70th birthday combined with 45 years of marital bliss
Sabine
helps to cut the birthday cake as
a visibly moved Ferenc has this far away look.
Trazom &
Pratheep S. Malhotra
Under a moonlit night, around the sprawling swimming pool
of the Thai Garden Resort, family and friends from around the globe gathered
in love and friendship to celebrate the birth anniversary of a man that they
have come to know and love for almost half a century, Ferenc Fricsay.
Ferenc’s daughter Joyce and her husband Roberto were
amongst the 70 closest of kin at the solemn yet vibrant affair on January
15. Unfortunately, son Captain Kenneth was duty bound to command a luxury
yacht off the shores of St. Martin in the Caribbean and could not attend.
Friends arrived in droves from Bangkok, Samui and even
from the highlands of Scotland. They included well known philanthropists,
socialites, Rotarians and even the “infamous Guggitaler Hospitality
Fraternity”, a.k.a. the “Swiss Hospitality Mafia of Thailand”.
In her commemorative speech, Sabine, Ferenc’s most loving
and devoted wife gave an insight to the life and times of a man who she has
loved and cherished for the past 45 years.
“From a child born in Szeged to parents of various
Eastern European extractions, during the Second World War, Ferenc spent his
childhood in Hungary and then later in Berlin and Switzerland to where his
father moved the family to escape the political turmoil of communism. He
completed his schooling in Switzerland and chose a career in the hotel
trade.
“In 1965 whilst on a professional stopover in Berlin we
met and fell in love. A career in hotel management in the Far East beckoned
us both, so in 1968 we headed for Singapore for a brief stay and moved to
Hong Kong where we both joined the Hong Kong Hilton Hotel. Ferenc somehow
landed up in Kathmandu as general manager of the Annpurna Hotel. The job
lasted only nine months.
“We initially planned to stay for only two years in Hong
Kong, but ended up spending 25 years of our lives there. For two years I
worked as the Food and Beverage Marketing and Merchandising Manager of the
Peninsula Group.
“Those years were full of interesting work challenges.
Very few people are aware that Ferenc also worked as Cathay Pacific’s ‘In
flight Catering Consultant’ for almost a year. He also held a similar
position at the ‘Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club’. When the set-up turned into a
fully professional institution, Ferenc set-up ‘Bon Caf้ Hong Kong’.
“In the early 1980s Ferenc made his dream of owning his
own hotel placement agency a reality. By this time, we had added 2 children
to our family, Joyce and Kenneth, and were enjoying a life in Asia with all
the perks that come with it.”
In 1993 Sabine and Ferenc made the move to Thailand with
their pre-teen son Ken. Joyce stayed behind in Hong Kong and started a
career in the hotel business. The Fricsays set up home on the outskirts of
Bangkok where they also set up their entire placement agency operations.
Work was hard, but full of excitement and successes. But
having been on the job for over 4 decades Ferenc decided that it was time to
enjoy the fruits of his labour. In 2004 the Fricsays moved to Pattaya to
‘kick back, put their feet up and enjoy a glass of wine” while listening to
his father’s profound interpretations of the music of Mozart and Beethoven.
But ‘take it easy’ was not meant to be. Ferenc joined as
charter member of the Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard where he immersed himself
into the work of humanitarian service. He joined committees and is a hands
on person in projects to help the needy and unfortunate people of the
community. His club is amongst one of the most active Rotary clubs in the
world, travelling to rural areas around Thailand, bringing hope and relief
to the unfortunate.
A family
union in Berlin ca. 1952. (l-r) Ferenc, Silvia Fricsay,
Marthi, Andras , Kristian and Ferenc Fricsay Sr.
Alwin Zecha, executive chairman of Pacific Leisure Group
of Companies said, “I arrived in Hong Kong one year before Ferenc and
Sabine. At that time Sabine started with the Hilton and Ferenc founded the
Executive Search HEAL Co. Ltd. Our friendship dates back more than 40 years.
It was never a business relationship, but a bond based on love and respect
for each other.”
The
present generation family union in 2009. (l-r)
Joyce, Roberto, Ken, Sabine and Ferenc.
Alwin went on to say, “The Zecha and Fricsay families
originate in Bohemia. We both found our separate ways to Asia and fate has
brought us together in friendship. I am thrilled that both of us, having
gone through some scary health related moments in our lives are here
together drinking a glass of good cheer.”
Only those who know Ferenc intimately are aware that
Ferenc Fricsay, born on January 13, 1941 is the son of the legendry Berlin
Philharmonic conductor Ferenc Fricsay.
In a private moment many years ago, Ferenc reminisced
about his father, “My father was the conductor at the desk and at home!
Father was domineering, he led the ‘Family Orchestra,’ but without
rehearsals. He was commanding and fair, praised what deserved praise but he
demanded discipline, like at his conductor’s desk.
“He was warm-hearted - humorous and he had a real
Hungarian temperament; full of fun and humour, sad, happy, witty,
hot-tempered and loving.
“Even today, more than 45 years after his demise, people
ask me, ‘What was your youth like as a child of a famous conductor?’ Among
the most beautiful memories are the meals we enjoyed, sitting together
around a festively laid table with luminaries such as D. Fischer-Diskau, G.
Anda, Z. Menuhin, Z. Kodaly, G. Von Einem, W. Egk, Ernst von Siemens, Zenta
Maurina, Erich Kไstner and many more. We had an unforgettable, wonderful
childhood when we were united as a family.”
In a thank you message Ferenc said, “Today I am very
happy too. My family is here celebrating life with me. This birthday party
is an event I shall never forget. That I have become 70 can’t be denied,
that’s a fact! Sabine and I have brought together 70 people from the hotel
and tourism industry, Rotary, friends from Bangkok and Pattaya and even the
infamous, notorious Guggitaler Fraternity was represented. It is a very
mixed crowd and I unashamedly stand to it that this was the objective. If
there were new acquaintances, possibly friendships amongst those in
attendance forged, even the better so.
“I owe every person attending the party. You have honored
me with your thoughts, wishes and showered me with gifts. A great ‘Thank
You’ and thank you again to all who came or stayed away. You are all my
friends and I sincerely hope to have you around for many more years to come.
We still have many good years ahead of us.”
Sabine summed up it up, “70 years have flown by so fast.
Ferenc busies himself with the Rotary Club and meeting with his many
friends, entertaining them often at home whilst I cook to the enjoyment of
all. He is clearly enjoying retirement to its fullest. We live in our dream
house with our two dogs. What more can one ask for of such an interesting
and varied life, except that good health and happiness follow him through
what we sincerely hope are many more years to come.”
Ferenc
hugs Sabine after her memorable speech.
Joyce
translated mum’s speech from German to English.
Sabine
watches lovingly as Ferenc and Joyce cut the cake.
Ferenc
chats with Daniella Schaat and Jan Abbink president of the Rotary Club
Eastern Seaboard.
Alwin
Zecha (left) and Peter Malhotra (right) urge Ferenc to make a wish and blow
out the candle.
The ever
charming Ferenc greets Peter Behr and partner Noon.
Stefan
and Andrea Arnswald, Owner of PMR Laem Chabang, Thailand wish Ferenc many
happy returns of the day.
The
charming ladies of the Pattaya community gather for a pretty picture.
Dr.
Olivier Meyer and Partner Suchitra arrive at the party.
Alwin
and Ferenc, forty years of love and respect for each other.
Ferenc
greets old friends Luzi Matzig, founder of Asian Trails and Thomas Maurer
Owner of Cooks Travel Thailand.
Ferenc
poses with Madam Gek Wee Zecha, (left)
and Anselma Valentini-Niehaus, Thai Garden Resort.
Ferenc
with Gerrit Niehaus owner of the Thai Garden Resort and Günther Müller both
well-known charity supporters of children in need and the under priviledged.
Friends
bearing flowers are greeted on arrival.
The
happy trio, Esther Kaufmann, owner My Office Travel Pattaya, Ferenc and Ingo
Räuber, Group Director of Operations, Pinnacle Resorts.
Jack and
Jintana Levi, present a gift to Sabine and Ferenc.
Dieter
Becht, retired Hyatt Hotel General Manager, Boom Narongrach Ferenc and Gerd
Steeb, President Centara Hotels & Resorts.
Palanuch
Boonsuk, Bon Café Pattaya Branch Manager together with her assistant bring
greetings and best wishes from Urs Brunner, Managing Director Bon
CaféThailand.
Louise
Hofmann, Ditti Mack , Ferenc and Sebastian Malde of BHP.
