For at least two decades in October of every year, I hoped that a life-long friend of my parents and my supporting mentor since adolescence, János Kornai would receive the Nobel Prize in Economics. This autumn, another year passed and, once again, not him, but others were crowned by the Swedish Academy. Alas, we all know that he cannot receive the prize in the future either - having passed away on 18 October 2021, after an enviably long, beautiful life and a 69 year long academic career. Nevertheless, even without the Nobel award, János was the most important Hungarian economist of all time, widely known in his home country and worldwide. His books were translated into 20 languages – including Sinhalese. After a long illness, he passed away at home, surrounded by his beloved family. He was 93 years old.