http://www.croatia.org/crown en-us http://www.croatia.org/crown N/A nenad@nenadbach.com Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:46:52 -0700 20 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9603/1/Croatian-Heroes-Pavo-Urban-defended-Dubrovnik-with-his-camera.html Pavo Urban was a young photographer. He lost his life in 1991 during Serbian and Montenegrin shelling and bombing of the city of Dubrovnik with his photo camera in hands. His last photos are taken literally a few seconds before his tragic death. His photos reveal subtle spirituality of a young soul. Great talent. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9602/1/Croatian-Heroes-Dubrovnik-defenders-in-1991.html Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful mediaveal cities in the world. Its flag is unique by its inscritpion LIBERTAS, that is, Freedom. We want to remind the reader on the dramatic days in 1991 when the City was mercelesly bombed and shelled during the Serbian agression on Croatia. We also present the Memorial Room of Dubrovnik Defendres. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9601/1/Marin-Drzic-1508-1567-a-famous-Croatian-Renaissance-playwright.html Marin Dr¾iæ, a famous Croatian Renaissance playwright, was born five hundred years ago, in 1508. His native city of Dubrovnik and the whole of Croatia celebrate this year dedicated to his memory by a series of events and publications. Marin Dr¾iæ is one of the pillars of Croatian literary tradition, preceding that of Shakespeare and Moliére by more than half a century. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9595/1/Andrija-Stampar-Croatian-scientist-father-of-the-World-Health-Organization.html Andrija ©tampar (1888-1958), Croatian scientist and professor at the University of Zagreb, is the father of the World Health Organization, founded 60 years ago. He introduced the public health service in China in 1930s, where he spent three years as a specialist and representative of the then League of Nations. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9589/1/Stjepan-Radiae-1871-1928-The-Russian-branch-of-our-Jelacics.html Stjepan Radiæ is one of the greatest Croatian personalities of the 20th century. We present his article dealing with a branch of the Croatian noble family of Jelaèiæ in Russia and their contribution to the Russian culture. With this article we mark 80 years from his tragic destiny. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9570/1/Drazen-Petrovic-a-famous-Croatian-basketball-player-left-us-15-years-ago.html Dra¾en Petroviæ, a famous Croatian basketball player, died on June 1993, ie 15 years ago. With all the problems going on in Croatia back then, Dra¾en gave all of Croatia the joy of Basketball to alleviate their pains. His very nice monument can be seen in front of the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. ipuscenik@yahoo.com (Ivan Pu¹æenik) Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9562/1/Azra-Ljumanoviae-little-known-Croatian-sprituality.html Azra Kristina Ljumanoviæ (1958-1998) is one of the symbols of Croatian spirituality. Working as a school-teacher, she left deep and indelible traces on her pupils and contemporaries with her beautiful songs, poetry and inspiring Christian messages. mario.essert@inet.hr (Prof. Dr. Mario Essert) Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9551/1/Draen-Vrdoljak-1951---2008.html   Nakon duge i te¹ke bolesti u 57. godini ¾ivota napustio nas je Dra¾en Vrdoljak. Bio je prava glazbena enciklopedija. Pouzdan i po¹ten prema meni, rado je podijelio i radost i tugu i pikantnost i humor kako osobnog tako i poslovnog okru¾ja. I miss you already. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9531/1/Leo-Majich-in-memoriam-1925---2008.html Leo Anthony Majich, age 82, was born July 17, 1925 in Los Angeles and died April 10, 2008 in Pasadena after a brief illness. He was a founding member of the Croatian American Association as well as the National Federation of Croatian Americans, serving several terms as its Western Region vice-president. c.mateo@verizon.net (Martin Cvjetkoviæ) Fri, 18 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9517/1/Boris-Dvornik---in-memoriam-to-outstanding-Croatian-actor-1939-2008.html Boris Dvornik was an amusing man, and he was very emotional; a man who was able to feel the sufferings and destinies of others. That was visible even while he was acting. That's the charisma that glows around him - a mix of warmth and authority. matko@matkojelavic.com (Matko Jelaviæ) Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9472/1/NFCA-is-Saddened-by-the-Passing-of-Congressman-Tom-Lantos-of-California.html   Tom Lantos was a friend to the Republic of Croatia and to the Croatian American Community.  He was a progressive leader for democratic change around the world and a steadfast supporter of the expansion of human rights for all people. NFCA's President, Mr. Ed Andrus, called on Congressman Lantos in his office when the NFCA was actively campaigning for Croatian Caucus. foleycoinc@earthlink.net (Joe Foley) Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9426/1/Dr-Drago-tambuk-Speech-in-Hiroshima-for-the-Vukovar-victims.html The speech of the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Japan Dr. Drago ©tambuk during the Holy Mass for Vukovar's victims now available in Croatian and English. "...Vukovar is a canopy of celestial bodies, frozen in our mind, evoking earthly shortcomings, calling for a higher destiny..." darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Thu, 10 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9411/1/In-Loving-Memory-of-Joseph-Turkaly-1924-2007.html The Turkaly Art Gallery provides a beautiful collection of works of art of Josip Turkalj, outstanding Croatian artist in the USA. In 1999 he received the "Presidential Award for the Advancement of Croatian Culture", an award bestowed on him by the Government of Croatia. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Sun, 30 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9394/1/Hiroshima-2007-requiem-Mass-for-the-victims-of-the-Vukovar-tragedy.html The requiem Mass was said by Hiroshima Bishop Misue Joseph Atsumi with the Croatian Ambassador to Japan, Drago ©tambuk. "Vukovar je umro da bi Hrvatska ¾ivjela. Preobrazio je suze u zvijezde, prostrijelne rane u snopove svjetlosti, mrtve u anðele. Vukovar je svod nebesnika, zaustavljenih u na¹em sjeæanju, podsjetnik na zemaljske nedostatnosti i zazivatelj vi¹e sudbine." nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9381/1/Jerry-Ricks-in-memoriam-1940---2007.html American blues guitarist "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks, who mastered the sound of the 1930s' Delta Blues, died in a clinic in Croatia on Monday. He was 67. He and his wife, Nancy, moved to Croatia this year after performing a concert in the country. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9373/1/Valentine-Ivankovic-in-memoriam-1925---2007.html Valentine (Val) was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina of Croatian parents, Andrijia and Jaka. He was among the few survivors of the post WWII massacre at Bleiburg. To escape communism, he eventually fled his homeland to Rome, Italy. c.mateo@verizon.net (Martin Cvjetkoviæ) Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9363/1/Radovan-Grgec-outstanding-Croatian-intellectual-and-humanist-passed-away.html Radovan Grgec (1929-2007), president of the Croatian Literary Society of St. Jerome (Hrvatsko knji¾evno dru¹tvo Sv. Jeronima), Zagreb, one of the founders and editor in chief of the "Maruliæ" journal, and wonderful person, died in Zagreb. His name is well known among many Croats throughout the world. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9355/1/Rudolf-Blazevich-in-memoriam-1925---2007.html Rudolf Blazevich, long time resident of San Pedro, USA died on Nov. 19, 2007. Rudolf was the father of John Z. Blazevich, CEO and founder of Contessa Premium Foods. Rudolf was born on March 23, 1925 to Manda and Stanko Blazevic in Mostar, B-H. He was blessed with an infectious sense of humor, good looks, and a determination to make the most of what life has to offer. c.mateo@verizon.net (Martin Cvjetkoviæ) Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9333/1/50-years-ago-today-on-November-3rd-1957-Laika-by-Marilyn-Cvitanic.html Fifty years ago today the USSR launched Sputnik 2. On board was a live dog named Laika. The point was to prove that a dog, and eventually a human being, could survive in space. Sputnik 2 was equipped with life support systems and enough food and water for ten days. The mission yielded very little useful scientific information. mcvitanic@nyc.rr.com (Marilyn Cvitanic) Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9280/1/Vukovar-Croatian-Baroque-city-on-the-Danube-river.html Vukovar is reviving from ashes. Many of its wounds have been cured, but a lots remains to be done in the future. Of course, its extremely difficult past will not be forgotten. One of the symbols of the city is Sini¹a Glava¹eviæ (1960-1991), Croatian writer and newspaperman. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9306/1/Toe-Proeski-1981---2007-In-Memoriam-Too-good-too-young-too-soon-too-sad.html The talented boy from Krusevo - Tose Proeski, one of the best Macedonian vocalists ever, was born on 25 January 1981 in Prilep. Prior to his death, he was a student at the final year of the Skopje Music Academy, at the solo singing department. A personal friend, who loved Croatia and Croatians loved him back. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9265/1/Josip-Turkalj-1924-2007-a-renowned-Croatian-American-artist-died.html   On July 3, 2007, a renowned Croatian American artist, Josip Turkalj, died at his home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Besides being an exceptional husband and father to six sons, he was a brilliant sculptor, educator, wonderful man, and a friend to many of us. cuvalo@gmail.com (Dr. Ante Èuvalo) Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9263/1/Ovo-nije-kraj---In-Memoriam-for-Croatian-Firemen.html                                                          letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 17 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9260/1/Efforts-to-build-the-Church-of-Croatian-Martyrs-in-Udbina.html In September 9th, 2007 an invitation has been sent by Croatian Bishops from Udbina to continue with efforts to build the Church of Croatian Martyrs. The manifestation has been accompanied with a rich spiritual and cultural program. darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Sat, 15 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9251/1/Some-can-sing-opera-Luciano-Pavarotti-was-an-opera-1935---2007.html   No one could inhabit those acrobatic melodies and words like him. He lived the songs, his opera was a great mash of joy and sadness; surreal and earthy at the same time; a great volcano of a man who sang fire but spilled over with a love of life in all its complexity, a great and generous friend letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9246/1/Day-of-Mourning-in-Croatia.html In the aftermath of the deaths of firemen on Kornati, the Croatian government declared Monday, September 3, Day of Mourning.   letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 02 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9244/1/Patriarch-of-the-Nobilo-wine-family-dies-at-94.html   Mr Nick Nobilo (left), who established the House of Nobilo wine label, died late on Wednesday night at a private hospital in Henderson, Auckland, with his family at his bedside. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9217/1/The-biggest-known-post-WWII-execution-site-in-Europe.html In 1995, Serbian troops massacred 8,000 Muslims at Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Tezno grave in Slovenia (near Maribor) was found in 1999 during highway construction, with the number of post-WWII victims exceeding even that of Srebrenica. brigall@yahoo.co.uk (Brian Gallagher) Fri, 17 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9216/1/Nela-Erinik-a-Croatian-actress-and-entertainer-died.html   Nakon kratke bolesti u Voloskom  umrla je 14. kolovoza 2007. u 84. godini Nela Er¾i¹nik, hrvatska glumica, estradna umjetnica i najveæa komièarka hrvatske scene. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9199/1/Rudolf-Arapoviae-1937---2007-In-Memoriam.html   Rudolf Arapoviæ of blessed memory died on August 3, 2007.  He was an active parishioner of the Croatian Catholic Mission of St. Blaise in Washington, D.C., from its founding until his return to Croatia in 1997. We shall miss you very much! May God grant you eternal rest! miroslav.vuko1@zg.htnet.hr (Miro and Peggy Vuko) Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9132/1/Umro-kipar-Josip-Turkalj-1924-2007.html     nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 08 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9069/1/Umro-Andjelko-Vuckovic-alkarska-legenda.html nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9033/1/Ivica-Raean-1944---2007.html   Croatia's former prime minister Ivica Racan has died. He was 63. He passed away in hospital on Sunday morning after kidney cancer discovered in February spread to his brain. As head of the Croatian Communist Party in 1990, Racan allowed the country's first free elections. letters@croatia.org (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 29 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8900/1/Andrija-Mohorovieiae-and-his-MOHO-discontinuity-of-the-Earth.html Among scientists studying seismology the famous Moho layer (or Moho discontinuity) of the Earth is well known. It was named after the great Croatian geophysicist Andrija Mohorovièiæ (1857-1936), professor at the University of Zagreb. His discovery was essential for understanding the inner structure of the Earth and the behavior of seismic waves. This is one of the greatest achievements in the history of Croatian science.   darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8889/1/Otto-Lang-1908-2006-Northwest-icon-founded-first-ski-school-at-Mount-Rainier.html   Otto Lang, a skiing pioneer and filmmaker, was a Northwest icon who had few equals in elegance, work ethic and zest for life. Lang, who touched the lives of neophyte skiers and Hollywood stars alike, died at his West Seattle home at the age of 98. olujanovine@hotmail.com (Tomislav Kapular) Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8887/1/Ivan-Illich-1926-2002.html Ivan Illich, was one of the world's great thinkers, a polymath whose output covered vast terrains. He worked in 10 languages; he was a jet-age ascetic with few possessions; he explored Asia and South America on foot; and his obligations to his many collaborators led to a constant criss-crossing of the globe in the last two decades. olujanovine@hotmail.com (Tomislav Kapular) Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8812/1/Albert-Einsteins-protest-against-the-murder-of-Milan-Sufflay-in-Zagreb-in-1931.html 75 years since an appeal of Albert Einstein and Heinrich Mann to the League of Nations against the murder of Croatian scholar Dr Milan Sufflay in Croatian captial Zagreb in 1931 at the age of 52   darko_zubrinic@yahoo.com (Prof.Dr. Darko Zubrinic) Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8640/1/Umro-Dr-ivko-Anton-Strika-1931---2006.html Dr. ®ivko Anton Strika, 75 godina star internist i gastroenterolog, preminuo je u èetvrtak 31-og kolovoza 2006, poslije kratke bolesti u ©ibenskoj bolnici.   vnazor@yahoo.com (Vedran Joseph Nazor) Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8544/1/E-Zeljka-Suncica-Matutinovic-PhD-1966---2006.html Zeljka Suncica Matutinovic, Ph.D. 1966 - 2006     Zeljka (Suncica) Matutinovic died Sunday, July 2, on Martha’s Vineyard. She was 41. While vacationing on Martha's Vineyard, she was in a traffic accident and was reported dead at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital shortly after. She is survived by her parents, Zeljko and Katarina Matutinovic, of Zagreb, Croatia. Zeljka, a native of Croatia, was a beloved friend to many, and a highly accomplished professional. She earned a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University and had started her career at McKinsey & Company. She established a career in investment banking working at Credit Suisse First Boston, International Real Returns LLC, and most recently, Jerusalem Venture Partners. Since 2005, Ms. Matutinovic had been working to build her own investment firm. Zeljka will be remembered for her sharp mind, generous heart and the vibrant love of life. Her interests extended far beyond the business world and included skiing, sailing and biking. She also took pleasure in opera and art. Zeljka's bright smile was matched by her warmth and infectious enthusiasm. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.   The memorial mass will be held on Tuesday, July 18th at 7PM at the St. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church at 502 W 41st Street in New York City. Moped death mars 4th   Zeljka Matutinovic and Josko Silobrcic pose at their friend Diana Larson's wedding last month in New York City. Photo courtesy of Diana Larson New York woman was here on vacation By Aubrey Gibavic - July 6, 2006 Zeljka Matutinovic, a venture capitalist from New York City, died Sunday when the moped she was operating crashed into a utility pole near Deep Bottom Pond in West Tisbury. Her passenger, Josko Silobrcic, 46, of Swampscott, was seriously injured. Ms. Matutinovic, 41, a native of Croatia, became a United States citizen just months before traveling to Martha's Vineyard with her boyfriend for a holiday weekend getaway, according to Diana Larson of New York City, a close friend who was left devastated by the news. "She was just in my wedding a few weeks ago," said Ms. Larson. "She had hundreds of friends all over the world." Ms. Matutinovic was driving up-Island with Mr. Silobrcic when their moped veered off Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, according to West Tisbury Police Chief Beth Toomey. Chief Toomey said officers spoke with a witness who "saw them go off the road out of the corner of their eye. That is why we are able to say there were no other cars or anything around." Ms. Matutinovic was pronounced dead at Martha's Vineyard Hospital shortly after the 2:30 pm crash, and Mr. Silobrcic was flown to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Yesterday he was in the trauma unit under intensive care. Edgartown, Chilmark and Massachusetts State Police assisted at the scene. The moped was rented from Sun 'n Fun in Oak Bluffs. Owner Don Gregory said in the 28 years he has rented scooters there has never been a fatality. "People keep saying 'it's not your fault,' but I keep feeling that if I didn't rent it to her, she wouldn't be dead," Mr. Gregory said. Ms. Larson said that Ms. Matutinovic came to the United States in 1989 and received her PhD in engineering from Princeton University. In addition to being a successful businesswoman, Ms. Larson said her friend was athletic and enjoyed skiing, sailing, and biking. Ms. Matutinovic also took pleasure in opera and art. She had been dating Mr. Silobrcic, a medical consultant, for some time. Ms. Larson said that Mr. Silobrcic had visited the Island before and wanted to bring Ms. Matutinovic for the weekend. "Zeljka was a brilliant and beautiful person, and a loving and kind friend," Ms. Larson wrote in an e-mail Tuesday to The Times. "She will be sorely missed by the many people whose lives she touched. She loved life, and should have had more of it." http://www.mvtimes.com/news/2006/07/06/moped_death.php   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 13 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/8545/1/EH-Ivan-Nogalo-1950-2006.html Ivan Nogalo 1950-2006     U Clevelandu (SAD), u petak 7. srpnja 2006., u 56. godini zivota preminuo g. Ivan Nogalo, jedan od osniva a Hrvatskoga bloka i lan Glavnog odbora stranke. Detaljne informacije o posljednjem ispraaju g. Nogala objavit emo naknadno. Ivan Nogalo Slivno, 3. IX. 1950. - Cleveland, 7. VII. 2006. Roen 3. rujna 1950. u Slivnu, Imotski. Ozenjen, otac dvojice odraslih sinova. Osnovnu skolu zavrsio u Slivnu, a Srednju ekonomsku u Vukovaru. Od godine 1968. zivi u Clevelandu, SAD. lan HDZ-a od godine 1989. do 14. rujna 2002., do osnivanja Hrvatskoga bloka iji je osniva . Obnasao duznost predsjednika Koordinacije HDZ-a do godine 1998. Od godine 1981. privatni poduzetnik. lan Glavnoga odbora Hrvatskoga bloka. Guest Book for Ivan Nogalo Please visit the Guest Book for Ivan Nogalo. http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?Id=GB18384254X  Click on the above link or cut and paste the url into your browser's address bar. http://www.hrvatski-blok.hr/default.aspx?clanak=2760   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 08 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6480/1/E-Ski-legend-and-Film-Producer-Otto-Lang-dies.html  Otto Lang 1908-2006Otto Lang shows off his circa-1940 skiing style.The former director of the Sun Valley Ski School died Monday. He was 98. The following concerning Washington State ski instructor Otto Lang, born in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, of a Croat mother and Austrian father.John KraljicOtto Lang, 1908-2006: Northwest icon founded first ski school at Mount RainierThursday, February 2, 2006By DEBERA CARLTON HARRELLP-I REPORTEROtto Lang, a skiing pioneer and filmmaker, was a Northwest icon who had few equals in elegance, work ethic and zest for life.Lang, who touched the lives of neophyte skiers and Hollywood stars alike, died Monday at his West Seattle home at the age of 98. He had been suffering from heart disease.Lang, who was born in Bosnia and spent part of his childhood in Austria, pioneered skiing in the United States, bringing European cache and technique to the United States in the 1930s. He founded the first ski school at Mount Rainier in 1937 and directed Sun Valley's ski school before and after World War II. Then he launched a successful career as a Hollywood filmmaker.He also became an accomplished photographer, woodworker and writer. He wrote ski columns for the Seattle P-I and two books."He was an unbelievable human being," said skiing filmmaker and longtime friend Warren Miller. "He is the last of the old Austrian ski instructors; it is the absolute end of an era."Miller also called Lang a "Renaissance man.""Otto was successful at multiple careers and always kept his mind active," Miller said. "He was a great athlete, yet he'd always wear a cravat or necktie; he dressed to the nines. But he was always gracious."Gerard Schwarz, music director for the Seattle Symphony and a friend of Lang's, said in a statement Wednesday that tonight's previously scheduled performance of Mozart's C Minor Mass will be dedicated to Lang, "a dear friend to our orchestra ... (and) a continual inspiration to us all in so many ways."Lang was born in 1908 in the small village of Zenica, Bosnia, to an Austrian father and Croatian mother. It was the year Bosnia became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War I, the family left for Salzburg, Austria. Otto, then 10, found his first pair of skis -- Austrian army surplus from the war -- for 10 cents, friends said. The young Lang became smitten with skiing, proving adept as a racer and jumper. He was hired in 1929 by Hannes Schneider, considered the father of modern skiing, to teach at the famed Austrian ski area, St. Anton am Arlberg. Lang brought the so-called Arlberg turning technique to the United States, revolutionizing a sport that had no chair lifts, no groomed runs and long, tough-turning skis.In the winter of 1937, Lang opened the first official North American branch of the Hannes Schneider Ski School on Mount Rainier. He opened two more Schneider schools at Mount Baker and Mount Hood in the winter of 1937-38.One of his best-known pupils was Gretchen Kunigk of Tacoma, who later won an Olympic gold medal for the United States in 1948 under her married name, Gretchen Fraser.In 1939, Mr. Lang joined the Sun Valley Ski School, becoming its executive director from 1941 to 1942 before the Idaho resort closed because of World War II. Mr. Lang resumed his position in 1946 when the resort reopened, remaining until 1950.One of his Sun Valley students was Hollywood film producer Darryl Zanuck, who asked him to direct the ski-action sequences for the movie "Sun Valley Serenade," starring ice skater Sonia Henje.That work led to a job as an assistant director at 20th Century Fox, where he directed and produced dozens of films and TV shows. He shot all over the world and worked with some of the biggest entertainment names of the time, earning four Academy Award nominations for short subjects and documentaries.He also wrote two books, the autobiographical "Bird of Passage" and "Around the World in 90 Years," a travel-photography memoir.But he never lost his love for skiing and participated in the sport into his 90s.Seattle skier Debbie Armstrong, who won a gold medal in the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo, near where Lang was born, had a special bond with Lang. Both shared a love of Bosnia, a passion for skiing and a grounded, clear-eyed approach to life.In an article published last fall in The Professional Skier magazine, Armstrong wrote about contacting her friend Lang in early 2005 after doctors ordered her off the slopes after a medical ordeal that nearly killed her. "I learned how Otto is viewed in West Seattle," Armstrong wrote. "He is a celebrity! (A word he detests, by the way. He sees himself as a very ordinary guy.)"Lang is survived by his companion of more than 20 years, June Campbell, and two sons -- Peter Lang of Santa Rosa, Calif., and Mark Lang of Coronado, Calif. His wife, Sinclair Gannon, preceded him in death.SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCERhttp://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/257952_langobit02.htmlP-I reporter Debera Carlton Harrell can be reached at 206-448-8326 ordeberaharrell@seattlepi.com .--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ski legend Otto Lang diesBy Karen BossickFor The Times-NewsSUN VALLEY -- Former Sun Valley Ski School Director Otto Lang died early Monday, a little more than a week after he celebrated his 98th birthday.Longtime friend Susan Moffett of Seattle said Lang had a heart attack in his sleep at his Seattle home and never woke up."He was doing fine to the very end -- able to go to lunch and give an interview to my husband, Dave, right up to the very end," Moffett said.Lang was a good friend of Sun Valley Resort owners Carol and Earl Holding. In fact, Carol mentioned Sunday afternoon during a community-wide tribute to the Holdings that Lang had called and expressed regrets that he couldn't make it to Sun Valley for the celebration.He was, however, present when Carol Holding threw a party celebrating the opening of her Dollar Mountain Lodge in December 2004.The Bosnian-born Lang opened America's first ski school in 1935 at Mt. Rainier.He visited Sun Valley in 1937 at the invitation of Nelson Rockefeller and was asked to join Sun Valley's ski school in 1939. He happily accepted, becoming instructor to such celebrities as Groucho Marx, Gary Cooper and Gerald Ford.And, in 1941, he became the ski school's director when Friedl Pfeifer was arrested on suspicion of being a spy for the Germans, a charge that was later dropped.It was one of his students, Twentieth Century-Fox studio head Darryl Zanuck, who started him on a Hollywood career that resulted in four Academy Award nominations.He directed the skiing sequences in the ski film classic "Sun Valley Serenade." And he made several ski movies, including "Ski Flight," which premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York in 1938.Following World War II, Lang became a full-time Hollywood director, directing such TV series as "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." as well as episodes of such shows as "Bat Masterson," "The Rifleman," and "Sea Hunt."He was a producer for such films as "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and "Call Northside 777" and assistant director on such films as "Viva Las Vegas," "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing," "Call Me Mister" and "The Ox-Bow Incident." http://www.magicvalley.com/articles/2006/02/03/news_localstate/news_local_state.1.txt  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 12 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6482/1/E-Milan-Zudic-83.html  Milan Zudic Mr. Zudic died Dec. 27, 2005, at his residence.Funeral services for Milan Zudic, 83, of Euclid, will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Christine Catholic Church, 840 E. 222 St., in Euclid.Milan ZudicFuneral services for Milan Zudic, 83, of Euclid, will be 9:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Christine Catholic Church, 840 E. 222 St., in Euclid. Mr. Zudic died Dec. 27, 2005, at his residence.Born July 27, 1922, in Croatia, he had lived in Cleveland before moving to Euclid 30 years ago.He came to the United States in 1967, from Croatia. He was a hard worker, honest, loyal and firm in his beliefs.Mr. Zudic retired from Cleveland Twist Drill, where he had worked as a mason/machinist.Survivors are his wife, Ana; son, Mirko (Ann) of Euclid; daughters, Maria Kobal of Euclid and Nevia Avzlahar of Wickliffe; grandchildren, Alex (Heidi) Kobal, Erik (Nadia) Kobal, Michael Zudic, Michelle Zudic and Daniel Zudic; great-grandson, Joseph Kobal; brother, Joe Zudic of Canada; sister, Stefi Rosen of Australia; and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. His brother, Zeljko Zudic; sister, Maria Zudic; and son-in-law, Drago Avzlahar, are deceased. Friends may call 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the DeJohn-Flynn-Mylott Funeral Home of Willoughby Hills, 28890 Chardon Road, (between Bishop Road and Route 91). Burial will be in All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185th St., Cleveland 44119, or the charity of your choice.Directions online at www.DeJohnFuneral.com. http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1698&dept_id=21847&newsid=15830851&PAG=461&rfi=9News-Herald serving northeast Ohio  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 03 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6481/1/E-Vjekoslav-Mihic-75-of-Timberlake.html Vjekoslav Mihic Obituaries08/21/2005Funeral services for Vjekoslav Mihic, 75, of Timberlake, will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Monreal Funeral Home, 35400 Curtis Blvd., Eastlake. Vjekoslav MihicFuneral services for Vjekoslav Mihic, 75, of Timberlake, will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Monreal Funeral Home, 35400 Curtis Blvd., Eastlake.Born March 30, 1930, in Zagreb, Croatia, he lived in Euclid before moving to Timberlake 30 years ago.Survivors are his wife of 31 years, Elinor (Reed); son, John; sister, Ana (Josip) Svircevic; niece, Tia Svircevic; nephew, Daniel Svircevic; and many cousins living in Croatia.He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Ecija Mihic.Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in All Souls Cemetery, Chardon Township. Online at www.monreal.com. http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1698&dept_id=21847&newsid=15071355&PAG=461&rfi=9   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 03 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6483/1/E-In-Memoriam---Francis-Violich.html  Francis Violich, emeritus professor of city planning and landscape architecture, diesBy Kathleen Maclay, Media Relations | 07 September 2005BERKELEY - Francis Violich, professor emeritus in city and regional planning and in landscape architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, and a founder of the Telesis Group, which lent a progressive status to city planning in the Bay Area, died Aug. 21 of natural causes at his home in Berkeley. He was 94.Francis ViolichBorn to Croatian parents in San Francisco in 1911, Violich grew up in a home a few hundred feet to the south of Golden Gate Park and credited his interest in landscape architecture to his mother's passion for gardening and her affinity for the environment.He graduated from UC Berkeley in 1934 with a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture. Two years later, he was awarded a Heller Charitable & Educational Fund fellowship for graduate studies in city planning at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he learned how to design urban places to resolve social inequality.Violich conducted study tours in Europe, Yugoslavia and Latin America that he said helped him establish a multi-cultural approach to his professional practice, teaching, research and community activities.In 1941, he joined the landscape architecture and city and regional planning faculties at UC Berkeley. He served as chair of the department of landscape architecture and environmental planning from 1962-1964.In the late '40s and 1950s, Violich helped found Telesis, which the American Planning Association has lauded as the "first volunteer-based group to bring multiple fields together successfully in a comprehensive approach to environmental development in a regional context." The association awarded Telesis national historical landmark status.Telesis also laid the groundwork for the establishment of UC Berkeley's city and regional planning department in 1948 and the formation 10 years later of the College of Environmental Design, which included the departments of city and regional planning, visual studies, landscape architecture and architecture.Violich published his first book, "Cities of Latin America: Planning and Housing in the South," in 1944. It was considered the first comprehensive work on planning and housing in Latin America and, after its publication, Violich was invited by what became the Organization of American States to start an exchange program on urban planning in the region.His second book, "Urban Planning for Latin America: The Challenge for Metropolitan Growth," was co-written with Robert Daughters, the head of the urban development section at the Inter-American Bank in Washington, D.C. It was published in 1987 and drew upon decades of their work applying American methods to the needs of Latin American cities as they evolved into vast metropolitan regions.When Violich retired from UC Berkeley in 1976, Donald Foley, then chair of the city and regional planning department, recognized his contribution to promoting interest in Latin American planning and his influence on the character of urban planning and environmental design. Foley also noted Violich's effectiveness in attracting and advising Latin American students to the College of Environmental Design.Violich served as a planning consultant to Sao Paulo and Caracas and as an adviser to educational programs in Venezuela and Chile and to the Peace Corps, Pan American Union, Ford Foundation and other groups interested in urban planning in Latin America."Throughout all of this," Foley said, "Francis Violich has brought an intense commitment: a persistent belief that we can improve the environment around us and that we can improve the environmental design processes by which we intervene."In Violich's 1998 book, "The Bridge to Dalmatia: A Search for the Meaning of Place," he examined post-war reconstruction, environmental eco-history, planning of urban areas in Croatia, and particularly the environmental cultural identity of people along Croatia's Dalmatian coast."The concept of the bridge, in my mind," he wrote, "applies to the foreign people who come to the U.S. and bring us their cultural concepts and in that way both enrich and take away from the Anglo-Saxon culture which is more materialistic and individualist, breaking up families and shifting the economic gain into the hands of a few."Today, there is an active exchange program between the urban planning departments at UC Berkeley and the University of Zagreb in Croatia, where Violich spent a year in 1979 on a Fulbright Fellowship. His earliest research in Dalmatia began in 1937.Violich launched the exchange program in 1996, contributing royalties from his Dalmatia book, and vowed to leave his Dalamatian research collection to UC Berkeley.Violich won several awards, including a National Planning Pioneer designation by the American Institute of Planners in 1992 and recognition in 1997 as co-founder of UC Berkeley's city and regional planning department. He was given a Distinguished Alumnus Award by the College of Environmental Design and its alumni in 1999 in recognition of his accomplishments.Violich placed in the finals of the Prix De Rome twice and was a member of the American Academy in Rome."Fran's life is a reminder that we stand on the shoulders of very special human beings," said Harrison Fraker, dean of the college.Violich is survived by his sister, Clementine Nelson of San Francisco, and by a brother, John Violich of Kentfield, Calif. He is also survived by three sons: Antonio Violich of Watsonville, Calif., Frano Violich of Boston and Mario Violich of Venice, Calif.; daughters, Carmen Violich-Goodin of Berkeley and Francesca Violich Arango of Coconut Grove, Fla.; and 13 grandchildren. Violich's wife, Mariantonia Sanabria Violich, died in 1989. The couple was married for 43 years.Memorial contributions can be made to the Francis Violich Dalmatian Fellowship Fund care of UC Berkeley's Department of City and Regional Planning at 228 Wurster Hall, Berkeley, Calif., 94720-1850, Attention: Malla Hadley, Management Services Officer.A campus memorial will be held at The Faculty Club on campus from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30.  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 15 Oct 2005 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6484/1/E-Andronico-Luksic---Croatian-Billioner-Dies-at-78.html  Andronico Luksic - Croatian Billioner Dies at 78  Antofagasta billionaire dies at 78By Melanie Feisst (Filed: 20/08/2005)The Chilean billionaire Andronico Luksic, who founded the Antofagasta copper mining and rail empire, has died of cancer aged 78. Mr Luksic, whose family emigrated to Chile from Croatia after the First World War, took control of the company, then known as the Antofagasta (Chile) & Bolivia Railway Company, in 1980.He led it through a resurgence in international demand to enter the FTSE 100 at £11.40 in March 2004. Since then its share price has risen 25pc, adding another 36 yesterday to reach £14.26.Mr Luksic, who leaves a widow, Iris, and five children, last year was credited by Antofagasta director and friend Philip Adeane with turning the company from a £100m business in 1980 to one worth more than £2.4billion.The media-shy mogul, who had returned recently to Croatia to invest in a chain of war-affected hotels, was estimated to be worth £1.6billion. He was chairman of Antofagasta group from 1982 until his retirement from the board last November, when he was succeeded by his youngest son Jean-Paul Luksic, the former chief executive.Mr Luksic senior also had interests in brewing, fishing and telecommunications.http://www.money.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2005/08/20/cnanto20.xml&menuId=242&sSheet=/money/2005/08/20/ixfrontcity.html  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 20 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6485/1/E-Elsie-Yuratovich-Led-effort-to-save-Croatian-church.html  Elsie Yuratovich Led effort to save Croatian churchObituary: Elsie Yuratovich Friday, July 29, 2005By Patricia Lowry, Pittsburgh Post-GazetteIn her retirement, Elsie Yuratovich was driven by a singular mission: preserve the Croatian church and culture in which she had grown up. She still lived in her childhood home on East Ohio Street in the North Side, the house in which her grandfather had run a grocery store across from the railroad tracks and just down the street from St. Nicholas Church.When the Roman Catholic church was threatened with closure and demolition due to the planned Route 28 expansion, Ms. Yuratovich became its most ardent supporter, conducting public and private tours of the church, meeting with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation staffers and speaking at public hearings.She raised many people's awareness of the significance of the church, including that of City Council members, who designated it a city historic structure in 2001. PennDOT decided to re-route the road around the building and its hillside grotto. The diocese closed the church anyway in December, citing ongoing costs and maintenance problems, but formed a committee to examine the possibility of turning the church into a Croatian shrine.Ms. Yuratovich, who touched the hearts of many with her optimistic spirit and valiant efforts, died Wednesday at UPMC St. Margaret. She was 83.She had bounced back from a brutal beating during a May 2002 break-in and robbery at her home, which she believed she survived only by pretending to be dead. As word of her broken jaw and other injuries spread, her hospital room filled with flowers from PennDOT staffers, Mayor Tom Murphy and other well-wishers.Ms. Yuratovich, who sold jewelry in Horne's Downtown store for 35 years, was always stylishly dressed and coifed, even though it may have been a style from decades ago. Petite and trim, she probably hadn't changed a dress size in 60 years, and with her perfectly groomed hair, she sometimes looked like she'd stepped right out of the 1940s.She would apologize profusely for keeping you on the phone and then talk for another 20 minutes, always thanking you for your time. Her conversation was rambling and circuitous, but inevitably came back to the point she'd begun to make five minutes before.She had the most beautiful, ornate handwriting, the kind children aren't taught anymore and most adults don't have the time to perfect. In it, she wrote her memories of Mala Jaska -- Little Jaska (pronounced yuh-skuh) -- the name Croatian immigrants called their stretch of East Ohio Street.In Mala Jaska's turn-of-the-20th-century heyday, when Croatians were streaming into Allegheny City and Pittsburgh to work in tanneries, steel mills, pickle plants and other factories, many of those who settled on East Ohio came from the town of Jastrebarsko, nicknamed Jaska, about 20 miles southwest of Zagreb. Ms. Yuratovich's father emigrated from nearby Karlovac when he was 13.Although her mother died when she was 8 years old and she grew up in a neighborhood friendlier to industry than to children, Ms. Yuratovich never felt deprived."We always loved the railroad," she wrote. "When we were just toddlers, we were so delighted when our parents carried us to the window to watch the trains rumbling by. When we grew older, we would count every boxcar that went by, sometimes 100 or even more -- and some of us still do."At St. Nicholas' grade school, she learned to read, write and sing in Croatian, which helped make her a fitting representative of the culture and its church -- the first Croatian church in America.Two years ago, the nonprofit Preserve Croatian Heritage Foundation, established when the church was threatened with demolition, made Ms. Yuratovich the building's unofficial public relations person."This was not done through the diocese because we had no authority to do it," said co-chairman Robert Sladack. "We had a business card made up with a picture of the church on it and her home phone number. It says 'Elsie Yuratovich, public relations -- guided tours.' She was ecstatic."Throughout her struggle to keep the church open, she never lost faith in her religion or its clergy, and was elated when Bishop Donald Wuerl had his driver stop his car in the St. Patrick's Day parade so he could come out and greet her on the sidelines after she recovered from the beating.She is survived by two sisters, Florence Ziccarelli of Michigan and Margaret Donlan of Cheswick; and a brother, George, of the North Side. Visitation is from 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at Sperling Funeral Home, 408 Cedar Ave., North Side. Bishop Wuerl and Croatian-born Father Gabriel Badurina will offer her funeral Mass at St. Paul Cathedral at 10 a.m. Monday.After the Mass, the funeral procession will return to the North Side and stop for two minutes in front of St. Nicholas Church."We will all say a silent thank-you prayer," Donlan said, "and remember the contributions of Elsie Yuratovich." Patricia Lowry can be reached at plowry@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1590. Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05210/545453.stm   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 30 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6486/1/E-Croatian-Waterpolo-legend-Dr-Zdravko-Jezic-passed-away.html  Croatian Waterpolo legend Dr. Zdravko Jezic passed away Umro Dr Zdravko Jezic, vrhunski hrvatski vaterpolist svih vremenaOn June 19, after a long battle with cancer, Dr. Zdravko Jezic passed away at his home in Long Island, New York. He was one of the world's best water polo players, participating in the 1952, 1956 and 1960 Olympic Games. Friends and family called him "Pusko."In Helsinki, at the age of 21, Pusko carried the Yugoslav flag at the opening ceremony. He returned with the first of two silver medals and was elected team captain. This was the beginning of a great tradition that continued long after Pusko retired from sports - his team Mladost Zagreb haswon seven European championships, the most for any water polo club.Pusko was the first man to play in 100 international matches. During the LosAngeles Games in 1984, he was the first Yugoslav player to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale. His legacy was celebrated in 2002 with the President of Croatia, at a dinner celebrating 50years of Olympic success - only the Hungarians have won more medals in waterpolo.This week Long Island will host a FINA water polo tournament and Croatia's team will play against four top nations. This is in preparation for the World Championships in Montreal and there should be a moment of silence honoring Pusko. I've decided to bring my mother and meet with the new generation of players and coaches. I suggested the USA - Croatia match this Friday.In September the Jezic family will travel to Zagreb and celebrate the life of a great man with his closest friends. We hope that Ratko and other water polo legends will attend. As a Croatian-American fan, Pusko attended the Olympics Games in 1972, 1984, 1988 and 1996. He loved the game of water poloand his legacy was very real. This is a tremendous loss for my family and we'll need your friendship during this difficult time.  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 22 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6488/1/E-Umro-Petar-Sarcevic-prvi-veleposlanik-u-SADu.html  Umro prvi Hrvatski veleposlanik u Sjedinjenim Drzavama Petar SarcevicRIJEKA – Prvi hrvatski veleposlanik u Sjedinjenim Drzavama Petar Sarcevic, koji je tu duznost obnasao od 1992. do 1996. godine, umro je u subotu u Zagrebu u 64. godini, objavilo je jucer Ministarstvo vanjskih poslova i europskih integracija. Prof. dr. Petar Sarcevic roÄ'en je 26. travnja 1941. godine u Subotici. Diplomirao je na Pravnom fakultetu u Zagrebu 1965. godine, a postdiplomski studij prava, podrucje europskih gospodarskih integracija, zavrsio je na Europa Institute Sveucilista u Amsterdamu 1968. godine. Na Sveucilistu u Mainzu, doktorirao je 1973. godine, 1977. godine postaje docent za meÄ'unarodno privatno pravo za Pravnom fakultetu u Rijeci, a 1981. godine izabran je za redovitog profesora na Pravnom fakultetu u Rijeci. Od 1986. do 1988. godine dekan je Pravnog fakulteta u Rijeci, a od 1989. do 1991. godine rektor je Sveucilista u Rijeci. Sarcevic je bio osnivac, direktor tecaja te predavac za meÄ'unarodno trgovacko pravo na MeÄ'usveucilisnom centru u Dubrovniku. Bio je profesor gost na pravnim fakultetima u Austriji, Belgiji i SAD-u. Od 1989. do 1994. direktor je za znanstveni rad u Association Internationale des Sciences Juridique sa sjedistem u Parizu. Clan je brojnih nacionalnih i meÄ'unarodnih strukovnih udruga te ravnatelj Centra za poredbeno zakonodavstvo Pravnog fakulteta Sveucilista u Rijeci. Objavio je brojne znanstvene radove u domacim i stranim casopisima i zbornicima na engleskom, njemackom, francuskom i kineskom jeziku. Urednik je sedam knjiga objavljenih na engleskom jeziku. Prof. dr. Petar Sarcevic pozvan je zbog svojeg znanja i ugleda u hrvatsku diplomaciju 1992. godine, a obnasao je duznost prvoga veleposlanika Republike Hrvatske u SAD-u od 1992. do 1996. godine. Za svojega mandata postavio je cvrste temelje hrvatske diplomacije, sudjelovao u izgradnji zgrade prvog hrvatskog veleposlanstva te uspostavio mnoge vazne veze koje spajaju Hrvatsku i SAD. Drugi veleposlanicki mandat Sarcevic je proveo kao veleposlanik u Svicarskoj i Lihtenstajnu.   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 05 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6487/1/E-George-Mikan-the-best-basketball-player-in-the-USA.html  George Mikan the best basketball player in the USA  George Mikan (1924-2005), born in a Croatian family in Illinois (his both parents are from Vivodina near Karlovac), was the best basketball player in the USA in 1944. He was the first dominant "big man" in NBA, known as the "Gentle Giant". He was also one of the most effective scorers of his time, avareging 22.6 points per game over his nine years long professional career, with the then record of 11,764 points. The Associated Press voted Mikan the greatest basketball player of the first half of the 20th century. When Mikan's LA Lakers came to Madison Square Garden, the marquee simply advertized "Tonight George Mikan versus the Knicks!". How basketball was played at that time, is indicated by the following: he lost four teeth (in his first professional game), had two broken legs, three broken fingers, broken wrist, broken nose and dozens of stitches. Even some NBA rules have been changed because of his superiority. George Mikan was named one of the NBA's 50 Greatest Players in 1996 (on the occasion of 50 years of NBA), played four NBA all-star games, and is in the Basketball Hall of Fame. http://www.croatianhistory.net/   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 05 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6489/1/E-Croatian---American-Basketball-Legend-George-Mikan-Dies.html  Basketball Legend Croatian - American, George Mikan DiesGeorge Mikan, who was born of Croatian immigrant parents in Joliet, Illinois, died yesterday, June 2, 2005. There have been countless tributes concerning him in the American press and television yesterday and this morning (though, unfortunately, I haven't seen any which mention his Croatian heritage).Mikan was one of the greatest NBA basketball players of all time and was the first person elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame.Below is an obituary which appeared in today's New York Times.John Kraljic****************************************************June 3, 2005George Mikan, 80, Dominant Basketball Center, DiesBy FRANK LITSKYGeorge Mikan, the Minneapolis Lakers center who was the first superstar in modern professional basketball and a player so big and so dominant that college and pro rules were changed in an effort to handcuff him, died Wednesday at a rehabilitation center in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was 80.His death was announced by his family, The Associated Press said. He had been treated for diabetes and kidney failure for several years.At 6 feet 10 inches and 245 pounds, Mikan was never as naturally smooth as latter-day basketball superstars like Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson. He grew up self-conscious and self-doubting and he wore eyeglasses on the court, but through relentless hard work he became the pro game's paramount inside player from 1946 to 1956. He led his teams to seven league championships in nine years, including five National Basketball Association titles with the Lakers, teaming up with fellow Hall of Famers Jim Pollard and Vern Mikkelsen and guard Slater Martin.Mikan's trademark was a sweeping hook shot with either hand. He was the N.B.A.'s scoring leader three times and finished with 11,764 career points during his two seasons in the National Basketball League and seven with the N.B.A. He averaged 22.6 points a game in an era of less-refined shooting and lower scores, and he was a rebounding power.The Associated Press named Mikan the best basketball player of the first half of the 20th century. He was named to the N.B.A.'s 50th anniversary 50-man all-time team and the National Invitation Tournament's all-time team, for taking DePaul University of Chicago to the 1945 championship."He literally carried the league," Bob Cousy, the Boston Celtics' Hall of Famer and the N.B.A.'s pre-eminent guard in its early years, told The Associated Press yesterday. "He gave us recognition and acceptance when we were at the bottom of the totem pole in professional sports."In 1959, Mikan became a member of the first group inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.Mikan sustained various injuries during his career including fractures of both legs, his left arch, right foot, nose, right wrist, thumb and three fingers, plus 166 stitches.Through it all, he prevailed, even when rules were introduced to limit his effectiveness. At DePaul, he once recalled: "We would set up a zone defense with four men around the key and I guarded the basket. When the other team took a shot, I'd just tap it out."To negate that, the National Collegiate Athletic Association banned goaltending in 1944.In the N.B.A., when his team had the ball, Mikan set up one step from the basket. The league countered during the 1951-52 season by widening the lane under the basket, where an offensive player could stay for only three seconds at a time, to 12 feet from 6 feet. But Mikan scored 61 points in a game that season against the Rochester Royals.In a November 1950 game, the Fort Wayne Pistons decided the only way they could beat Mikan and the Lakers was to hold onto the ball. They won, 19-18, the lowest-scoring game in N.B.A. history. In 1954, the N.B.A. introduced the present rule that required a team to shoot within 24 seconds of getting the ball.George Lawrence Mikan was born June 18, 1924, in Joliet, Ill. At his high school graduation he was 6 foot 8. He used to stoop to make himself look shorter."I became round-shouldered, ungainly and so filled with bitterness that my height nearly wrecked my life," he once said. "Later, I found that a tall man didn't have to accept clumsiness."While in high school, Mikan wanted to be a priest and for a time he studied in a Chicago seminary, leaving no time to play basketball. He did play during the summers on playgrounds and he wanted to go to Notre Dame, but the coach, George Keogan, rejected him for being clumsy.Mikan found a home at DePaul, where Coach Ray Meyer tried to rectify his clumsiness with an intensive training regimen. He skipped rope, shadowboxed and ran. The routine helped, and he became an All-American three times and the college player of the year twice.His first pro team was the 1946-47 Chicago American Gears of the N.B.L. After one season, he moved to the N.B.L.'s Lakers. One season after that, the Lakers and three other N.B.L. teams joined the new Basketball Association of America, which a year later became the N.B.A.Mikan so captured the public's imagination that the N.B.A. often sent him on the road a day before a game to drum up publicity for his next game.He was still in his prime when he retired at age 29 after the 1953-54 season, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.Two seasons later, he returned, but was only a shadow of himself. He then retired as a player for good. He became the Lakers' coach in 1957, started the season, then quit with a 9-30 record.After basketball, he worked in Minneapolis as a corporate and real-estate lawyer. He bought and renovated buildings, owned a travel agency and ran for Congress as a Republican, losing in a close race.He was the first commissioner of the American Basketball Association, from 1967 to 1969. He lived in the Minneapolis suburb of Edina, Minn., and in Scottsdale.Mikan is survived by his wife, Patricia; his sons Larry, Terry, Patrick and Michael; and his daughters Trisha and Maureen, The Associated Press reported. His brother, Ed, who also played for DePaul and later in the N.B.A., died in 1999.Of all the tributes paid to Mikan during his career, perhaps the grandest came from the marquee outside the old Madison Square Garden. It read:  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 03 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6490/1/E-Ljeposlav-Perinic-The-King-of-Dolls-died-on-March-19th-2005.html  Ljeposlav Perinic, The King of Dolls died on March 19th, 2005Dear Nenad,I have sad news: The King of Dolls - mr LjeposlavPerinic - died in Buenos Aires on March 19th, 2005.My extensive presentation about this wonderful personis athttp://www.croatianhistory.net/etf/dolls.html prepared in four langugages: English, Spanish, Russianand Croatian. His daughter Mrs Teresa Perinic deBelofatto helped me very much.I met Mr. Ljeposlav Perinic in the summer 1999 inZagreb, after his friendly telephone call related tothe famous Croatian Glagolitic Texte du Sacre inFrance. I learned an unusual story about his uniquecollection of more than 350 dolls in national costumesfrom over 120 countries, from all five continents. Hisinvaluable collection contains dolls that he obtainedas gifts from dignitaries, Kings, Queens, Emperors,Empresses, Presidents, First Ladies, Prime Ministers,Governors, etc. Among them are Pope Paul VI (theVatican), Indira Gandhi (India), Carlos Menem(Argentina), G.A. Naser (Egypt), Grace Kelly (Monaco),Haile Selassie (Ethiopia), Farrah Diba Pahlavi - theFirst Lady of Iran, Benazir Bhutto (Pakistan), KonradAdenauer (Germany), Queen Sofia of Spain, Mao Tse Tung(China), Dalai Lama (Tibet in China), Enver Hoxha(Albania), Moise Chombe (Kongo), then MAHARADJAHIRADSA MAHENDRA BIKRAM JANG BAHADUR SHAHSHAMBAHER JANG DEVA (Nepal), Franjo Tudjman (Croatia), and many others. How did he collect his dolls? Well, he simply wrote,and asked for dolls in national costumes. However, thestory has deeper roots:www.croatianhistory.net/etf/dolls.html Many greetings from Zagreb,Darko Zubrinc  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 30 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6491/1/H-Monsignor-Raymond-W-Stafford-Died.html  Monsignor Raymond W. Stafford Died Monsignor Raymond W. Stafford, pastor of Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, in Astoria, New York, died unexpectedly in the early morning hours of March 20, 2005. The news of his death came as the parish prepared to commemorate the beginning of Holy Week, andhas left the parishioners deeply saddened. Monsignor Stafford served as pastor of Most Precious Blood for eleven years, and celebrated forty-five years of priesthood. Croats, who are an integral part of this multiethnic parish community, deeply mourn his loss. Monsignor Stafford was always very supportive of the Croatian community at Most Precious Blood. He was present at all Croatian functions that took place at the parish; he would come to say a prayer and give his blessing. As a pastor, he had a very good relationship with the Croatian bishop of Krk, who in the past has been responsible for the Croatian priests that serve at Most Precious Blood. He warmly welcomed visiting Croatian priests and bishops. The former bishop and now archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Bozanić visited the parish on a few occasions. Monsignor Stafford always concelebrated Masses with visiting Croatian bishops. In the past 10 years, the Croatian community has grown in number and spirit, in no small part due to Monsignor Stafford’s concern and support. He was a dedicated priest committed to the well being of his parish. His loss will be felt by the whole parish community. May God grant eternal rest onto his soul!   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 23 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6492/1/E-Petar-Radielovic-a-pillar-of-the-LA-community-passed-away.html  Petar Radielovic  Petar Radielovic, a pillar of the Los AngelesCroatian community, passed away on Sunday, January 23, 2005. Croatian National Association – Croatian National FoundationHrvatska Narodna Udruga – Hrvatska Narodna ZakladaP.O. Box 6591, Woodland Hills, CA 91365 USATel: (818) 610-3388 Fax: (818) 610-1023Funeral services will be held 10 AM Friday, January 28, 2005 at St. Anthony Croatian Catholic Church, 712 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012.We will forward more information as we receive it.Our sincerest condolences to the Radielovic family.  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 27 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6494/1/E-Stanislava-Rotkvic-MD-has-passed-away.html  Stanislava Rotkvic M.D. has passed awayIt is with great sadness that I have been informed that Stanislava Rotkvic M.D. has passed away earlier this week. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, December 29, 2004 atSt. John’s Church239 Anderson AvenueFairview NJ 07022Dr. Rotkvic originally a native of Croatia was retired. She leaves behind sister, nephew and a niece in Croatia. She was contributor to numerous charities. She was a Life Contributing member of The Croatian Academy of America and a former Executive Council member.  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 02 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6493/1/H-Preminuo-slikar-Josip-Generalic.html  Preminuo slikar Josip GeneralicSrijeda, 22. prosinca 2004. http://www.hrt.hr/vijesti/HRVATSKI slikar naivac Josip Generalic preminuo je jutros u koprivnickoj Opcoj bolnici, potvrdjeno je u toj bolnici. Josip Generalic rodjen je u Hlebinama 1936. Slikanjem se bavi od 1950., najprije pod utjecajem oca Ivana i Hlebinske skole, zatim od 1960. u njegove kompozicije prodiru nadrealni i dekorativni elementi. Zavrsio je Uciteljsku skolu u Krizevcima 1956., a diplomirao je na Visoj pedagoskoj skoli. Nakon 1973. gradi vlastit stil, temeljeci ga na ekspresivnosti i fantazmagoricnosti.Od 1977., u tzv. crnoj fazi, svojevrsnim verizmom slika svijet na rubu katastrofe. Autor je mnogih grafickih mapa, a radio je i scenografiju te prijedloske za tapiserije. Priredio je vise od stotinu samostalnih izlozaba u zemlji i inozemstvu i sudjelovao na vise od devet stotina skupnih izlozaba. Sudjelovao je na smotrama naivne umjetnosti u Bratislavi, Zagrebu, Muenchenu i Zuerichu. Hina  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sun, 02 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6495/1/H-Dr-Ivo-Korsky-1918--2004.html  Dr. Ivo Korsky (1918 -2004) U Buenos Airesu je 12. prosinca umro dr. Ivo Korsky. Intelektualac, filozof. Istaknuti politicar. Urednik politickoga casopisa REPUBLIKA HRVATSKA. Predsjednik Hrvatske republikanske stranke (u RH registrirana pod imenom Hrvatska republikanska zajednica). Vitez.Misa zaduÅ¡nica služit ce se u petak 17. prosinca, u 17,30 sati, u Palmoticevoj ulici u Zagrebu.(ra)     nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 14 Dec 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6496/1/H-Kruno-Masina-1934-2004.html  Kruno Masina (1934-2004) Pisu: Dr. Frank (Zeljko) Beluhan iFrano SorichU Tarpon Spring, malom turistickom mjestu sjeverno od St. Petersburga, na Floridi, Kruno je kao i obicno bio glasan u razgovoru s prijateljima na hrvatskom jeziku. Jedan gospodin ga je zaustavio: "Da li ste vi gospodin Kruno Masina?" "Da, to sam ja, gospodine". Na to ovaj kaze: "Slusao sam vas kroz niz godina na hrvatskom radiju u New Yorku, sada sam prepoznao vas glas, no nikada nisam imao priliku sresti vas sto mi je sada velika zadovoljstina. Cestitam vam na uspjesnom radu, koji je uvijek podizao duh nasih zemljaka i u najtezim trenutcima za Hrvatsku".Kruno je umro 18tog Studenog ove godine na putu iz jedne bolnice u druhu, iz Splita u Zadar, od zlocudnog raka, koji ga je ubijao kroz zadnjih nekoilko mjeseci.Kruno Masina je bio, nakon bijega iz komunizma, zatvora, tegoba izbjeglickog zivota po svijetu (Italija, Francuska, te konacno U.S.A.) preko 30 godina voditelj programa hrvatskog radija u New Yorku. Imao je dvije ljubavi u zivotu: jedna, njegova draga supruga Mira, s kojom je organizirao mnoge proteste Hrvata u New Yorku, Washingtonu i drugdje. Druga njegova ljubav je bila posvetiti sve slobodno vrijeme hrvatskoj ideji za samostalnost. Nikada nije imao materijalne koristi radeci na tom dugom i mukotrpnom putu. Kruno je bio niz godina "Vijecnik" u "Hrvatskom Vijecu", koje je jedna od najjacih organizacija Dijaspore, a cija je rijec cesto bila odlucujuca za probleme u Hrvatskoj. Ta organizacija je imala izuzetan utjecaj na upoznavanju americke javnosti i Administracije o dogadajima u nasoj Domaji, Hrvatskoj.Godine 1966. dosao je sa suprugom kao umirovljenik na Floridu, gdje se je ubrzo nasao u krugu svojih prijatelja Hrvata, a i mnogih mjestana njegovog dragog Preka iz otoka Ugljana. Tu je odmah, kao ugledan rodoljub, aktivirao se u hrvatske klubove, gdje je kao izvanredan govornik i voditelj ("Master of Ceremony") zagovarao hrvatsku ideju samostalnosti, cije je ostvarenje konacno i docekao! Priznanje za njegov dugogodisnji rad bilo mu je dato da bude voditelj programa prigodom posjeta Americi naseg Predsjednika Stjepana Mesica.Kruno i njegova draga supruga odlucili su vratiti se u Domovinu, u njihov voljeni rodni kraj, u Domovinu koja je sada slobodna, a kojoj su posvetili cijeli zivot. Nakon dolaska, kupili su dom u Zadru, koji gleda prema moru, sto je bio niihov zivotni san.Sudbina je, mozda, odredila da taj veliki/mali covjek dode umrijeti tamo, gdje mu je ljubav i srce bilo, u toj divnoj nasoj Hrvatskoj, na tom divnom nasem Jadranu. Mozda je tako bolje!  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 25 Nov 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6498/1/E-In-Memoriam-Ana-Komadina-of-New-Mexico.html  Ann Komadina lived to teach From the October 16, 2004 issue of the Abluquerque Tribune. John Peter Kraljic, Esq.Ann Komadina lived to teachBy Jeff CommingsTribune ReporterTeaching was such a natural way of life for Ann Komadina that when she retired from Albuquerque Public Schools in 1977, she never thought it meant her mentoring days were over."She was a marvelous Spanish teacher for me," said her niece, Julie Weaks Gutierrez. "Whenever I had a difficult time, she would sit down and be my tutor."Komadina's brother and former student, Al Grubesic, said her desire to learn and pass on that knowledge to everyone made her a role model in the family."She was a very vibrant person," he said. "It was hard to keep up with her."Komadina, who died Sept. 23 at an undisclosed age, was born in Dawson, N.M., of Croatian parents.She majored in English and Spanish at the University of New Mexico. Though many would agree that the graduate degree in Spanish she earned at UNM would qualify her as a master of the language, Komadina still wanted to learn more. She continued her Spanish studies in Mexico, living with families there to better understand the cultures and language.She returned to New Mexico to teach English and Spanish at Albuquerque High School. She also directed plays for the junior and senior classes there for many years. One of her students was the late Kim Stanley, who became a star on Broadway and in movies."Every year at Albuquerque High, they would put on a Christmas cantata," said Weaks Gutierrez. "We waited anxiously for that show every year, and it was amazing that, given all the things she was already doing, that she pulled it off."Just when everyone thought her plate was full to overflowing, Komadina added Russian expertise to her rÇsumÇ, earning a master's degree in Russian from Indiana University at 45."She decided she just wanted another challenge," Grubesic said. "Even though Russia was at the time our enemy, she couldn't think of a better way to learn about the enemy than study their customs."She became the first Russian teacher in APS, teaching the language to students at Sandia, Valley, Highland and Albuquerque high schools. She continued to work in foreign languages as an administrator at APS until her retirement.After that, her family became her students."Teaching was her great love in life," Weaks Gutierrez said. "She was always trying out some new technique . . . on those of us who were the kids in the family.""One of the great things I remember most about my sister was she took two of my kids to Europe," Grubesic said. "That had a great effect on them because they came back with a great appreciation for the United States."Even in the time shortly before her death, Grubesic said his sister was eager to teach."We were in the car and she was telling (the kids), 'All right, I need to teach you how to say hello in four languages.' She was always in that mindset of wanting people to learn."  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 18 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6497/1/E-John-Percic-March-24-1925---Oct-18-2004.html  John Percic March 24, 1925 - Oct. 18, 200410/20/2004 Funeral Mass for John Percic, 79, of Painesville Township, will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Gabriel Church, 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Road, in Concord Township.John PercicFuneral Mass for John Percic, 79, of Painesville Township, will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. Gabriel Church, 9925 Johnnycake Ridge Road, in Concord Township. Mr. Percic died Oct. 18, 2004, at Metro General Hospital in Cleveland. He was born March 24, 1925, in St. Martin, Croatia.He was a member of St. Gabriel Church in Concord Township. Mr. Percic worked as a security guard at Lincoln Electric Company for 37 years, retiring in 1990. Survivors are his wife of 49 years, Theresa; daughters, Amy (Richard) Steele of Mentor, Josi (Tom) Zimmerman of Houston, Texas, and Rose (Vicki Sanelli) Percic of Highland Heights; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived my relatives in Croatia. Friends may call 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Brunner Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 8466 Mentor Ave., in Mentor. Burial will be in All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township. Online obituary at www.brunners.com. ©The News-Herald 2004 http://www.news-herald.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1698&dept_id=21847&newsid=13174027&PAG=461&rfi=9  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 18 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6499/1/E-In-Memoriam---Anthony-Jurcan-of-Seattle.html  Anthony Jurcan treasured family, country From the Oct. 10, 2004 edition of The Seattle Times. John Peter Kraljic, Esq .By Judy Chia Hui HsuTimes Snohomish County BureauThose who knew him describe Anthony Jerry Jurcan as a kind, honest family man.Mr. Jurcan died Oct. 4 of complications from pneumonia. He was 91 years old."He was always there for us," said his daughter, Jane Murray.Back in her days as a newlywed, she recalled, money was tight. "He had a sixth sense, and he'd give me 20 bucks," which helped a lot, she said."And he was that way with the grandkids, too," Murray added. Her father would slip them $10 bills.Born in Zlarin, Croatia, Mr. Jurcan moved to Zagreb, the country's capital, to learn his trade as a cabinetmaker when he was 14. For three years as an apprentice, he worked 10-hour days and six-day weeks.In 1936, after serving 18 months in the army, Mr. Jurcan could not find work; the economy was still reeling from the Great Depression. So when his father, who had left the country for America several years earlier, sent him a letter and a ticket, Mr. Jurcan decided to go.Soon after he arrived in the United States at the age of 23, he met his future wife, Annabelle. Mr. Jurcan had tuberculosis and landed in the hospital where she worked as a registered nurse. But he couldn't speak English, so using a Croatian-English dictionary, he wrote her a note asking if she'd like to teach him English."That was the come-on," his daughter said.The two were married for 48 years, until Annabelle died in 1989.Because Mr. Jurcan couldn't find work as a cabinetmaker in this country, his first job was as a fisherman. He joined his father, who was already working along the coasts of California, Washington and Alaska.But quickly Mr. Jurcan returned to his first love. A hard worker, he practiced his trade at a few cabinet shops until he got a job with the Bon Marché. Mr. Jurcan worked for the department store for 33 years, building display cabinets by hand."It's very nice, fine furniture," his daughter said. "We have a whole household of tables, cabinets and chairs."Thirteen years ago, Mr. Jurcan married his daughter's neighbor, Harriet Mihara.Mr. Jurcan loved to tell stories. He liked fishing and being outdoors. "He even installed a hot tub in his back yard a few years ago," his daughter recalled.Mr. Jurcan was a member of Seattle's Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 439 for 67 years.Richard Major, who knew Mr. Jurcan for about 40 years through the lodge, remembers his "genuine hospitality and conversations about his homeland and his life in America, which he loved deeply."Above all, Mr. Jurcan valued family and being together, his daughter said. "He enjoyed Christmas, Thanksgiving and tradition."His son Robert Jurcan said having his father to talk to is what he'll miss most."He was a man that seemed to have no faults," his son said. "Everybody that met him, even just one time, liked him."In addition to his wife, Mr. Jurcan is survived by two sons, Anthony Jr., of Bellevue, and Robert, of Sumner; daughter Jane Murray, of Seattle; four granddaughters; and a grandson.A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Greenwood Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 350 Monroe Ave. N.E., Renton. Donations to any charity may be made in his memory.Judy Chia Hui Hsu: 425-745-7809 or jhsu@seattletimes.com   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 11 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6500/1/E-Frank-Vuckovic-92-of-Las-Vegas-died-Tuesday.html  Frank Vuckovic 92, of Las Vegas diedFrank Vuckovic, 92, of Las Vegas died Tuesday in a local hospital. He was born Nov. 23, 1911, in Croatia. A resident for 20 years, he was a retired bakery owner/operator.He is survived by two sons, Frank Vuckovic of Las Vegas and Mark Vuckovic of Tuebingen, Germany; and four grandchildren. Visitation is scheduled one hour prior to an 11 a.m. service Saturday in the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 55 E. Reno Ave. Burial will follow at noon Saturday in Palm Valley View Memorial Park. Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave., is handling arrangementshttp://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/obits/2004/aug/26/517408261.html  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 26 Aug 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6501/1/E-Richard-May-judge-in-Milosevic-trial-dies-at-65.html  Richard May, judge in Milosevic trial, dies at 65Posted on Mon, Jul. 05, 2004 By Marlise SimonsNEW YORK TIMESPARIS - Sir Richard May, a British judge who presided over the first two years of the war crimes trial of the former Yugoslav president, Slobodan Milosevic, before falling ill early this year, died Thursday at his home in Oxford, England. He was 65.He suffered from a brain tumor, friends of the family said.Sir Richard, a low-key barrister who received a knighthood a week before his death, joined the United Nations tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in 1997 and served on the bench in numerous cases. But he became best known as the judge in command of the complex Milosevic war crimes trial, the first of its kind for a modern head of state.High on the bench, in his crimson robe, peering over his glasses, he often had to engage in a test of wills with a defiant Milosevic.Sometimes prickly but mostly unperturbed, Sir Richard steered the proceedings that in the Milosevic case covered charges of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide relating to the wars in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo of the 1990s. He regularly coaxed Milosevic, who has acted as his own lawyer, by prodding and prompting him on what questions to ask a witness.Two years into the trial, as a turning point approached and the prosecution was about to rest its case, Sir Richard's grave illness forced him to step down."The Milosevic trial is a defining moment in international law and Richard May made it into a professional trial, not just a performance," said Antoine Garapon, a former French judge who directs the Institute for Advanced Judicial Studies in Paris. "And he did the near-impossible, he managed to engage the obstinate Milosevic and pull him in."At a tribunal where the 16 judges come from many nations, different legal traditions and even from careers as diplomats and academics, Sir Richard stood out as an experienced and practical judge. Theodor Meron, the tribunal president, said that Sir Richard had made major contributions in developing rules of procedure and evidence in the new field of international human rights law that "significantly improved the work of the tribunal and will be of great value to all international criminal courts."Richard George May, who was born in London in 1939 and graduated from Cambridge University, gained his experience first as a criminal prosecutor, then as a junior circuit judge in Oxford. He briefly entered politics, serving on the Westminster City Council, where he became an advocate for homeless children and low-income housing. In 1979, he ran and lost as a Labor Party candidate for Parliament against Margaret Thatcher. She, of course, went on to become prime minister and he went back to the law.In The Hague, Sir Richard was widely liked and admired by his colleagues, who called him a fair, self-effacing, kind, accessible and a witty man who was a master of understatements. His wit was rarely visible in court, where he was careful of preserving decorum.Although he was eager to preside over the Milosevic case as a member of the three-judge panel, Sir Richard did not cherish the limelight that came with it. He would politely greet an approaching reporter, but never engage in conversation, let alone in interviews.Geoffrey Nice, the lead prosecutor in the Milosevic case , who said he had spent more than 500 days in court with Sir Richard in several trials, said he found the judge to be "a very generous and a very modest man, who never tried to grandstand or show off his great knowledge." Rather he said, Sir Richard used his knowledge to assist witnesses or defense counsel to move the proceedings along.He avoided confrontations with aggressive lawyers, but would not tolerate rudeness. He told one brazen Serb lawyer that "courtesy is common to all continents." But he usually chose to overlook the stridency of Milosevic, ignoring for example the fact that he refused to stand up when addressing the court and insisted on calling him "Mr. May"Sir Richard opposed strong pressure from the prosecution to impose a defense lawyer on Milosevic, which would have simplified and speeded up proceedings. He insisted that Milosevic's right to self-defense had to prevail. But he reined him in at times by cutting off his microphone, or, after one bout of scoffing at the court, by interrupting him with the words: "your views about the tribunal are completely irrelevant."Over time, the two men seemed to reach a kind of truce, as Milosevic mellowed and Sir Richard kept urging him to avoid irrelevancies and be a better advocate of his case. But he also let Milsosevic air his grievances against NATO for the bombing of Yugoslavia at points when it was not relevant.In the past year, it was Milosevic who missed many court days because of high blood pressure and heart disease. What was not known was that Sir Richard himself, who never missed a day in court, was already ill but seemed determined to hold out until a break in the trial as the prosecution ended its case. His last day in court, Jan. 28, he seemed distracted and tired, but kept prodding Milosevic as usual: "Just move on, let's not waste time," he said several times. Then as prosecutors and the accused squabbled, he said: "That all today. We have no further time." He picked up his binders and walked out for the last time.Sir Richard is survived by his wife Radmila May and their three children.http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/9083340.htm?1c nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 07 Jul 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6502/1/G-Dr-CG-Stroehm---In-memoriam-A-Heart-for-Small-Peoples.html Dr CG Stroehm, a great friend of CroatiaDear Colleagues,Here is a nice piece- obituary- on Dr CG Stroehm, a great friend of Croatia -that appeared in the German daily die Welt, today. CG Stroehm was a great visionary; even Solshenytsin asked him for his views on communism. C. Stroehm passed away on May 14, 2004. According to my unconfirmed info, his funerals will be held in nearby Carinthia, Austria. regardsT. Sunichttp://www.welt.de/data/2004/05/18/279489.html?prx=1 Ein Herz f&uumlr die kleinen Nationen: Zum Tode von Carl Gustaf Ströhm [PARA]Alexander Scholschenyzin hatte, kaum in Deutschland angekommen, den dringenden Wunsch, "den Ströhm" zu sprechen. Schon damals, 1974, galt Carl Gustaf Ströhm als glänzender Analytiker der Vorgänge in der kommunistischen Hemisphäre, als ein Journalist, dem man mit der Formel von der Anerkennung der Realitäten nicht imponieren konnte. Er buhlte nie um die Interview-Gunst der Mächtigen von Prag bis Moskau, er suchte stattdessen, nicht ohne persönliches Risiko, das Gespräch mit den Arbeitern, den Intellektuellen, den Dissidenten, den Menschen von "ganz unten". So blieb er resistent gegen&uumlber allen Einfl&uumlsterungen der Politiker: ein unbestechlicher Beobachter, gef&uumlrchtet in den östlichen Schaltzentralen, geliebt von seinen Lesern und gelegentlich getadelt von Entspannungseuphorikern in deutschen Regierungskanzleien. [PARA]Der Sohn eines Baltendeutschen und einer Russin, 1930 in der estnischen Hauptstadt Reval (Tallinn) geboren, hatte ein Herz und auch den richtigen Blick f&uumlr die nationalen Minderheiten und die kleinen Nationen; er wusste, dass unter der T&uumlnche der kommunistischen Ideologie die Völker und Volksgruppen fortbestehen, mit all ihren historischen Größen und Belastungen, und konnte deshalb sehr fr&uumlh, anfangs noch belächelt, den Zerfall des Tito-Imperiums Jugoslawien voraussagen. [PARA]Ströhms journalistisches Schl&uumlsselerlebnis war der Ungarn-Aufstand 1956, von dem er als junger Reporter berichtete. In T&uumlbingen promovierte er mit einer Arbeit &uumlber den russischen B&uumlrgerkrieg. Von 1966 bis 1972 arbeitete der Historiker und Slawist f&uumlr die Deutsche Welle, dann bis 1999 f&uumlr die WELT. "Der Ströhm" wurde zum Inbegriff gediegener, furchtloser Ost- und S&uumldosteuropaberichterstattung. Dreisprachig aufgewachsen (Deutsch, Russisch, Estnisch), konnte er sich später in fast allen osteuropäischen Sprachen verständigen. Kleine Länder wie Estland und Kroatien haben ihm hohe Orden verliehen. Am 14. Mai ist Carl Gustaf Ströhm mit 74 Jahren in Wien gestorben. fac[NL][NL][PARA]Artikel erschienen am 18. Mai 2004 Artikel drucken (c) WELT.de 1995 - 2004   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Tue, 18 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6503/1/E-In-Memoriam---Zelco-Marvizi.html  Zelco (Yaakov) Marvizi was born 25 years ago The following article appeared in the Israeli daily H'aaretz concerning Zelco (Zeljko) Marvizi, who was half Croatian. He was one of 6 Israeli soldiers killed earlier this week in the Gaza Strip. John KraljicLast update - 01:51 12/05/2004His big dream was to join an elite unitBy Eli AshkenaziZelco (Yaakov) Marvizi was born 25 years ago on an island in the Adriatic Sea to a Jewish-Serbian mother and a Christian-Croatian father.When he was 10, his father died and Zelco, his mother, and sister, moved to Novisad in Serbia. After high school, Zelco studied physical education at Novisad University and later joined the Serbian army.At age 23, he came to Israel, where he joined the army and moved to Kibbutz Geva. There he met his "adoptive parents," Zeev and Vered Klein."Zelco had a lot of ambition," said Zeev Klein. He tried out for all the elite units but was not accepted, and he couldn't understand why." Eventually, Zelco was sent to medics' training, which was difficult for him because of his limited Hebrew. However, he finished with the help of friends.Zelco didn't give up on his dream of joining an elite unit. Tzvika Levi, the kibbutz movement's "father" of soldiers without families in Israel, spoke to the commander of the Givati Brigade about him and the latter authorized Zelco to join the engineering unit.Levi said Zelco called him last Tuesday and said: "Tzvika, if something happens to me, tell my girlfriend Maayan that I want to be buried in Jerusalem, the holy city. And if not in Jerusalem, then I want to be buried in Kibbutz Geva."w w w . h a a r e t z d a i l y . c o m  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Mon, 17 May 2004 00:00:00 -0700 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6507/1/E-Mom-mourns-her-fallen-son.html  Families tell of 2 Iraqi mob victimsThe slain security contractors were Army veterans from Ohio and Tennessee.By Connie Mabin | The Associated Press Posted April 2, 2004 Mom mourns her fallen sonApr 2, 2004 Two Army veterans, one from Ohio and one from Tennessee, were among four American contractors killed in Iraq, their bodies mutilated and dragged through the streets.Family members said Thursday that Jerko "Jerry" Zovko, 32, and Michael Teague, 38, died with two other civilians Wednesday after they were hit by rocket-propelled grenades in a rebel ambush. The victims worked for Blackwater Security Consulting, one of five subsidiaries of Blackwater USA based in North Carolina.Zovko's mother said she and her husband had suspected their son might be among the dead, but their fears were confirmed Thursday when the president of Blackwater USA knocked on their door."It was the hardest day of my life," Donna Zovko said during an interview in her suburban Cleveland home."Jerry was a man with a principle, an idea," his mother said. "He loved people. He wanted the world to be without borders, for everybody to be free and safe."Jerry Zovko joined the Army in 1991 at age 19. He spoke five languages fluently -- English, Croatian, Spanish, Russian and Arabic. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, his brother Tom Zovko said.Zovko's family wouldn't say whether he was married or had children.Teague, of Clarksville, Tenn., was a 12-year Army veteran who earned a Bronze Star for service in Afghanistan and also served in Panama and Grenada, his wife, Rhonda, said in a prepared statement. She called her husband a "proud father, soldier and American.""I, his son Brandon and his friends and family will miss him without measure," her statement said.Teague had worked in the security business since he left the Army six years ago. He joined Blackwater Security two months ago, a Nashville television station reported.The names of the victims were not officially released because family members had yet to be notified, U.S. officials said.Privately owned Blackwater USA's range of paramilitary services include providing firearms and small-groups training facilities for Navy SEALs, police-department SWAT teams and former special-operations personnel.The company's security-consulting business connects former special-forces troops with jobs that may involve protecting people or places, or training foreign militaries.http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/orl-asecohiovictim02040204apr02,0,5924823.story?coll=or    nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 02 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6506/1/E-Zovko-always-wanted-to-save-the-world.html   Posted on Fri, Apr. 02, 2004 Zovko always wanted to save the worldMASON STOCKSTILLAssociated PressLOS ANGELES - After serving 12 years in the Navy, Scott Helvenston started a career as a fitness instructor and worked as trainer and stunt man for such movies as "Face/Off" and "G.I. Jane."He helped prepare actress Demi Moore for her role as the first woman to join the Navy SEALs in "G.I. Jane," and appeared on two reality series: "Man vs. Beast" and "Combat Missions."But after years out of the service, friends said they weren't surprised to learn the former SEAL had left the comfort of his life in California behind him and headed for Iraq."That's what, in a time of need, true American warriors like Scott would do," "Combat Missions" producer Mark Burnett said Thursday.Helvenston, 38, was among four American civilian contractors killed in Fallujah, Iraq, in an ambush on Wednesday, their charred bodies mutilated and dragged through the streets. The contractors were working for Blackwater Security Consulting when their vehicle was hit by rocket-propelled grenades.Two of the other victims have been identified as Jerko "Jerry" Zovko, 32, and Michael Teague, 38.Zovko always wanted to save the world, his mother said. He joined the Army at 19 and spoke five languages fluently - English, Croatian, Spanish, Russian and Arabic."Jerry was a man with a principle, an idea," his mother, Danica "Donna" Zovko said in Willoughby, Ohio. "He loved people. He wanted the world to be without borders, for everybody to be free and safe."Mrs. Zovko said she and her husband, Jozo, suspected their son was one of the dead late Wednesday evening because he had been working in Iraq. Their fears were confirmed early Thursday."He was the most self-motivated person," Zovko's brother Tom told ABC's "Good Morning America. "He grew up a skinny, little guy but wanted to be big, and he become big. He had desire and motivation and never gave up."Teague was a 12-year Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, Panama and Grenada, said his wife, Rhonda Teague. She said he received a bronze star for his service in Afghanistan.Rhonda Teague called her husband a "proud father, soldier and American.""I, his son Brandon and his friends and family will miss him without measure," her statement said.Teague, of Clarksville, Tenn., had worked in the security business since he left the Army six years ago, and joined Blackwater Security two months ago, WTVF-TV of Nashville reported.A friend, Sgt. John Ratliff, told CBS' "The Early Show" that Teague "told me to promise to take care of his wife and his son ... He knew it was rough over there.""In my opinion, Mike was caught in a situation to where he couldn't do anything for himself or his counterparts," Ratliff said. He said he knew his friend "would have done anything in his power" to save himself and the other three if it had been possible.Helvenston's fitness company, Amphibian Athletics, promised to bring a Navy SEAL-style workout to his customers. His wife, Tricia, appeared in some of the company's workout videos.Fred Atkinson, a neighbor of Helvenston's in Oceanside, said he was a devoted father to his children, Kyle and Kelsey, and often took them camping or surfing.The identity of the fourth victim was not immediately known. The names of the victims were not officially released because all family members had yet to be notified, U.S. officials said Thursday.Blackwater Security, based in Moyock, N.C., provides security training and guard services to customers around the world. President Gary Jackson and two other company leaders are former Navy SEAL commandos.A statement on the company's Web site said officials were grieving for the employees."Our tasks are dangerous, and while we feel sadness for our fallen colleagues, we also feel pride and satisfaction that we are making a difference for the people of Iraq."http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/8333366.htm nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 02 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6504/1/E-Jerko-Jerry-Zovko-with-his-Motehr-Donna.html  Donna and Jerko "Jerry" Zovko  Jerry Zovko poses with his mother, Donna, in this undated photo. Zovko, a northeast Ohio Army veteran, was one of the four American contract workers killed in Iraq Wednesday, March 31, 2004, their bodies dragged through the streets, family members said Thursday. The family of Jerry Zovko remembered him as a man who wanted to work for peace in the world. (AP Photo/Courtesy of the Zovko family)   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Fri, 02 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6505/1/E-Croatian-American-Killed-in-Falluja.html  Croatian American Killed in FallujaOne of the four people who were brutally killed in Falluja, Iraq was Croatian American Jerry Zovko from the Cleveland, Ohio area. A short announcement just made the wires.John Kraljic*************************************Ohio Civilian Killed In IraqApril 1, 2004An Ohio native was among the four civilians killed Wednesday in Iraq.Thirty-two-year-old Jerry Zovko grew up in Euclid. His parents now live in nearby Willoughby.Zovko's family says he was one of the four security contractors ambushed Wednesday by Iraqi rebels. The bodies were dragged through the streets and two of them were strung up from a bridge.Zovko's mother says her son was a former Army man who dedicated his life to making peace in the world.He left the Army in 2001 to work abroad for North Carolina's Blackwater Security Consulting.© Associated Press and Dispatch Productions, Inc., 2004. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.  nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 01 Apr 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6508/1/E-Bozidar-Benc---Helped-Develop-Palm-Pilot.html  Bozidar Benc - Helped Develop Palm Pilot1958-2004The following sorty appeared on the palminfocenter.com webstine concerning Bozidar Benc (misspelled in the title as Bodizar), one of the software developers for Palm Pilot. A profile concerning Benc can be found athttp://www.palmpowerenterprise.com/issuesprint/issue200105/profile.html Benc lived in Slavonski Brod. John Kraljic****************************************************************In Memory: Bodizar BencPosted By: PIC on Thursday, March 25, 2004 10:05:19 AMOne of the first and well known Palm OS developer, Bodizar Benc, has recently passed away.The news was posted on a messageboard, "It's with the greatest of regret that I pass on the sad news that Bozidar Benc passed away yesterday. As some of you may know he was involved in a serious car accident in early February. Hopes were high for a full recovery, but unfortunately his condition worsened and finally he succumbed to complications caused by the original injuries."Bozidar was 47 and is survived by his wife and two daughters. He lived in a small town east of Zagreb in Croatia. There is more about him in a recent interview.Bozidar was one of the original developers of Palm shareware. He has influenced a large number of current Palm OS developers and his titles were held in very high regard. He's best known for his suite of pop-up tools, LauncherIII and more recently LauncherX.For those who would like to send a note or contribution to Mrs. Benc in memory of her husband, the address is:Mrs. Bozidar BencBenc Software ProductionKosarevac 5235000 Slavonski Brod,CROATIAEditor's Note:How come that we didn't know of him when he was alive? The reason of CROWN existence is to find those precious pearls and put them on the necklace. Bozidar was 47 years old and belonged to the team that developed one of the most significant software today and where were we? And at the last meeting of Croatian community of larger New York I proposed Palm software as a base software for our community data base.Nenad Bach nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 25 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6509/1/E-Ante-B-Sikic-brought-family-from-Croatia.html  Ante B. Sikic brought family from Croatia Insurance actuary was 84 By Rebecca GoodmanThe Cincinnati EnquirerMOUNT AIRY - In May 1945, Ante B. Sikic fled his home in Croatia just ahead of Tito's Communist army. After driving to Austria that day and sleeping in the car that night, he headed into the Alps to seek refuge with the English. It was the beginning of a path that would lead to Cincinnati, where Mr. Sikic - who held a Ph.D. in philosophy and mathematics from the University of Graz in Austria - lived happily for 48 years. Mr. Sikic died March 6 of heart failure at Mercy Franciscan Mount Airy. The Mount Airy resident was 84. A Catholic, he was a student at the University of Zagreb in Croatia when he left the city with an uncle who was a government official when they realized the Communists would soon take over. After spending the summer in a refugee camp in the mountains, Mr. Sikic went to the University of Graz seeking admission. He had left Croatia with his transcript from the University of Zagreb under his shirt and produced it for examination by the officials at Graz. They allowed him to enter the Ph.D. program. He paid the tuition by selling cigarettes from a large box he had received as a gift from a Croatian friend. Mr. Sikic found out that his girlfriend, Fedora, who had also left Croatia, was in Trieste, Italy. After exchanging letters, they decided to marry. The problem was that neither had papers that allowed them to cross the Austrian-Italian border legally. Undaunted, Mr. Sikic hiked across the Alps into Italy, married Fedora and walked back across with her into Austria. They made their home there and she helped with his dissertation. He graduated in 1947 and two years later - with a son and another child on the way - Mr. Sikic decided to remove his family from the chaos of post-war Europe. He registered with a refugee immigration organization. "He agreed to perform manual labor in any English-speaking country that could provide his family with a free, peaceful life," said his daughter, Yasna Sikic Hood of College Hill. They moved to Adelaide, Australia, where Mr. Sikic learned the carpentry trade and taught himself English. He was a carpenter in Australia for eight years, but longed to work as a mathematician. So in 1956, he moved his wife and three children to Cincinnati, where he was an actuary for the Union Central Life Insurance Co. for 28 years. He took the oath of allegiance and became a naturalized citizen in 1962. "Becoming an American citizen was one of the proudest moments of his life," his daughter said. "His adopted country provided a wonderful and successful life for his family." Mr. Sikic was a member of Little Flower Parish for 46 years. "He maintained an undying love for his homeland of Croatia and visited there every summer for the past 20 years," his daughter said. In addition to his daughter, survivors include his wife; two sons, Branimir of Stanford, Calif., and Adrian of College Hill; and eight grandchildren. The funeral has been held. Burial was at Spring Grove Cemetery. http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/03/24/loc_o.sikic.html   nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 24 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6510/1/E-Bogdan-Jovicic---OlympicCollege-Basketball-Coach-Dies.html  Bogdan Jovicic, 52The following obituary appeared in today's Poughkeepsie Journal from Poughkeepsie, New York.John KraljicSaturday, March 13, 2004Longtime official at Marist diesAdministrator was an ex-coachBy Kathianne BonielloPoughkeepsie JournalThe Marist College athletic community was in mourning Friday after a longtime staff member was found dead in his City of Poughkeepsie home.Bogdan Jovicic, 52, an assistant athletic director and former basketball coach, had worked at the Poughkeepsie college since at least the mid-1980s. He was described as a kind man who worked with many of the school's students.''He was really well-liked a great deal by all the members of my department and all the Marist athletes and all the students,'' said Marist Athletic Director Tim Murray, who added Jovicic was overseeing the college's recreational and intramural sports at the time of his death. ''He was a hard-working, caring person.''City of Poughkeepsie police are investigating the cause of Jovicic's death, Detective Lt. William Siegrist said. An autopsy is scheduled for 9 a.m. today.Police canvassed the quiet neighborhood on Clark Street Friday afternoon as drivers slowed down to stare at the home, where a crime scene unit van was parked in the driveway. The front yard and home were blocked off from the street by crime scene tape.Coached in OlympicsJovicic, a native of Croatia, spoke four languages and was the assistant coach for the 1984 Yugoslavian Olympic basketball team, according to his Marist biography. He worked with the Marist men's basketball team in the mid-1980s and served as an international recruiter.Jovicic joined the school's administration during the 1989-90 basketball season, Marist officials said.Marist men's basketball coach Dave Magarity worked with Jovicic and called him ''a terrific person.''(He was) just a very kind-hearted, caring man,'' Magarity said Friday. ''I just enjoyed being around him. He was a good guy, just a good, good guy.''Women's basketball coach Brian Giorgis said Jovicic was caring, quiet and reserved.''He went about his business in a very behind the scenes, quiet manner, but just very, very friendly,'' Giorgis said. ''He will be missed.''Journal staff writer Roderick Boone contributed to this report. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Sat, 13 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6511/1/E-In-Memoriam---John-Kustich.html  John Michael "Gutch" KustichThe following appeared in today's Cleveland Plain Dealer. John KraljicJohn Kustich, starred at East Tech03/01/04Richard M. PeeryPlain Dealer ReporterIndependence- John Michael "Gutch" Kustich, a 12-letter athlete at EastTechnical High School during the 1940s, died Friday at Cleveland ClinicHospice.Kustich played on the football, basketball and baseball teams during hishigh school years. He graduated in 1946 and played minor league baseballfor a number of years. At 6 feet 4, he was tall for an athlete of hisera and was known as "Big Wheel."Kustich later was a supervisor at Republic Steel Corp. until he retiredin the 1980s. Then Kustich, who was of Croatian descent, and his wife,Caroline, visited Slovenia and Italy.Kustich, 75, was born in Cleveland. He played first base in theCleveland Indi ans farm sys tem. He en tered the Army and played on ateam with Hall of Fame great Willie Mays at Ft. Eustis, Va. After hisdischarge, Kustich played with the Brooklyn Dodgers farm team inHagerstown, Md., and the Boston Red Sox farm team in Morristown, Tenn.He kept his hand in athletics as a bowler with a 200 average. He alsovolunteered to help his son, John M. Jr., coach baseball at ClevelandCentral Catholic High School.Kustich lived in Garfield Heights for many years and more recently inIndependence.Besides his wife and son, who lives in Seven Hills, he is survived bydaughters, Linda O'Neill of Independence, Kathy Pruchnicki ofStrongsville and Karen of Cincinnati; four grandchildren, and twosisters.Services will be at 11 a.m. today at St Monica Catholic Church, 13623Rockside Rd., Garfield Heights.Ferfolia Funeral Home in Sagamore Hills handled arrangements.To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:dpeery@plaind.com, 216-999-4807 nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Thu, 04 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6512/1/E-William-Sambrailo---California-Agricultural-Pioneer.html  Watsonville packaging pioneer William Sambrailo, 1927-2004The following story concerns Croatian-American William Sambrailo andappeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel. John KraljicFebruary 4, 2004Watsonville packaging pioneer William Sambrailo, 1927-2004By DONNA JONESSentinel staff writerWilliam King Sambrailo, whose idea revolutionized the way berries andother agricultural products are packaged for market, died Saturday whileskiing in Jackson Hole, Wyo. He was 76.Sambrailo was chairman of the board of Sambrailo Packaging, aWatsonville-based company started by his father in 1923.A former cattle rancher and rodeo bull rider, he never lost his love foradventure or his passion for skiing."You never had to slow down for Bill," said Frank Capurro, a longtimeskiing buddy and business associate. "You had to catch up."Sambrailo was born in Watsonville and raised in a small house on LincolnStreet. His father was a Croatian immigrant, and his mother came from afamily that settled in Castroville after emigrating from Portugal in the1860s.He raised Hereford cattle and apples after the family purchased a ranchin Aromas in 1952, and entered the family packaging business after hisfather died in 1962, He was highly regarded as an innovator andsupporter of Pajaro Valley agriculture.Grower Nita Gizdich said she relied on Sambrailo and his company for 50years to provide packaging for her apples and berries."If you weren't sure what kind of box or container to buy, (he) wasthere for you," Gizdich said. "He would go to conventions and come backwith new ideas. (Sambrailo) was really for the farmer. To have somebodylike that, that's why our valley's so great today."Sambrailo developed the idea for clamshell packaging, the ubiquitousclear plastic containers used for berries and other produce, after hewas served lunch in a similar container, said Miles Reiter, chairman andchief executive officer of Driscoll Strawberry Associates Inc.In the late 1980s, raspberries were packaged in cardboard containers anda plastic cover held on with a rubber band. The packaging caused theberries to "squash and leak," limiting shelf life, Reiter said."The raspberry business wasn't going any further without new packaging,"Reiter said. Sambrailo's idea "made raspberries the No. 2 or 3 crop inthe county."He grew Sambrailo packaging as well, building facilities in Salinas,Santa Maria, Oxnard and in San Quintin, Baja California, Mexico, andemploying up to 250 people during the growing season.He was a founding director of the Pajaro Valley Bank, and served on theboard from 1983 to 1991. He remained a director with the new owner,First National Bank, until 2001.He contributed to numerous charities, including the Community Foundationof Santa Cruz County, St. Patrick's Church Building Fund, Moreland NotreDame School, St. Francis Central Coast High School, Mora High School,Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation and the American CancerSociety.Sambrailo also was remembered Tuesday for an adventurous streak thatsometimes got him in trouble. In 1974, while skiing in Canada, he gotcaught up in an avalanche and escaped by jettisoning his skis andjumping feet-first over an embankment. The same year he got trappedunder a raft during a river trip and nearly drowned. He attended the2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, and broke his ankle while doingsome skiing of his own on a mogul run. He recovered during the summerand strapped his skis back on when the new season started."He had a zest for life," said son Mark Sambrailo. "He didn't want toquit."He enjoyed biking, hang gliding, kayaking, stained-glass art, sculptureand hiking. He recently took up marathon walking, and finished first inhis age class in a South Carolina race a few months after a minor heartattack. He climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in 2000.His passion was skiing, and he didn't miss a season in 60 years. Hestarted in the sport when wood skis and cable bindings were the rule.More recently he used a mono-ski and a pair of twin tipped pocketrockets, a kind of ski favored by young riders who spend hours doingtricks in resort terrain parks filled with jumps and half-pipes.Capurro, who grows vegetables under the family business name, Topless,had accompanied Sambrailo to Jackson Hole. Though Capurro said he is"20-some years" younger than Sambrailo, he considered him a closefriend. His sense of fun and his upbeat outlook even made strangersgravitate toward him, Capurro said."He was 76 in age, and 36 in spirit and heart," he said.Contact Donna Jones at djones@santacruzsentinel.com .William K. SambrailoBORN: June 17, 1927, in Watsonville.DIED: January 31, 2004, in Jackson Hole, Wyo.EDUCATION: Graduated from Watsonville High School in 1945 and from SantaClara University in 1950.OCCUPATION: Board chairman, Sambrailo Packaging.SURVIVORS: Wife Eileen Sambrailo; stepmother Ruth Sambrailo; sons MarkSambrailo and Michael Sambrailo; daughter Judy Sambrailo; stepsons KevinBromber and Brian Bromber; and 10 grandchildren.SERVICES: 11 a.m. Friday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 721 Main St.,Watsonville. Friends may call 3-9 p.m. Thursday at Mehl's ColonialChapel, 222 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville.CONTRIBUTIONS: St. Francis Central Coast High School Foundation,Moreland Notre Dame School, Pajaro Valley Historical Association, TheJean & Ed Kelly Foundation, or charity of donor's choice. nenad@nenadbach.com (Nenad N. Bach) Wed, 04 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/6513/1/E-ITN-Reporter-Terry-Lloyd.html  Terry Lloyd 1953 -2003The following story appeared on the web site of ITN, the British TVnetwork, concerning Terry Lloyd who was killed in Iraq. As the storynotes, his work included reporting on mass graves found near Vukovar.A photo of Lloyd can be found at http://www.itv.com/news/1801667.html John KraljicHonour for ITN reporter killed in Iraq7.04PM, 23 Jan 2004ITN reporter Terry Lloyd, who was killed in the Iraq conflict, has beenawarded a posthumous honorary degree in recognition of his fearless warcoverage.Lloyd, who was shot dead at the age of 50 he drove towards Basra withhis ITN crew last March, was given an honorary doctorate of professionalpractice.The reporter's daughter Chelsey, 21, accepted the award from theUniversity of De