Julius Orosz, 92, a well-known Toledo area artist, conservationist, and military veteran, passed on to be with his beloved wife on December 8, 2013 at his farm in Curtice, OH. While he had Parkinson’s disease, he defied it and painted until his death.
Julius was born in Toledo, OH in the Hungarian community of Birmingham on December 8, 1921 to Michael and Anna (Nagy) Orosz and decided on a career in art early in life. He studied with Ernest Spring at Macomber Vocational High School and at the Mienzinger Art School, Detroit. A specialist in watercolor, he was known for his ability to paint the scene live as the light changed. Julius was also a commercial illustrator who owned his own art studio, Art Staff, in Toledo, which he ran with his wife, Geraldine. The two were married January 27, 1951, at Calvin United Church of Christ.
Julius’ career in art was interrupted by World War II, when Julius served in the Coast Guard as a Morse-code operator in the Pacific on a destroyer escort.
Julius was a member of the Toledo Artists Club and a charter member in 1958 of what became the Monday Morning Painters. This group of dedicated, professional artists meets each Monday morning for breakfast and then paint together. Known then as “Group 9,” the group today includes more than 30 active members. Julius was also featured in a one-man show at the Toledo Museum of Art in April 1962 at Gallery 8.
Julius was also a member of the Palette Club and showed work in the annual Toledo Area Artists Exhibitions since 1948. He was a member of the Northwest Ohio Watercolor Society (NOWS) and the Ohio Watercolor Society (OWS). He won a prestigious award through the OWS for his painting, “Flower Stall”; the work became part of a traveling show in Ohio. He received other awards for his work both as a painter and as an illustrator throughout his illustrious career.
In 1975, Julius was president of the Toledo Federation of Art Societies and co-presented award presentations at the 57th Toledo Area Artists Exhibition held at the Toledo Museum of Art.
Julius was also a member and past president of the Toledo Tile Club, a men's club formed in 1895 dedicated to arts and camaraderie, and featuring good food, conversation, and, of course, art.
In addition to art, Julius was dedicated to wildlife conservation and created one of the first farm ponds in the area. In 1970, he received the wildlife conservation award of the Ohio Division of Wildlife for Lucas County for transforming a rundown farm into a beautiful wildlife refuge. For many years, he and his wife hosted pond clinics on their farm. He also enjoyed traveling in Europe to take in cultural venues, viniculture, and classical music – attending concerts from the Peristyle to the Vienna Opera House. He was a hard worker, starting when his dad passed away when he was 11. Julius was constantly on the go, with a dry sense of humor and cutting wit and could be seen rushing around the streets of Toledo with his large black valise.
Julius is survived by his daughter, Susan (Eric Bergman) Orosz; granddaughter, Anna Bergman; sister, Anna (Larry) Kuhn; cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Michael; and wife, Geraldine Ruth Orosz.
A Memorial gathering will be held at Calvin United Church of Christ in the Birmingham community of Toledo from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 29 with the Memorial Service to follow at 2 p.m. A fellowship meal downstairs will follow the church service. Please bring a side or dessert to pass. A celebration of Julius’ life will take place on Sunday, August 31 at the family farm in Curtice, OH, from 4 to 8 pm. Drop by as you are able. Light refreshments will be served. Arrangements are being handled by Freck Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvin United Church of Christ or the Toledo Museum of Art. Special thanks to Chip and Betsy Rossler, David Moser, Mindy Miller and the team, the Verb family, Mary Scott, and Drs. Suraiya Ahmed and Lawrence Elmer.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Julius Orosz, please visit our flower store.
Julius was born in Toledo, OH in the Hungarian community of Birmingham on December 8, 1921 to Michael and Anna (Nagy) Orosz and decided on a career in art early in life. He studied with Ernest Spring at Macomber Vocational High School and at the Mienzinger Art School, Detroit. A specialist in watercolor, he was known for his ability to paint the scene live as the light changed. Julius was also a commercial illustrator who owned his own art studio, Art Staff, in Toledo, which he ran with his wife, Geraldine. The two were married January 27, 1951, at Calvin United Church of Christ.
Julius’ career in art was interrupted by World War II, when Julius served in the Coast Guard as a Morse-code operator in the Pacific on a destroyer escort.
Julius was a member of the Toledo Artists Club and a charter member in 1958 of what became the Monday Morning Painters. This group of dedicated, professional artists meets each Monday morning for breakfast and then paint together. Known then as “Group 9,” the group today includes more than 30 active members. Julius was also featured in a one-man show at the Toledo Museum of Art in April 1962 at Gallery 8.
Julius was also a member of the Palette Club and showed work in the annual Toledo Area Artists Exhibitions since 1948. He was a member of the Northwest Ohio Watercolor Society (NOWS) and the Ohio Watercolor Society (OWS). He won a prestigious award through the OWS for his painting, “Flower Stall”; the work became part of a traveling show in Ohio. He received other awards for his work both as a painter and as an illustrator throughout his illustrious career.
In 1975, Julius was president of the Toledo Federation of Art Societies and co-presented award presentations at the 57th Toledo Area Artists Exhibition held at the Toledo Museum of Art.
Julius was also a member and past president of the Toledo Tile Club, a men's club formed in 1895 dedicated to arts and camaraderie, and featuring good food, conversation, and, of course, art.
In addition to art, Julius was dedicated to wildlife conservation and created one of the first farm ponds in the area. In 1970, he received the wildlife conservation award of the Ohio Division of Wildlife for Lucas County for transforming a rundown farm into a beautiful wildlife refuge. For many years, he and his wife hosted pond clinics on their farm. He also enjoyed traveling in Europe to take in cultural venues, viniculture, and classical music – attending concerts from the Peristyle to the Vienna Opera House. He was a hard worker, starting when his dad passed away when he was 11. Julius was constantly on the go, with a dry sense of humor and cutting wit and could be seen rushing around the streets of Toledo with his large black valise.
Julius is survived by his daughter, Susan (Eric Bergman) Orosz; granddaughter, Anna Bergman; sister, Anna (Larry) Kuhn; cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Michael; and wife, Geraldine Ruth Orosz.
A Memorial gathering will be held at Calvin United Church of Christ in the Birmingham community of Toledo from 1 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 29 with the Memorial Service to follow at 2 p.m. A fellowship meal downstairs will follow the church service. Please bring a side or dessert to pass. A celebration of Julius’ life will take place on Sunday, August 31 at the family farm in Curtice, OH, from 4 to 8 pm. Drop by as you are able. Light refreshments will be served. Arrangements are being handled by Freck Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvin United Church of Christ or the Toledo Museum of Art. Special thanks to Chip and Betsy Rossler, David Moser, Mindy Miller and the team, the Verb family, Mary Scott, and Drs. Suraiya Ahmed and Lawrence Elmer.