Hungarian Holocaust survivor Miguel Weinstein, 92, passed away on August 11, 2024, in Texas where he had lived the past 45 years.
Born Laszlo Mihaly in Miskolc, Hungary, Miguel was the son of Gyula Weinstein Schwartz and Ella Markovits Markovits. Miguel lived with his parents and younger brother, Andres, in the small town of Edeleny, Hungary, until WW II broke out.
At age 7, Miguel’s brave mother decided they had to abandon Hungary and the family headed to Paris to escape persecution. After months of uncertainty, the Weinstein family boarded the last ship out of Le Havre for New York, the vessel SS De Grasse. Much of Miguel’s extended family unfortunately did not survive the Holocaust.
Miguel celebrated his 8th birthday at Ellis Island in New York, USA. There, the family boarded the USS Siboney to Veracruz, Mexico and finally made their way to Mexico City where Miguel lived for the next 40 years. He felt Mexican at heart and changed his name to Miguel which is how he was known for the rest of his life. In Mexico City he met the love of his life Enriqueta (Queta) Berrón Calva; they were married in November 1962 and enjoyed 44 years together until Queta’s death in 2006.
In 1979, Miguel moved with his family to The Woodlands, Texas to pursue a career in manufacturing, and later importing and exporting, before opening a business in property management with his wife. He called Texas home for the remainder of his life.
Miguel told stories of frequent weekend trips by motorcycle from Mexico City to Acapulco as well as an epic adventure on motorcycle from Mexico City to Los Angeles, California, He lived in Los Angeles for a year while attending the Diesel Mechanics school and lived another year in Switzerland while studying French. He loved overhauling automobiles with his life-long best friend, listening to classical music, and traveling abroad. Miguel spoke four languages (Hungarian, English, Spanish and French), and spent lots of quality time with friends and family through the years in his home in The Woodlands.
Miguel is survived by daughters, Claudia Weinstein, Gabriela (Scott) Chaney, and Sandra (Michael) Bever. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, a great grandchild, and his brother, Andres.
A celebration of life with Miguel’s family will take place at a later date.
Miguel was proud of his Jewish heritage. If you’d like to make a donation in Miguel’s memory, please use the form on this page and choose Miguel Weinstein Fund.