helping children during the day with his program of physical arts to helping many of the older soccer players through their pain, Imre was always trying to help people on a personal level.

Im sure many of us have similar stories of how Imre touched our community with his positive nature. His influence was felt by many. At this time we are trying to figure out what happened and when services will be held. We will let everybody know.

Imre was the co-owner with his wife, Sonja, of the Physical Arts LLC. He was a Hungarian born in Yugoslavia, moved to South Africa at age 12. While completing his degree in hotel and business administration, Imre played professional soccer to pay for his studies at the Witwaterand Technical College. He completed his Hotel & Restaurant management Diploma at the Waldorf & Westbury Hotels in London. Worked at the Carlton hotel in Johannesburg until he purchased a Dry Cleaning Business. During this time he also earned a black belt in Go Ju Ryu, a Japanese style of Karate , that was depicted in the movie "Karate Kid".

It was a personal that turned his attention to the study of human development. His daughter, Vinka, suffered a massive stroke when she was just two days old. Imre sold his business and they began their search for the understanding of physical and neurological development in order to help their daughter.
He was dedicated to assisting children to grow toward full physical function and taught adults to recover full physical function.

Imre was found after refereeing his final indoor match of the evening. Paramedics were called immediately but could not revive him.
As soon as we get further information on the funeral arrangements we will let everyone know.
As Imre always liked to say, "have fun, be competitive, create lasting memories".

Imre Pataki Rest in Peace






12 comments:

  1. I am completely stunned. His voice still rings in my ears and the images of him in my brain after tournament practice just this past weekend. So fit and tuned to health when so many of the rest of us are much less so. Hard to digest. Imre, you were taken too soon mate, and there is another empty space in the soccer community that can never be filled again. Prayers for peace, strength and comfort for his family and all of us.

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  2. We lost a much beloved and respected member of the Atlanta Soccer community last night.

    Imre Pataki died at the Atlanta Soccerplex.
    Details are unknown at this time.

    Imre's involvement and leadership within the Atlanta Adult Soccer community has had far reaching effect. His decisions and direction were instrumental in the growth not only of Rovers FC but the founding of this team. Express Locomotive.

    He will be missed.

    RIP Imre.

    Express Locomotive

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  3. Sad day for his family as well as the entire Atl soccer community. Imre was a great ambassador of the game we all love. Great friend and a great teammate. As Alan said, way too soon for those of us left behind.
    My condolences to his family.
    Brent Bennett

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  4. Just spoke to his son. He had an aortic aneurysm and had no idea. His family has no idea, his friends had no idea....he had no idea. Their family will let me know arrangements and I will let yall know. I saw him yesterday at the Casl tournament and he was happy and looked healthy. He went home and had dinner with his family and they said he was feeling good.

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  5. Imre will be very much missed. Not only was he a fantastic player, he was a natural coach and teacher,
    I will miss his passion and his inspiration.
    What a pleasure and honor to have to have known him and played with him for the past 10 years!
    Your playing in a better place now Imre!
    My thoughts, prayers and condolences are with his family.
    Pete Kealy

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  6. Unbelievable, word can not describe how I am feeling. I just talked 2days ago about going to the Florida classic together. Soccer will never be the same without him.

    Saito

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  7. There are many things I admired about Imre. The biggest is that he was a passionate man…passionate about friendships, passionate about soccer and certainly passionate about life.
    He knew I was a sloth when it came to living by his philosophy of ones mind and spirit over body. When he saw me coming the first thing he would ask is “ George what hurts today?” and I’d chuckle and say "nothing Imre, I’m perfect." We'd then laugh together. He cared about everyone and was convinced he could help anyone who wanted help....on or off the soccer field. I was lucky enough to spend time with Imre in the presence of his wonderful wife Sonja on a couple of occasions. One in particular in Florida at a tournament where we stayed up until the early hours in a condo just talking about life and telling jokes.
    I can only imagine the Pataki family's pain today. My deepest condolences to them.
    He believed that anyone could achieve anything they wanted to and while I will miss his presence, I will forever celebrate a life with great meaning, very well lived!! Well done Imre, you've shown us the way. RIP!!

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  8. I was stunned by this . I enjoyed playing with Imre so much. He always had a suggestion or thought how to improve your game or in your approach to life. I consider him my friend and I will miss him.
    Soccer will be a little less fun without him.
    If his family needs any help count me in
    Gary Howington
    Peachtree Flooring

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  9. I am stunned and saddened. He reffed for my team on Sunday morning, and he looked so fit and full of life. He will be missed.

    Patrick O'Donnell

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  10. Imre was not only an exceptional player and goodwill ambassador for the sport, but sought personal excellence in a way that was compelling. It is difficult to imagine a practice or a game without a push from Imre to listen to our bodies and seek perfection. His family is in my thoughts and prayers. CJ Becker

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  11. Thanks guys for all your thoughts, prayers and support. The service will be held at the Catholic church of st Anne on 12/23 at 11 am. Please pass this on to everyone that knew him. He was a great man and I loved him very much.
    Dax Pataki

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