Joseph Velezdy was born in North Braddock, Pennsylvania on March 11, 1912. The son of a Hungarian violinist, Mr. Velezdy became a budding composer at a young age. Although, Mr. Velezdy pursued careers as a soccer player, housepainter, and barber, his passion for composing music, however, never diminished and in 1948 he returned to Hungary where he honed his skills as a violinist. His chief collaborator and lyricist was his wife Mary whom he married in 1952. They moved to Miami Beach where they focused on composing music before settling into retirement in Titusville, Florida. Together Joseph and Mary Velezdy composed many instrumental and classical works. When repeated attempts to have the music published failed, Mr. Velezdy joined the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers and published the music himself in the 1960s. Mary Velezdy passed away in September of 1993. Mr. Velezdy continues in his efforts to create a lasting legacy of his and Mary’s musical accomplishments.
From the guide to the The Joseph and Mary Velezdy Papers, 1947-1999, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida Libraries, )
