Death never comes at the right time and there are precious few instances of anyone appreciating a sweet send-off.

The circumstances around John Kurti’s passing might be the exception. A beloved fixture in the Cornelius business community, the 72-year-old native of Budapest passed away just after attending the lunchtime meeting of the North Mecklenburg Rotary Club.

During the meeting all the members cheered his return, says Rotarian Steve Melton. “So maybe that was a sign of how it was meant to be. He moved on to another life after being cheered by friends.”

Kurti left The Peninsula Club where Rotary meets, and then passed away just beyond the parking lot. James Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements; a memorial service will be held Saturday at 3 pm.

Kurti got to hear his friends cheer him heartily. Melton gave this account on Facebook:

“I have been thinking about this post for several hours now. An event occurred around 1:20 today, after the adjournment of my noon Rotary meeting that left me with both great sadness and strong admiration. A gentleman named John Kurti had just returned to the meetings after a few months of illness but after the meeting tragically died. He passed out while driving his SUV out of the parking lot and then drove down an embankment into a couple of trees and a wall….

“I didn’t know John very well, but I know he is in a better place. During the meeting all the members cheered his return, so maybe that was a sign of how it was meant to be. He moved on to another life after being cheered by friends.

“Rest in peace John.”

John is survived by his wife Esty, son Ron and daugther Keren and two grandsons.

Here is what Keren says: “I want to say we are so thankful to everyone at the Rotary meeting. Dad had such a wonderful time there surrounded by people he cared about. He was so happy to be there.”