KABALIN, FEDOR Professor-Music-Song Writer

Fedor Kabalin is Chairman of the Music Department, Newark State College Union, New Jersey. Born Zagreb, Croatia; married with two children. Education includes University of Zagreb, School of Law; Music Academy, Zagreb 1940-41; Music Academy, Vienna, Austria,M.M. 1944; Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. M.M. 1954; Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York, Ph.D., music composition 1965 with a major field in conducting and composition. Thesis: 1954 "A Fable," (Original composition - Chamber Opera in one act), Northwestern University 1965 "Canticle of Seasons," (Original composition) Eastman Sch. of Music. Ph.D. Awards: Cash prize and performance by Louisville Orchestra, for composition "Reflections" 1954. Finals in North Carolina Symphony Orchestra and Phoenix Arizona Symphony Guild 1953. Orchestral: 1953 Reflections, Serenade; 1961 Invocation and Thanksgiving, Olympic Overture. Instrumental; 1949 Divertimento for Wind Septet; 1955 Poems and Rhymes (violoncello or viola and piano), Fanfare and Processional (brass and percussion); Music compositions, including background score for feature length Chile Films production "El Paso Maldito" (1949); symphonic works played by Detroit, Louisville, Oklahoma City and University of Kansas symphony orchestras and the Zagreb Philharmonic. Occupational experience:1948 Composer-conductor, Chile Films, Santiago, Chile; 1948-49 Assistant chorus director, Catholic University, Santiago; 1950 Guest conductor, Chilean Symphony Orchestra , Santiago; 1950-52 Staff Correspondent, Pro Arte weekly magazine, Santiago; Head, music department, Margaret Hall School, Versailles, Kentucky; 1952-58 Conductor of Croatian chorus "Zora" in Chicago, Illinois; 1958 General Production Assistant, Lyric Opera, Chicago, Illinois; 1959-60 Head Rehearsal Department, San Francisco Opera, San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; 1959-61 Chairman, music theory department, Music and Arts Institute, San Francisco, California; 1961-65 Conductor, Opera Workshop, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; 1964 Summer faculty, Nazareth College, Rochester, New York; 1965 Conductor, Midland Symphony Orchestra, Composer-in-residence Delta College; 1966 Conductor, Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert sponsored by Croatian Board of Trade.

KADIC, ANTE Professor

Professor of South Slavic Languages and Literatures, author of many books and articles, cultural historian and literary critic, Kadic was born on January 18, 1910 in the village of Krug, Lower Po1jica near Split, Southern Croatia (Daltmatia). After graduating from the Classical Gymnasium in Split he pursued theological, philosophical and biblical studies in the same city. He continued these studies in Rome, where in 1935 he received his Ph.D. at Gregorian University. After achieving licentiate in Semitic languages in 1938, he traveled to Palestine. During World War II he lived in Switzerland where at the University of Geneva he finished studies in comparative literature in 1945. By 1947 he completed his studies at the Institute of Political Sciences, also in Geneva. As an official of the United Nations he worked in Geneva and Paris; from 1949 to 1952 he was employed in Lebanon for the U. N. among the Palestinian refugees. In 1952 by way of India, Burma and Japan he arrived as an immigrant in California. After a brief employment at the Bank of America in San Francisco Kadic, began teaching South Slavic languages and literatures at the University of California at Berkeley in 1953. In 1959 he started to teach at Indiana University in Bloomington where he became a full professor in 1965. He taught there until his retirement in 1980. Since he was assigned to teach contemporary Russian Literature as well, he visited Moscow and Leningrad in 1961 and 1968. Kadic’s first book in America was the Croatian Reader with Vocabulary (Berkeley, 1957, new edition by Mouton in 1960). In 1960 he published his Contemporary Croatian Literature (Mouton) and in 1964 his Contemporary Serbian Literature appeared. His most significant book is From Croatian Renaissance to Yugoslav Socialism (Mouton, 1969). This collection of essays, like many of his articles, studies, and books deals not only with literary themes but with cultural, social and political history as well. In Croatian he has published Domovinska Rijec: knjizevnopovjesni ogledi (Barcelona, 1978) and Ise1jena Hrvatska (Chicago, 1979). Both books discuss a variety of subjects, many writers, poets, distinguished Croatians in foreign countries, and the problems of emigration. Over the years Kadic has published many articles and some lengthy studies and critical analyses on numerous subjects in various Croatian papers and periodicals. His contribution to Hrvatska Revija-Croatian Review, an excellent quarterly (published in Barcelona by Vinko Nikolic, now in its thirty-second year) is outstanding. At many conventions and conferences of Slavic Studies in the United States and abroad Professor Kadic held lectures on subjects from Croatian, South Slavic and Slavic cultural history. He has visited many foreign countries in the course of his academic career, has gone to his homeland several times and has described his experiences, impressions and meetings with many people in various essays. He has written extensively on Juraj Krizanic, the Croatian precursor of Pan-Slavism; with Thomas Eekman he edited the book Juraj Krizanic (1618-1683) Russophile and Ecumenic Visionary (Mouton, 1976). Among his recent themes is the subject of Croatian-Bulgarian relations. He was invited several times to Bulgaria, a land he describes warmly in his essays. A prolific writer, a meticulous and patient researcher, a serious and objective scholar he has emerged as one of the leading Slavists in America. Through many of his publications Croatia and the Croatians have become better known to the scholarly communities of English-speaking countries. He presently lives in Bloomington, Indiana on the campus of Indiana University and spends his time doing research, writing and travelling.

KALICH, MICHAEL L. Fruit Packer and Shipper

An expert packer of the choicest apples, who has had a valuable experience in growing the best fruit most wanted for the market, and has also been fortunate in his prompt shipments and successful deliveries, is Michael L. Kalich, of 125 West Lake avenue, Watsonville. He was born in Dalmatia, Croatia on June 14, 1884, the son of Luke and Lucy Kalich, who were hard working farmer folk. At the age of eighteen years, when he had successfully finished his schooling in Dalmatia, Michael L. Kalich came to the United States, direct to Watsonville, California, where he knew so many Dalmatians had made their mark, and for a while he worked in the orchards and in the packing houses. Later he was foreman for a couple of years at Del Monte ranch, for Mateo Lettunich, and as the result of all his strivings and savings he was able to engage in business for himself in 1908 and since then he has certainly done well, even pointing the way to others, as both a packer and a shipper, in busy packing seasons employing no less than eighty-five people.

KALILIC, JOSKO Doctor

Josko Kalilic is a Physician-Intern at Euclid-Glenville Hospital Euclid, Ohio. Born December 1, 1938 in Split, Dalmatia, Croatia. He is single and a permanent resident of the USA. Education includes First Real Gymnasium, Split, Diploma, 1957. Medical Faculty, University of Zagreb 1957-1965, M.D., 1966 with a major field in medicine.

KALITERNA, ROSE Club Activist

Kaliterna, a charter member, was one of the founders of the Jugoslav Woman's Club in 1932 as a hostess group for Yugoslavian athletes here to compete in the Olympics. Kaliterna came to San Pedro in 1928 from Astoria, Oregon. She was honored as the San Pedro Lions Club "Man of the Year" in 1973 and was cited in the Congressional Record for her community work by US Congressman Glenn Anderson, D-Harbor City. Other community organizations Kaliterna has been active in include the Needlework Guild of America, Claretian Guild, San Pedro Coordinating Council and the San Pedro Community Concert Association. She has been president of the Women's Division of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce and is a past president of the Town and Country Catholic Woman's Club. She also has received awards from local PTAs.

KAMBIC, DONALD P. Teacher

Donald Kambic was born May 18, 1924 in San Francisco, California. his field is French, and is a graduate of San Francisco State College. He speaks Croatian, Serbian, Slovenian, German, and French. He is a teacher at Jefferson High School. He presently resides in Daly City, California.

KAPPHAHN, CATHERINE Writer

Catherine Victoria Kapphahn spent most of her growing up years along the Front Range mountains in Colorado. However, due to her parents' nomadic lifestyle she also lived in Peru, Singapore, Indonesia, and England. At twenty she moved to New York City, where she imagined she would do many exciting things with her dancing and acting, instead she spent much of her time waitressing. When she was twenty-two her Croatian-born mother died of cancer. Afterward, Catherine got her BA from Hunter College, where she began writing about her mother. She is currently a graduate student in the Writing Division at Columbia University where she continues to work on a memoir about her mother's death and rediscovering her mothers Croatian history. She lives in New York City in a fifth-floor walk up apartment with her husband Rene Georg Vasicek, also a writer, and their dog ,Sonia.

KAPETANIC, DAVOR Professor

Davor Kapetanic is a literary historian and university professor. He was born on June 26, 1928 in Zagreb, Croatia. He is a graduate of the University of Zagreb with a PhD in philology. He was a research assistant at HAZU Institute for Literature and Theatre Studies in Zagreb; since 1973 professor at the Department for Slavic Languages and Literature at the University of Washington at Seattle; he publishes textual and bibliographic material on Croatian writers and his large descriptive bibliography on KrIeza's work and literature about Krleza.

KAPETANICH, MATH P. Croatian Activities

Born in Lead, South Dakota, oldest son of Louis and Lucy Kapetanich. In 1912 he returned with his parents to their former home in Dalmatia where he attended school. Following graduation from the Naval Academy in 1921, he returned to America and was employed by the Bank of Italy, in San Pedro. He was associated with several contracting firms and also the Apex Steel Corporation, Ltd. He was active as a member and office holder in various organizations including the Los Angeles Croatian American Athletic Club and the Slavic Democratic League, of which he was financial secretary.

KAPETANOVIC, RUZICA Author-Professor-Publisher

Ruzica Kapetanovic is a writer and translator. Born March 13 1953 in D. Moticina near Nasice, Croatia; parents are Ivan K and Terezija Dragic. Education includes BA 1973 and MA 1974 at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; worked for her PhD in linguistics at Stanford University 1974-1976; Librarian at Ohio State University 1971-1972; manager of the Cross-Continental Import-Export Co. 1976-1978; vice president of the Associated Book Publishers Inc. in Arizona since 1979. Published Croatian Cuisine 1978; Croatia and Croatians: A Selected and Annotated Bibliography by George J. Prpic (editor-in-chief, 1982. Member of Association of Croatian Studies, Croatian Academy of America, Croatian American Association.

KARAMATIC, JOHN Fisherman-Shipwright

John Karamatic was born in Plina, Dalmatia, Croatia in 1906 and he resided there for the first 16 years of his life. The Karamatic. family, consisting of three sons and a daughter, came with their parents and settled in Aberdeen, Washington. It was here, in 1923, at the age of 17 that brother John Karamatic joined the Croatian Fraternal Union by enrolling in Lodge 271. While living in Plina, his grandfather taught him the carpentry trade so it was only natural to continue in this line of work in his new homeland. When John Karamatic moved to Tacoma in the mid 1930s, he became a master carpenter and a shipwright He was also a commercial fisherman for a number of years. John Karamatic died on July 8, 1986. On February 27, 1937, he married Eva Tomica Krsticevich, his beloved wife for the last 49 years. This union was blessed by a son, Robert. Survivors include his wife, his son, daughter-in-law, Marsha, grandsons, John and Scott and wife, Angie, granddaughter, Julie, brother, Anthony and sister, Mildred and numerous nieces and nephews and grandnieces. John Karamatic was a member of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, a member of the Eagles, and a dedicated and loyal member of the Carpenter's Union for 42 years.

KARMELICH, VICKO Fisherman

Vicko Karmelich was born in the village of Bol, on the Island of Brac, off the coast of Dalmatia. Like many of his countrymen Vicko, a fisherman, relocated to San Pedro. He married Vica Vodanovich in 1910 and together they raised four children: Frank, John, Mandalina and Katherine. Frank was a student at the University of Southern California and his sister Katherine worked for the California Fish and Game Office.

KARUZA, JOHN Fisherman

John was born on October 25,1911 and died September 9, 2003. John was always there for his family, friends, and even strangers. He had an easy-going, steady character and was much loved by everyone who knew him. He ran the family fishing vessel Shusharti, the Comet that he and Jim Costanti partnered in building the Tagattoff until he retired at the age of 65. He traveled extensively with his wife Jean, who passed away in 1999. He was also preceded in death by his brothers Vincent, Nick, and Frank, and a grandson, Danny Wright. He is survived by his brother, Mike (Eva) Karuza; daughter Marye Clare (Sam) Dillard; John (Peggy) Karuza; Mark (Patti) Karuza; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren; and many good friends. (Sleasman 2003)

KASICH, JOHN Congressman

Congressman John Kasich sits in the House of Representatives for the state of Ohio, although he is a member of the Republican Party. Kasich is one of the most powerful Croatian American politicians. He is among the better known congressional financial experts. He is the chairman of the Budget Committee and a member of the Armed Services Committee. His legislative proposals have saved enormous amounts of money for the American taxpayers. Kasich, born in McKees Rocks in Pennsylvania, had the confidence of former President George Bush, and Ronald Reagan also held him in high regard.

KATIC CLAN

Ivan Katic and his wife Draga from Cerna in eastern Croatia arrived in the United States in 1969, seeking greater economic and cultural freedom. Ivan Katic found work almost immediately at the Barger Metal Company, located in Cleveland, Ohio, as a general utility worker. Ivan Katic’s brother, Slavko and his wife Barbara, came to the United States in 1971; Slavko joined Ivan at the Barger Metal Company. At the company, they met a shop foreman, Astor Branham, and together they laid the groundwork for what would eventually become Enterprise Welding & Fabricating, Inc. With a strong desire to run their own business, the Katic brothers asked Branham to help start a welding company. All three borrowed money from friends, totaling $2,000.00 and proceeded to form Enterprise Welding & Fabricating in Mentor on November 8, 1975 in a 3,000 square foot building. Less than a year later the company was struggling and ready to go out of business before Myers Products, a Cleveland snowplow maker, gave Enterprise Welding a $30,000.00 contract which turned things around for the struggling company. After nearly thirty years in this country, the Katic’s have created a successful Enterprise Welding & Fabricating Inc. at Heisley Road, Mentor, a thriving sheet-metal fabricator in a 55,000 square foot building. With new high-technology machines, such as lasers, robot welders, and CNC machines, Enterprise Welding & Fabricating has grown into a multi-million dollar company whose clients include great industrial giants such as Caterpillar Co. Ivan and Slavko Katic attribute their success to all of their uncles, cousins, and close friends who helped them out in the beginning as well as the present employees of the company. Ivan’s children, Mile, Ana and Ivana as well as Slavko’s children, Josip and Vera have been obtaining a practical education for running the business to succeed their parents and continue the success and growth of the company. Ivan Katic other brother, Milan, emigrated from Croatia in 1982 and worked at Enterprise Welding. Helped by Ivan and Slavko, he opened a machine shop, Enterprise CNC in Mentor, which has also become a successful and expanding business. The youngest of the Katic brothers, Josip, arrived in Cleveland in 1979 at the age of 15. After graduating from high school, he served in the United States Army for four years. With the guidance of his brothers, Josip also opened his own machine shop, Quality CNC Machining, which expanded and moved into a new 8,000 square foot building. Completing this enterprise minded family is Kata Mazar, Katic’s sister who is in the commercial and residential decorating business. Ivan Katic said all four brothers have operated under the same principle: ìIf you want to work ten, or twelve hours a day, the opportunity is there for you to succeed.

KATICH, MARTIN Restaurant

Martin Katich, a resident of Oakland for more than a quarter of a century, has for the past eight years been successfully engaged in business as sole proprietor of the Avenue Cafe, a high-class restaurant located at the corner of Sixteenth street and San Pablo avenue in Oakland, California, A native of Dalmatia, Croatia, Martin Katich, however, came with an uncle to California when he was but thirteen years of age, in 1887. Thus his early schooling was obtained in Oakland, where he remained with relatives when his uncle, a retired sea captain, returned to Croatia. After graduating the grammar grades, Martin Katich entered the Oakland high school. The Avenue Cafe is second to none in the city in excellence of appointments and cuisine. Meantime Mr. Katich made a journey back to his old home in Dalmatia to visit his parents there, in 1899, he married Miss Annie Urlovich. Two years thereafter the young couple spent in thier native land, where a daughter, Annie, was born to them. Then Mr. Katich brought his wife and their little daughter to California, but Mrs. Katich died two years later. Martin, Jr., the only son to the couple, was then but three months of age. Later Mr. Katich and the sister of his late wife were united in marriage and by this union there is a daughter, Lucille, named for her mother. Prominent in commercial and civic affairs, he is a member of the Commercial Club, Chamber of Commerce and Merchants Exchange of Oakland. In fraternal circles he is also active and is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Loyal Order of Moose, Royal Arch and the United Slavonian Society. He owns a handsome home at Twentieth and Webster streets and socially both Mr. and Mrs. Katich are popular and noted for their hospitality.

KATIC, RADOVAN C. Engineer-Naval Architect

Radovan Katic is a Naval Architect for Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Central Technical Division-Shipbuilding, Sparrows Point, Maryland. Born September 28, 1924 in Gradac, Croatia; Married with five children and a U.S. citizen since 1963. Education includes State Real Gymnasium, Dubrovnik, 1943; Naval Academy, Muerwick, Germany, 1943-45, Diploma, Ensign, 1945; University of Zagreb, Technical faculty Zagreb, Croatia, 1946-52, B.S., 1952. With a major field in Naval Architecture. Experience: Deutsch Werft, A.G. Hamburg-Assistant Naval Architect 1954-57; National Bulic Cannilus, Inc., N.Y. - Asst. Naval Architect 1957-60; Roland Marine, Inc., N.Y. Holl and Engine Surveyor 1960-62; Self-employed, Marine Consultant and Surveyor 1962-63; Todd Shipyards Corp., Brooklyn, New York, Ship Designer and Naval Architect 1963-66.

KATNICH, WALTER M. Mayor-Teacher-Military OSS

A native of Krasica, near Susak, he came to the United States in 1930 at the age of seven. Like many immigrant families, his father had come to America years before, found a job, saved some money and then sent for wife and family to join him. He attended the same school as the late mayor Daley and Chicago’s present Croatian-American mayor, Mike Bilandich. He became an American citizen in 1937 and played minor league baseball prior to entering the U.S. Army as a member of the clandestine Office of Strategic Srevices (O.S.S.). He served in Asia and after the war asked to be assigned to Yugoslavia. Due to his ethnic background the Army refused and Katnich left the service to continue his education at Colorado State University and Greely (B.A.) and Louis and Clark University in Portland, Oregon (M.A.). Katnich moved to Stockton in 1952 and four years later moved to nearby Lodi. He became active in civic affairs and served as a teacher and later principal in the Lodi School District. He served three terms as a city councilman and was Mayor in 1971-1972 and again for the term 1977-1978. He belonged to Croatian organizations in Chicago and maintained a membership in the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 22.

KATUSIC, ZVONIMIR Biologist-Professor

Zvonimir Katusic is the head of the Laboratory of Vascular Molecular Biology, Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. He was born in Zemun, Vojvodina on August 16, 1952. He is married with one daughter, his parents are Stiepan and Marija Katusic. He is a graduate of the University of Belgrade, has published 106 papers in international publications, and is a member of the American Physiological Society, American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

KAURIC, JOE Cultural Activities-Radio

Joe Kauric had served as a Member of the Croatian Fraternal Union Board of Trustees from 1983 until 1991. From 1987 to 1991, he served as secretary of the Board. He then served as President of the CFU High Trial Board from 1991 to 1999. A lifelong CFU member and past president of Hrvatska Vila CFU Lodge 141 of East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, brother Kauric remained a strong fraternalist until his passing. He had served as past president of the C F U Junior Cultural Federation, the Golden Triangle Junior Tamburitzans and.,the United CFU Lodges of Western Pennsylvania. He was also an assistant director of the Western Pennsylvania United Lodges Radio Program. Joseph R. Kauric of Monroeville, Pennsylvania, passed to his eternal rest on October 26, 2001 at the age of 78.

KAUZLARICH, RICHARD Ambassador

Richard Kauzlarich '66, former U.S. ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, returned to campus at homecoming, receiving a distinguished alumnus award in honor of his lengthy diplomatic career. A member of the senior foreign service with the U.S. State Department, Kauzlarich served as ambassador to Bosnia from August 1997 to July 1999. Prior to that, he was ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan and has served in a variety of posts including Tel Aviv, Addis Ababa and Lome.

While a student at Valpo, he majored in government, studying under professors Victor Hoffmann, Albert Wehling and Zoltan Sztankay, a former Hungarian diplomat. Kauzlarich credits the three with providing mentoring and a positive influence. "I really admire their ability to bring together ethics and religion with politics," he said. "They helped create an interest in government and foreign policy and encouraged me to continue on and make the career decision I did." He also remembers Valpo for its "rigorous academic standards" and the Chapel of the Resurrection as the central point of campus. The knowledge he gained about a variety of religions and cultures while at VU has been invaluable in his career as he interacts with Catholic, Orthodox and Islamic religious leaders.

After joining the foreign service in 1967, Kauzlarich traveled to West Africa for his first assignment. His prestigious career also includes service as deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs from 1991 to 1993, where he was responsible for relations with the former Soviet Union and regional economic issues. Over the years, he's faced many challenges, one of the biggest involving a helicopter crash in which five civilians were killed. "This was a great tragedy, and it was very difficult to deal with the families," he said. "There are sleepless nights as an ambassador. But there are also many rewards working for the American people. It's a great honor to serve." Kauzlarich plans to retire from foreign service this year, successfully concluding his 33-year career. "It's like being a senior at Valpo again," he said. "You know what all the rules are, and now you're leaving. Retiring will be like starting a second profession."

KAUZLARICH-KEMP, VINCE Real Estate

Vince was born in 1919, in Iowa of Croatian farmers and coal miners. Father of Kathy Green, Mike Kauzlarich of Castro Valley, California and Steve Kauzlarich of Oakland, California brother Frank Kauzlarich of Murphy, California, brother Charles Kauzlarich of Chicago, Illinois, sister Mary Schwab of Avery, California, granddaughter Angela Green of Hollywood and dear friend Carolyn Crocket of Piedmont, California. Vince, served on Coast Guard Island in Alameda for four years during World War 11. Vince entered the real estate business in 1947, and was active in it until his death. Vince belonged to the Optimist Club, junior and senior Chamber's of Commerce, the Oakland Real Estate Board, Oakland Raiders Boosters and the Gentlemen Chefs. He was hospitalized and died unexpectedly on March 28, 20O2 with his three children and dear friend by his side.

KAUZLARICH, WILLIAM Saloon-Ranch-Councilman

On May 1, 1868, during a time of monarchies and imperialism, William Kauzlarich was born in Fuzina, Croatia. The country was at that time under control of the Dual Monarchy with Frantz Joseph, the Emperor. The people of the time were mostly ignorant because schooling was not mandatory and most children were working to help support their families. But that didn't stop William Kauzlarich from getting four years of important education. This tiny bit of formal education proved to be helpful in the latter years of his life. Since villages had no modern forms of recreation like our radios and television sets thay had to make do with their own talents. They sang folksongs and danced and attended church. Weddings were big and lasted several days and they always took place in the church. Without their dancing and music, life would have, indeed, been very dull. People either worked in the fields from sun-up to sun-down or else they were employed in small shops or the few factories that existed. After he went to school William Kauzlarich worked in a furniture factory where he worked up to foreman for which he got paid meagerly at 80 cents per days work. Factories of this sort were owned mostly by British and French interests. After the supply of wood disappeared from the countryside, the factories shut down leaving the workers jobless. At the age of eighteen, he was drafted into the newly formed Austro-German Army. He fought in a war against Russia in which after losing the war, the Congress of Berlin gave Russia very little land in relation to the losses she suffered. He also fought a war against the declining Ottoman Empire. The war ended decisively in favor of the Austro-German Army but the price was more that paid for. During battle, mostly with swords and some guns, William Kauzlarich was severely wounded in the arm and stabbed in the back. After spending three months in the hospital and being promoted to Captain and serving three years in the Army, he decided he didn't like serving the Emperor and fled to France where, after a short time, he boarded a ship as a steerage passanger. A month later, in 1891, he arrived in the United Stated and instead in a big city like New York or Chicago like a good many immigrants did, he headed for Appenoose County, Iowa, where he stared work in agriculture and the mines. After living the required five years, he became official American citizen in October, 1896. From Appenoose County he had some Croatian friends headed down to Thurber, Texas to open a new mine. The town went into full swing and bloomed. Reaching a population of about 10,000 it soon receded and is now a small town in a sparsely populated region of Texas but is still on the map. From there it was on to California to do more agricultural work. Being tired of thinning fruit trees and of the desert heat, he then went to Coos Bay, Oregon where he worked new mine. Producing poor quality coal, the mine soon shut down. Today after about 80 years, the mine is being re-considered for re-opening to help ease the energy crunch. In 1898, at thirty years old, William Kauzlarich was living in Roslyn, Washington, again at work in coal mines. After five years of hard work and saving he opened the "Corner Saloon" complete with a real, full length, mahagony counter and fifteen foot plate mirror with "The Order of the Eagles" engraved on it. He was one of the first officers of this beginning organization and being the only man of thousands of Croatians that could speak both Croatian and English, he served as translator, translating legal documents, letters, and conversation among the town people. With this bilingual and other qualities, he served on the city council for seven years. He also was the first person in the city to install pluming with a toilet and bathtub. With the prohibition of 1915 and debtors who never paid back, it was back to the mines for William Kauzlarich, after another four years of savings, he bought the Scott Ranch in Nachez, Washington. The ranch was purchased "sight unseen". The ranch yielded the first hops in the state but the primary crop was apples. Pears and cherries and other fruit was grown also but with less emphasis. The ranch was continued after his death in May of 1948 by his three sons; Anthony, William Jr. and Steve until they sold the place in 1974 to an Engineer from California.

KAZULIN CLAN Boat Builders

The Kazulin family’s tradition of designing and building fine watercraft began seven generations ago on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. Since then, generations of the family produced commercial and pleasure boats in Europe and North America. In the early 1900’s, Simon Kazulin built many of the early motor driven wooden fishing boats when he ran Skansi Boatworks in Gig Harbor Washington USA. His son Mike then continued this tradition with his line of Kazulin-Cole wooden boats into the 1960’s in nearby Tacoma, Washington.

Meanwhile, Simon’s youngest son and Tony’s father Velko remained in Croatia designing and building very fine wooden excursion boats. He progressed into fiberglass in the late 1950’s and built not only the very first fiberglass production boat in Eastern Europe, but also one of the first modern retro boats. This was a 5 meter (17 feet) barcha in fiberglass, based on the Adriatic coast’s traditional lapstrake, trumble home fishing skiff. Subsequently, these boats were produced in the thousands over a period of 30 years, and continue to this day to have a presence in all the ports of the Adriatic. " Velko states. Along with these fiberglass boats, Velko’s excursion vessels were sought after by the locals who knew the Kazulin reputation of superior building and design abilities. When I visited the Coast last summer, I saw one of my old boats moored at a local dock....40 years later, how wonderful! Velko states (1999).

In the late 1970's, the family tradition came to Canada when the Kazulins immigrated to Vancouver, B.C. where Tony and Velko set up shop in their garage. After Tony completed university, the real work began; and in 1984, the 18 Mistral and the 570SS were launched as the first Kavalk line of luxury speedboats. A reporter for Pacific Yachting says in her review of the boats, she was expecting just another powerboat and upon seeing the Mistral she realized nothing could be further from the truth. The Mistral and the 570SS made their debut at the 1984 Vancouver Boat Show, but the true introduction of these boats occurred in 1986 in Toronto. The overwhelming response at the Toronto Boat Show was encouraging and the tour was extended to Seattle, San Francisco and Miami. Boats of such hand-crafted quality and workmanship were seldom found in the boat market; whereas, their performance was matched only by the beauty of their lines. "Impressive" was often used to describe the first Kavalks by this father and son team.

In 1987, upon listening to a suggestion made by a customer looking for a "special" runabout in the spirit of the old gentleman's racer, the Kazulins went back to the drawing board and started designing. The Kavalk Classic 19 premier at the Toronto Boat Show in 1988, where the first one was purchased by its progenitor, Mr. Don Grant. "This boat was designed specifically for the Muskoka region of Ontario, whose history of mahogany gentleman runabouts and racers is well-known. We wanted to continue the Canadian tradition of beautiful runabouts," explains Tony. Glowing reviews in major boat magazines combined with high sales in Ontario, Canada opened the door to the international market. In 1989, the Kazulins started exporting their boats to the USA, Europe and Japan. "If fiberglass had not been invented, this is what mahogany runabouts styling would have evolved into." Trailer Boats (USA) Tony Kazulin attended the major boat shows in Chicago, Miami, Dusseldorf and Tokyo where the Classic 19 sat alongside its big sister, the newly launched Kavalk SportCruiser 29. "If you are looking for something different, a Kavalk sports boat is the one to choose. They will never go out of fashion or date, they look the same whether they are five or ten years old, yet they still provide outstanding performance." Sports Boat Magazine (UK) These semi-custom boats can be found all over the world which is testimony to the workmanship, design and innovation of the Kazulin family business. Through the years the Kazulins continue to design and produce their line of boats, as well as branching off into design, prototype and tooling work. Whatever the project, Kazulin's distinction is timeless design, excellent craftsmanship and functional quality of construction. (Internet 2000)

KEHRIN, ZLATKO Croatian Music

Kerhin was born in Sisak, Croatia, and left in 1898 for Chicago, Illinois  There he married Ana Pepich, sister of Stephen Pepich, a popular Croatian singer and musician.  The Kerhins lived in Chicago, Pueblo, Colorado, and Pittsburgh, PA, but finally settled in Gary, Indiana.  Kerhin was active in civic affairs, and particularly in the development and promotion of Croatian singing and music societies.  He helped found the Singing Zora Society in Chicago and the Society Javor in Pittsburgh.  Kerhin was also active in Croatian American activities nationally, helping to organize two singers' alliances, the Mihanovic (in Chicago), and Faller (in Pittsburgh).  In 1949, these zupe became part of the national American-Croatian Singers Federation (Americko-Hrvatski Pjevacki Savez); Kerhin served as its president off and on during the 1950's and 1960's.

KELEZ, GEORGE Fishery Scientist

The government research vessel, George B. Kelez, was named after a prominent Croatian-American fishery scientist who lost his life in an Alaskan plane crash. Tom Dunatov out of Seattle fished commercially for a few years before taking a job as a seaman aboard the government research vessel George B. Kelez. Tom was from Iz Mali.

KENTRA, JOHN Silver Mines-Centerville

John Centras-Kentra, a Slavonian (Croatian), was one of the most prolific mine locators in Nevada. John used the name Centers, but signed his name Centras. It is not known where he was born but the name Kentra comes from Dubrovnik. John left few personal traces in Nevada except to report to the 1880 Federal Census taker at Grantsville that he was from Austria. He left his son, John, with Sylvester Calabota, a Dalmatian, in San Francisco in 1880. Calabota reported as a Slavonian and was a member of the Slavonic Illyric Society. The Tybo Sun Newspaper in 1877 reported: John Centre and son left Monday for San Francisco. He goes down below on business connected with mines, and to place his little boy with friends until he arrives at a proper age to be put to school. No record is found of John Centras past the 1880’s. He could have returned to Dalmatia. John left the first record in 1863 that the Slavonians were in Nevada in numbers with his Sclavonian Gold and Silver Mining Company. An editor reports on his activities in 1867 in the Austrian area: From Empire District-- Yesterday afternoon John Centras brought to our office a specimen of ore weighing upwards of 60 lbs., that was obtained from the Jerusalem Ledge in the Empire district. It was a curious mass of very rich mineral, and appeared to be a conglomerate of a variety of quartz herd in a gangue of quartz. It presented more native silver in different forms than we had previously met with; there were threads of silver, single of many entangled, small spongy masses of silver, tiny nuggets, delicate filaments, and broad and fantastic shaped laminae. The specimen was procured from the depth of twenty-five feet, at which point the ledge is said to be four and a half feet thick. One ton of ore from the Jerusalem reduced at Keystone mill, yielded 467.00 by assays of its pulp. John had many ventures throughout the mining districts: Inyo Gold and Silving Mining Company, San Francisco Even. Bul. 7-11-1863. Waukasin (Vukasin) G&S Mining Co., S.F. Evening Bulletin 7-11-1863. Empire District 6-13-1867, Brought rich ore to town Reese River Reveille. Seymour Mining District Discovered by John Centras Inland Empire 4-9-1869, Centras and Smith Mine Downieville Tybo Sun 7-27-1878, Caterin Ledge Mine Grantsville 7-6-1880 Spec. Col. Mining Claims, Univ. of Nevada, Belvidere Mine 3-25-1881 Spec. Col. Mining Claims, Univ. of Nevada, Various editors report on John’s activities: John Centras, who has just returned from Downeyville, has shown us some immensely rich ore taken from the Centras and Smith Mine, seven miles from that place. The ore is of the most beautiful character assaying from 250 to 16,000. John is confident that he has ‘a big thing.’ Sclavonia: This ledge is situated between Yankee Blade Ravine and San Francisco Canyon, and was located in the early spring, but has been allowed to remain undeveloped until quite recently. John Centras, the Supt., informs us that he has started an incline, and at a depth of only 11 ft. has uncovered a ledge upwards of 8’ in width of solid quartz and specimens submitted to our inspection were really fine looking and made us wish we were the possessors of a few tons of the rock, just to buy for grub this winter. John Center, a former resident of Tybo, it is reported, has struck a very rich mine ten miles from Downieville. If what we hear is true, John has at last realized what he has always claimed was lying around loose for him, a bonanza, that will place him above want and keep the wolf from the door the remainder of his days. John Centras- First Settler. Tybo is twelve miles south of Hot Creek, and about forty miles southeast of Belmont, in a mining district of the same name, which is situated on the eastern slope of the Hot Creek Mountains. Ore was discovered in 1866, and in 1870 some important locations were made. John Centers was its first settler, having made his home there in August 1866. Its altitude is about 6,500 feet, and it is surrounded by fine mountain scenery. It is called Centersville. John Centras left a commendable record in early Nevada and a few firsts as a pioneer.

KERPAN, J. L. Academic

Born in Lovinac, Croatia, in 1888. Emigrated to the United States in 1907. Received A.B. degree from the Ohio Northern University in 1923, and M. A. degree from the Ohio State University in 1924. Resident of San Francisco since 1925.

KESIC, JOHN J. Business-Military

Brother Kesic was born October 3, 1928 in Youngstown, Ohio a son of Ignatius and Agatha Naglic Kesic. Along with his brothers, he was owner and operator of Kesic Brothers Flooring and Land Company in Youngstown since 1948. He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, where he served on several committees as a councilman of the church. He was an active member of the American Croatian Citizens Club, an active member of Croatian Fraternal Union St. George Lodge 66 serving as a trustee, the Croatian Pensioners Club serving as a trustee and an Army veteran of the Korean War, serving in Germany with the highway police. John J. Kesic Sr. died on June 23, 2001. He leaves his wife, Lucille Rich, two sons,. John J. Jr. of Williamsfield and Richard S. of Canton, a daughter, Lisa M. Vaturi of Liberty, four sisters, Mary Mikicic of San Jose, Barbara Evans of Vienna, Zora Kosanyar of Boardman and Carol Garea of Youngstown; three brothers, George and Ignatius, both of Boardman, and Thomas of Poland, two grandsons; five granddaughters, and one great-grandson.

KESICH, MIRO A. Engineer-Businessman-Military

Born In Chicago, Illinois In 1927 he was an officer In the Merchant Marine and US Navy, an engineer and a member of the World Trade Club He started his business career at the age of ten selling newspapers and pencils In front of Comisky Park before White Sox games. He worked for the Jacuzzi Brother's Pump Company In Texas and California in the 1950's Miro sold for Berkeley Pump in the early 1960's. He then joined a Detroit Diesel Distributor and eventurally became general sales manager. He sold these engines and diesel generators throughout the world. Miro was founder and CEO of Pac Machine Company in Sacramento, Danville, California and Sparks, Nevada. Along with his wife and sons, he built up Pac Machine from a bedroom office to a major distributor of pumps and generators, worldwide. Miro died on April 18, 2000 in Sacramento, California He Is survived by his wife of fifty years, Carmel: his sons Miro, Frederick. David and John; their families: four grandchildren; and his sisters, Alice Steinbach of Sacramento, Mary Kelly of San Jose and Jeana Francey of Upland.

KEZMAN, CHARLES Tamburitza Hall of Fame-Music Composer-Military

In the Western part of the USA the name Charles Kezman (Charlie) is synonymous with Tamburiza music. He was born in Westmorland County Pennsyania in a log cabin owned by the silent picture movie star William S. Hart to immigrant parents (Valentine and Veronika) with a love for the music of their homeland. At the age of 4 a Bisernica was put in his hands, and each Sunday he would listen to his father and the old fellows as they played for their own pleasure. His grandfather's singing encouraged him and soon he too was Singlng /Samo Nemoj Ti". At 5 years of age he had his first performance at the Radnici Hall Dome in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When his father had to leave Westinghouse in 1925, the family moved California. Charlie no longer had the Sunday home concerts, so he bought a 25 cent Marine Band Harmonica and began to play. Not long after a friend showed him how to play a concertina accordion and his dad bought him a full size accordion which he still owns and plays today. The Croatian families would get together for picnics and Charlie would play, and when Joe Radich came to California the children began to be given instruction in all the Tamburiza. instruments. Charlie continued to learn to play in an orchestra called "Jorgovan", and with the Los Angeles Tamburiza Orchestra. Charlie was his star singer and performer, and learned not only how to play all the Tamburiza instruments but make them as well. He also learned to write and arrange music. In high school Charlie teamed up with a violinist named Alex Alhandie and began performing with his accordion at private parties and restaurants including the "American Legion", "Masons", "Moose", and "Rotary" clubs. Charlie served in the US Army during WW 11 as a radio and rifleman on the front lines of the South Pacific with the 7th Division 17th Infantry where a chaplain learned of his talents and had him playing a pedal pipe organ. Following the war he started to play in an adult group taught by Mirko Kolesar and played with Pete Gaspich, Joe Radich and J. Latkovich. He also began his career with the City of Los Angeles as an Electrical Tester for 37 years, but on week ends and evenings continued Tamburiza playing with the 2nd L.A. Tamburiza Group at various places including "Starkist Tuna" with M. J. Bogdanovich and the radio program "Slavic Hour," in Pasadena, Californi. He has been married to a supportive wife, Alice, for 46 years, has two boys and 3 grandchildren. Also, after the war he attended college and joined an opera workshop group, and performed in the Mannon Opera by Massenett. His abilities were recognized and became part of a long time friendship with other talented musicians including Theodore Radish and the Hajduk Tamburiza Group. Charlie is the leader in the group and many talented musicians including family members have played with them through the years. lie has recorded, performed with famous dance groups including the "Aman Ensemble" and even toured Croatia playing and singing. He has also, performed for movie stars, at Disneyland Studios, Knotts Berry Farm, and, head of states; but Charlie's favorite is weddings. Charlie has been involved in teaching Tamburiza, writing the music along with making and repairing of the instruments for over 60 years. At the age of 74 he has no intention of refiring from music and still leads his "Hajduk Tamburiza Orchestra". Among his many other accomplishments is his volunteer work with The Lincoln Training Center, a workshop for the mentally handicapped. Charlie is a cofounder " and an active member for over 40 years serving in many capacities including the position of President of the Board of Directors.

KINKUSICH-KINK, PAUL Fisherman

The Kink family was originally from Sinj, a town 35 KM North inland from Split, Croatia. It is the first town on the road through the Klis Pass. The town was in Turkish hands for over 150 years. In 1715, twenty years after its liberation, it repelled a Turkish siege. It was at this time that the Kink family fled the mainland and settled on the far out Island of Vis, Dalmatia, Croatia. In Komiza, Paul Kinkusic met and married Victoria Reskusich. They had 3 sons and 2 daughters. Sons: Dominic (Dick) married Margaret Evich in Everett, Washington. Their children are Victoria, Paul, and Mary. Paul married Maria Evich in Bellingham, Washington. Their children are Victoria, Peter, Dick, Mitchell, and Marie. Tony married Lucy Pribicic in Bellingham, Washington. They had 4 children, Victoria, Paul, Peter, and Jeanie. After Lucy's death, Tony married June Hughes-Ward and they had 3 children, Stanley, Madeline, and Kitty. My father came steerage to New York 1898. He somehow traveled to Colorado and worked in the mines there for a few years and saved his money. He made his way to San Pedro, California but was not too happy there. He then moved North to Everett, Washington. There he met his fellow Komizian, Paul Martinis, who wanted to stay in Everett and get started in purse-seine fishing. He also met and married Margaret Evich in 1912. She had been living with her brother John, and his wife, Maria (Costanti).

When he heard that many of his friends were living in Fairhaven and starting to do well in salmon fishing, he came to Fairhaven and felt he had found his "Mecca." He brought his wife and they moved into a rental on' 12th Street. He bought a small purse seiner, the Bellingham and did well in the fishing game. He sent for his two brothers, Paul and Tony. At about the same time he bought a pool hall and a small general store. When his brothers came, he put them there to manage the businesses. But these two young men were too good looking and the "gals" were treated royally, everything free!

When the Bellingham came in after a good catch - "Big Brother" Dick sold the pool hall and the store and his brothers became his crew - so he could keep his eye on them.

In 1912 he had his boat the St Paul built. During the winter he worked as "night watchman" at the Campbell Cannery on Chuckanut Bay. his first child was bom in 1913 and named Victoria for her paternal grandmother. In 1915, son, Paul was born and named for his paternal grandfather. In 1917 a second girl was bom and named for her maternal grandmother (Mary). The Saint Paul was fished in Puget Sound and Alaskan waters for many years. On one trip to Cape Flattery, it was so rough that Dad had to tie his cook, Nick Mu1jat, to the stove to keep him on his feet and to hold the pot of stew on the stove.

Another time, Vince Dulcich was the cook and had just finished chopping the lettuce. Antone Costello came in the galley and asked what it was for. Vince told him it was for a salad. Antone. picked up the lettuce and threw it overboard and said "That is for chickens!" Then grabbed ahead of lettuce, bit off a chunk and said, "This is salad!" It was such fun when the St Paul came home from Alaska. We three kids all got Eskimo fur slippers that smelled awful - but were appreciated. Dad had so many stories to tell us about Alaska. He loved the Matanuska Valley, the Glaciers, the seals and the bears. Speaking of stories, my dad learned to read with me. Together we read my first primer, Ist grade reader, 2nd grade reader, and third grade reader. Then he started taking the daily paper -- he really self-taught himself to read the English language. In the early twenties my dad brought his mother to America. She was a very sweet, petite grandma. Dad built our home at 1102 Donovan Avenue where I was born. The house is still standing and looks great! Dad wanted to live near other immigrant nationalities so he would get a better understanding of what America was going to be. Neighbors were the Rene LaCasse family, the

Bert Sybrant's, the Keen family (Indian), Mr. Mahoney -- a Civil War Veteran -- Officer of the Confederacy, Mrs. Rathman and her four daughters. The South Bellingham fire station was three houses away from ours and the Chief of Police lived a few blocks away. We also had some Dalmatians close by: The Anton Costello family from Kotor (we really loved them), Gorgo and Matija Zaninovich from Vis, Spiro and Yube Karuza from Solta were great people. Spiro fished on the St. Paul. The Vince Dulcich family from Hvar were very dear friends.

But of course all our close friends from the Island of Vis were very special. We were together for weddings, funerals, baptisms, first communion, confirmations, St. Nicholas Day -- Christmas to New Years Day was one party after another. I can remember walking home after midnight from 12th street to Donovan (no cars)... I can also remember falling asleep under Mu1jat's kitchen table (no baby-sitters)... the adults sang, danced, and told fantastic stories. The food was Dalmatian pastries, candy, and nuts. My dad and Nick Mu1jat made some snazzy guitars from 5-gallon oil cans and cat-gut strings. They strummed them like seasoned musicians and sang songs in a guttural voice. They were destined to become the Elvis Presleys of Vis! In the spring when the seiners were clean and freshly painted -- many picnics to various islands were held. Sometime two boats were tied together -- We had to anchor out for there were no docks -- then the skiffs were rowed to the beach bringing food, kids, etc. The men would build a fire on the beach, getting it down to hot, hot coals and barbecue the choice cuts of meat. The ladies made the salad: Lettuce, tomatoes, green onions with olive oil and vinegar dressing with home-made croutons. Long loaves of French bread (crispy) were cut in thick slices (no butter) -- the drinks were wine for adults, pop for the kids and watermelon for dessert. Svete was also brought to go with coffee. The food at those long-ago picnics are now considered gourmet! So many wonderful meinories! By Mary Irvin. (Sleasman 1999)

KIRIGIN, NIKOLA Winery

Kirigin Cellars is located in the Uvas Valley in Southern Santa Clara County, California. The vineyards are planted on the slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains providing ideal soil and climatic conditions for growing and producing fine varietal wines. Owner/Winemakcr Nikola Kirigin-Chargin began his winemaking career in his native Croatia on the Adriatic Coast where for generations the Kirigin family had operated their vineyards -and winery. First learning the art of winemaking as a young boy, Nikola later earned his degree in enology at the University of Zagreb in 1941. After coming to this country in 1959 he distinguished himself as a winemaker in the American wine industry. In 1976, he took over the historic winery with vineyards and climate reminiscent of his homeland and began producing 100% varietal wines from the vineyards surrounding the winery. The desire to produce premium quality wines in the old European manner, combined with the best aspects of modern American technology, is the realization of a life-long dream. Estate Vineyards: 30 acres, Production: 2,000 cases, Brands Produced: Kirigin Cellars. Current releases: All of our wines are produced from grapes grown around the winery. We produce: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay. Sauvignon Blanc and Malvasia Bianca. One dessert wine vina de Mocca (A naturally flavored proprietary dessert wine).

KIRIN, JOSEPH Tamburitza

Joseph Kirin, age 55, from Chicago, Illinois, began his tambura career at the age of twelve and has continued since. Joe is the only remaining charter member of the Sloboda Junior Tamburitzans and has continued being an active participant. He truly enjoys assisting the learning of the tambura to youngsters as well as his own children. In 1976 he coordinated the first youth trip to Croatia for the 10th Annual Croatian Cultural Festival and again this year for the 20th Festival in Zagreb. In Dallas, Texas, where rarely a tambura was heard, Joe was instrumental in bringing tambura music alive to eager enthusiasts. Joe believes that no other ethnic group on earth enjoys the culture and heritage of their forefathers as do the Croatians. This beautiful music has been a major factor that brought him through serious illnesses as well as given him a beautiful musical life!

KIRIN, MILAN and ANNA Slavulj Chorus

Together they gathered Croatian singers from all parts of the Southland, because they believed in an idea, because they had a vision of tomorrow, because they heard stirring echoes of their beloved homeland tunes beating in their hearts and felt compelled to listen. These two, Milan and Anna Kirin, co-founders of "Slavulj" have been its life-blood from the inception to the chorus. Working tirelessly to promote the chorus before and after its founding, they still give it their endless support. So on this 20th anniversary of "Slavulj" in 1968 we particularly share our congratulations with Milan Kirin, co-founder, and also with his wife, Anna. And we pause to honor them in profound appreciation. Croatian National Association.

KIRIN, MILAN Croatian Activist

Milan was born in Hrvatska Dubica, Croatia on September 18, 1888 where he secured his grammar and high school education. On May 5, 1905 he completed his training as a cabinet maker. In February 1907, he came to America and settled at Braddock, Pennsylvania, where he took up the trade of pattern maker in the plant of the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company. In 1911 he moved to Detroit where he followed his trade of pattern maker in various automobile plants until 1930 when he moved to Los Angeles. Mr. Kirin joined the Croatian Fraternal Union in 1909 and held positions on the executive committee at various times. At the C.F.U. convention in Gary, Indiana he was elected a member of the high trial board. In 1931 he married Anna Murvin. Milan, along with John Fill organized the Croatian singing society “Slavulj” in Los Angeles in 1948.

KISAK, PAUL CIA Officer-Engineer

Mr. Paul F. Kisak of Middletown, Virginia has been selected for inclusion in ‘Who’s Who in the World’ and ‘Who’s Who in America’. In addition Mr. Kisak has been awarded ‘The US Department of State Tribute of Appreciation Award’ for efforts done overseas as a Diplomat in the State Department. Mr Kisak is also schheduled to receive’The Cold War Recognition Certificate’ from the Department of Defense for work done as an Intelligence Officer in the CIA. Mr. Kisak was the first student to graduate from the University of Michigan with 3 degrees in Engineering and went on the found KKItm which was the first company to offer award winning commercial-off-the-shelf satellite simulation software for the personal computer.

KISICH, PASQUAL Restaurant

Pasqual Kisich, who has been a resident of Oakland for more than a quarter of a century, is the well known proprietor of the beautiful Saddle Rock Cafe at No. 418 Thirteenth street. His birth occurred in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on the 16th of October, 1869, his parents being Michael and Svieta Kisich. At the age of seventeen he emigrated to the United States and settled in California, being employed on a ranch near Santa Clara for three months. He then came to Oakland and worked in a restaurant for two years. On the expiration of that period, in association with John Marcovich, he opened the Saddle Rock Cafe at the corner of Twelfth and Washington streets and in 1893 purchased the interest of his partner. In 1900 he removed to Broadway, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, there remaining until 1905, when he came to his present place of business at No. 418 Thirteenth street. Here he conducts an attractive and handsomely appointed cafe that is considered the best in Oakland. As the years have gone by he has won a measure of success that is well merited and that entitles him to recognition among the prosperous and representative citizens of his community. On the 12th of April, 1898, in Oakland, Mr. Kisich was united in marriage to Miss Nettie C. Stroinski, by whom he has three children, namely: Oliver, who is fourteen years of age and a high-school student; Bernice, eight years old, who is in school in a convent; and Pasqual, a little lad of three. Mr. Kisich is a republican in politics, while fraternally he is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Loyal Order of Moose.  He is a member of organizations whose aim is to promote the expansion of Oakland, belonging to the Chamber of Commerce, the Oakland Commercial Club and the Mercahnts Exchange, of which he is a director. 1914

KLARIC, JOHN Contractor-Military-Engineer

John Klaric founded Klaric Contracting Company, to become internationally recognized for construction and restoration. Klaric's company has built and beautified some 50 historically significant churches and university institutions in the United States, including the restoration of St. Louis Cathedral and construction of 50-story granite Southwestern Bell Headquarters in downtown St. Louis. John Klaric was born in the town of Drivenik (selo Klarici), Hrvatsko Primorje, in Croatia, to Mate and Katarina Katunar Klaric. His brother Matt was born one year later. When John and Matt started grade school, their schoolmates called them "Amerikanci" because their grandfather, father, and uncles had been to America. Supporting their family from overseas, the men would return to Croatia periodically before going back to work in St. Louis, Missouri. John's father had prepared to bring John's mother and the boys to the United States in 1927. However, because of the Great Depression, the trip was postponed for ten years-until September 1937. John was fifteen years old, and Matt was fourteen, when they set off for America. Life in a rather primitive village had not prepared them for the life they viewed from the train as they traveled through the cities of Western Europe. When they reached the French port city of Cherbourg, they boarded the Cunard White Star ship, the Berengaria. Since John's father was a citizen of the United States, John and Matt were told that they would be citizens as soon as they set foot on United States soil. It was a meaningful and exciting moment for them to feel they belonged to this new country. John's father had died before the boys reached St. Louis. Instead, the boys were greeted at the train station by Aunt Helen and Uncle John Klaric. Uncle John told them their grandfather had helped to build the train station they were in, before the turn of the century. Aunt Helen and Uncle John became very important in John's life. Their support and encouragement were invaluable in all his future decisions.

They learned quickly; John was able to graduate with his contemporaries from junior high and then completed his four years of high school. He was considering attending college, but in that time war clouds were already forming in Europe. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, America was outraged. Shortly after that unprovoked attack, John and many other young Americans volunteered for duty. John's naval unit was attached to the Third Marine Division, Second Raider Regiment. Guadalcanal was the first United States offensive against the Japanese forces. The fighting men endured brutal combat there and on other Pacific Islands. John and Ira Hayes-the Native American who helped to raise the American flag on Iwo Jima-were foxhole buddies on the island of Bougainville.

At the war's close, John was discharged from the Navy on December 23, 1945. The following month he enrolled at St. Louis University to study Civil Engineering. Four years later he completed his studies at the University of Missouri. In May 1950, John married Marilee Ann Prendergast, whose grandparents came from Ireland and settled in Princeton, Illinois. John and Marilee were blessed with three children: Marion, William, and Elizabeth, and then seven grandchildren: Gregory, Jessica, Christine, Lindsay, John, Theresa, and Zachary. That same year John received his license to be a masonry contractor. Not long after, he received a contract to perform stonework and other masonry on a large Catholic church, St. Martin of Tours. Uncle John Klaric had an outstanding reputation as a stonemason in St. Louis, and he became John's superintendent. John's brother Matt joined the company as foreman. After World War 11, the demand for commercial buildings and religious institutions catapulted Klaric Contracting Company into the biggest economic expansion St. Louis had ever experienced. Over the years, Klaric Contracting had the opportunity to restore and improve many beautiful and famous buildings. John's company also restored the St. Louis Cathedral. John even met Ivan Mestrovic when Klaric Contracting Company was setting a Mestrovic sculpture of Pope Pius XII in front of the Pope Pius XII Library on the campus of St. Louis University.

John has returned to visit Croatia many times and has enjoyed visiting his birthplace and renewing his kinship with his relatives. Also during that time, Sveti Dujam, Drivenik's parish church, was in need of repair. The church was 400 years old, and the Klaric family had worshipped there for generations. John's mother made certain that John and Matt donated the money needed to repair Sveti Dujam. Professor Marion Haberle, an architect and professor at the University of Zagreb, asked John to come to Zagreb to inspect the Zagreb Cathedral because extensive repairs were being considered. Father Antun Ivandija, Professor Haberle, and John inspected the cathedral and John published their conclusions in the Croatian Catholic Union's Nasa Nada and the Croatian Fraternal Union's Zajednicar.

As we all know, in 1991 Jugoslavija was coming apart. As a Croatian-American, John called a meeting of Croats in the St. Louis area. The meeting was held at St. Joseph's Croatian Church hall, where everyone who attended agreed that immediate steps must be taken to give aid to our people in their dire need. Thus, a legal non-profit organization was formed to be known as the American Croatian Relief Project (ACRP). The response to the organization was overwhelming. Klaric Contracting Company supplied 10,000 square feet of space in their warehouse to store donations. Donations were packed in 20 ton containers and shipped to Croatia on Croatian ships. Sixty containers of food, clothing, medical equipment, and even ambulances were sent in care of Monsignor Vladimir Stankovic, to be distributed by the Croatian Caritas Foundation. John was president of the ACRP for two years. He traveled to Croatia several times to deliver ambulances in the name of Mary Morgich Robert and the ACRP.

A highpoint in John's life occurred in 1988 when he accompanied his daughters, Marion and Beth, to Rome for the canonization of Rose Philippine Duchesne. Beth is a teacher at Sacred Heart Academy in St. Charles, Missouri, where she and Marion finished their elementary and high school education. St. Rose Philippine Duchesne founded Sacred Heart Academy, which was the first school opened west of the Mississippi River. Beth was chosen to do one of the readings at the canonization Mass that was held in St. Peter's Basilica. After the Mass, John and his daughters attended an audience with Pope John Paul 11.

KLICINOVICH-BELL, ANTHONY “TONY” Policeman-Military

Anthony J. Bell (Klicinovich) was born on September 1, 1902 in the village of Postire, Island of Brac, Dalmatia. Croatia. He joined the Slavonic Society in 1931. He campaigned for a stronger society advocating changes to guarantee the longevity of the society. He actively participated in the building of the Slavonic Cultural Center, admittance of women into the SMBS, rewriting of the constitution and by-laws, and participated in many comniittees. His two years as president provided the groundwork in streamlining the operation of the SMBS and the promotion of high ethical standards in the club by his successful term of office. Tony was appointed a sworn member of the San Francisco Police Department on September 11, 1934. This was one of the most cherished moments in his life- becoming a police officer in San Francisco. Tony was one of the founding fathers of the San Francisco Police Officers’ Association, and he formally participated in this organization’s incorporation in 1946. Tony was a fighter for right and benefits for San Francisco police officers. His loyalty and dedication to the Police Association did not stop when his police career ended in 1964. For eight years Tony served on the POA’s Board of Directors most ably representing the retired members. For 18 years Tony volunteered his time every Friday to assist the Association’s office staff. These efforts will never be forgotten because they were so unusual. Tony’s heart was always with the Association he helped form, incorporate and develop. Tony was and active member in the Police Veterans Post. He was also the executive officer of a volunteer neighborhood watch organization in Oakland. The work and service that Tony accomplished will long remain as will memories of his deep felt affection for the Police Officers’ Association and its entire membership. Tony was “one of a kind”-a truly outstanding human being. Tony was a life long member of the Slavonic Society of San Francisco.

Tony has received awards from local governments, TV and radio, various police officer's associations, and from the SMBS. Highlights of Tony's recent 80th birthday celebration at our Slavonic Cultural Center was the receipt of birthday greetings from the President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, and his wife, Nancy. Tony has a daughter, Frances Biggins, and two grandsons. Tony is married to Alene who was the first woman to join the SMBS. Tony, Alene, Frances and the grandchildren are all participants in the SMBS Building Fund. Tony's life was touched with tragedy with the loss of two children, Russell and Antoinette, at early ages. Brother Tony's spirit, achievements and dedication in making the SMBS a better society could be best described by Tony's recent statement to this writer, "I am dedicated to the perpetuation of our heritage and language and I am constantly striving to upgrade our image."

KLISURA, KATHERINE Banking

Katherine was born June 30, 1907 in San Francisco. In 1917 her family moved to Los Angeles where her education was completed. She attended UCLA, USC and the American Institute of Bankers. A good deal of her education was assisted by scholastic prizes for achievement. Klisura was a prominent worker among Croatians, always interested in their welfare, and was a contributor to various California newspapers

KLOBUCHAR, JOHN Restaurants-Military

John Klobucar, namesake of the Big John Steak & Onion, is not a large guy. "I'm not so big, am l?" the 5-foot10 Klobucar said with a laugh when asked about the moniker. "Actually, I'm shrinking." Secondly, although he's a selfmade millionaire because of his successful restaurant chain, Klobucar joked about his business acumen. "I don't know if I'm a good businessman, but I am a damn good cook," he said. "That's what I love to do." And last, his real name is Klobuchar, not Klobucar. A mixup on his birth certificate when he joined the Navy in 1942 seemed insignificant, and he took on his newly spelled last name. He is a member of Flint, Michigan Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 561. Actually, Klobucar doesn't care what you call him as long as you're enjoying those steak, onion and cheese subs.

The son of Croatian immigrants, David and Madeline Klobuchar, who initially settled in Eveleth, Minnesota, Klobucar's family moved to Flint in 1929 during the Depression. Living on Flint's east side, Klobucar graduated from Central High School in the 1940s. After working at AC Spark Plug, Klobucar joined the Navy and was part of a World War 11 flight crew. "I was no war hero" is all he'll say about that period of his life.

After returning to Flint, Klobucar worked in a factory before opening his first restaurant in 1949, The Old Trail Inn, on Dort Highway near Court Street in Flint. But Klobucar and his partner split up three years later. He later became a salesman for restaurant supplies, but in 1955 bought a building near Dort Highway and Lapeer Road in Flint and named it "Johnny's Cross Road Pizza and Barbecue." In 1961, Klobucar decided to remodel his restaurant and obtain a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise. "It's still there," he said. "And I still own it." A later trip to Florida gave him another idea - to market his own brand of Philly cheese steak hoagies that he had enjoyed there. "I said, 'I know Flint is a hot dog town, but maybe this will work there,'" he recalled. So in 1972, Big John Steak & Onion was born. Following the KFC logo tradition, Klobucar used his own picture as a logo. I wanted to personalize it, give it a franchise look," he said. He said grilling the meats in front of customers and cooking their sandwich to order is part of the appeal. Klobucar shares his wealth with loyal employees, whom he calls part of the corporate family, by letting them own and operate their own franchises. He also donates to his favorite charities, but won't blow his own horn or tell where he spreads the wealth. "Money is a good thing to make so you can give it away," he said. He said Big John will open restaurants in Clio and Grand Blanc Township this year, which also will mean new employees.

KNAUS, JOHN V. Military-Attorney

John Knaus was a Colonel, Chief Claims Service, U.S. Armed Forces U.S.A. in Japan. Born November 22, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois; married with four children. Educated at De Paul University, Chicago, Illinois, LL.B., 1948 with a major field in law. Military experience:1941-42 Aviation Cadet, Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas; Bombadier Trainee, Midland Air Force Base, Texas; 1942-43 Bombardier Instructor, Columbia AFB, Columbia, South Carolina. Instructor-Interpreter for Yugoslav combat crews, David Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona. Southern Italy - flew fifty missions. Awarded: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal - three oak leaf clusters; World War II Victory Medal; Army Commendation Ribbon; Air Force Commendation Ribbon; American Campaign Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award; Presidential Unit Citation - one oak leaf cluster; European-Mediterranean Campaign Medal with eight battle stars.

KNAUS, VINCENT Attorney-Editor

Vincent L. Knaus was born October 19, 1902, in Chicago, the son of Vincent Knaus and Magdalena Vodnica Knaus, both Croatians. His father arrived in Chicago about 1888, and became naturalized on October 6, 1894, one of the first Croatians in that city to become naturalized in the Superior Court of Cook County, Illinois. Mr. Knaus attended the N. J. Thorp and the St. Patrick's Grammar schools in South Chicago, and was graduated from St. Patrick's High School in June, 1920, completing the four year course in three years. He was graduated from the DePaul Univeristy Law School with the LL. B. degree in 1924, and from the graduate school of John Marshall Law School In June, 1930, with the J. D. degree. Like many another American young man, Mr. Knaus worked at various jobs while he attended school. In the late summer of 1919 he worked as a machinist's helper at the American Bridge Company, Curtiss, Indiana. In 1920 he was an oiler for the E. J. and E. Railroad Company of Chicago, and a yard clerk for the Belt Railroad Company of Chicago from April, 1920, to August, 1925. In August, 1925, he became associated with John J. Poulton, a former member of the Illinois legislature. Since his admission to the bar in 1925, Mr. Knaus has practiced continuously ill Chicago. Following his admission to law practice, in rapid succession he was admitted to practice in the United States District Court Northern District of Illinois, and before the United States Treasury Department. Mr. Knaus has held many responsible positions in his profession. From the presidency of the South Chicago Bar Association he became the chairman of the Board of Governors of the Bar Association. He has been vice president, secretary, and chairman of the Unauthorized Practice Committee. He is chairman of the Catholic Action Committee, and of the Post War Committee of the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Illinois State Bar Association, the American Ear Association, the Croatian Fraternal Union of America, the Croatian Catholic Union, and scores of other organizations. During World War II he was very active in defense leagues, the Red Cross, the U. S. 0., defense bond and stamp sales, and other forms of war services. He was honored by the American Legion for his outstanding work on the Selective Service Board, and for his interest in the welfare of veterans and their families. Mr. Knaus is a member of many Chicago organizations, and enjoys the respect of all Americans and Croatians. He is Editor of the Croatian American Historical Review. He is married to the former Dorothy Kelly, and lives with his wife and three children at 8926 Haiper Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.

KNEGO, PETER Writer-Photographer-Maritime Historian

He has produced an excellent CD-Rom featuring over 2,000 interior and exterior images of some of the world`s greatest passenger liners. Also within the 999 pages there are "rare" ships featured alongside classic ships such as the American Star(formerly America-Australis), Achille Lauro, Canberra, Constitution, Rotterdam V and the Scandinavia are all featured prominently. This CD-Rom is the culmination of 5 years research and world wide travelling to acquire information and photographs. In 1960, Peter Knego developed an interest in ocean liners and cruise ships at an early age. In 1973, his 7 grade American History class required a paper on the Lusitania. After researching the subject, young Knego became enamoured with the beauty and power of the great transatlantic liners. The hobby grew into a life-long passion with Knego devoting his time and efforts to researching the history of all liners. After his first visit to the S/S Arcadia on 20 January 1974, few passenger ships would call at Los Angeles without a visit from camera-clad Knego. As he matured and his camera skills (and cameras) evolved, his commitment to documenting the fragile world of cruise ships held forth. In 1992, his photographic efforts would include video, and out of this a series of videos entitled "The World's Passenger Fleet" was born. In 1997 Knego joined forces with instructional media + magic to create the first commercially-available enthusiast-oriented CD ROM on 150 of today's current and recent liners. This ground-breaking project took on the name of Knego's earlier video series. In the meantime, Knego continues to pursue and document liners throughout the world in a never-ending quest to preserve the history of the vanishing "classic" passenger ships. Knego is a member of the Steamship Historical Society of America, The World Ship Society, and the Ocean Liner Society. His articles and photographs have been published in a variety of sources, such as: Ships Monthly, Voyages, Sea Lines and the Millergram. Knego also enjoys lecturing about his favorite subject both ashore and afloat. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from U.C.L.A., is a successful record promoter, and currently lives in Moorpark, California.

KNEGO, PETER V. Restaurant-Fuel-Croatian Activities

Born in Brgat near Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia, in 1884. Came to America in 1903 and for the first three years resided in Truckee, California. Settled in San Francisco in 1906 and for several years was engaged in the restaurant business. Engaged in fuel business since 1921. He is a member of the Croatian Sokol of San Francisco , which he joined twenty-one years ago, and has served as its President for nearly half of that period. This office he now occupies. He has also been President of the Slavonic Mutual and Benevolent Society; Croatian Unity of the Pacific; Past President of the Croatian Benevolent Society Zvonimir (now Zvonimir-Dalmatia); and Past President of the Croatian Grand Sokol Lodge of the Pacific. In addition to these offices, Mr. Knego has served on numerous local committees which had been organized for various special purposes, ordinarily as chairman. The enumeration of the offices which Mr. Knego has held or is holding today does not, however, sufficiently describe his activities. He is not merely an officeholder, but contributes all his energy and experience toward the success of the work on hand. Indeed, very few men in public life undertake their functions with as much zeal and altruism as he does. It is this quality which makes him a desirable associate in whatever the task might be. His presence is invariably a guarantee that the work will be done, and done well. Due to his many-fold activities, his personal sacrifices in behalf of every good cause, his sound judgment and personal integrity, Mr. Knego is today one of the most popular Croatians in San Francisco.

KNEZEVICH, DONALD E. Tamburitza Hall of Fame-Composer-Teacher

Tamburitza music has been a major part of Donald E. Knezevich's life for the past 45 years. He is a respected musician, was a beloved teacher, a writer of original Tamburitza compositions, developed and wrote an instructional book for Tamburitza students and conducted adult and junior Tamburitza groups. Mr. Knezevich is also an educator. He retired from the Beaver, Pennsylvania Area School System in 1993 after 33 years as a public school teacher. His teaching encompassed high school band, instrumental music and elementary school vocals. He was dubbed with the nickname, "Mr. K", during his years as a young teacher/director of the Jadran junior Tamburitza group in the late 1950s ... a nickname which has stayed with him to this day. To honor this remarkable career, Mr. Knezevich has been chosen as one of six 1995 inductees to the TAA Hall of Fame. Mr Knezevich began his music career as a high school student in East Chicago, Indiana. He took professional accordion lessons and played the clarinet and saxophone in the Washington (Ind.) High School band and orchestra. He was also a member of the prestigious CYO band of Chicago and was a featured accordion soloist in adult Tamburitza concerts in the South Chicago area. In 1956 he graduated from the Duquesnes University School of Music, and earned a master's degree in music in 1959. As an undergraduate, he was selected to perform in the Duquesne University Tamburitzans, which toured France, Italy and Croatia during the summer of 1952. He was named director of the Duquesne Tamburitzans following his graduation in 1956. "Mr. K" began his career in public education in the Aliquippa, Pennsylvania School System in 1960. From 1959 to 1972, Mr. Knezevich directed the Jadran, Midland and the New Brighton Tammies, groups which participated in every junior Federation Tamburitza Festival at that time. Under his leadership, the Jadran and Midland tammies groups recorded long-play albums which included many of Mr. Knezevich's own compositions and arrangements. "Mr. K" retired in 1973, to spend more time with his family. However, after about 10 years, he answered the call to return from retirement as director of the Sevdah Adult Tamburitzans of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge #540 in Conway, Pennsylvania. Three years later, he resumed his directorship of the Jadran group and led the two groups on three tours of Croatia. In recognition of his work with Tamburitza and modern combos, Mr. Knezevich was inducted to the Beaver Valley Musicians Hall of Fame in 1993. He also served as guest conductor of the special Junior Tarnburitza Festival celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Croatian Fraternal Union in 1994. Mr. Knezevich and his wife, Millie, live in Conway with their son, James, and daughter, Christine.-His mother, Mary, also lives in the Beaver Valley area.

KNEZEVICH, JOHN Newspaper Editor

John Knezevich arrived in the United States in 1913 when he was 14 years of age. After two and a half years in St. Louis, Missouri, he moved to Los Angeles, California. His first job was working for the first Croatian newspaper in Los Angeles, Novo Vreme (The News Times) published by the late Baldo Skar-Skaramucha from Dubrovnik. He was an honest man and a most devoted Croatian. Then, John Knezevich with Danilo Chabraya started the Jugoslavenski Zurnal, in 1919. Chabraya soon gave up publishing. Thereafter began publishing Jedinstvo (Unity). John Knezevich’s offices and printing shop were on the spot of the present City Hall of Los Angeles.  At the same time several other Slav papers sprung up.  The late Frane Akacic from Oakland, California, moved his Jadran (Adriatic) to Los Angeles, this was a Croatian paper. Also, the late Victor Vodvodich published a magazine Sokol (the Falcon). Also, the late Spiro Grassi from Split, Dalmatia, published a periodical. Then one Dr. Leposava Djordovich published a magazine once a month. Also the late Milan Sokolovich, a Communist. “It was picnic when we all would meet in my office.  I was on speaking terms with all of them, that, I could not say for the rest. After I gave up publishing the Jedinstvo, I refunded the unexpired subscriptions to all subscribers.” John J. Knezevich

KNEZOVICH, JOHN Baseball-Military

Brother John was the youngest son of Ivan and Matija Knezovich, both of Rascana, Dalmacija, Croatia. John's parents migrated here to Oakland, California in the early 1900s where they settled and opened a family grocery store. They raised five children, Mary Valerio, Katherine Cetinich, Eva Salle, Steve Dragi Knezovich and brother John Knezovich. All of their children married Croatian descendants from the Dalmatian coast. This made their parents very, very happy. John, as a young adult, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds Baseball Team, and he played on their farm league. But John had to leave this career when he entered World War 11. He was in the Army Air Base Wings, and he spent a treacherous game of island hopping, invading one island after another as the United States forces crept ever closer to Japan. John was injured with a piece of shrapnel which he carried with him in his shoulder the rest of his life. This was the reason he never returned to professional baseball. John worked as a sheet metal man after he left the army. He married Lucille Chumo in 1949 in Oakland. They would have celebrated 50 years of marriage last year, but Lucille preceded John in a sudden death in 1997. John and Lucille were parents to two children, John Peter Knezovich and Nicoline Mathea Knezovich, both of Walnut Creek. John Peter lived with his parents his entire life, and misses their presence deeply. Nicoline and her husband George and their three children Kayla, Keegan and Konnor all miss their loving Papa and Nana. John worked for over 40 years as a sheet metal man after leaving the army. He enjoyed gardening, painting, remodeling, building fences and pruning his fruit trees, especially his pomegranate trees. John spent 35 years during his spare time coaching youth Little League Baseball, sharing with others his passion for a sport that he loved so much. He taught hundreds of children for 35 years in Little League, and he was known all over the Contra Costa County as Mr. K the coach and teacher for Spring, Summer and Winter Training for baseball. Brother John Knezovich had just reached 50 years of Golden Membership with the Croatian Fraternal Union. He died at the age of 79, the day after his birthday on February 29, 2000 in Walnut Creek, California. At his funeral, many of his former students ranging from ages 8 to 30 attended, wearing their "Mr. K" Baseball caps and shirts. As a final tribute, John Knezovich was escorted out of the church to the tune of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame,"with many of his present and former Little Leaguers singing his favorite song and his pallbearers wearing baseball caps.

KOCIJAN, DIOMIRA Sister Catholic

Born on the Island of Olib, Croatia in 1933 and immigrated to San Francisco in 1947 where her father Benjamin lived and worked without his family for years until after WW II when he was able to bring them to the USA.  She and her mother and sisters were among the first to leave Olib after WWII. She went to the convent in 1956 in the order of the SIsters of St. Joseph of Orange, California and is still there today.

KOJICH, NIKOLA Restaurant-Fisherman-Croatian Activities

In the year 1906 Nikola Kojich of Babino Polje came straight to Oakland and stayed there until 1919. Soon after his arrival in America he became a member of the Croatia Benevolent Society "Tomislav" of Oakland, lodge number 356 of the National Croatian Union. In 1918 he was elected to represent the Croatian Benevolent Society "Tomislav" at a convention of the Union in Chicago. From 1918 to 1926 Nikola Kojich was a member of the Union's main board and actively took part in the organization. When the first Croatian Sokol club was created on the Pacific coast in Oakland, Nikola helped to organize it and eventually became its leader. He was also a member of other emigrant organizations. From 1914 to 1918, he purchased and ran his own store in Oakland. As this job didn't go very well, in 1919 he moved to Tomales Bay, which is 80 km from San Francisco. There, with his wife Franica's brothers Grga, Miho, and Andrija Matkovich, originally from Hvar, he fished mainly herring. Often he fished alone in his motor launch along the Pacific, from San Diego and San Pedro in Southern California, to Eureke, 320 miles north of San Francisco. His fishing expeditions along the Pacific, usually alone, but sometimes with additional fishermen, were written about in four issues of Oakland's "Narod", arranged by the journalist Frane Akacich. Nikola Kojich owned the seafood restaurant "Nick's Cove" in Tomales Bay. When he was not on the Pacific he was often visited by emigrants, and he went to visit them in Monterey, San Pedro and other cities also. He died in 1961, without ever having had children.

KOLAK, MARIA L. Pediatrician

Maria Kolak is a pediatrician in New York City and resides at Forest Hills, New York. Born July 29, 1932 to Croatian parents in Brooklyn, New York. Education included IX Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia, 1957; Medical Faculty, University of Zagreb, M.S., 1959 with a major field in Medicine and a specialty in Pediatrics. Post Graduate courses at New York Polyclinic Medical School and Hospital in1961/62. Member American Medical Association. Rotating Intern, Columbus Hospital New York City 1960; Resident in Medicine, Goldwater Memorial Hospital, New York City 1961; Chief Resident in Medicine, Goldwater Memorial Hospital, New York City 1962; Resident in Pediatrics, Brookdale Hospital Center, New York City 1963-64. Published Angiotehsin Skin Test - AMA 1961; Kidney Entact in Secondary Hyperaldosteronism - Circulation, Oct. 1962.

KOLAR, WALTER W. Music Tamburitza-Author

Managing Director of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Born November 8, 1922 in Ambridge, Pennsylvania; married with one child. Education includes Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1942-43; Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, B.E.,1950; Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, M. Ed., 1960; Duquesne Univ., Pittsburgh (Langs.1960-62) with a major field in Educational Psychology and a specialty in Guidance-Counseling. Creative works Composition for Tamburitza; "Fantasy on Folk Themes," for symphony; Annual Folk Music Productions with the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. Published Tamburitzan, Vols. I - IV (1958-62). Tamburitza Instruction for Beginners. University Press, 1958, Pittsburgh, Duquesne Limited edition; Christmas in Croatia, Pittsburgh, Duquesne University Press, 1960; Limited edition, Tamburitza arts and related fields; General field of Slavic folklore. Research in A history of the Tambura; A. Tamburitza encyclopedia; The Tambura in America.

KOLEGA, BRUNO Physician

Cafritz Memorial Hospital, Washington, D.C. Born August 27, 1922, in Kali, Dalmatia, Croatia; Married with three children; American citizen since 1957. Education included Classical Gymnasium, Sibenik, Croatia, Graduate 1942; Rome, Italy. M.D., 1951; Polyclinic Medical School, New YorkCity, New York 1955-1956 with a major field in Medicine and General Surgery. Thesis 1951 "La Voce Indentica Del Gemelli Identici, University of Rome, Italy, Residence and study. Member of American Medical Association; American Academy of General Practice.

KOLEGA, VLATKO Fisherman

Vlatko Kolega, born in Kali, Croatia, 1937. He started fishing on his dads boat in Kali in the early 50's. After finishing high school, instead of coming home, he was kidnapped and taken to Italy with his dads cargo schooner ship. He was sixteen years of age and spent two years in a refugee camp there, Camp Frashette. He eventually made it to New York, stayed there for two years and moved west to San Pedro, California.

In 1963, he bought a fishing boat, Pevan, and went salmon fishing in southeast Alaska, around Ketchikan. He met many Croatian fisherman there. They came from all over, especially Tacoma, Anacortes, Gig Harbor, and the Pacific Northwest. They've been coming up there since the beginning of the 20th century, most with Croatians as part of their crews. They were hard working crew and fisherman and were known for this in the fishing community.

After one summer there, he came back to San Pedro and in 1964, with a friend, bought a boat in Bristol Bay, Alaska. The name of the boat was AR-7. It was a small 32ft wooden boat, which is the limit for this area even today. In the beginning there was only a few Croatian fisherman in the Bristol Bay. The Brother's Viljusic from San Pedro had a seven boat fleet for their company (1964). Another man, Mr. Racic, started building boats for Bristol Bay in San

Pedro. By 1968, there were about 27 Croatian fishing boats in the Bristol Bay area. In 1964 we hoisted a Croatian flag up in Naknek for the first time for the

4th of July festivities.

As the years progressed, more and more Croatian fisherman came up to the Bristol Bay to fish for sockeye salmon. The first boat that my dad had burned down in 1966 from a cannery fire. His second boat, King Tomislav, he fished with his partner Ante Huljev (San Pedro). They fished together on this boat for

ten years. After that he bought his own boat, King Kresimir. In Alaska, a number of the Croatian fishing boats had Croatian names; Zrinski, Jadran, Kornat, Queen of Croatia, Zadar, Danica, and Croatia, to name a few. Most of the fleet fly both the Croatian and American flags, even to this date.

Before the fisherman (ribari) left for the fishing season in Alaska, it was a tradition to have a Fisherman's Night party at the Croatian Club in San

Pedro. This was one of the biggest celebrations of the year, with fishing nets, music, dance, food, and even a selection of a queen for the night. My dad was

one of the original founders of the club which opened on December 10, 1972. This was the first Croatian Club on the west coast. Today, the Croatian fishing fleet is still there, but it is diminishing in size. We lost a few boats to fire and weather in Alaska. We lost fisherman on the sea and shore through the years. After 40 years in Alaska, my dad is still fishing in the Bristol Bay. He has a new boat, F/V Sea Fire, which he acquired in 1989. We still proudly fly the Croatian flag on all Croatian boats in Alaska. His sons, Martin and Tomislav, also came up to the Bay during the summers to help out.

Since 1963, after the fishing season in Alaska, my dad came to the Puget Sound to fish on his boat, Pevan. He fished here for four different species of salmon. He ended up settling down in Anacortes, Washington in 1974 and started a family. There was a large Croatian population living there because it reminded them of the Dalmatian coast. Most of them decendants from the island of Korcula. They owned canneries, shipyards, and had a big fishing fleet. Some of these are still here today, including Anton Lovric's shipyard in Anacortes and Martinolic in Tacoma. My dad also fished for dungeness crabs in 1968 around the islands of the Puget Sound. He just recently sold his license and pots, as well as his boat of over 40 years, Pevan. He still goes to Bristol Bay, Alaska to fish for salmon. One day hoping to retire from fishing and instead return to the Adriatic and the islands that he left in his young age.

KOLIBASH , ALBERT J. Doctor-Military

Albert Kolibash is a Medical Doctor in the U. S. Navy, U.S.S. Chilton (LPA 38) F.P.O. New York. Born July 26, 1941 of Croatian parents in Wheeling, W. Virginia; married with two children. Presently serving as squadron medical officer for Amphibious Squadron 2 aboard U.S.S. Chilton. Education included W. Virginia University, Morgantown, W. Virginia. A.B., June 1963; W. Virginia University, Morgantown, W. Virginia, M.D., May 1967; Naval Hospital, Portsmouth, Virginia Internship, June 1968; Passed National and State Board of Medical Examiners. Licensed to practice medicine in the state of W. Virginia. Major field Medicine with a specialty in Internal medicine. Member of Croatian Fraternal Union of America; Alpha Epsilon Delta (Honorary Pre-med. Society); Phi Beta Kappa; Alpha Omega Alpha (Medical Honor Society); Phi Beta Pi (Medical Social Fraternity).

KOLICH, RUDY Tamburitza Hall of Fame

On September 9, 2000, brother Rudy Kolich, a 50 year member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 600 in Massillon, Ohio was inducted into the Tamburitza Hall of Fame. The following biography of brother Rudy appeared in the TAA souvenir program book: Music has been part of Rudy Kolich's life for over 60 years, fifty of those have been focused on tamburitza music. Self taught and proficient on bugaria, prim, slap bass, mandolin -- tamburitza music is an important part of Rudy's life. Born in 1928 to Karl and Anna Matasich Kolich, Rudy started playing trumpet in the sixth grade, switching to tuba for the high school marching band, and standup bass for the school orchestra. Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Navy, during which time he played mandolin with a small combo. After his discharge from the service, he went to work at Republic Steel, retiring in 1990 after 46 years of service. In 1951, Rudy married Mary Gullias. They have two daughters, Linda Morock .and Kathy, and a four-year old grandson, Steven. Rudy began his tamburitza music career in 1949, playing prim with the Plavi Jadran T amburitzans of Massillon, Ohio. In 1954, he became a member of the Djoko Pribich Tamburitzans, playing bugaria. Throughout the 50s, this group could be heard almost every weekend, playing for the Croatian and Serbian communities in Ohio and Pennsylvania. On Sundays Plavi Jadran was featured on & WTIG Massillon Radio Station. In the early 60s, Rudy founded the Continental Four, playing both stand-up and electric bass. Along with Mirko Roknich and several others, the band, played both American and tarnburitza music and was booked solid for several yearss the bookings for tamburitza music increased, the Continental Four was disbanded and, in 1965, the Mirko Roknich Orchestra was formed with Mirko on accordion, Rudy on bugaria Artie Krpaj on cello and brac, and Lou Vuich on bass, the orchestra entertained tamburitza music lovers for almost 30 years. In the mid-80s, the group added Jerry Grcevich on prim and brac and Bob Sestili replaced Lou on bass. In the 70s, the orchestra produced three albums and entertained from Canada to the Caribbean. Appearances included the annual Tamburitza Extravaganzas, Kennywood Park's Serbian Day and boat ride on the Monongahela River, and Serbian national golf tournaments in locations as far away as Arizona, Florida, and California. During several of these appearances, the orchestra had the honor of accompanying the late Vinka Ellison as well as various artists from Europe. The group was also selected on two occasions to entertain guests on the cruise ship Festivale; a highlight of these cruises was providing entertainment at the traditional Captain's Ball. Over the years, Rudy has always been ready to lend a helping hand to promote the appreciation of tamburitza music. Whether it was filling in if a band was short handed or donating his time teaching so that a student could audition for the Duquesne U n i v e r s i t y Tamburitzans, Rudy's love of the music was apparent. Although officially retired from playing music since 1995, you can still find Rudy playing with Prijatelji of Akron, Ohio, or just jamming with friends. In addition to being involved in music, Rudy was recently honored as a 50-year member of the Croatian Fraternal Union. 'He is also a member of -the Serbian National Federation.

KOLLANDER, AUGUST Travel-Cultural Activities

Kollander World Travel, Inc., a travel agency, also serves many Croatians in Cleveland, Ohio. Founded in 1923 by August Kollander Sr., the agency booked primarily passengers for transatlantic travel by steamship between the United States and Europe, specifically to Slovenia and Croatia. In the late 1950’s, August Kollander and his wife Maja, both graduates of the University of Zagreb, took over the business and promoted travel to Europe and other international destinations with special emphasis on Croatia and Slovenia. Since 1991, the Kollanders have sponsored refugee and orphaned children in Croatia. They have been instrumental in organizing benefit cruises to the Caribbean and most recently the Adriatic coast to help raise funds, as well as to increase awareness of the plight of children victimized by the war in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Biserka Sankovic, a Croatian born singer, hosted several of the Kollander tours, including the cruise to the Croatian Adriatic to help children who lost a parent in the war. Donations were made to both the Dora Foundation of the Croatian Fraternal Union as well as the Action for Life Foundation of the Croatian Catholic Union.

KOLUDROVICH, VICTOR B. Physician

Victor Koludrovich is a physician and Staff Member, Doctors Hospital, Cleveland Hts., Ohio. Born January 26, 1922 in Split, Croatia; Married with four children and an American citizen since 1957. Education includes Classical Gymnasium, Split, Croatia. Graduate,1941; University Di Bari, Italy, M.D., 1950; Internship, Marymount Hospital, Garfield Hts., Ohio 1952-53; Residency, Internal Medicine, Marymount Hospital, Garfield Hts Ohio 1953-54; Residency, Obst.-Gyn. Marymount Hospital 1954-55. Member of American Medical Association; American Academy of General Practice; Staff Member Marymount Hospital, Garfield Hts. Ohio 1955;

KONATICH, TONY Oyster and Fish Restaurant

One Marin county writer has nicknamed the eastern shore of Tomales Bay "Iz" after the Dalmatian island on the Adriatic Sea, largely because some of the local residents are Croatians who originated there. "The inhabitants of Iz are gentle, friendly and civilized people' he says. There’s nothing in the way of action at Marshall but a couple of restaurants and some fishing boats. But the nothing, the no-action, is precisely the appeal of this little station midway along the eastern shore of Tomales Bay, that 10-mile, watery expanse of healing serenity- nude hills and gentle waves changing color and feeling as the light builds into afternoon then dies away. It;s just eight miles north of Pt. Reyes Station (roughly 50 miles from the City), and as the peaceful finale to an active day on Pt. Reyes Seashore, or even as a escapist destination in and for itself, dinner at Marshall can be very rewarding. Of Marshall’s two restaurants, Tony’s is not the chic place where the Beautiful People gather. Tony’s- paper-napkin plain and functional, but with window tables on the water- is the traditional spot for Marin ranchers and fishermen, as well as people from afar who know of its specialties. Tony’s has been here for 30 years- “the oldest place on the Bay”- and it needs no glitter to fill is tables. Tony’s allure is fish and shellfish, crystalline-fresh from the local waters, simply cooked and served at prices city-dwellers can’t believe are real. On Saturday and Sunday there’s a particular treat, which alone draws many people, On a windowed porch at the far end, two cooks barbecue oysters on order, over charcoal in one of those hooded, globular grills. Behind the bar is Felix Konatich, and waiting table is his wife Anna. Both came from Croatia’s Dalmatian coast- Felix in 1935, coming directly to Marshall to join his fisherman father, and Anna in 1946. Their sons John and Anton now fish commercially out of Marshall and supply the restaurant’s fresh catch.

KONIK, IVAN Tamburitza

Ivan Konik, born in Cepin, the Croatian region Slavonia, came to Detroit in 1940, but after few months moved to Los Angeles, California.  In Croatia he was a member of the Croatian National Theatre in Osijek and singing society “Zrinski”. As a talented singer and musician he performed all over America for many years with tamburitsa orchestras Biser, Hajduk, Crlenica Brothers and Mirko Kolesar. He was the best known for Croatian folk songs especially Bosnian “sevdalinke”. He made several records with Continental and Slavtone recording companies.

KONJEVOD, IVAN B. Croatian Activities-War Veteran

Ivan was born January 23, 1888 in Selo Burmazi, Hercegovina and immigrated to the United States in 1906. He arrived in New York, and then moved to Los Angeles to live near his brother Luka. After his arrival in Los Angeles he joined Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 177 and remained an active member throughout his life. In 1914 Ivan enlisted in the United States Army and served overseas when America entered the WW I. When the war ended he was hired by the Los Angeles School District from which he retired after 26 years. Ivan never forgot his native land and often visited his brothers and sisters in his home village after his retirement. He died 29 January 1978.

KONSCAK, FERDINAND California is not an Island

Spain allowed foreign missionaries in the New World after 1644. Prior to that only Spanish missionaries were permitted in Spanish America. The Jesuit order pioneered the Southwest and California.

The Pole, Bohemian, Moravian, Austrian and Croatian priests contributed to the history of the Southwest and California. It was not a pure Spanish-Italian contribution. A few of the Priests in this area were Bischoff, Tirsch, Link, Inamma, Tempis, Porohradiski, Bac, Sterkianowski and Ratkay. Baron Ivan Ratkay, massacred by the Indians of the Southwest in the 1600's was mistakenly called a Hungarian. He was born of a Croatian noble family.

Father Consag

Often spelled Konscak, Konsag and Konschak, was born in the city of Varazdin, Croatia, in 1703. He left Spain for Cuba in 1730, and three years later he arrived in California. He made many trips about the peninsula, seeking desirable places where missions might he established. It is said that while he was on these journeys he carried only a "walking stick and a piece of canvas." After serving on the peninsula for twenty-eight years, he died at the Mission of Bajorca in 1759.

Famous Expedition

In 1744 the Spanish king, Philip V, decreed that the missions in lower California be carried north in order to meet those of Sonora. The Jesuit Provincial, Father Cristobal de Escobar y Llamas, sent a suggestion to King Ferdinand VI that there be issued a royal order to explore the northern reaches of California in order to verify whether the place be an island or a peninsula. The immediate effect of this correspondence was the famous exploring expedition of Fernando Consag. He entered the Jesuit novitiate of Troutchin in Slovakia at the age of sixteen, taught the humanities in Buda, Hungary, and was ordained priest in Gratz, Austria he arrived at Mission San Ignacio and assumed the duties of Taraval. He and Sistiago worked together during the 1730's and expanded the sphere of Christian influence. In 1746 Consag received orders, through Juan Antonio Balthasar, Visitor to California, to make an exploratory tour by sea along the coast and by land north and northwest. The purpose of the expedition by sea was once again to verify that California was not an island.

Remarkable Diary

In pursuance of these official desires, Fernando Consag organized two expeditions from his mission of San Ignacio. The first was by sea up to the mouth of the Colorado, and was launched in June, 1746; the other was by land over the backbone of Califomia's peninsula, and was begun in May, 1751. It was fortunate for the expansion of the California missions and for the set purposes of exploration that a man of Consag's energy had arrived in the peninsula. This Croatian Jesuit was energetic not only in organization and observation, but likewise in literary composition, for he left to posterity a diary of both these major expeditions. Consag's details may be judged from the opening of his diary: "On the ninth day of June, 1746, we departed in four canoes from San Carlos, which lies in twenty-eight degrees north latitude, the shallowness of the water in this harbor admitting only canoes. The watering places of St. Anne are three leagues from it."

The expedition comprised some Yaquis among the thirty Christian Indians and at least six Spanish soldiers. The padre rounds cape after cape, notes the extraordinary tides, and skirts the dangerous Punta de San Gabriel which is opposite San Lorenzo, the largest of the Salsipuedes Islands. He writes of the dangerous current there; of ledges of sunken rocks, graveyard of mariners; of some nights spent ashore, or others in the canoes rolling at anchor; of brackish water; of the visit of Christian Indians. Further to the north heathen Indians came into camp, unafraid and friendly because they had heard that a priest was there.

Los Angeles Bay

Father Consag summed up his achievements and discoveries in a letter of October, 1746 to visitor Balthasar. He had seen two good harbors, both having a supply of fresh water near shore. The one he called Los Angeles is especially protected, says he, by small islands and is guarded from all winds. To this favored spot provisions could he transported from Caborca across the gulf and north of the dreaded Salsipuedes Islands. He was speaking of the excellent Angeles Bay which lies behind the southern end of the island Angelo de la Guarda. He regrets his inability to have explored along the eastern shores. Continuous storms and southeasters prevented this.

Consag Rocks

Consag Rocks at the northern part of the gulf bear the explorer's name, but this hazardous voyage was not the Croatian priest's only claim to fame. Five years later he made a notable journey inland of which he left posterity a minute account, likewise in the form of a diary.

This trek overland and over the mountains to the Pacific was undertaken at the request of Balthasar, now provincial. Consag says he was delayed by epidemics, lack of provisions, and other occupations placed upon him by his Superiors. Finally this land expedition started from a spot which Consag had formerly visited and which he had judged, because of a stream, suitable for a mission. The place lay some leagues north of Mission San Ignacio and he called it La Piadad.

His second diary begins thus-. "From this post of La Piadad, on May 22, 1751, under the patronage of Our Lady of Loreto, to whose marvelous protection is owed the conversion of California, we launched the expedition early in the after noon. There were five soldiers and a sufficient number of Indians on foot."The leader of the soldiers was Don Fernando do Rivera Y Moncada, later governor of Alta California. Modern Californians will be interested in an entry for June 4, 1751, when the party was approaching the Pacific Coast: "The fogs, at least at this time of the year, are dense, and because of this and the wind which constantly blows from the ocean, the nights and the mornings are very cold."

Battled Fogs

How far north had they gone? It seems impossible to say. Consag's geographical explorations are obscure, for the fog which hung over the sea prevented a more exact noting of the contour of the coast and its islands. At the place called Kadazylac the padre said he had reached twenty-nine degrees and forty-seven minutes north parallel. Since this observation the expedition had crept still farther north for two days to the place called Kalvalaga, where the Indian village, emptied of its braves, was situated. Camp was set up here two leagues from the sea. This distance placed the party close to thirty degrees north latitude, if Consag's reckonings be correct, and they well may not have been. In fact, the padre says that Kalvalga is "about thirty degrees toward the southwest."

Supposing, then, that if he was as far north as his calculations indicated, then he had traveled beyond the spacious curve of Viizcaino's Bay and northwest following the coast toward Punta Baja which juts into the sea just below thirty degrees parallel.

This much remains certain: Father Consag and Captain Rivera were two white men who had penetrated by land farther north along the Pacific Coast than had any white men before them.

No white men had ever before made so far and so difficult a journey in this region.

Among Greatest

Father Consag organized a third exploratory expedition in 1753 which further added to his reputation. He made the trek at the request of the official visitor, Augustine Carta, during the months of June and July, even though without spectacular success because of less resistance on the part of the natives, less than during the two previous expeditions. At the Indian village of Los Angeles upon word that the father was coming, they opened up a road over a harsh sierra. On this trip the party went as far north as the bay of San Luis Gonzaga, just south of Isle San Luis.

Some native children were baptized here and a few white adults accompanied the Spaniards back and were incorporated into Mission Santa Gertrudis. The exploring party penetrated to within shouting distance of the southern spurs of the rock ribbed Sierra San Pedro Martir.

Shortly after this venture, Father Consag was made Superior of all the California missions. With Eusebio Francisco Kino of Pimeria Alta and Juan Ugarte, his predecessor in California, Fernando Consag must rank among the earliest and greatest of California explorers.

Untimely Death

Although Father Consag did not reach San Diego or Los Angeles, he pointed the way with his maps and explorations. It was only the the grace of God, his untimely death in 1759, and the order of Jesuit expulsion in 1767 by King Charles 111, that kept Father Consag from the position in history that was granted to Father Junipero Serra. Rivera, who had worked under Father Consag in earlier expeditions, was to lead the first explorations in upper California ten years after his death. This great Croatian explorer who was superior of all the missions of California, and who also verified that California was not an island, has been forgotten by California historians.

This Croatian priest, unknown to Croatian-Americans, is a part of Southern California. No street, town, road or place bears his name in remembrance, but perhaps the local Croatian Colony of Los Angeles will someday erect a statue in his honor.

KOPANICA, PETER J. Oyster Business

Petar J. Kopanica was born in the village of Cesvinice, Dalmatia, Croatia in 1877. His father was a long time teacher in Ston. He came directly to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1893. After his arrival, he started as fisherman in the oyster beds for twenty years. In 1916 he started selling and trading oysters. Kopanica in his business employs several people, shucking oysters and packing them in cans, and with trucks deliver it to customers in the New Orleans area. After living in America for over forty years, Kopanica said; "I worked only three years for somebody else, I was always my own boss". He was a member of Slavonian Society for thirty five years and was the a long standing president and vice president of the organization. He was also a member of the Masonic Order. After spending half of his life in America, he yearns for his homeland, and hopes that last years of his life he can spend in Duba.

KORDEY, IGOR Comic Book Artist

Igor Kordey, a Croatian who immigrated to Canada, witnessed the war and terrorism in the Balkans during the 1990's. Now he draws Cable, a Marvel comic about a hero who fights terrorists in Peru and intervenes in wars in Macedonia. After Sept. 11, Marvel editors asked Mr. Kordey if they should delete a Cable scene in which terrorists drive a truck bomb into a building in Lima. He persuaded his editors to keep the picture. "You are not supposed to put things under the carpet and pretend they don't exist," Mr. Kordey said. New York City 2001.

KORDICH, ANTON Fisherman

Anton Kordich is now the oldest living Dalmatian fisherman in the Puget Sound area. The year was 1903 when he, an eighteen-year-old youth from Komiza, Island of Vis, Croatia emigrated to Washington State. He spent but a month in Bellingham and then traveled to Tacoma where the Radonich boarding house became his temporary home. His first job was at one of the sawmills that dotted the waterfront. He remembered: "It was hard to get a job. At the time, every immigrant seemed to be six feet tall and weigh over 200 pounds. When I stood next to these fellows, my chances for work were nothing. I could outwork any of them, but I weighed only 130 pounds." Kordich was already an experienced fisherman and this was the livelihood he chose for himself in America. In his first fishing venture, Kordich, Nickolas Milasich, and another seaman rowed a boat that was sixteen to eighteen feet long to Whidbey Island. It took the three men almost five days to row the sixty miles. When they came to Clinton, a barn was found, cleared, and cleaned, and it became their home for the season. They fished the waters of Point Pulley, which was then called Three Tree Point. A steamer, a stem wheeler, was hailed with a light and it picked up the day's catch. Kordich recalled: "It was not easy, I tell you. In three months we ate meat only three times, and our wage for that first three months was only thirty dollars."

After this Kordich took the steamer to Fairhaven. In 1904 and 1905, he fished the Columbia River. Being a restless, adventurous young man, and having a strong desire to work, he labored wherever he could find a job. In Portland, he dug ditches for the gas company and did repair work on the dams for the city water company. In Aberdeen, he worked in the sawmills. In 1905, he had a chance to go purse seining with Anton Budrovich. They fished with gear that belonged to Pete and Dominic Constanti. Everything was pulled by hand. The men rowed the boat from West Pass to Tacoma and were considered lucky if they received ten cents a fish. Later, Kordich pursed with Andro Franett. Humpies were sold for three cents apiece and silver salmon for twelve-and-one-

half cents each until the month of August. Then each fish was worth fifteen cents. When the men fished in the fall, some camped on the beach in tents near the fishing grounds, but most Dalmatians found a place to rest near the beach in Gig Harbor where they stayed for two or three months. Often it seemed that the rain would never cease, and rain slickers were continually wet. Kordich remembered some men who never took off their jackets and pants. Stew was cooked in five gallon cans and placed on the rocks. Fish and soup were the diet, for the age of refrigeration had not yet arrived. When a boat made the biggest catch (high boat), a flag was raised so that all the fishermen would know. Top fishermen around the year 1908 were Mitchell and Peter Skansi, Jack Gulimorvich, Pete Lasinovich, Ando Berry, and Plancich. Kordich said, "In 1909, while sockeye fishing with Ted Kunich, we made a killing. Our boat, the Elida, was one of the first motorized purse seiners on the Sound. We fished the San Juan Islands and made $860 that season. They paid us with twenty-dollar gold pieces. When traveling home by steamer, I never took my hands out of my pockets. The money was deposited at the post office, not the bank, in those days. It was a good thing we did well in 1909, for in 1910 we made nothing."

Fishing was better one year later when the Oregon was built. The Oregon, owned by Kordich, Peter Milos, and Jerry Petrich, was the biggest seiner afloat in 1911. The fifty-two-foot vessel, powered by a thirty horsepower Imperial gasoline engine, also had a deck, electric lights, and living quarters for the crew aboard. It was the second boat within the Puget Sound area to be built with a deck, the first being the Seattle boat the Champion. The Oregon, including skiff and net, cost a total of $3,300. Peter Milos was the captain of the Oregon and Kordich the engineer. Milos was responsible for the name. The Oregon seemed like a battleship in comparison to other boats, so she was named after that famous man-o'-war. The Oregon went to Cape Flattery and made nearly $900 to a man clear. The crew made five or six sets a day. Each set took about one-and-one-quarter hours. They left Tacoma on June nineteenth and stayed at Cape Flattery until August twenty-third. Groceries were purchased at Neah Bay. The Port Townsend Cannery's scow met the boats at this location. Some of the men seining that year were Andro Gilich on the Discovery, the Share brothers on the Pioneer and the Advance, and Vlastalisa on the Adriatic. News of the good fortune of the Oregon spread. Kordich said, "We were the first to go out to the Cape. Several other boats followed us out that summer and after we made our money, it seemed like everybody was there." In 1912, the Oregonian was built by the Kordich-Milos-Petrich team. It was a sixty-five-footer that was launched at Old Town's Crawford-Reid yard. In 1918, the Omaha and the Oregon Wolf were built by Martin Petrich of the Western Boat Building Company.

Romance entered Anton Kordich's life when he met Mary Cuculich whose father had settled in 1889 and worked as a longshoreman. In 1915, they were married. By 1919, Kordich captained the Oregonian; Istrian Peter Milos, the Omaha; and the Oregon Wolf was sold to Paul Dorotich, who had previously had a half partnership in this vessel. The New Oregon was built by the Martinac shipyard in 1928. This fiftyeight-foot Alaska-limit seiner was skippered and owned by Kordich. The years have been good to Anton Kordich. This elder statesman and fisherman retired after the 1960-61 season. Kordich had fished every season since his arrival in the United States. Mary, his wife of sixty years, said, "When we celebrated our fiftieth anniversary, Tony had been home for only twenty-five of those years. Being the wife of a fisherman is lonely and difficult. The boats in the early days did not have the safety features and radio equipment of today. When the women stood on the Old Town Dock to wave good-bye, their hearts were in their throats. The sea is so large and the small boats so insignificant." Serving as a captain, owner, and fisherman, Anton Kordich has watched the fishing industry grow. He said: "There were good years and bad years. 1911, 1913, 1917, 1925, 1929, and 1931 were the best fishing years-from th6n until 1942, not much money was made. In 1942, it started to pick up." He has suffered its growing pains. The boats of today have radar, diesel engines, enclosed pilot houses, and -hot water. Gone are the cold freezing days and nights when the wind, the rain, and men stood together. Changes have been made in the methods of fishing. "At first, the skiff that pulled the net off the boat was manned by oars, later a small outboard motor was used for power and then the motor was placed in the middle of the boat. The skiff was built like a big box, high, so the water didn't go over it. I believe Paul Martinis or John Bacoka was the first to make the skiff more effective in this manner. I was one of the first to use the Puretic Power Block. It made work a lot easier. This Power Block helped a lot of people. People started to think differently," said Kordich. Anton Kordich is happy that the days of backbreaking existence are long gone and says, "The fishermen of today are more experienced and use better judgment. I wouldn't want to have anyone go through all the hard work and suffering I have experienced. If I were to immigrate to this country now, I would go fishing, but if I were offered another fifty years to relive the harsh fishing life I've had, I wouldn't take it. I tell you, it was too risky." During his fifty-five years of fishing, Kordich had his share of close calls. Among the best remembered are the incidents which occurred during the summer of 1918 when he was fishing off the mouth of the Columbia River. On August 15, 1918, three crewmen were swept overboard and nearly lost when the seine slid from the turntable aft while the Oregon was bucking the bar. "My net slid overboard with three men on top of it all at once. Fortunately, no one had tied the knot, so no one got caught in it. Three days later the Oregon hit some bad breakers on the bar, and a Coast Guard lifeboat towed the seiner to safety. "There were sharp swells. I saw the rudder and the propeller all out of the water. If it hadn't been for the Coast Guard, I wouldn't be alive today," he said.

Kordich relived another tragedy: In the little boat Oregon coming across the bar in the Columbia River, I was figuring I was lost. I said to myself, I have a daughter, Elizabeth, she will never see her father again. The weather was rough, a northwester blew, the tide was running about six knots, and we didn't know the bar. The net slid over toward the pilot house, but was stopped by the skiff. We had to take the net off to put the skiff overboard, it was wedged in so tightly. That skiff saved us all. Fishermen are often placed in situations where the sea is master and are witness to disasters in which they are helpless. When a great storm, with. winds blowing at ninety miles an hour, caught the boat Agnes in a gigantic swell, there was nothing anyone could do. The Agnes sank off of Port Townsend. The most hazardous fishing was in the Bering Sea, 2,200 miles away. The boats had no barometers. In Alaska the tide sometimes drops thirty-six feet, and men take their lives in their hands. "At one time, in Kodiak, we found shelter one night in one of the bays. When we awoke in the morning, we found that we were surrounded by huge rocks. Fortunately, we were on the safe side of the bay. There were rocks here, there and everywhere, God was with us."" The fishing is a game, a game of chance-the chance of losing your life to the sea or the chance of making a living. To this day when a man asks for a job as a member of a crew of a purse seiner, he asks not for the title "job", but a chance". Anton Kordich took that chance. Sometimes it was a grim battle, but he had craft, knowledge, stamina, and nerve. At the age of ninety-nine, Tony Kordich is a living historian of the hard-working Dalmatian fisherman.

KORDICH, NICKOLAS Submariner

It was the middle of a World War II morning, somewhere in the South China Sea, an the gale force winds and 30-foot waves rolled the submarine Pampanito crazily across the punishing seas. Nickolas Kordich was the lookout, high up on the conning tower, and the skipper, fearing his lookout would be swept overboaid by the monsoon ordered him down to, the tower's deck, where he held on tightly to a railing. Nearby, steward's mate George Ingram, an African American, was trying to inch across the deck through the blinding storm. Suddenly, Kordich said, "I saw, it coming - a big, monsterwave - and I was holding on, but I knew I was slipping, was about to go off the boat. Then George surrounded me and held me on to the life rail, if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be here today." Yesterday, at a reunion of 29 crew members of the Pampanito, the two men met for the first time since World War 11, seeing each other at once across a chasm of 55 years and then, as they met aboard that same conning tower deck, across a few. feet of inch thick steel. And it was clear that that incident, which took only. a few minutes back in March 1944, was fresh in their, minds. "When it happens, you don't even think about it," Ingram said, when asked to parse the moment when he saved Kordich's life. "You don't realize what's going on. Naturally, when you see someone's slipping over the side, you grab ahold of him. You'd be surplised what you can do in certain circumstances." Kordich is now, 78, retired from his career as an electrician with General Motors, and living in Industry, Pennsylvania. Back then, he had brown hair, weighed 120 pounds and, as he said while gingerly stepping down the precarious conning tower ladder, I used to f1y up and down these things." Yesterday, however, was the 57th anniversary of the Pampanito's commissioning at New Hampshire's Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and for this week it is playing host to its erstwhile crew, most of the members pretty long in the tooth but still ..game to prowl the old boat's innards and see where they once spent some of the most terrifying years of their lives. "Getting depth-charged - nobody knows what it's like to have that experience unless you've been there," Arcement said, you sit and wait to hear the click of the depth charge, then the detonation. When it goes off, it makes a big cavity in the water, and then the water rushes back in, and you wonder if it’s going to rush right into the boat." The Pampanito also became known for one of the war's most tragic incidents. On its third patrol, in September 1944, the Pampanito, part of a wolf pack with the Growler and the Sealion II, came on a Japanese convoy. What the wolf pack hadn't known was that the enemy ships had been carrying about 2,000 Allied prisoners of war. The Pampanito picked up 73 survivors - the rest were picked up,by the other submarines -- and Kordich still remembers the ordeal" I remember that everybody gave up their bunks for these men," he said. "The fellow in my bunk was very bad off. After a while, he died."

KORDIC, PREDRAG Priest

Father Predrag is a priest at St. Anthony's Rectory, Monsessen, Pennsylvania. Born May 3, 1915 in Grljevici, Hercegovina, Croatia; a U.S. citizen since 1960.

Education includes Classical Gymnasium, Siroki Brijeg (Hercegovina), Croatia. Graduate, 1936; Franciscan School of Theology, Mostar, Croatia 1936-1939; University Antonianum, Rome, Italy 1940. University of the Sacred Heart, Milano, Italy. Doctorate in Italian literature, 1951. Published "Profil 0. Mandica." 'Hrvatska Review 1965, Painting "Crucifix" for St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, Monessen, Pennsylvania.

KORDICK, MARTIN F. Football-Singer-Construction-Restaurant

Marty was born June 9, 1914 in the Bunker Hill section of Los Angeles near St. Anthony’s Croatian Catholic Church. His father Frank came to Los Angeles from Tihaljina in Hercegovina and his mother Helen Bajovich Kordic, was born near Zagreb in Croatia. After Helen died in 1915, Marty was raised by his “Kuma” or godmother Mary Rogers and his “Kum” Jack Kordick. Marty graduated from Belmont High School in Los Angeles. His excellent academic record and football ability earned him a scholarship to St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California, where he starred at the left guard position for the Gaels. Marty graduated in 1937 with honors, majoring in Spanish ( a wise choice as it turned out). For his football accomplishments Marty was named to UCLA’s All-Opponent team in 1934. In 1936 he was named to the West All Stars and played in the Shrine all-star game. In 1936 he made the collegian All-Pacific Coast team. Marty received All-America Honorable mention in 1937 and in the same year he made the National Yugoslav-American team along with St. Mary’s teammate and fellow Croatian Eddie Erdelatz, who later became head coach at the U.S. Naval Academy. Possessing a rich baritone voice, Marty sang the “Gypsy Love Song” in a salute to St. Mary’s College on January 31, 1937, which was broadcast from Los Angeles station KECA over the NBC Blue Network. Others singing on the program incuded the actor Conrad Nagel and Connie Boswell, a well known singer. An agent for Bing Crosby, who heard the performance asked Kordick if he was interested in singing professionally. Marty decided he had too many other things to do. That included marrying Sybil Rudan. In 1938 their son Martin A. Kordick or “Mac” was born. Mac would eventually join his father in the pipeline contracting business. Marty was the head football coach at Cathedral High School in Los Angeles from 1937-39. In 1939 he earned a general secondary educational certificate from USC. He was assistant coach at his alma mater, St. Mary’s from 1940-47 and line coach for Los Angeles Dons of the All-American Professional Football Conference. In 1948 started his own pipeline construction business. An occupation he would be engaged in for many years. In 1966 his wife Sylvia died. Two years later Marty married Peggy Cowles, they have now been together for 32 years. Kordick’s construction company completed a 29 mile water project in Los Vegas, Nevada in 1969-70 with pipes ranging from 96” to 24”. This was first one of many projects his firm completed over the years. Kordick also spent several years in the 1970s in Ecuador constructing several water and sewer pipelines (his fluency in Spanish paid off). For several years in the mid-1970s Marty owned the Crossroads Restaurant, at Highway 5 and Brookhurst in Fountain Valley, California. Marty retired in 1981. He and Peggy now reside in Las Vegas, Nevada and both are active in the affairs of the city’s Croatian-American Club.

KORLJAN, RALPH G Doctor

Ralph Korljan was born August 28, 1925 in Tacoma, Washington. His field is medicine, and he is a graduate of UCLA. He is married with three children. He resides in San Pedro, California.

KOSCINA, MARTIN Restaurant-Police Officer

Martin Coschina, native of the Island of Brac, was a partner of the famed Delmonico Restaurant in Treasure City, Nevada. Martin appeared on the Nevada State Census of 1875 with a white wife, aged 16, born in Africa. He was in business with Viscovich and Merlich at Pioche in 1870 and again in business with Gustianovich at Pioche in 1876. Martin had two young men both named V. Coschina living with him in 1875. In 1884 at San Jose, California Martin Coschina was a police officer. He was a citizen. These two fellows from the Island of Brac, Dalmatia came a long way to open their Delmonico Restaurant at Treasure City, Nevada. At least they felt at home, Brac is all rock and so is Treasure City.

KOSOR, ANA Croatian Activities

Ana Kosor was born in 1934 as Ana Marin, in the village of Tribunje, Drnis, Croatia. There she lived until the age of 25. At 22 she married her husband, Petar Kosor. Their first son Vjeko was born in 1957. Shortly thereafter Petar left his native homeland. Ana was able to follow when their son was two years old. The family was reunited in Naples. A welcomed move to America followed some time later, and daughter Nedi was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Petar then worked as a maintenance carpenter in Milwaukee and Ana worked in the kitchen of the Girls’ Academy. When they moved to California, Petar continued his carpentry and Ana continued working as well as raising her family. Their son Peter was born in 1968 and Timmy in 1973. Ana has worked unselfishly for years behind the scenes, devoting many weekends to insuring that Croatian picnics or church gatherings were a success.

KOSTELIC, IVICA Skiing World Cup

Croatian Ivica Kostelic kept it in the family on Saturday by donning the men's World Cup slalom crown a year after his younger sister, triple Olympic champion Janica, won the women's title. Egged on by thousands of raucous Croatian fans, the 22-year-old Ivica held his nerve to beat rival Bode Miller in the final slalom of the 2002 Alpine ski World Cup season and so deny the American the cup. The men's race was a nail-bitingly close spectacle and a fitting end to an exciting season where Kostelic and Miller have battled each other to the very end. Miller summed it up best. "It was one of the best seasons I've ever seen and I just wish I could have watched some of the races rather than compete in them," the American said. "We work well together, we push each other," he said of Kostelic. "He's the perfect rival...and one of the toughest competitors I've ever seen." Miller, lying eighth after a mistake in the first leg, produced a storming second run to put the pressure on Kostelic. The Croatian, skiing last after setting the fastest time in the opening leg, left the starting hut knowing he had to finish first or second to beat Miller to the cup. His two-leg time of one minute 37.92 seconds put him 0.23 seconds ahead of the American. Olympic champion Jean-Pierre Vidal of France was third in 1:39.00. Kostelic, who became Croatia's first men's champion in the World Cup, said the atmosphere before his last run into the finish area of this Salzburg resort was electrifying. "Standing at the start hut and knowing Bode's leading by almost a second, a huge audience cheering for me -- and I felt that this is the peak of every sport. "I knew Bode would risk much more in the second run so I also risked a lot," added Kostelic after dropping to his knees, crossing himself and kissing the snow in the finish area. His sister Janica cried tears of joy. It was a fitting end to Ivica's season after disappointment at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics last month. For the first time since 1997, he got through the winter without injury. 

KOSTELIC, JANICA Skiing-Olympic Gold

Utah - Janica Kostelic is so famous in Croatia that she's on a postage stamp, so you wonder what they'll do now that she has won her nation's first Winter Olympic medal. Kostelic, 20, limped into these Olympics with more injuries than a I 0-year NFL lineman, yet it didn't stop her from winning gold yesterday in the women's combined event. "This is the first real Croatian medal," she said, "so I'm real proud of it." Because of poor weather, the two slalom runs were run first and a shortened downhill followed in the afternoon, the opposite of Wednesday's men's combined. It forced Kostelic, known more as a gate racer, to lay down two fast slalom runs and hope she could ski a fast enough downhill to hold off the competition. Kostelic surprised herself with the third-fastest downhill, time and easily won the event with a three-race time of 2 minutes, 43:28 seconds, 1.49 seconds faster than silver medalist Renate Goetschl of Austria. Martina Ertl of Germany took bronze with a time of 245.16. "Janica was unbeatable today," said Goetschl, who won bronze in the downhill Tuesday. Kostelic knows that drill. She was 16 when she was eighth in combined in 1998 at Nagano. Three operations on Kostelic's left knee since spring made many wonder whether she'd be a factor at these Olympics. It was another crushing day of competition for American Caroline Lalive, 22. After crashing in Tuesday's'Olympic downhill, she withdrew from the combined after missing a gate on the course on her first slalom and ended up 17.8.5 seconds behind the first-run leader, Kostelic.

KOVAC, RAY Grammy Award

Ray was the son of John “Evie” Kovacic, an accomplished accordion player throughout the 1930s who was posthumously inducted into the Cleveland Hall of Fame in 1996 for his contributions to the success of Cleveland-style polkas and waltzes. Ray learned the accordion from his father at a young age and continued to play in his adult years. A charter member of the Mahoning Valley Button Box Club, Ray participated in the making of their first album. He later became a stroller with A. Romain, playing Oktoberfests, weddings, wineries, and charity events. He was a guest artist on the “Polka or Else” album, playing “Evie’s Waltz” (named after his deceased father) which was voted Album of the Year in 1996 by the Cleveland Polka Hall of Fame. In 1999, Ray attended the Grammy Awards ceremony, in which the Del Sinchak album “Let the Sun Shine In” was nominated for Best Polka Album. Ray performed as a guest artist on that album, playing “Happy Polka” and “Good Neighbor Polka”. Ray joined Croatian Fraternal Union Nest 343 in 1946 and became an active member of Lodge 182, serving as President and Vice President. He served as the President of Mahoning Valley Lodges for two years. transferring in 1986 to Lodge 66 (of Youngstown, Ohio) where he was a trustee on various committees. He was very active in the charitable activities pursued by the lodge, including pancake breakfasts.

KOVACEV, STEVE Tamburitza Hall of Fame-Professor

Mr. Kovacev has spent a lifetime with the Tambura, over fifty years. In the middle 1930's, Steve Kovacev performed with the Marsovian Troubadors, a semi-professional group of musicians centered in Kenosda, Wisconsin and led by Mr Stanley Jambrek. Later he also performed with the famed Elias Serenaders, a group that toured the United States from one end to another on the vaudeville circuit. After the War years, Steve joined the Duquesne University Tamburitzans as both tambura player and dancer in 1947. As a tambura player, he played every one of the tambura instruments at one time or another. One year he even played the little-known instrument, the "celo-berde."

In 1952, Mr. Kovacev became the Assistant Director of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. From that time to the present, he has arranged music for the tambura. A short time later he became the Treasurer of the Tamburitzan organization. In 1954, along with Walter W. Kolar, he helped to establish the Duquesne University Tamburitzans School of Music, a movement which has spread all across the U.S. with groups known as the "Junior Tamburitzans." He was chosen to be the Director of the annual Tamburitza Federation Festival in 1974. That same year he began to produce a long list of Duquesne University Tamburitzans long play phonograph recordings - about forty in all. With the Tamburitzans, Steve Kovacev has traveled to every state in the U.S. and thirty-five countries around the world, always spreading the word about the tambura. Working closely with Walter W. Kolar, Mr. Kovacev has created the Tamburitzan Cultural Center in Pittsburgh and has helped plan the new Tamburitzan National Folk Arts Center concept. In 1970, Mr. Kovacev helped to establish DUTIFA, the Duquesne University Tamburitzans Institute of Folk Arts within which he has been teaching the Tambura, on a university level and for academic credit, for the past 14 years - the only person in the United States to teach the tambura this long for academic credit - and he is still actively teaching at Duquesne University. Mr. Kovacev is presently an Assistant Professor at Duquesne University and continues to lend guidance to his first love - the Duquesne University Tamburitzans.

KOVACEVICH, ANDREA Grocery Marine Supplies-Fisherman-Theaters

Dominic Costanti Kovacevich had emigrated from the town of Starigrad on the Island of Hvar in the early 1890's. Costanti fished and operated a wholesale fishermen's supply house and grocery store. He was a far-sighted man who loaned money to fishermen to buy boats and equipment. He also gave them groceries on credit and served as their banker. In 1917, Costanti purchased from his brother-in-law (Peter David, whose family had first settled in Orting) the Liberty and Everybody theaters in Tacoma and the Stewart and Dream houses in Puyallup. In March, 1924, he opened the Liberty Theater in Sumner and, in April, 1930, the Roxy in Aberdeen. Costanti was a successful theater man and plowed his earnings back into the business through the renovation of the old, and the acquisition of new, holdings. The family of Andrea Constanti Kovacevich ran the grocery store in Bellingham that supplied all the needs of the fishermen for their long trek to Alaska. Andrea recalled: Departure day for Alaska was a busy day for the Peter Costanti family. Some of us filled orders while others delivered supplies to the boats. Straw and cotton slab mattresses for the crew bunks were piled high, one on top of the other, above our heads. In neat piles were the boxes of groceries, hard tack by the case, olive oil by the gallon, Carnation milk, flour in fifty pound sacks, magic yeast, and coffee by the case. Months before the departure, Mother (Lena) and Jela Plancich sewed oiled aprons, shirts, and coats for the fishermen. They were made of heavy muslin and had to be soaked in warm linseed oil and hung up to dry for a couple of months. This made the cloth waterproof. Live chickens were placed in a skiff and covered for the ride to Port Moller. Sometimes, they say, the chickens would become seasick and turmoil reigned. As the boats pulled out in the early morning hours, family and friends, some with tears in their eyes, waved and watched as they formed a single line into Bellingham Bay; blowing their whistles, they passed Point Frances and presently faded out of sight on their way. The names of some of the early day boats were Andro Z., St. Paul, Chinook, Cleo, Montana, Leader, Yankee Boy, Indiana, New Zealand, and Providence. This same scene was replayed every season from every port of embarkation. The names were different, but the farewell was the same. When the throttles were opened and the engines whined, there was a feeling of exhilaration for the prospects that lay ahead.

KOVACEVICH, DOMINIC Fisherman-Movie Theaters-Banker-Fish Supply

Dominic Constanti-Kovacevich had emigrated to Tacoma, Washington from the town of Starigrad on the Island of Hvar in the early 1890's. Constanti fished and operated a wholesale fishermen's supply house and grocery store. He was a far-sighted man who loaned money to fishermen to buy boats and equipment. He also gave them groceries on credit and served as their banker. In 1917, Constanti purchased from his brother-in-law (Peter David, whose family had first settled in Orting) the Liberty and Everybody theaters in Tacoma and the Stewart and Dream houses in Puyallup. In March, 1924, he opened the Liberty Theater in Sumner and, in April, 1930, the Roxy in Aberdeen. Constanti was a successful theater man and plowed his earnings back into the business through the renovation of the old, and the acquisition of new, holdings.

KOVACEVICH, GEORGE Attorney-Judge-District Attorney

George J. Kovacevich received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Santa Clara in 1967 and his Juris Doctor in 1970 from the University of San Francisco. After law school, he practiced one year as a research attorney for California's First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco. Thereafter, he served as an assistant and the chief deputy district attorney in the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office for a cumulative period of fifteen years. In that capacity he tried 180 jury trials, many of which involved major crimes. He also had supervisory duties over municipal and superior court operations as an assistant district attorney and was in charge of the entire office as the chief deputy. From 1994 to 1998, Mr. Kovacevich was an associate with the California law firm of Dooley and Herr located in the San Joaquin valley. During that time, Mr. Kovacevich was engaged in state and federal, civil and criminal trial litigation and appellate practice, business and commercial law, partnership and corporate law, employment law, environmental law, personal injury law, and land use law. He also provided mediation services for family, business, civil and organizational disputes. Mr. Kovacevich has been a judge of the Superior Court of Santa Cruz County, assigned to the civil calendar and appellate division. He joined our office in December, 2000, and his practice currently emphasizes civil litigation in state and federal courts.

KOVACEVICH, JACK Boatyard-Fisherman

The Covacevich family founded their boat yard in Back Bay in 1896. "I built plenty of boats, God knows," said eighty-six year old Anthony "Tony Jack" Covacevich, whose father and grandfather started the business. Tony Jack's brother Neil owns Bay Marine at Point Cadet, and a deceased brother, Oral, also built boats. Tony Jack Covacevich began as a teenager building model boats improving on the designs his father built. His father recognized his talent and had Tony Jack design all his boats. Covacevich has launched over one hundred and fifty boats of all types from schooners to mine sweepers. He loved building wooden boats, but those days are gone, he says. The scarcity of good wood, such as cypress and juniper, makes those wooden boats that exist very precious indeed. Covacevich's last wooden boat, which he completed in 1969, survived Hurricane Camille and is still at sail in Florida.

(Sun Herald 1993)

KOVACEVICH, JOHN (NORTH POLE) Actor

John was born in Starigrad, on the island of Hvar. He moved to Hollywood and appeared in many motion pictures from the 1920s to the 1940s, usually playing the role of a strong man or unusual character.

KOVACEVICH, JOHN JR. Vineyard-Winery

He was born on February 5, 1883 on the Island of Hvar in Dalmatia, Croatia, and when a young man of only nineteen, he first saw Fresno, on April 6, 1902. He became a fruit buyer, and his very initial venture and its outcome show how well adapted he has been to that field of operation.  he paid five dollars for some figs lying on the ground; cleaned and properly handled the same, he sold the lot at a profit of $160. He bought forty acres in the Perrin Colony No. 2. The land was raw, but John Kovacevich at once set about to clear it and otherwise improve the same.  He set out a vineyard of muscat grapes, with fig-trees on the border and being pleased with the result, he bought another twenty acres in the same colony.  This, also, was raw land; but he improved it and planted figs there. Then he purchased forty acres of the Fruitvale estate- an old vineyard yielding muscat grapes. In time he added 160 acres, one-half of which was in vineyard and the rest in alfalfa and raw land, and then he bought another 160 acres, thirty of which are in figes and oranges, while the rest is in raw land.  Mr. Kovacevich still owns these properties.  Besides these holdings , Mr. Kovacevich has rented 1,000 acres of vineyard raisin grapes and so well has he contrived all his work and commercial operations, that in 1917 he sold 1,200 tons of green and wine grapes. he also produced and sold 100 tons of figs and 120 tons of raisins.  Mr. Kovacevich chose for his bride Ellen Bogdanich from Dalmatia on the beautiful Adriatic, and this happy union has been blessed with four children- John, Madeline, Mary and Corrina. He is the leader of the Croatian race here, and has been the means of bringing into the country over 100 compatriots. He is active in the Croatian-Slavonic Association, and stands high in the esteem of his own people. He donated Kovacevich Park to the city of Arvin.

KOVACEVICH, JOHN J. Vineyard-Winery-Boat Racer

Born March 27, 1909 in Fresno County. Attended school in Fresno.  In 1928, with his father, started table grape operation in Arvin area. Moved to Arvin in 1930 and expanded operation, growing and shipping table grapes and plums. In 1933 he and his father built and operated the Arvin winery. The fruit operation in Kern County reached a peak of 1,000 car lots in 1937. Present operation curtailed to about 600,000 boxes of grapes and tree fruit.  Pioneered farming operations in the Borrego Valley, growing table grapes there until 1960. Also farmed in Coachella Valley from 1952 to 1961 growing table grapes and citrus. At present, operates approximately 1,400 acres of table grapes and tree fruit. Married in 1946. Just celebrated his 40 th Anniversary.  Wife: Beverly. Sons: John and Michael, both of whom are involved in the farming operation. Daughters: Jayne Ellen and Mary Anne Bek.   Grandchildren: 7. Served 8 years on the State Board of Agriculture under Pat Brown.  Served as President of California Grape and Tree Fruit League from 1949-1950. Member of Board of Directors, California Grape and Tree Fruit League, this since its inception in 1936. First President of the Bakersfield Country Club: 1949-1950. Hobbies: Golf, and earlier in life-raced speed boats. Won 3 National Championships and established 4 World Records.  John J. Kovacevich at the controls of his hydroplane Muscat Kid in the days when he was a national Speedboat champion. Kovacevich won over thirty major competitions throughout the United States and Canada including the famed Hearst Regattas three straight years, 1936-38. He established several world records between 1936 and 1940, including a one-mile distance mark of 57.935 mph, which stood until 1959 and was listed in the Guiness Book of Records. He also won the first annual Ernie Millot Sportsmanship Award for the Pacific Coast speedboat drivers in 1940. In his last race, in 1942, Kovacevich won the national title. Presently a respected fruit grower in Kern County, California, he was inducted into the Bakersfield, California, Elias Sports Hall of Fame in 1976 and the Fresno Sports Hall of Fame in 1977. Also, still enjoys steelhead fishing.

KOVACEVICH, JURE Croatian Activities

Jure Kovacevich and his wife, Lucia, were both charter members of the Croatian American Cultural Center. Jure was proud of his Croatian heritage and his pride for his beautiful homeland showed in his dedication to the Croatian Club in Sacramento.  Jure is missed by many friends and family members and his good works will never be forgotten.

KOVACEVICH, LOUIS Croatian Activities

Louis was born in 1893 Lovinac, Croatia and came to America in 1913. From 1926 he was engaged in the automobile business and worked for Ross & Jespersen, Ford Dealers, located at 5457 Crenshaw Boulevard, Los Angeles. He was a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 177.

KOVACEVICH, MARY Croatian Activities

Mary Kovacevich was a founding member of the Croatian American Cultural Center, along with her husband Rudy. Mary was a hard worker who will always be remembered with a rake in her hand and boots on, cleaning the grounds with pride, as if it were her own home. Mary is missed by many friends and family and she left behind a work ethic that is evident in the active members of the club today as they continue to work hard to nurture the pride that built the Croatian American Cultural Center and to spread that pride to future generations.

KOVACEVICH, MATH Real Estate-Croatian Activities

Born in 1888 in Lovinac, Croatia, where he received his education. He went to Zagreb at an early age where he became engaged in business. In 1910 he immigrated to the United States and located in Chicago. After twelve years he left Chicago for Texas and eventually settled in Los Angeles where he was active as a real estate broker. He was identified with many Slavic fraternal and service organizations and was one of the founders and president of the Slavic Democratic League; president of the Croatian Home Incorporated; and a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union.

KOVACEVICH, PETER Food Broker and Buyer

A young man of Sterling worth, foresightedness and exceptional enterprise, who has become a successful and prominent broker and buyer of green and dried fruits, planning to make a specialty of figs and table grapes for eastern shipments, is Peter Kovacevch with offices at 108 Trust Company’s Building, Fresno.

He is a native of Starigrad, Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia, born May 8, 1893, and attended public school in his native country.  In his seventeenth year he came to California- in 1910- and joined his father, four brothers and two sisters in Fresno County.  For three years he worked for salary for his older brother John Kovacevich, Jr., then, for a year he acted as his foreman, all the while gathering knowledge and experience sure to be of great service with him later.

In 1915 he started in business for himself, commencing to buy figs; the next day he dealt in figs, also in other fruits; but in 1917 and 1918 he limited himself to figs, and bought on a large scale, purchasing 150 tons of figs.  In 1919 he bought about 200 tons of figs and 2,000 tons of Malaga grapes.  While the great war was going on he bought liberally of Liberty Bonds and assisted personally and otherwise to his utmost in Red Cross work. As an able-bodied American, he was duly registered in the army draft- a fact that will always be a source of pride to him, for he was ready to respond if Uncle Sam had need of him; but he was not called and so had no chance to make the supreme sacrifice.  

KOVACEVICH-COSTANTI, PETER Fisherman

Peter (Dutchie) and Lena (Milasich) Costanti were from Starigrad, Island of Hvar, Croatia and then moved to Tacoma, Washington. Peter and Lena moved their family to Bellingham when Nick was very young. Peter's brother, Dominic, owned two theaters in Tacoma and had twin daughters. Pete and Lena ran the "Star" Grocery on I Ith Street for many years. Back in those days, Lena did a lot of interpreting for the Croatians and later, she worked with Visiting Nurses for many, many years. Lena's brother, Nick, cooked and had three sons that also fished. Nick (Rosco) started fishing when he was around 15 years old in Tacoma as a skiffman with his cousin, Pete, known as "'Red Apple Pete”, on one of the Martinis' boats. When Nick's father passed away, he ran the Providence until he went as partners with George Zaninovich on the Montana that he later bought and renamed the Dutchie C. The boat was named after his father, who was called "Dutchie because he was so blond. His youngest brother, Francis (Snell), ran the Providence for his mother, later Francis bought the Irene L. Francis ran the Irene L until he passed away, and then his son, John ran the boat for many years until he sold it. Nick’s brother, James, 'D.J." built the Comet with John Karuza as a partner. After selling the Conte, James purchased the Calendar, when he passed away his son, Dan, still runs the boat. Nick's brother, Peter "Bump" fished with his brother, later becoming a Tenderman. After Nick passed away, Pauline sold the Duichie C to the Sands. They sold the boat to some Indians and the Indians sank it. Albert Kovacevich, their nephew, raised the boat, refurbished it and changed the name to the Tucson. Pauline and Nick met shortly after she got out of high school and they were engaged in 1932. They planned on getting married fairly soon, but both of their fathers died during the time and they waited out of respect for them until November 18, 1934. Pauline said "I was free, white, and 21 for eight whole days!" Nicholene was born six years later on October 10, 1940, then Peter was born on October 15, 1942. After a few years Paula Jean came along in1950! Nicholene, and her husband, David, (Sacks) who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary March of this year, have two sons, Andrew and Anthony. Nicholene and David own eight clothing stores in California. Peter has no children, but he owns two gillnets, Burning Daylight (which he keeps in Alaska) and the Coastal Express which he fishes here and for herring in San Francisco, California. Paula Jean has twin girls, Andrea and Camlynn. Shortly after they were born she had a serious stroke and almost died. She recovered, but her husband divorced her and she single-handedly raised the twins, who are just finishing up their first year of college. Pauline used to write articles in the Pacific Fisherman's Magazine and she learned to speak the Croatian language pretty well, because she wanted to know what Nick's family and friends were saying and felt "left out" at first because they always rattled on in their native tongue. Then her three children wanted to learn the language and Nick started them at the dinner table learning the foods and utensils when they were fairly young. (Sleasman 2000)

KOVACEVICH, RUDOLPH Forest Service-Coalminer

Rudy was born in Stambough, Michigan on November 11, 1910 and moved to Roslyn, Washington with his parents at an early age. He was united in marriage with Mildred Vlahovich on May 14, 1932 and worked for 30 year's in the coal mines of the Roslyn area. After the coal mines closed in 1963, he worked for the U. S. Forest Service and later for Central Washington University. Rudy retired in 1972. Brother Kovacevich was secretary and treasurer of Croatian Fraternal Union Dr. David Starcevich Lodge 56 for many years. He was also a member of the Roslyn Eagles and United Mine Workers of America. A longtime Roslyn resident, brother Kovacevich died Saturday, May 17, 1980 at the age of 69. Rudy Kovacevich is survived by his wife, Mildred; son, Rudy of Edmonds, Washington; daughter, Mrs. Jerry (Darlene) Roles, Wenatchee, Washington; threee sisters, Mrs. John (Eve) Bunyan, Naches, Washington; Mrs. Verl (Edith) Garrison, Costa Mesa, Arizona;,and Mrs. Benhart (Mary) Jarvie, Seattle, Washington. He also leaves four grandchildren. Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, Mrs. Mary Baretich Kovacevich in 1951 and John Kovacevich in 1965, and his brother John who passed away in 1966. Brother Kovacevich was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

KOVACEVICH, STEPHEN Pianist

Stephen Bishop Kovacevich has long 'been a pianist of acknowledged seriousness. At his London debut in 1961, his principal vehicle was Beethoven's "Diabelli" Variations; in Los Angeles appearances over the years, his programs have been nothing if not demanding. Yet, in all these years, while whole regiments of his fellow pianists think of Barenboim, Ashkenazy, Eschenbach and Perahia, among many others-were apparently deserting the keyboard for the podium, Bishop-Kovacevich never seemed interested in conducting.Until he got a chance, that is. "for 20, years, I've wanted to do it, confessed the 46 year-old musician in a phone conversation from his home in London, where he has lived since 1959, "Then, about three years ago, I began to take some conducting engagements. And last summer appeared at the Sydney Opera House in a Beethoven program, playing the First Piano Concerto, and conducting the 'Eroica' Symphony. A native Angeleno who grew up in San Francisco, he will appear as piano soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

KOVACH, JOHN State Legislature

John Kovach was a close colleague of William Boyd. He was active with him in the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge Zumberak for many years. For some time, he served on the Supreme Board of the CFU in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as the secretary of the Sick Benefit Department. A native of Zumberak, Kovach entered local politics as a Democrat. In 1960, he won his second term to the Ohio House of Representatives, taking in some 200,000 votes. He was well known among his fellow Croatians. In the November 1960 elections, in which he was re-elected, Kovach received the endorsement of the Democratic Party, something he didn’t get in 1958. During his first term in the Ohio legislature, he identified himself with the liberals, voting for legislation, affecting especially senior citizens. He also voted for legislation favoring labor.

KOVACH, MIRKO Architect

Mirko Kovach is an architect in Chicago, Illinois. Born February 16, 1914 in Trieste, Italy. Educated at lst Real Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia. Graduate, 1934; University of Zagreb, Architure and Engineering Faculty. Diploma 1939. Practical Architecture, Technische Hochschule Vienna, Austria 1939-1940. Architect Designer under contract in State Office, General Management of Public Works, Zagreb, Croatia 1940-1943; Self-employed as Architect and General Contractor in Trieste for American Military Government, 1945-1948; General Contractor in Buenos Aires, Argentina, S.A. 1949-1951.

KOVACICEK, LOUIS J. Journalist-Sheriff-Military

He was born July 19, 1907 in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of Ivan and Anna Petric Kovacicek. He was a graduate of the Raven School and a 1929 graduate of the University of Michigan with a bachelors degree in physical sciences. He later graduated from Youngstown State University in 1955 with a bachelors degree in business administration. He was a writer and reporter for the Youngstown Telegram, a science teacher for the Youngstown Public Schools, a Mahoniing, County Deputy Sheriff, a transportation supervisor at U.S. Steel and a counseling supervisor for the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services. He was a U.S. Navy pharmacist mate and WWII veteran, a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 66 for 65 years and the Alumni Club of the University of Michigan, and a usher at St. Dominic's Church. Louis Kovacicek passed away Aug. 27 in Rincon, Georgia. His wife, the former Lillian Klarich, whom he married June 10, 1941 died October 31, 1953. He leaves a brother, John L. Kovey of Rincon, two nephews, Michael Kovey of Carmel, Indiana and Robert Kovey of Massillon, Ohio and a niece, Eileen Arnold of Rincon, Georgia. He was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Kovey.

KOVACICH, ANTONIO Goldminer-Restaurant-Saloon

Antonio Covacich, vice president of the Slavonic Society in 1860, became a naturalized citizen at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1849. He was a pioneer gold miner at Placerville, El Dorado County and was proprietor of the Spring Valley House Restaurant on famed Presidio Road, San Francisco in 1867. He owned various saloons on Davis, Jackson and Broadway streets in the notorious Barbary Coast district in San Francisco. He died at the age of 71 in 1882.

KOVACICH, BILL Teacher-Principal-Playright

“Drama brings out great changes in kids,” said Kovacich, Mater Dolorosa principal. “Kids deserve to know what’s inside of them. When they find out, it’s such a joy to see.” For a quarter century the educator has been writing, directing and producing plays for his students.  In 1974, Kovacich and teacher colleague Borchelt decided to offer an extra-curricular activity for the students at Epiphany School in San Francisco. Realizing not everyone is a natural achiever, good in sports, or outgoing, they decided the activity should be something all students could be participate in. The decision was easy since both Kovacich and Borchelt love the theater. They began searching for the right play and for sixth-, seventh-, and eight-grade students. However, the men could not find a play they thought appropriate for students so young. So, they decided to write one. With the full support of their wives, Roxanne Kovacich and Holly Borchelt, the fledgling playwrights took off to a quiet away from distractions. They wrote night and day the entire summer on 1974. In 1975, Epiphany’s sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders performed the first BORKOV- (Bor)chelt and Kovacich- Productions’ play, a Shakespearean spoof titles “Hold Your Toungye, Knave.” Little did they know that the eight grade boy, Anthony Cistaro, playing the part of a Frenchman would become a well-known actor portraying a Frenchman years later on the TV sitcom, “Cheers.” Kovacich and Borchelt wrote 11 more original plays.

KOZAR, JOHN Priest-Head of Pontifical Mission Societies

Pittsburgh native Father John Kozar has been named the national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States. Included are the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Society of St. Peter Apostle and the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious. They are part of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Father Kozar was appointed by Cardinal Josef Tomko, head of the Evangelization Congregation. The announcement in the United States was made by Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, in a Feb. 16 letter to Father Kozar. "The Diocese of Pittsburgh” has every reason to feel proud that once again the Holy See has looked to our presbyterate and selected Father John Kozar to serve as the national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States," said Bishop Donald Wuerl. "His great pastoral sensitivity and missionary commitment is evident to all of his brother priests and all the, members of our local church. He has served the missions so well, especially our diocesan supported mission ' in Chimbote, Peru, throughout his priesthood." In accepting the appointment, Father Kozar said his interest in the missions began when he was in elementary school and heard the heroic tales of visiting missionaries. "My own missionary journey took me to Peru to work there as a seminarian as part of a seminary project for summer assignment to a mission country," he said. "That seed has been nurtured by my ongoing involvement with our diocesan mission efforts in Peru for more than 20 years. "This appointment is the newest segment in my missionary journey. I look forward to sharing the richness of the church's missionary vocation with the faithful of the United States." He also expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him by Cardinal Tomko, Bishop Wuerl and Bishop Fiorenza. Father Kozar has been serving as director of the diocesan offices for the Propagation of Faith, Holy Childhood Association, Catholic Relief Services and Missions. He also has been administrator of St. Mary Parish in Aleppo Township, since July 1997. Father Kozar was baptized at St. Wendelin' Church in Pittsburgh's Carrick section and attended grade school at St. Wendelin. He was confirmed at St. Albert the Great in Baldwin. He went on to St. Meinrad High School in Indiana and completed a bachelor's degree in English at St. Meinrad Seminary College. After receiving his master of divinity degree from St. Mary Seminary and University in Baltimore, Father Kozar was ordained at St. Paul Cathedral in 1971. Father Kozar's term is effective immediately. He succeeds Aux. Bishop William McCormack of New York, who has been national director of the societies since 1980. The societies are headquartered in Manhattan. Bishop Fiorenza congratulated Father Kozar and expressed the congratulations of Cardinal Tomko, Archbishop Marcello Zago, secretary of the Evangelization Congregation, and Archbishop Gabriel Montelvo, apostolic nuncio to the United States. Bishop Fiorenza added that Archbishop Montelvo wished Father Kozar to know of the nuncio I s desire to cooperate with him "in this most important work of the universal church." The Propagation of the Faith last year collected $64 million from Catholics of the United States for missionary efforts around the world. Through offerings of Catholics worldwide, which last year totaled $106.9 million, the Propagation of the Faith provides ongoing support of the pastoral and evangelizing programs of the Catholic Church in Africa, Asia, the islands of the Pacific and remote regions of Latin America. The Society of St. Peter Apostle invited individuals to support the education of candidates for the priesthood in developing countries and to support the formation of men and women candidates for the religious life in the missions. The Missionary Union of Priests and Religious seeks to increase awareness of the church's worldwide mission among priests, -permanent deacons, men and women religious, candidates to the priesthood and religious life and others engaged in pastoral ministry in the Catholic Church.

KRAJA, JOSIP Croatian Editor

Kraja, an editor and publisher, was born in Dubrovnik and immigrated to the United States in 1907.  He settled in Youngstown, Ohio, where he owned a printing company and published several foreign language newspapers.  He was editor of Hrvatska Stampa and served several times as president of the National Croatian Circle.

KRAJAC, DANICA

She was born in Bribir, Croatia September 27, 1894. Danica Veljacic moved to the United States in 1922 and settled in San Pedro. She was employed at the Star Kist Tuna Company for 25 years. She married Nazarijo Krajac, who passed away February 3, 1949. Danica and Nazarijo had five daughters: Phyllis Rodin (deceased March 24, 1963), Anna Zar, Mary Krajac, Vera Krajac, and Esther Tomich. Eight grandchildren; twelve great-grand children; and two great, great grandchildren. Danica also had a brother John Veljacic who resided in Oregon. Danica passed away January 9, 1982.

KRAJNOVICH, SAM Tamburitza Hall of Fame

Sam Krajnovich's parents came to this country in 1907 from Croatia. In 1918, Sam was born in Kansas City, Missouri. For over fifty years, Sam has dedicated much of his time to teaching, playing and promoting the heritage and tradition of the tamburitza music in Kansas City, Kansas and also Missouri and Illinois.

In 1932, Sam learned to play the tambura. with his church orchestra in Kansas City, Kansas. He also has taught music to many young people. Through the years he has taught three youth tamburitza groups and organized five other groups. Sam organized his first orchestra in the 1930's along with the late Johnny Soptich on bass, Henry Pear played bugaria and Sam played the brac. At that time they played Farkas tamburas. In the late 1930's Sam went to Madison, Illinois. There he played with the Danica Tamburitza Orchestra. He played with the late Mickey Brncic, who played the prim. Also the late Mike Novacic played bass. Then in the 1940's Sam went back to Kansas City. There he taught the John Muzas family to play the tambura. In 1947, Sam formed an orchestra to play for his church. Sam obtained the service of Frank Chelesnik for their instructor. Sam returned to Madison, Illinois. There he played with Steve Buchevich Jr.'s Tamburitza Orchestra. They played at the Croatian Hall. Frank Mudrovich played bugaria and the late Joe Buchevich played the bass. Steve Buchevich Jr. played first brac and Sam played second brac. In the later 1950's and 1960's Sam organized a tambura orchestra in Granite City, Illinois with the late Joe Gerbic, M. Finley, and his son Bob. Sam went back to Kansas City in the 1970's and organized another tamburitza orchestra comprised of Bob Cigich, Ed Grisnick, Johnny Soptick and Sam. They played together until 1977 when Sam moved to Texas for his health. In 1981, Sam started the Pan-Slavic Club in Dallas, Texas. In 1982, Sam organized another tamburitza orchestra in Dallas, Texas with John Miskudin on first brac, Joe Kirin on prim, Evan Geusic on Bugaria, Tony Carevic on bass, and Sam playing second brac. They played for the City of Dallas in 1983 and 1984 at the International Bazaar: This is the first tambura orchestra in Dallas, Texas. Sam was General Chairman when Kansas City had the Tamburitza Extravaganza in 1977. He has revolved his life around music and has been so giving of his time, talents and money to promote music. If he heard of a child that was interested in music, he would go to great lengths to pick the child up and deliver him back home, just so he had an opportunity to learn to play the tambura. Sam is still playing tambura and keeping it alive in Texas.

KRALJ, JAKOB Master Tailor

Jakob was born in Ferdinandovac, Podravina Croatia on July 15, 1912. He operated a custom tailor shop in Zagreb, Croatia, and sang professionally on Croatian radio. He married his bride Stefica, born in Slatina, Zagorje, Croatia in 1939. Their son, Tomislav Kralj, was a top soccer star for Team Zagreb.They and their son, Tom, migrated to America in 1967 to be with their daughter Danica. Danica married Adam Eterovich, born in San Francisco, in Zagreb and Tom married Marica Valentich from Vela Luka, Korcula, in California, He lived with his family in Santa Clara where he continued in his trade. Jakob died on November 10, 1990. Jakob leaves his loving wife, Stefica, his son Tom, his daughter Danica and their families and relatives in Croatia. Jakob had three grandchildren, Carol and Janet Kralj and Karen Eterovich. He also had five great grandchildren, Anthony, Stephanie and Christina Palladino and Michael and Brandon Andersen. Jakob was a friendly and polite gentleman everyone looked forward to being with. We greatly miss our kindly brother. He was a member of the Slavonian Society of San Francisco.

KRALJ, JOSEPH Scalped by Indians-Goldminer

Hundreds of Croatians joined in the mad rush to seek their fortunes.  Among them was Josip Kralj (Joseph King) from Mrkopolje, in Gorski Kotar, who let home in 1852 with his godfather, boarded a ship in Bremen and several weeks later arrived in New York. Unable to find work there, the two men traveled west in 1853 to Duluth, Minnesota.  That Spring they met three other Croatians from Novi Vindolski, one of whom suggested that they all go to California to seek gold.  The trek to California proved difficult and dangerous.  Kralj’s godfather died and was buried in Montana.  Kralj and his companions then joined a covered wagon caravan which was attacked by Indians. Many of the party were killed in the attack, including two of the Croats from Novi VIndolski, who were scalped.  Only Kralj and one other Croatian made it to California. Eventually Kralj went his own way, supporting himself by mining for gold and workig as a blacksmith. He then spent about six years traveling and working in Northern California and Oregon before leaving for the desert of Central Nevada with a gourp of hunters and gold seekers.  These men did not find gold, but did find plenty of trouble with the Cheyenne Indians, who attacked and killed all of the group except for Kralj, who survived the accident.  The Cheyenne took Kralj to one of their villages and held him for two years until 1861.  He was freed only after the Indian tribe lost a skirmish with army troops, whereupon he returned to San Francisco.  In 1862 Kralj left for the Sierra Nevadas to search for gold.  Fully aware of the risks involved, he deposited his journal, documanets, and money (about $2,000) at the Austrian consulate in San Francisco with instructions that these items not be sent to Croatia until two years passed. Kralj never returned to San Francisco, now did he send any mesage. After three years of waiting the consul sent the belongings to Croatia.  It is not known who reveived the belongings, but most likely it was his family. Kralj’s journal was printed however, in Dom i Svijet (Home and the World) at the beginning of this century.  This account of a Croatian adventurer vividly catpures the experiences of only a few of the hundreds of Croats involved in the search for gold and riches in the rugged and wild American West in the nineteenth century.

KRALJEVIC, ROBERT Marine Engineer

Robert Kraljevic was a marine engineer and marine surveyor who retired after 50 years of service in the maritime industry. He was a WW 11 veteran and a member of MEBA, the Society of Naval Architect and Marine Engineers and the Association of Retired Merchant Seaman. During the Gulf War, he was instrumental in preparing the MARAD ready reserve fleet. Brother Robert.M. Kraljevic, 72, was a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a 50-year resident of Mobile, Alabama. He passed away on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000. He was the son of Michael and Tenie (Babic) Kraljevic and a lifetime member of the Croatian Fraternal Union. Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Jean B. Kraljevic; seven children, Kim Kraljevic of Mobile, Pam (Jay) Whitfield of Mobile, Kathy (Kevin) Ryan of Grand Bay, Michael (Kirsten) KraIjevic of Wilmer, Sharon (Sam) Ionna of Cincinnati, OH, Jeannie (Lewis) Gordon of Irvington, and Rhonda (Hank) Thompson of Grand Bay; 12 grandchildren; sisters Lillian (Emil) Quatchak and Marie (Joe) Dunn of Pittsburgh, PA and a lifelong friend, Robert (Bob) Wilson. Because of his dedication to the maritime industry and love of the sea, brother Kraljevic was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.

KRALJIC, JOHN Attorney-Croatian Activities

Mr. Kraljic was born in New York and he is an attorney by profession. Mr. Kraljic has published in many influential American newspapers, notably The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, Newsday, New Republic, and the Manhattan Jewish Sentinel. Mr. Kraljic is a scholar in Croatian history, with many published scholary works. He is currently, President of the National Federation of Croatian Americans (NFCA).

KRALOVICH, GEORGE A. Engineer

George Kralovich is a sales engineer for Packard Electric Division, G. M. Corporation, Birmingham, Michigan. Born February 20, 1941 to Croatian parents in Youngstown, Ohio; married with one child. Educated at University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, B.S.I.M., June, 1964; University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, M.B.A., June, 1965. Member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honorary; Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Graduated with Highest Honors. Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award.

KRAMARICH, IRENE Opera

Irene Kramarich, a mezzosoprano, born of Croatian parents in Youngstown, Ohio, made her debut in New York, in 1955. Since then she has appeared with almost every major opera house in this country and has also sung abroad. The New Orleans music critic, S. Meyers, appraised Miss Kramarich's voice as "one of the biggest and most glorious voices of the decade." She performed many roles of classic operas; in 1959 she was engaged by the Lyric Opera in Chicago. Still very young, with a voice that has strength, richness, and impeccable tone and line, Irene Kramarich will have a great future.

KRAY, WALTER Actor

Walter Kray was born March 27, 1919, in Kast near Sosice, in Croatia. He came to Cleveland and here joined the ranks of the Croatian Fraternal Union, whose member he has been since 1930. He is proud of his origin and devoted to the fraternal organization to which he belongs. Very successful as an actor, he has been a star of countless film, television, and stage productions. Walter Kray has also starred in the Warner Brothers Studios television series "The Roaring Twenties.

KREKOVIC, KRISTAN Artist

Kristian Krekovic, an exceptionally talented painter educated in Paris, found refuge in the ancient land of the Incas, Peru. There, attracted by the history of the fabulous country, Krekovic created colossal paintings inspired by the heritage of the Incas. Overnight he became famous, and his name flashed across both Americas. In 1955 over 126,000 people came to admire his pictures in an exhibition at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. One of the most enthusiastic critiques stated: "Native to mountainous Croatia, where folk art and peasant craft have survived the ebb and flow of military, political and religious tides for centuries, he has maintained a reverence for tradition and time-tested quality. For many months Krekovic exhibited in various galleries of New York, as well as in Washington, Philadelphia, and Syracuse. His paintings received the highest acclaim by American art critics and lovers of art. He lives in Spain.

KRESAN, IVO Engineer-Naval Architecture

Ivo Kresan is a Mechanical Engineer at American Hydrotherm Corporation, New York City, New York. Born August 25, 1927 in Sukosan, Dalmatia, Croatia. Education includes Classical Gymnasium, Zadar, Croatia, Graduate 1947; University of Zagreb, Technological School, Zagreb, Croatia, 1947-1954, Diploma, May 1954 in Naval architecture.

KRESNIK, JOHN J. Priest-Teacher

Father John is a Teacher of Religion at Bergan Central Catholic High School, Freemont, Nebraska. Born March 20, 1939 in Omaha, Nebraska of Croatian parents; Ordained on March 29, 1965. Education includes Conception Seminary, Conception, Missouri 1957-61, B.A.; Conception School of Theology, Conception, Missouri 1961-65; Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, 1964 with a major field of Philosophy Secondary Education and a specialty in Religion, Latin, Guidance. Member of Croatian Cultural Society of Omaha, Nebraska.

KRESSICH, MATT P. Restaurant-Insurance

Matt was born in Dalmatia and came to the United States in October 1891. Settling in New Orleans, he conducted a very successful business as a restaurateur, catering to the French clientele of that city. In 1908 accompanied by his wife, he came to Los Angeles and opened the well known Del Monte Cafe, which was located on Spring Street, in the heart of the city — a cafe which became famous for its hospitality and cuisine. In 1920 Kressich became the president of the Pacific Coast Bowling Congress. He was a member of the Elks, Knight of Columbus, Young Men’s Institute, the Slavonic Alliance, the Slav Democratic Club and other organizations. He was an insurance agent with offices in the Commercial Building, Los Angeles.

KREZICH, VESNA Artist-Professor

Vesna Krezich Kittelson, a well-known and respected Croatian-American painter from Minneapolis and a faculty member at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design has two more successful exhibitions to add to her already rich resume. From August 24, 2001 through September 27, two of her major new paintings, The Cosmic Gardens and The Cosmic House were on exhibit within the Faculty Exhibition - Minneapolis College of Art. And she is about to open a joint exhibition of drawings with David Rich at the University of Wisconsin Gallery at La Crosse. Her artistic style is a special version of the "fragmented" post-modernist vision, based on figuration and with strong expressionist leanings. Her paintings at that time were large, often of unusual format and accompanied by broken metal, pieces of rubble, and of crushed brick. Many of them were a part of a series she herself entitled "War Paintings," dealing with the war in Croatia. In her powerful symbolic paintings such as Vukovar and Dubrovnik, she became truly a poet of Croatian resistance and heroism - a poet of Croatian Liberation War. "The destruction of Dubrovnik was for me an end". "I could never accept that something like that could happen. The same is true of Vukovar." Now the war is over and although our beloved homeland still needs a lot of political, economic and humanitarian help, one breathes freer, and so also Vesna's style has changed. Her current paintings are more regular, lighter, filled with delightfully soft colors and forms. She recently told me: "In my paintings I make connection across time and space by interlacing silent threads of events, myths, and histories. I find myself especially pondering over the puzzling nature of violence and tenderness in all of us..." The Faculty Exhibition seems to show that tenderness in the art of Vesna Kittelson is currently winning out.In her La Crosse exhibition Vesna specializes in imagery of grapes. "Throughout history many cultures depicted grapes in their art as symbol of beauty, pleasure, and celebration," she told me. " I continue this tradition by making paintings of grapes as my own contemporary visual poems."

KRILETICH, CHRIS Restaurant

Western gourmets today, October 5, 1960, mourned a legendary purveyor of sea foods, Chris (Bozo) Kriletich, 66, founder and for 42 years proprietor of Chris’ Sea Food Restaurant at 694 Mission st., near Third Street in San Francisco. Born in the village of Lumbarda, on the Island of Korcula, in the Adriatic Sea, part of Croatia, Bozo was a fisherman from youth. He was the second of a family of four brothers and a sister who began coming to San Francisco beginning in 1913. Bozo and his older brother Kuzma followed the sea food tradition here, working in the famous old Poppy Restaurant. Bozo started his own restaurant just off Newspaper Row and on the main stream of commuter traffic to the financial district, in 1918. For decades Bozo did all the fry cooking himself. He was proud of “the best prawns in town” and of sauce with wide repute among gourmets. Two years ago, his lovely brunette daughter, Pat, long a drummer in major night spots, joined her father and took over gradually the actual operation of Chris’s. Requiem mass was offered at the Croatian Church of the Nativity. Also surviving are Bozo’s widow, Onorina, his sister, Mrs. Mandelina Antunovich, and brothers Nick, Roy and Gus.

KRILICH, JOHN Grocer

Romances flourished, especially when men knew of a young girl who was from the same town or vicinity. The father and mother of John Krilich met in this way. Mr. Krilich was a well established grocer in Tacoma, Washington who had come here to join his brothers. He had a friend in Aberdeen, a grocer and a former neighbor in Croatia, who had sent for his niece to come and help with the care of his children. Krilich thought that it might be a good time to revive the friendship and welcome the new arrival. She was pretty, so he stayed for the weekend. When it was time to leave he approached the girl, said good-bye, and asked if he might see her again. She replied, "I'm coming with you!" John Krilich remarked, "I would tell my mother that she was lucky my father was a truly fine gentleman and provider. She could have picked worse. She was always a little irate at this because I didn't give her credit for her good taste. They were married after having known one another for one week."

KRISKOVICH, ANTONE Stockbroker

Tony was bom in Novi Vinodolski, Croatia. Tony came to the United States and San Leandro, in 1951. Employed as a stockbroker for 35 years, working recently for Prudential-Bache. Tony loved his Croatian ancestry. He participated in the Croatian Fraternal Union of America activities. Active in all the socials at the Slavonic Cultural Center, his boundless enthusiasm while in the SMBS was shared with his family and many friends. "Fantastic", the expression used by Tony so many times in describing his feelings at happy Croatian social events. He was very active with the Knights of Columbus of the Church of the Assumption, the Liqure Club of Oakland and the Aquatic Park Bocci Ball Club of San Francisco. Tony also enjoyed sailing, dancing and visiting his homeland Croatia. Tony was born on October 27, 1914 and died on June 30, 1990. Surviving are his dear wife, Mary Ann; a son, William A. Kriskovich of San Leandro; a daughter, Antoinette (Toni) Reynolds of San Leandro, and one granddaughter, Kathryn Lee Reynolds.

KRISTICH, CHARLES R. Teacher

Charles Kristich is a Teacher of Social Studies, Kenmore Jr. High School, Kenmore,New York. Born March 10, 1935 of Croatian parents in Buffalo, New York; married with four children. Education includes State University College for Teachers at Brockport, New York, B.S., 1956; Canisius College, Buffalo, New York, M.S., 1963 with a major field in History and European History. Graduated Magna Cum Laude, 1956 B.S.

KRISTICH, JOHN N. Contractor

A prominent engineering contractor of central and northern California is John N. Kristich, who has two plants for the manufacture of cement pipe, one at King City and the other at Knightsen. He began on a very small scale in 1915 and has gradually enlarged the scope of his operations until he covers territory from King City, Monterey County, to the Sacramento Valley. He has made astudy of irrigation problems, manufactures all kinds of cement pipes, and does all kinds of cement work along lines of irrigation. His cement irrigating pipe is sold in all parts of California. John N. Kristich was born in Croatia on May 21, 1891, and came to the United States when he was sixteen years old, landing in Los Angeles. There he secured work as a laborer with the Arthur S. Bent Construction Company and continued for about six years, during which time he worked in every department, from a pick-and-shovel man to foreman, learning all about cement work and contracting. He supplemented his early schooling by night study after arriving in Los Angeles, and has become a well-educated man, especially along technical lines. Desiring to begin work for himself, he went to King City, Monterey County, and began making pipe from concrete and cement and taking small contracts. From this small beginning he has developed one of the largest businesses of the kind in the State, and he has handled some of the largest contracts for irrigating and reclamation projects. He has a thorough knowledge of his work and gives his contract work his personal supervision, in consequence of which he is a very busy man. He located in Knightsen in 1920 and has been very active in the reclamation of the lands in eastern Contra Costa County, where he is well and favorably known. He is public-spirited and lends a helping hand to torward all upbuilding projects. He belongs to the Odd Fellows in King City.

KRISTOVICH, JOHN Policeman

John Kristovich, new Slavonic Society Treasurer, is a 30 year veteran of the San Francisco Police Department, who grew up on Potrero Hill and attended Commerce High School. John is a Korean War Veteran and City College Graduate. He married Carolyn in 1955. The Kristovich Family consists of Lori, an SMBS member, Karen and John Jr., who is an aspiring actor studying in New York City. The Kristovich’s have five grandchildren. John’s dad operated the Potrero Café on 3rd Street for many years. John’s mother, Ann, was the sister of the late Louie, Mitch and Tom Buich. All were from Zupa, a village adjoining Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia.

KRISTOVICH, MARLENE Judge

Judge Marlene A. Kristovich was born and still resides in the City of Los Angeles. In 1973 Judge Kristovich graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.S. degree in accounting. She earned her law degree from Loyola University Law School in 1978. Judge Kristovich currently serves as a Superior Court Judge or the County of Los Angeles in the South Central Courthouse in Compton, California. She is a recognized authority in International Tax Law, and in 1989, while serving with the U.S. Department of Treasury, Judge Kristovich received the Attorney Litigation Award. Judge Kristovich is well recognized for her many professional contributions, as well as being a civic leader in her community.

KRISTOVICH, THOMAS M. Restaurant

Thomas was born 20 December 1876 in Rijeka, Croatia to Marin and Frances (Pavlovich) Kristovich. In 1908 he married Madeline Kljunak of Rijeka and they had four children; Frances, Anna, Marin and Baldo. Thomas worked as a waiter in restaurants and eventually became a tavern keeper and owner of his own restaurant by 1898. Thomas served on a number of advisory boards including the following: International Branch Bank of Italy; United Ancient Order of Druids; Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 177 and the Slavonian American Benevolent Society.

KRISTOVICH, TOM Restaurant

One of the Missions district’s most popular restaurant men, Tom Kristovich, has taken charge of the Mission Dolores Grill, 3042 16th Street in 1937. His customers of the past are welcoming this excellent new food center. He has chosen this time a large place with a counter, open tables and 21 private booths in another room. He has an excellent chef and a fine staff of obliging waiters.   The menu is such that it can cater in a short time to anyone’s taste and Tom believes only in the best. If it is business or rest, or exclusiveness one prefers, it is available a the Mission Dolores Grill. The private booth hall is large and roomy, is attractive with dark wooden panels and lighter plaster walls mounting towards the high ceiling. As one enters he finds, too, that there is counter service, and here beverages are also served. The kitchen is commodious and up-to-date, facilitating service and ease of preparation. Tom Kristovich was born in Croatia and came here as a boy.   Beginning as a pantry boy, working up to cashier, and then owner are the steps mounted by Mr. Kristovich in his career of more than a quarter of a century.

KRISTOVICH, VICE Boarding House

Vice was born in Dubrovacka Zupa and immigrated to America. She eventually settled in Los Angeles and established the Cosmopolitan Boarding House on Upper Main Street. Her house became a meeting place for Croatians who by the early 1890’s established social and political groups with her blessing and support. She had one son, Ilija Kristovich.

KRIZANEC, JASNA Teacher

Jasna Krizanec is a teacher at Gaunt High School, St. Louis, Missouri. Born April 23, 1941 in Zagreb, Croatia. Educated at Harris Teacher's College, St. Louis, Missouri, B.A., 1964; St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri 1962-1963; Windham College, Putney, Vermont. M.A., 1966. Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 1968 with a major field in Education and Russian Language and Literature. Member of Russian-American Scholars in U.S.A.; Natioal Education Association; Croatian Academy of America; Modern Language Association of America.

KRMPOTICH, LOUIS R. Cultural Activities-Music-Military

Seattle's Croatian community lost a man who contributed much to the region's recognition and preservation of Croatian folk culture. In the mid 1950s, with Croatian folklore at a low ebb, Lou began to organize and teach successive waves of young people and their parents the arts of folk dancing, costume making etc. When Seattle Junior Tambuntzans were organized in 1970, Lou became the group's first dance instructor and choreographer. Many of his protegees have contributed to group's continued advancement over the past 30 years. This, and his tireless work in rejuvenating the social activity of Seattle Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 439 in the mid-1960s, are his legacies. Lou was born April 30, 1929 in Carson Lake, Minnesota -- the second of three children born to Tom Krmpotich and Katharine Vukelic Krmpotich -with both sides of the family hailing from the Krivi Put/Veljun region of Croatia. It was almost inevitable that young Lou, like his 1-year-older brother Tom, would be swept into a lifelong interest in the music, song and dance of Croatia. Carson Lake lay in the middle of Minnesota's famous Iron Range and, with all of the Croatian families there, was hotbed for this activity. Lou, like Tom, played with lots of tamburitza groups, both in Minnesota and later in Seattle. It was after Lou's service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War that he moved to Seattle, Washington. He retired here after many years of employment with the Odom Company, a firm that specializes in the distribution of beverages to Alaska. Following retirement he volunteered his services for several years at the Veterans' Hospital in Seattle. He always found time, however, to attend Lodge 439s annual picnic where he cashiered the barbecued meat sales. He died on April 16, 2000. Lou was preceded in death by his father, Tom Krmpotich, Sr., in 1972 and by his mother Katharine and his brother Tom, both in 1989. He is survived by his sister, Rosemary Holm of Gig Harbor, Washington; three nieces; three aunts and an uncle.

KRMPOTIC, MARTIN Priest-Author

Martin Davorin Krmpotic was a many sided figure which needs to be reclaimed from oblivion. He was a glagolitic priest, a politician, missionary and an organizer of Croatian diaspora, and a writer (Krivi Put, November 8, 1917 Kansas City -January 31, 1931). He arrived to the U.S. in 1901 to become a parson in the Croatian church in Kansas City (Kansas). He completed the building of the church in 1905 and commissioned Oton 1vekovic to adorn it with murals (1911-1912). Next to the church, he erected an orphanage and the first Croatian school in the area. Deeply impressed by the American democracy, he translated into Croatian the famous two-volume work by Sir James Bryce The American Commonwealth, to be printed in Senj (1907) and Rijeka (1908). Thus he helped promote the ideas of the American democracy to serve as foundations for the constitution of the new state to come into being after severing ties between Croatia and the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Krmpotic was a contributor to the well-respected American edition of the Catholic Encyclopedia, providing entries related to Croatia. He was the founder of the "Croatian Literary Society" of Chicago. Krmpotic never ceased to cooperate with cultural and political organizations in Croatia which had the preservation of the Croatian national body and its identity as their goal. He was a member of the "Society of the Croatian Dragon," and he supported many activities in the Senj-Modrug bishopric.

KROPAJ, ARTHUR Tamburitza Hall of Fame

Arthur Kropaj was born October 27, 1919 in Cleveland, Ohio. He is the oldest of two children of Stephen and Anna Kropaj. His father was born in Koprevnica, Croatia, and his mother was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Music has been a part of Art's life for more than fifty years, starting with lessons on the violin when he was eight years old, at which time he also started to play brac. The first band Art became involved with was "Jadran" in 1932 led by Rudy Kapps and later with "Zagreb". They played at the Great Lakes Exposition in what they called the "Streets of the World" in Cleveland's Lake Front. Art went to work at Republic Steel Corp. in 1937 and retired with forty years of service as a carpenter. World War 11 found the army drafting Art in 1941 until 1945. While in the service he was involved in a band, playing saxophone and clarinet. Two weeks after his discharge he was back at work and playing bass with Milan Pohcevac and the "Zvonimir Orchestra"' At this time, Art met Dorothy Pallone of Pittsburgh. They were married and blessed with three children, two daughters and a son. Art was a member of the Cleveland Tamburitza Symphony and played second brac for the Croatian Radio Hour directed by John Birek and later by Jim Kovacevich. Rearranging the group, the "Zvonimir", John Halek on the violin, Emil Monroe on the bugaria, Steve Katalenac on the cello and Art on the bass with Vinka Ellison singing; later Angelina Velkovich. John Halek soon retired and Julias Peskan joined them. In 1965, Art began playing with the "Mirko Roknich Orchestra" of Massillion, Ohio playing brac and cello. With Mirko on the accordion, Rudy Kolich on bugaria, Louis Vuich on bass, they have entertained lovers of Croatian music throughout the United States and Canada and have been the featured orchestra on Caribbean Cruises.

KRPAN, JOHN Businessman-City Council

Brother Krpan was born Aug. 22, 1912 in Croatia. He immigrated to the United States in 1920 and settled in Rock Springs, Wyoming. During the Second World War he moved to Long Beach, California and worked in the defense industry. Following the war, he started his business life opening several restaurants. In 1950 he moved to Roseville and went in the produce business. His entrepreneurial endeavors over the years included the development of commercial and residential real estate in Roseville and Auburn and his seasonal Christmas tree business which he operated in Roseville for 28 years. In addition to his membership in the Croatian Fraternal Union, he was an active member of the Elks, Lions Club, and the Knights of Columbus. He was elected to the Roseville City Council in 1964, and served through 1968. An active Democrat, John was a delegate to the 1968 National Democratic Convention. Surviving are his loving wife Peggy; his devoted sons, Donald and Dan; his sisters, Mary Stolms, and Millie Olson and his brother Steve Krpan; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife Kathryn, his brothers, Mike and Joseph, and sister Ann. His family would want all to know he voted by absentee ballot several days before he passed away, a straight Democratic ticket.

KRSTELJ, FRANJO Croatian Activist

Born in Viganj on the Peljesac peninsula, Dalmatia, Croatia. Came to America in 1889. Secretary of Croatian Union of the Pacific since 1910. Active in Croatian affairs in California for many years

KRSTULOVICH-CARSTULOVICH, GEORGE Restaurant-Hotel

George J. Krstulovich, the smiling and genial proprietor of the Saddle Rock Cafe and owner of the St George Hotel, at 73 pacific avenue, Santa Cruz, California was born March 12, 1877, on the Island of Brac. Dalmatia, Croatia a son of Antone and Margarete Carstulovich. Three sons of the family came to this country, including John, who emigrated to America before George was born, and they did not meet until 1905. The other brother to choose the United States as his home was Pete. George Carstulovich attended both the grammar and the high schools in Dalmatia, and then entered the University of Agriculture, where he pursued practical courses for five years. At the age of twenty-eight years he crossed the ocean to the United States, having already served the time required of him by his government in the army, and here he joined his brothers in the cafe business. Later one of the trio returned to the old country and sold one-half of his interest to George, and in 1911 John died. George Carstulovich then continued to conduct the cafe for the estate but in 1914 came into possession of the whole property. The Saddle Rock Cafe is the second oldest restaurant in Santa Cruz, having been opened 1890 by George Dabelich and in its management are now employed eight people. Mr. Carstulovich is fond of outdoor life and given to hunting. Fraternally he is a member of the Foresters and the Eagles. George was involved in the capture of a German Spy Ring in World War One.

KRUZICH, GEORGE Priest

He was the son of Juraj (Stipaninkin) born March 27, 1927, in Tuluca, Illinois and died January 29, 1992 in Wichita, Kansas. He became a priest on June 9, 1961. He served his first mass at St. Peter's Church in Winamac, Indiana. He died while serving as a parish priest at St. Judas Tadeus in Wichita, Kansas. He was buried in the parish's Resurrection Cemetery. George Kruzick had a fairly good command of the Croatian language. He visited Zlobin on several occasions and even held mass in the Church of St. John the Baptist in Zlobin, Croatia.

KRUZIC, GEORGE Bridge Construction

Born in Zlobin, Croatia on April 20, 1883, Juraj (George), arrived in America via the English port of Liverpool. The ship docked in the port of Duluth, Minnesota, in October, 1901. He was 18 years old. He returned to Zlobin where he married Ana Kruzic (Bacotina) on July 10, 1909. Ana gave birth to two sons in Zlobin, both of whom unfortunately died as children. Juraj left for America once more in 1912. He was followed by Ana on June 28, 1921. She was accompanied by his brother Anton (Tonac Stipaninkin). Ana died soon after her arrival on September 29, 1921. She was buried in St. Peter's Cemetery in Winamac, Indiana. She had hoped to reestablish her family life with her husband but that was not her fate. Juraj remarried and had a son named George who became the Catholic priest. They also had a daughter, Pauline Eleanor. In Winamac, Juraj worked in bridge construction. He died in Winamac December 11, 1945.

KRUZIC, IVAN Contruction-Restaurant

Ivan was born in Zlobin, Croatia on March 9, 1891. He reached New York via Liverpool on an unknown ship in May, 1902 at the age of eleven. He was accompanied by his father Stjepan Kruzic. From the day he arrived in New York till the day he died, he never revisited his native Zlobin. He settled in Winamac, Indiana, dedicating himself, as the rest of the Kruzics did, to the construction business. Besides working in construction, he opened a very prestigious restaurant called the Indian Head in 1934. He undertook the project by himself, building and operating the restaurant. It became a site visited by people from all over Indiana and perhaps from all parts of the Midwest. His clients appreciated the fine service, the sophisticated interior and the exterior design of the building. It was built from Ivan's original idea. Ivan was married three times. His first wife was Rosa-Eldridge Pool, born January 10, 1892, died June 24, 1929. They had nine children. His second wife was Agnes Eykes, born November 4, 1875, died February 29, 1940. They had no children. His third wife was Grace Rosenburg, born June 12, 1900, died April 19, 1985. There were no children from this third marriage. The last thirty years of his life, he and Grace lived in Key,West, Florida, which is a well known fisherman's town and tourist resort. He built several houses all of which he lived in at one time or other and/or rented, making him a landlord. All of these houses resisted hurricanes that have the strength to sweep anything away that gets in their path all of the houses still stand today. Key West, which was once exclusively a fisherman's settlement, was also visited by the famous American novelist Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway found the inspiration for his novel "The Old Man And The Sea" in Key West. Hemingway’s homeis now open to the public. He and Ivan were friends. Ivan Kruzic (Stipaninkin) died on April 17, 1983, in Key West where he is also buried.

KRUZIC, PETER Construction

Born in Zlobin, Croatia June 27, 1890 Petar started his journey to America from Southampton, England on the ship "Philadelphia". He arrived in New York on June 16, 1907, eleven days before his seventeenth birthday. Petar established himself in Winamac, Indiana where he met his wife Mabel Freeman. They had six children. With the rest of the Kruzic’s, he joined in the construction business. He built many bridges and silos in the region. He was especially known as a builder of bridges and artesian wells. Winamac had excellent sulfur water from this major well which was known throughout the state of Indiana for its quality. Petar died in Winamac on November 19, 1964.

KRUZIC, PETER Iron Miner-Cultural Activities

Petar Kruzic, clan name Vuicev, deserves a special chapter. He was from Zlobin, Croatia who lived to be the oldest among his fellow Croatians. Born June 29, 1891 he died November 12, 1990 in Caspian, Michigan. He lived to the age of 99 years, four months and 14 days. Petar was married September 14, 1921 to Geneveva Subat (Pavicina). They had three children: Ernest, Vilma and Vera. All of their children were born in America and still live in Caspian, Michigan. Caspian is where there was a major settlement of Zlobians. These people earned their bread working in iron mines. Despite the hard, exhausting work and daily family matters, this good old man, known as "Barba Petar" always found time and never lacked eagerness for social activities. In his younger days, he was the leader of the "tamburitza" orchestra, which entertained our people throughout Upper Michigan. He was the founder of Lodge 69 of the Croatian Fraternal Union "Hrvatska sloga". He was President for 53 years, from 1935 until his death. "Barba Petar" died in Caspian and was buried next to his wife, "Gefa Pavicina". She died in 1974. They are both buried in the Stambaugh Township Cemetery.

KRUZIC, Z. JOHN Engineer-Inventor

Born Nov. 15, 1928 in Zlobin, Croatia, a son of the late John and Mary Kruzic, he was a graduate of New Brighton High School, Class of 1946, and Carnegie Tech, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. He joined Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1950. As a distinguished design engineer, John accumulated a total of 14 patents. From 1969 until his retirement in 1987, he was general manager of the low voltage breaker division in Beaver. Recognized for his substantial contributions to his field of work, John received Westinghouse's highest award, "The Order of Merit," in 1977 and the prestigious "James H. McGraw Medal" in 1986. Very active in his community, John served in a number of capacities, a few being: The Medical Center, Beaver Board of Directors, Sky Bank (Century National) Board of Directors; past president United Way of Beaver County, Pennsylvania and was a member of the Holy Family Roman Catholic Parish of New Brighton and Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 738. Z. John Kruzic of New Brighton, died Wednesday, May 10, 2000. Surviving are his wife, Margaret (Tatko) Kruzic, whom he married on June 14, 1952; two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Karen (Floyd) Kruzic, Cincinnati, Ohio and David and Amy (Signore) Kruzic, Harleysville, Pennsylvania; a brother, Kronie Kruzic, East Palestine, Ohio and many loving nieces and nephews.

KRVAVICA CLAN

Anton Krvavica: Born In Knin, Croatia on September 12, 1897, Anton Krvavica Immigrated to the United States In 1913. His first place of residence was Pennsylvania. Shortly thereafter he moved to Chicago, Illinois and owned and operated a dental laboratory until 1966. He then joined his sons In San Jose, California. His character Is to persevere and overcome obstacles In his path. His sons give testimony to a life. well lived. The family has served dentistry over 150 years.

John Krvavica: Doctor John A. Krvavica has practiced as a General Dentist In Campbell, California for 25 years. He is a native of Chicago and is a graduate of Loyola University Dental School. Previously, he practiced in Chicago for nine years after serving in the Air Force Dental Service. He Is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, the Santa Clara County-Dental Society, the Academy of, General Dentistry and the American Society of Dentistry for Children. Dr. John has raised five children and also has four grandchildren. Dr. John is also a 25 year member of the AmSlav Men's club and has been its secretary for over 10 years. The Doctors Krvavica are first generation Croatian Americans and have done much to keep our heritage.

Bob Krvavica: Doctor Bob Krvavica has practiced as an orthodontist for 18 years in San Jose. He is a graduate of Loyola University Dental School and is a member of the American Dental Association, American Orthodontic Association, Foundation for Orthodontic Research, and the Santa Clara County Dental Society. Dr. Krvavica is married and has four children.

Ray Krvavica: Doctor Ray Krvavica, born in Chicago, is a graduate of Loyola Dental School. He has practiced for 16 years in San Jose. Dr. Krvavica maintains professional membership with the American Orthodontic Association, California Society of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, and Santa Clara County Dental Society, He is married and has raised four children.

KUCICH, OSTROILO Doctor of Medicine

A Mass of resurrection for Dr. Ostroilo S. Kucich, a San Francisco physician for many years, was held Friday at the Croatian Church of the Nativity, followed by entombment at Holy Cross Cemetery.  Dr. Kucich died here Wednesday at the age of 94. He was the doctor for the Croatian Slavonic Society of San Francisco for many years A native of Croatia, he received his medial training at the University of California and in his youth was on the staff of Central Emergency Hospital. In 1912, Dr. Kucich accompanied a party of big game hunters through Africa, from Liberia to the Congo. He served as surgeon for the expedition.

KUCINICH, DENNIS Congressman-Mayor-State Senator

Congressman Dennis Kucinich from Cleveland, Ohio, enjoys a high level of name recognition, especially for a Congressman only in his second term in office. Not only does his name invoke recognition in political circles - where he has been making his mark for over 30 years -- but in the lore of America's working class where he is widely regarded as one of the most outspoken and hardworking advocates for issues of most concern to the average American. Kucinich is also widely known in the Croatian-American community, where he is considered one of the Croatian-American community's favorite sons. Kucinich's political platform - now and always - reads like a blueprint for making the whole of America great by taking care of its most vulnerable parts. He is a champion for causes such as providing economic security and access to education; ensuring adequate and affordable health care to all Americans; promoting corporate responsibility and environmental protection; and protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. During his tenure in the Ohio State Senate, Kucinich was the only member who had a 100% labor voting record. But in addition to his hearty support of all things American, Kucinich has a keen understanding and personal interest in international issues, due in large part to his own family's immigrant experience and historical ties to Croatia.

In his political life, Kucinich is known for his ambition, charisma, and all-consuming determination. He is no stranger to controversy. Kucinich is guided by a keen sense of right and wrong, and stands by his, positions in the face of great adversity --and often at his own expense. This combination of ambition, principle, and loyalty contributed to the events that would make Kucinich famous and create his place in history. Kucinich has been making history since 1977, when he was elected Mayor of Cleveland. Only 31 years old when he won the election, Kucinich was the youngest person ever elected mayor of a major American city. Kucinich enjoyed the enthusiastic support of the Croatian-American community in Cleveland during that time. Dennis Kucinich seems to defy the odds, another characteristic of his life and political career. In 1994, when Republicans experienced widespread wins in political races throughout the country, Kucinich was elected to the Ohio State Senate. He was the only Democrat in the entire state of Ohio that year to defeat an incumbent Republican in a statewide election. Two years later, Kucinich won Ohio's hotly contested IOth Congressional District seat in the US House of Representatives and was re-elected in 1999. Congressman Dennis Kucinich has come a long way from his modest beginnings in Cleveland, son of a Croatian-American truck driver and older brother to six siblings. Carrying a name like Kucinich, the connection to his family's roots was always prominent in his consciousness growing up - and today. Kucinich was always proud - even when it was not easy or popular - to carry the name that his grandfather, Ivan Kucinich, brought to America from a tiny village in Croatia, Batnoga, near Slunj. The region is known as Kordun. He picked up this sentiment from his father, Frank. "Growing up on the 1950s," Kucinich says, "having an ethnic name wasn't really a bonus. Many people in those days considered changing their ethnic names, and many did. But my father 'wouldn't even consider it. He was so proud of that name and everything it stood for. That carried over to me."

Kucinich knows first-hand the struggles of the working class and the immigrant experience. He was born in 1946 in Cleveland. His father, Frank, held a job as a truck driver for 35 years, and his mother, Virginia, stayed home to care for their seven children. A family of nine living on a workingman's income put the family on the familiar journey of the working class; a constant scramble to meet life's basic needs and valiant efforts to improve their situation. The Kucinich family experience was a snapshot of the struggles of the working class and those images have shaped Kucinich's personality, values, his view of the world, and his role in it. Childhood experiences shaped much of Kucinich's personal and political goals and motivations. Childhood also shaped his consciousness of his Croatian heritage through language, culture, and community. He spent part of his childhood living with his grandparents, where Croatian and Slovak were spoken in the home. But there, was more. My memories of the Croatian element revolve around images; images and.. memories of music, dancing, food, picnics, pig roasts, events, men playing. accordion and everyone singing. On Sundays after Mass, the family and others in the neighborhoods would get together and there would be music, song, stories and laughter," Kucinich recalls. "I always felt a cultural connection with Croatians, and by extension, other European nationalities, through these experiences." Kucinich never shied away from his ethnic connection; in fact, he embraced it. He is a long-time member of the Croatian Fraternal Union long before Croatia became a familiar, household word - and he has been a steady supporter of the Croatian-American community and their causes and concerns. Kucinich has been especially supportive of Croatia during the last ten years as Croatia struggled to throw off the yoke of communism, defend herself from the brutal Serbian aggression, and move towards democracy. With Croatia's newfound freedom and in his role in the United States House of Representatives, Kucinich finally had the opportunity to visit the land of his forefathers in the last few years. "I always felt a connection to Croatia, even before I ever went there," explains Kucinich. "What I experienced during my first visit to Croatia is hard to describe. It was an emotional, intellectual, spiritual experience. I loved it in Croatia. I felt very comfortable there, right at home. I felt like Croatia was welcoming back a long-lost son."

KUFRIN, PAUL Sculptor

A Croatian sculptor of great talent and skill has been working in America. His name is Pavao Kelecic-Kufrin, born Konscice in the vicinity of Samobor, Croatia. He studied under several eminent Croatian artists at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb. When he came to the United States in 1906, he settled in Chicago, where he worked for a firm specializing in the manufacture of bronze panels. In 1910 he opened his own art school; in 1914 he made sculpturing his full time profession. Kufrin is well known in American art circles, especially in Chicago where he has exhibited for over thirty years. This versatile artist has executed works of all varieties in form, subject, and material. Basically, however, he is a portraitist who specializes in making life-like figures and busts of prominent personalities. For his head of Clarence Darrow, Kufrin won a gold medal at the Chicago World Fair in 1934. He produced among other works busts of David Lloyd George, President F. D. Roosevelt, George Cardinal Mundelein, Mayor Anthony Cermak of Chicago, Archbishop Ivan Ev. Saric of Sarajevo, Professor Francis Preveden, and Nelson Rockefeller. Kufrin also works on panels, his most recent including the gigantic panels in bas-relief on the facade of the Portland Cement Association Research Center at Skokie, Illinois. Kufrin has been awarded for his artistic work awards from artists' groups such as the Pallet-Chisel Academy and the Chicago Painters and Sculptors Society. With his many works he definitely has enriched the culture of America through his talent, art, and spirit. "If art is to be great and enduring, it must have spiritual depth; it must seek the truth," stated the artist.

KUHARICH, ANTHONY S. Criminologist-Professor

Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Department of Correction, State of Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana. Born January 14, 1913 to Croatian parents in So. Bend, Indiana; Marrried with one child. Education includes University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana A.B., 1935; University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana A.M., 1941; Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, M.S., 1954 with a major field in Sociology and Correctional Work, Criminology, Juvenile Delinquency. Thesis 1941 "Population Movements into South Bend, Indiana," Notre Dame University, Notre Dame, Indiana, A.B.; "Employment Adjustment of Probitioners and Parolees," Loyola, University of Chicago., Illinois.; M.S. "What Can We Do About Juvenile Delinquency?" Written many book reviews on books dealing with crime, delinquency and correction. Member of National Council on Crime and Delinquency (Midwest regional Vice President of the Professional Council in the National Council on Crime and Delinquency). National Association of Social Workers; American Correctional Association; American Society of Criminology; Amererican Catholic Sociological Association. Chief U.S. Probation and Parole Officer, Northern District of Indiana; Professor of Sociology (part time) Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana; Principal Welfare Officer in Displaced Persons Camps in Germany immediately following World War II for U.N. Relief and Rehabilitation Administration 1945-46.

KUHARIC, JOHN Tamburitza Hall of Fame-Boarding House-Saloon

Born March 8, 1893, in Ludbreg, Croatia, John Kuharic came to the United States at the age of 16. He set his roots in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and found a wife in Julia Lonchar of Licka, Croatia. He, like many other Croatians of his time, went towork in the coal mines of Sykesville, Pennsylvania, and while there developed a new awareness of his love for tambura, for which there had never been time on the farm in Ludberg. John found a proficient teacher and learned all the instruments in the tambura family, becoming a master of the prim. He formed his own orchestra and tambura became his life. Trouble in the mines caused John to return to Johnstown here he bought a house and immediately undertook to teaching the tambura. Not only there but also in the surrounding towns of Comennaugh, Bon Aire and Kelso. He was instrumental in helping organize the Rodoliub Choir and was also a performing member of it. After a few years he moved to Mather, Pa., where he ran a boarding house and tavern. Here he taught anyone who loves music, including his wife and three sons. He was a lifetime Croatian Fraternal Union member in the Mather Lodge and spent much time in fund raising events. John saw to it that his boys had proper music training and they all became accomplished musicians in their own right. If they weren't playing in their father's tavern, they were teaching in the backroom or playing for weddings and dances. John may have left his wife home evenings, but never his blessed tambura. Around the year 1936- Professor Pierce and Matt Gouze came to visit John's home in search of talented tambura players to attend St. Edward's University to preserve the tambura culture. They found to their surprise that John Kuharich Jr., the eldest son was an accomplished violinist and a supreme master of the tambura, and they persuaded him to attend St. Edwards, along with three other tamburasi from the area, N. Bastacic, N. Puskar and S. Kulcharic. The following Spring, a telegram from Prof. Pierce told John the group had an Easter booking open - John replied, "Easter booking okay Bring the boys". He started his mission to secure a place for this booking. He obtained the services of a booking agent who traveled from Austin, Texas to Chicago, Illinois and after weeks of frustration called Professor Pierce that the Croats were the most hard-headed group of individuals he had ever dealt with. They had absoutely no intention of paying to hear a bunch of young college kids in concert. They could go to a picnic, eat lamb, dance and hear good tambura music for free, so John had his work cut out for himself. After much, much persuation, Lodge 633, decided to sponsor the concert. Two weeks prior to their concert, Professor Pierce and Director Matt Gouze arrived at Kuharic's with 12 Tamburitzans, instruments, and costumes. John thought he was in Heaven with walls resounding day and night with the sound of Tambura music. Of course the women could have lived without all the cooking and washing. On Easter afternoon, the concert was held at Ferncliff Dance Tavern and Roller Rink. John advertised heavi I that there would be one of a kind, never heard of before, Tambura concert. People said it couldn't be done - no one would pay to hear Tambura. Well they came, by the hundreds - amazed - and finally convinced that there was more to their beloved Tambura than they had ever imagined. Thanking John and telling him this was the break they were waiting for Prof. Pierce's group went to Pittsburgh. There they performed a few concerts and played as guest artists on radio station K.D.K.A. - they were on their way to being a success. On their way back to Texas, they played numerous concerts and guest starred on the Old Uncle Ezra Show in Chicago. They realized they could only survive among their own Ethnic group, so he spoke to Father Gallagher at Duquesne University and transferred the entire group there. This was the birth of today's Duquesne University Tamburitzans. John Kuharic passed away this year, but he will always be remembered as an outstanding musician, teacher, performer and an instrumental part of today's Duquesne Tammies - but above all - he helped preserve HIS culture and put Croatian music up in the ranks where it belongs.

KUJNINA-GUGNINA, NIKOLA Silverminer-Saloon-Coffee Saloon

Nikola Gugnina from Dalmatia was a real Nevada pioneer. He was a member of the Slavonic Illyric Society of San Francisco and had a coffee saloon at Mission and Stewart in 1859, He ventured into Nevada with his fellow Slavonians and was in Clifton, Nevada probably seeking silver. He was a shareholder in the Adriatic Gold and Silvermining Company in 1863 and had $3000. invested in the Bajazet Mining Company in 1864. Nikola was civic minded and belonged to the Hyman Fire Engine Company #1 at Hamilton in 1870. He was naturalized as a citizen in 1870 and voted in 1870. At a later date he belonged to the Virginia City Fire Engine Comnanv #I. From 1865 to approximately 1885 he owned saloons, fruits, billiard saloons, chop houses, and liquor businesses in Shermantown, Hamilton, and Virginia City in Nevada. His Monitor Saloon in Virginia City took up most of his time except for the silver boom in White Pine County where he opened one business. Nikola appeared on the San Francisco Census of 1860 with a Mexican wife, Lola. In 1870 at Shermantown, Nevada the Federal Census lists him with a wife named Joan from Austria with one son born in Nevada. The 1880 Federal Census at Virginia City states he had four children born in Nevada named Kate, Lola, Nicholas, and Mary. Peter and Luka Gugnina were also in Nevada during the 1870's. Peter was a silver miner, barkeeper, and saloon owner. He was an American citizen.

KUKOC, TONI Basketball-Olympics

Toni Kukoc is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA. Born on Septmebr 18, 1969 in Split, Dalmatia, Croatia, Toni is married and has one child. He was a member of the Olympic Men's basketball teams tha won silver medals in 1988 and in 1992. He has played professionally for the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers prior to his stint with the Hawks. As a member of the Bulls, Toni was a key role player that went on to win 3 straight NBA Championships.

KUKULICA, JOHN Restaurant

John Kukulica is probably out partying right now. The 33-year-old restaurateur has a lot to celebrate. His Iron Horse fixture in Maiden Lane is marking its 30th anniversary. After a three-month strike, business is “off to a strong start.” And his 90 colleagues in the Golden Gate Restaurant Ass’n have just elected him president. Kukulica began his career 20 years ago working in the cafeteria at Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd High School. He graduated to the cafeteria at St. Mary’s College in Moraga and then to cafeteria operator Saga Corp. in Menlo Park, where he stayed until he bought the Iron Horse from Sam Marconi five years ago. Now the owner of the venerable Eagle Cafe at Pier 39, Delmonico’s in Atherton and Max of Los Altos, Kukulica says the industry is caught in a nutritional transisiton. “People are not drinking nearly as much,” he says. “And I don’t think they’ll ever go back to eating heavy food again.” SF Chronicle March 15, 1985.

KUKULICA, JOHN Restaurants

John Kukulica the 33-year-old restaurateur has a lot to celebrate. His Iron Horse in Maiden Lane, San Francisco is marking its 30th anniversary; and his 90 colleagues in the Golden Gate Restaurant Ass’n have just elected him president. Kukulica began his career 20 years ago working in the cafeteria at Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd High School. He graduated to the cafeteria at St. Mary’s College in Moraga and then to cafeteria operator Saga Corp. in Menlo Park, where he stayed until he bought the Iron Horse from Sam Marconi five years ago in 1980. Now the owner of the venerable Eagle Cafe at Pier 39, San Francisco, Delmonico’s in Atherton and Max of Los Altos, Kukulica says the industry is caught in a nutritional transition. “People are not drinking nearly as much,” he says. “And I don’t think they’ll ever go back to eating heavy food again.”

KULJIS-KUGLIS, ANDY Fisherman

Andy was born in Astoria, Oregon, in 1912 to a long line of fisherman. His father and grandfather had been fisherman from the Island of Vis, Dalmatia. Andy‘s father moved the family to San Pedro in 1920. The lure of the sea was in Andy’s blood but the sea was also demanding and cruel; his father died of a heart attack while fishing off the coast of Santa Barbara Island and his uncle was washed overboard and drowned. Andy Kuglis became owner of a dozen fishing boats, among them the Sunny Boy, the Bear and California Bear. Andy’s boats caught Salmon in Alaska and Halibut in South America, a tradition that has been carried on by his son Greg.

KULJIS, DOMINIC Fisherman

He was born August 4, 1914 in Old Town Tacoma, Washington. Keeping close to his heritage, he made his own wine and loved food. He had a love of gardening and would spend hours cultivating garlic and tomatoes. His green thumb could make anything grow. His real passion was his family. Dom lost his father at the age of 5. Both as a child and a man, Dom's life was reflected in the sea. As he grew up, he learned of the boats that would bring fish home. As a shipwright and a pipefitter, he knew the precision necesssary for a vessel to chart a true course. As a fisherman, he knew of empty and full nets and of the simple life. He grew up and received his education here at Hardwork University, at age 14, he began his vocational career in fishing. Dom's fishing activities carried him from the northern reaches of Alaska to the Puget Sound, on purse seiners every summer for 25 years, starting in the 1930s. Dominic was an individual who loved to be busy and who enjoyed working with his hands and doing repairs on the boat "Master Craftsman." He always took great pride in his work. In 1959 Dom changed careers and began working at the County City Building as a plumber handyman and retired in 1979. He also had worked full time for Western Boat as a Pipefitter Foreman. Dom was a lifelong member of St. Patrick Catholic Church and was a 50-year member of the Plumber's Union. He was an active member and staunch supporter of the SABS, ESL and Elks Lodge 174. He volunteered countless hours. He and his wife Ann enjoyed traveling and visitng many foreign countries, continually broadening their horizons. Dominic Matt Kuljis of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 867 left this earth to be with his God and beloved wife on April 5, 2000. He died peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. Dominic is survived by his son, Andy D. Kuljis, sister Minnie Mihal)vich, brother Antone Kuljis, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann.

KULJIS, LUKA Schooner Captain-Ship Grocery-Fisherman

Mr. Kuljis was born in Dalmacia, Croatia in 1886, moved to Biloxi, Mississippi in 1903 to engage in the catching of shrimp and oysters. He soon advanced to the Captaincy of a schooner which he later owned outright, and in 1919 established the Luka Kuljis Grocery, as dealer of staple groceries specializing in

supplying boats. Today he owns besides his new grocery store on East Boulevard several boats including the schooner Cavalier, which is now a power boat. He is a member of the Slavonian Benevolent Association and the Chamber of Commerce. Married Miss Tadica Pitalo, their family includes six children, one son, Dr. Joseph Kuljis, now in New York, the others at home.

KULJIS, MARTIN Fisherman

Martin Kuljis grew up fishing. Now he's 74 and wonders what's next. "We should be retired already," he says. But the Sea-K Fish Company he owns can't be sold now. Initiative 696 - which would impose a ban on commercial-fishing nets in Washington - makes would-be buyers wary. "I've been fishing since I was 15," Kuljis says. "Before that I fished with my dad. My dad was a fisherman, too."

A family picture shows a European harbor - the Island of Vis- town of Komiza, Croatia - that looks just like Bellingham Bay. "My dad came over when he was still a kid." Kuljis says. Kuljis' grandfather had come here to work in the mills - saved some money, brought two of his sons to America, and then returned home. The year was 1915. Kuljis still uses the same boat his dad did, a purse seiner called "New Moon," built in 1919, when he fishes. But fishing is rare these days. "This year has been a complete flop due to natural causes, there wasn't any fish," he says. "We weren't allowed to fish." Kuljis says this in a matter-of-fact way. The regulation of fishing is part of the business. "If there's not enough fish, you can't fish. It's that simple." Overfishing is partly to blame for the species decline. He says the state contributed to this problem by issuing too many commercial licenses starting in the 1950s and '60s. "When times were good we'd start getting our gear ready a month before the season opened. There was no quotas - none of that. You went out and caught as much fish as you could." He says the boats would go out on a Saturday night, start fishing at dawn the next day and return to port late Friday afternoon. "We'd go home, take a bath . . . get some groceries and start again," he says. "We worked hard. It was all manual labor and ward work - and dangerous, depending on when you were fishing." After the 1970s, and decades of overfishing, new rules were added. "Even the gear is regulated now, where you can fish, and when." Now fishing seasons are measured in hours, not days. And the fish don't always run on the same cycle - so there's pressure to get in, catch fish and return home.

Kuljis diversified, starting a commercial fish-sales company in Blaine in 1958. He did this because he didn't like to be away from his family for months at a stretch. The initiative to ban nets will not destroy his business; Canadians, Alaskans and Californians will still supply fish. But some of his Whatcom County neighbors who fish won't be as fortunate. Passage of 696 will end their fishing season. Kuljis says buyouts of commercial-fishing licenses - such as the ones included in the Canada-U.S. agreement - make far more sense than absolute bans. Buyouts pay people to sell their licenses - making it easier to get out of the fishing business with dignity. But who will buy, and retire, a commercial-fishing license when voters can make the practice illegal by marking a ballot?

KULJIS, MIHOVIL Fisherman

Mihovil Kuljis died on July 9, 1976 just a few months short of his 99th birthday. Brother Kuljis was born in 1877 in the fishing village of Vis on the island by the same name. He first left Vis, Dalmatia, Croatia in 1906, coming to Portland, Oregon but returned to Vis to marry his first wife, Lucy in 1908. The union was blessed with three sons and a daughter before Lucy passed away. His second wife, Margarita, with whom he lived at the time of his passing in Bellingham Washington, bore him two more children. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons. Dr. Dominic Ku1jis of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and Andrew Kuljis of San Pedro, California; two daughters, Mrs. Minnie Wood of Bellingham and Mrs. Catherine LaCasse of Seattle, 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Two sons, Mitchell and George, preceded him in death. Mihovil Kuljis, in keeping with the tradition of Visani and Komizani from the island of Vis, became an adventuresome and successful fishing boat captain. In recent years he had been acknowledged as, one of the two oldest Slavonian (as Dalmatians are known on the West Coast) fishing captains in the Pacific Northwest, It is perhaps ironic that the other oldtime skipper, Nick Zuvich of Seattle with whom brother Kuljis was long acquainted, also died this year - having perished in a house fire just five months. short of his 100th birthday. Brother Kuljis owned or was part owner of a series of 11 boats dating back to 1911. With these colorfully named vessels Leeda, St. George, St. George 11, Liberty, Cougar, Tulip Queen, Swan, Kingfisher, Elk, Courageous and Pan Pacific - he plied the waters of the Pacific Ocean from Mexico to the Bering Sea in order to support his family as a fishing captain. Brother Kuljis joined the Croatian Fraternal Union in 1926 in Bellingham, just a few months after the lodge was founded there in 1925. He was already 49 years old at that time, meaning that he probably gave little thought to ever becoming a 50-year member of the Society. But, in fact, he did. Not only did he "outlive" his insurance certificate with the CFU (which matured on his 96th birthday in 1973, but in April of this year he marked his 50th year as a CFU member. His devotion to the Society is perhaps best reflected by the fact that in 1969, at the age of 92, he traveled alone on a bus through dense fog over the 100-mile route from Bellingham to Seattle just so that he could be on hand for the lodge’s monumental salute to the CFU on its 75th, or Diamond Anniversary.

KULJIS, VISKO Fisherman 

Annie was born, Anka Mladineo in Komiza, Island of Vis, Croatia on December 17, 1913. She attended school in Croatia, became a seamstress and taught sewing. In 1938 she married Visko Kuljis, a fisherman, and came to America in 1939. She made the last trip on the Queen Mary before World War II started. They settled in Cathlamet, Washington. She moved to Blaine, Washington in 1972, after the death of her husband. In 1993 she moved to Missoula, Montana to be with her daughter, then moved to Polson in 1998. Annie Kuljis (Anka) passed away at her daughter’s home in Polson, Wednesday September 11, 2002 with her daughter Antoinette and grandson Bryan Meeds at her side. Annie is survived by her sons; Vincent in Tacoma, Washington, John in Alaska, her daughter, Antoinette Meeds in Polson, 8 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Ivan and mother, Ana; her husband, Visko and 14 brothers and sisters. Annie touched many hearts with her generosity, love, and laughter. She will be greatly missed. Annie was a member of the Catholic Church.

KULUZ, VINCENT Sea Food

Mr. and Mrs. Vincent P. Kuluz, were honored at a reception at the Slavonian Lodge given by their six children in honor of their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Various Slavonian pastries were served to guests. The table was decorated with three tier 50th Wedding Anniversary cake. Brother and sister Kuluz were married April 29, 1931. Mrs Kuluz is the former Margaret Pavlov of Biloxi. They reside at 1433 East Beach and are active members of St. Michael's parish. They have five children: Dr. Matthew F. Kuluz of Pascagoula; Peter J. of Ocean Springs; Mrs. Frances K. Creel of Biloxi; Vincent of Ocean Springs, Patrick M. of Biloxi; and Mrs. Donna K. Watts of Biloxi. They are proud grandparents of 18 grandchildren. Brother Kuluz is retired from the seafood business, having owned and operated Kuluz Brothers Packing Company with his brothers, the late T. M. and Nick Kuluz. He is an active member of the Slavonic Benevolent Society, Biloxi Elks 606, and members of "Primorac" Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 741 of Biloxi, Mississippi.

KUNDEK, JOSEPH Priest

Another early Croatian missionary in North America was a secular priest, Father Joseph Kundek. He was born of a middle class family in Ivanic, a small town in the vicinity of the Croatian capital, Zagreb on January 21, 1809. After completing the gymnasium in Zagreb, he was admitted by Bishop Alagovic to the diocesan school of theology.

In 1829 Bishop Reze, later Bishop of Detroit, founded in Vienna the Leopoldine Mission Society for the support of the missions in America. The society published Berichte der Leopoldinen Stiftung, in which Kundek read about the activities of a Slovenian missionary, Father Friedrich Baraga who went to America in 1830, became a great missionary, among the Chippewas and was later named a bishop. After his ordination in August 1833, as a young priest in the parishes of Gore and Petrinja, Kundek, moved by the example of Baraga and the news in the Berichte about a crying need for German speaking priests among the German colonies in the Middle West, decided to go to America as a missionary. Before his departure for America, he spent a year in the mission center in Vienna improving his German and studying English and French. From Le Havre he sailed to Southampton where he left aboard the "Alliance" on June 8, 1838, for America. After a "stormy voyage of 43 days with good luck and without any seasickness" he arrived at the port of New York. Overland he traveled via Philadelphia to Washington, "where the President resides" and proceeded by way of Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Louisville. Having crossed "the beautiful river Ohio he arrived safely at Vincennes on the 28th of August at 7 o'clock in the evening" as he reported in his letter to Zagreb written in "Vincennes in North America on the 24th of September, 1838."

The Leopoldine Society sent him to the diocese of Vincennes which had been established only in 1836 and embraced the whole of Indiana and a part of Illinois, including Chicago. Father Kundek's activities as a pastor were limited to the southern section of the diocese where there were only few German Catholics. Bishop Brute of this diocese sent him to Jasper, the seat of Dubois County, Indiana. There on September 28, 1838, Kundek founded the mission of Jasper. He took care of all Catholics between Jasper and the river town of Troy, and reported his missionary activities in subsequent letters to the Leopoldine Society in Vienna.

By the end of 1839 Kundek founded a new town, Ferdinand, twelve miles south of Jasper, named in honor of the Emperor of Austria, who was a benefactor and protector of the missions. Here he built a church and a school. Besides his pastoral work in Jasper he was constantly on the move, sometimes spending many weeks on horseback covering routes as long as 700 miles. In the fall of 1843, he established another settlement with a new parish, named Celestine. His colonizing efforts were very successful, and through the following years thousands of Germans settled in this area around Jasper. The success of his colonization schemes is proved by the number of permanent and prosperous Catholic parishes he established. To this day traces of his work are to be seen in the sections of Indiana where Germans settled. Anyone traveling through Dubois County and nearby regions will find "large numbers of German Catholic farmers, who still retain customs brought by their ancestors from the Fatherland and carefully fostered by Father Kundek.

Kundek was the first recorded Croatian immigrant to have visited Pittsburgh during his journey in 1838, offering holy Mass, administering sacraments, and preaching to scattered groups of German and other Catholics.

Incessant, difficult labor under the most primitive conditions of a frontier country undermined Kundek's health, and by the end of 1843 he was in New Orleans trying to recover his strength. There he found the large group of German Catholics in such a miserable plight that he could not refrain from setting to work to help them. He built a church, administered whatever spiritual comfort he was able to provide, and then returned in May, 1844, to his own flock in Jasper. In the fall of 1846, the untiring priest founded a third colony for German Catholics, Fulda, so named because most of the immigrants who were coming there were from Fulda, Germany. Such colonizing efforts, which were part of his larger plan, he called "the most effective means of stabilizing and spreading our holy religion in America.His Parishioners trusted him so deeply that they followed even his political orientation. As he became a Democrat, in due course of time, all his parishioners joined the same party. His most notable civic achievement was the building of the first brick courthouse in Jasper, which he and his parishioners erected for $6,000.

On November 19, 1851, Father Kundek sailed from New York for Europe to visit his native Croatia and some other countries. To obtain badly needed immigrant priests was, however, the main purpose of his journey. He visited London and Paris, traveled through Belgium, Germany, and Austria trying to impress upon the clergy the urgent need for priests in the diocese of Vincennes. In the latter half of March, 1852, he spent a few days in Zagreb and then left for Prague where he met the former Emperor who lived there after his resignation in 1848. There Father Kundek presented him a map of Ferdinand, the town he named in Emperor's honor. Some Croatian newspapers and journals published glowing reports about Kundek's activities in America, welcoming him back to the old country as a man "who built five towns" in the wilderness of America. Kundek was also hailed for the material aid he had rendered to the poor people of Croatia. Unfortunately, however, the only Croatian priest who responded to the call of Father Kundek was Rev. Eduard Martinovic, who left Croatia to become pastor of the German parish in Madison, Indiana.

By the middle of June, 1853, Father Kundek was back at Jasper. Despite his failure to attract Croatian priests, his European journey was crowned with considerable success, for he brought over from Europe sixteen secular and two Benedictine priests, the latter from the abbey at Einsiedeln, Switzerland, who soon established a priory in the vicinity of Jasper. From humble beginnings, it developed into the present magnificent Benedictine St. Meinrad Archabbey.

From 1853 until his death Kundek suffered from illness, the result of overwork and hardship connected with missionary life. He consolidated his earlier work. The Benedictines began to lighten his missionary burdens, and before the end of his-life he had the consolation of seeing the fruits of his unremitting labors in four parishes and four missions he had founded. After nine months of serious illness, he died peacefully at Jasper on December 4, 1857, mourned by thousands of German immigrants and the many priests who were his collaborators. He was not quite 48 years of age. The well known German newspaper, the Wahrheitsfreund in Cincinnati, published two articles commemorating his death and praising him as a great missionary.

As long as it endures, the town of Jasper will be associated with the memory of Father Kundek. His labor has left a lasting impression upon all of southern Indiana. A local historian praised him thus: "A scholar and a gentleman was he, in the wilderness of Dubois County, as well as in the crowded cities of Europe. At the time of his death, there were more than 7,000 German Catholics in Dubois and Spencer counties, a vivid result of his colonizing efforts. His letters published through twenty years in the reports of the Leopoldine Society were the best examples of those "America letters" which historians of immigration have considered an important stimulus for the growth of the European emigration. A true leader of his flock, he aided his people not only in spiritual matters but also in their difficult adjustment to their new environment.

But Croatia did not send America only missionaries. During the nineteenth century it also sent considerable sums of money to America through the Leopoldine Society. Documentary evidence in the archives of the Archdiocese of Zagreb shows that between 1832 and 1858 thousands of florins were sent from Croatia "for maintenance of churches and schools in America." During Kundek's life alone as much as 57,000 florins (over fifty thousand dollars) was sent from Zagreb for the Catholic missions in America according to several writers.

In the middle of October, 1954, the Archabbey at St. Meinrad, which had been consecrated by Kundek, celebrated its centenary. A special delegation of Croatian priests and intellectuals, invited by the Archabbey, attended the centennial festivities. In honor of the occasion, Father Dunstan McAndrew's doctoral dissertation on Kundek, which he wrote at De Paul University, was published for the St. Meinrad Archabbey Centennial 1954 as a tribute to Father Joseph Kundek. A statue of Father Kundek has been erected in Jasper between the great church of St. Joseph and the parochial school. The inscriptiQn on the missionary's tombstone indicates his Croatian origin. In addition, one of the streets in Jasper is named in Kundek's honor. On December 8, 1957, a centennial celebration of Father Kundek's death provided a fitting commemoration of his life and works. The Governor of Indiana proclaimed December 8, 1957, "Father Kundek Day" in order "to pay tribute to a great missionary, pioneer and citizen who left Croatia, the land he loved to come and colonize the wilderness of this great state, for which we owe him a huge debt of gratitude. A large delegation of representatives from American-Croatian organizations participated in Kundek centennial celebrations in Jasper, and American newspapers commented extensively on Father Kundek's life and works.

KUNICH, ANGELO

Angelo Kunich, born on April 10, 1886 in Babino Polje, Island of Mljet, Croatia emigrated to America in 1907. He lived in Spreckels-Salinas and worked in the sugar mill. In February 1913 he married in Salinas, Ana Gled, born in Sumet by Dubrovnik. They had four children: Mary, born on November 7, 1913 in Spreckels, Angelo born on June 1, 1916 in Spreckels, Louis, born on October 25, 1919 in Spreckels, and Martin, born on November 13, 1925 in Oakland where the whole family had moved. Mary used to work as a secretary, while Angelo, Louie and Martin are veterans of World War 11.

KUNICH, PETAR Fisherman-Writer-Croatian Activities

Five brothers of the Kunich family from Babino Polje, Island of Mljet, Croatia also went to America: Petar, Andelo, Karlo, Marin and Nikola. Petar Kunich, born on September 18, 1879, was a sailor. aboard the steamship "Dubac" and "Oriole" from 1899 to 1904. When he came with his ship to the port of New Orleans in March 1904, he disembarked with the wish to find a job in America. At the beginning he used to fish in the waters of New Orleans, Afterwards he went to California, to Spreckels where he worked in a sugar mill. From there he moved to Oakland in 1913, where he worked in a printing shop where the newspaper "Narod" in Croatian was printed for numerous Croats, who lived throughout America. He married Pavle Karaman, born on February 7,1885 in Konavle. They had seven children: Maria, born in 1908 in Spreckels (died as a child), Maria, born on July 3rd 1909 in Spreckels, Angelo, born on November 2, 1910 in Spreckels, John, born on December 2, 1911 in Spreckels, Nick, born on November 15, 1913 in Oakland, Lucille, born on January 7, 1918 in Oakland and Eva, born on January 26, 1924 in Oakland. Petar Kunich used to write poetry and published a collection of poems in Oakland in the Christmas season 1931: It was entitled: "Novi Narodni Guslar". In the Foreword he wrote that the poems sprang up out of his heart during the dark nights on the stormy Atlantic and during his life in California as well. Addressing his brothers he emphasized the need to be proud of their language, nationality, homeland and their honorable family. His book of poems consists of 24 poems divided into three parts: patriotic, love poems and various, others.

KUNOVICH, PETE Tamburitza Hall of Fame-Composer

Pete Kunovich was born on May 19, 1919, in Youngstown, Ohio, to the late Louis and Mildred (Lackovic) Kunovich of Plesivica, Croatia. Next to the youngest of nine children, he completed his elementary education at Sts. Peter and Paul Parochial and Stambaugh schools. At the age of twelve Pete started to take lessons on the Hawaiian guitar, but times being very difficult, the family could not afford to have him continue. In April of 1933 he joined a Croatian club with some other teenagers with thoughts in their mind of organizing a tamburitza orchestra. They did, and with twelve others, they were being instructed by Professor John Rozgaj. In his third year at Chaney High School, Pete's father passed away. Being the oldest child at home, he had to leave school and go to work in the federal WPA program for two years. In 1939 he went to work for the Carnegie Illinois Steel Company. He retired in 1980 as a motor inspector with 41 years of service. Due to a physical disability and unable to enter military service in World War II, he played the prim and taught the group "Javor" of Warren, Ohio. In 1953 and 1954 he played second brac with the Joe Marmilich orchestra. He joined the musicians local 86-242 on October 22, 1954. Pete, with his brother Lou on the terc cello, and Gus Rogan on first brac, played together for many of the 54 years he has played the tambura. They have played for three tamburitza extravaganzas, various radio programs in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and a Caribbean cruise in 1980. They have cut eight LP albums over the years and have performed at many clubs, weddings, picnics, parties and many other affairs. They have not forgotten many older friends in nursing homes and hospitals and still entertain the elderly giving them many happy hours to brighten their remaining days. In 1983 at the Tamburitza Extravaganza in Chicago, Illinois, Pete and Gus Rogan were awarded the "50 Year Achievement Award" and were given a standing ovation. In October of i941 Pete and Louise (Cvetan) were united in marriage. They had two children, Dr. Robert Kunovic of Columbus, Ohio, and a daughter Dianne, now deceased. Pete and his wife sing in the choir at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Youngstown, Ohio. In 1979 Pete began to compose music and has many copyrights to some of his songs. He composed the theme song for the senior "Od Srca" tamburitzans, "Od Srca Mi Sviramo". Pete and Louise are members of this group also. He has written 13 other numbers, two of which are on their last 50th anniversary album. He has also arranged countless numbers for the tambura music. Pete conducts a group of 25 adults and also a beginners class of nine who meet once each week. He plays all tambura instruments except the bass. At the present time he plays the bugarija along with his brother Lou on the cello, Charlene Harrison on second brad, Ralph Filek on the bass, and Gus Rogan on first brac. Pete hopes that his 55 years of playing, composing, and arranging have helped in some small way toward the preservation of our beautiful tamburitza music. He has been one of the few people willing to give assistance to the newer groups of tamburitzans and has truly shown the spirit of preservation of our great tamburitza music.

KUNOVICH, ROBERT Professor

Robert M. Kunovich, son of Dr. Robert S. and Kathleen D. Kunovich and grandson of Peter and Louise Kunovich and the late August Rogan, recently completed his doctoral dissertation in the field of sociology and has received his Ph.D. from Ohio State University. Robert has accepted a tenure track assistant professor's position in the Department of Sociology at Boston College beginning in September. While at Boston College, Dr. Kunovich will teach undergraduate and graduate ethnic conflict and statistics and will continue his research on the sources of ethnic and racial prejudices. Robert and his family are all members of St. George Lodge 66, Croatian Fraternal Union, in Youngstown, Ohio.

KUPETS, JOHN Teacher-Military-Music

John Kupets was born December 15, 1926, a son of John and Mary Karpus Kupets at Republic, Pennsylvania and lived his entire life in that area. He was a member of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church and the Holy Name Society of the church in Republic. Brother Kupets was a 1945 graduate of Redstone Township high School, received a Bachelor of Science Degree in administration from Waynesburg College and a Masters of Education Degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He retired from California Area High School, where he worked for more than 33 years. He served as high school teacher, business manager, secretary of the School Board, maintenance supervisor, principal and acting superintendent. He received a certificate from Fayette County Civil Defense School, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as sergeant first class and chief supply specialist in World War 11 and the Korean conflict; Also, he served as football and basketball coach for school and other organizations and in 1975, he took the California Area High School Baseball Team to the W. P. 1. A. L. Championship. He was president of the St. George Parents Organization of the Junior Tamburitzans in 1978, and served as a notary public, Redstone Township auditor, secretary of the Republic Volunteer Fire Department. A longtime member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, he was a treasurer of the cafeteria fund at California Area High School. A member of many fraternal and civic organizations, on August 1, 1975, he affiliated with the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 354. On November 19, 1998 John A. Kupets, 71, of Republic, Pennsylvania died. On June 6, 1953, he married Martha Skowronek who survives and also surviving are two sons, John "Dan" Kupets of Uniontown, Pennsylvania and Mark Kupets of Gaithersburg, Maryland; six daughters, Rosemary Hogan of Merrittstown, Janine Holbrook of Alexandria, Virginia; Martha West of Roanoke, Virginia, Rita Kelly of Gaithersburg, Maryland, Trudy Bennelt of Bloomsburg and Kristen Luna of Arlington, Virginia. Prior to the conclusion of the Mass, his six daughters and two nieces, Megan and Heather Mihok, gathered around the coffin and sang - in Croatian and English "Hvala" as a final tribute to their father and uncle who made it possible'for them all to be participants in the St. George Tamburitza Ensemble. He with his six daughters and wife visited Croatia when the ensemble was on tour and he was thrilled that the Kupets Coat of Arms was on display in the Croatian Parliament Building. Wherever he went with his family, he urged his six daughters to take their tambura and play the songs that they had learned with the junior tamburitzans. His daughters singing of Hvala brought many tears to the eyes of those in attendance at the funeral Mass, especially those who understood the words and meaning of this touching song.

KURETICH-KURTIS, BILL Television Producer- Journalist-Attorney

Bill Kurtis, 59, is a second generation Croatian-American whose family hails from near Zagreb. From 1973 to 1982, he broadcast the local news from CBS in Chicago with co-anchor Walter Jacobson. Chicago Tribune media critic Jim Kirk called the pair one of the most "powerful news teams in a broad-shouldered city." "Those were the golden days," Kurtis said. "We were breaking stories and felt we had a big impact on people." Currently Kurtis hosts and produces "Investigative Reports," "American Justice" and "The New Explorers" on the A&E network. The prime time documentary programming series have earned the veteran journalist many awards, including several Emmy Awards.

Back in 1966 when Kurtis first landed in Chicago from his home of Independence, Kansas, he recognized the Windy City as a town for nationalities. "I called my father and asked him, "What am I? He said, "You're Croatian,' and I did’nt know what that was. I said, " Tell me a little about that.' That began Kurtis' ongoing education about the country where his grandfather, Mijo Kuretic was born. After the family moved to the United States, Kurtis' father changed their last name when he was 10 years old. But he still wonders about the town in Croatia where supposedly everybody has his christened moniker.

About 1,000 Croatians in Chicago offered him a crash course on their active local community when they attended a banquet at the Hyatt Regency in April 1999 to celebrate the opening of a Croatian Consulate in the city. As the emcee at the celebration, Kurtis was met with a standing ovation. "When they introduced me, I got this incredible applause," he said. To Croatians in Chicago, Kurtis is the Toni Kukoc of broadcast journalism and they are proud to claim him one of their own.

For more than 30 years, Kurtis' signature sonorous voice has drawn millions of viewers to the boob tube for their dose of news. However, he never intended it that way. Kurtis graduated from the University of Kansas in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. From there he went to law school and worked at a television station to support himself. In 1966, armed with his Juris Doctor degree from Kansas Washburn University School of Law, Kurtis, was prepared to start a career as a lawyer. "Although I had accepted a job with a trial firm in Wichita, I was still reporting for a local station when a tornado literally ripped a new highway through the state capitol," he said. "I was on the air at the time and saw first hand what television can do. In this case, it saved lives with its instant warning, and my career decision was made."

At CBS in Chicago, Kurtis and co-anchor Walter Jacobson helped the station earn top ratings. He left Chicago in 1982 for a short stint in New York anchoring the national "CBS Morning News." But by 1985 he returned with the intention of focusing on long-form reporting. Kurtis, who was then earning a multimillion-dollar salary in a cushy job and was a popular television anchor, risked it all to start down a new journalism path. "I was at a growth point in my fife and I wanted to be my own boss," he said. "I'm glad I took the risk." It has paid off handsomely. Kurtis Productions has developed several programs that allow him to delve into in-depth reporting. "Investigative Reports" is one of the most highly rated weekly programs on the A&E cable network. The show covers a single contemporary news topic for one hour five nights a week. Kurtis has presented some of the most-talked about news-based documentaries on television, including "The Men Who Killed Kennedy" and "Hillary Rodham Clinton: First Lady on the Front Line." "American Justice" has presented programs on fascinating crimes in this century, including the O.J. Simpson trial and serial killers Charles Manson, John Wayne Gacy and Jeffrey Dahmer. Producing a show is no easy task. One episode of "Investigative Reports," for example, requires six months of research, and when Kurtis isn't sleeping, "he's always working," according to one of his assistants.

Kurtis has also written several books, including Bill Kurtis: On Assignment and Chicago Portraits: Biographies of 250 Famous Chicagoans. He also recently narrated the CD component of We Interrupt This Broadcast, which recalls the most famous and infamous moments of the 20th century.

Kurtis partly attributes his work ethic to his grandfather, who was a farmer in Croatia. Though he is still learning about the Croatian community in Chicago, he called Croatians, "responsible people and hard working. Given a job, they'll do it to the end." Kurtis said it is important that Croatians, preserve their culture in the new millennium. "Nobody else is going to do it," he said. "It requires strong leadership and maintaining a strong historical society with books and literature and the war record." He encouraged Croatians to promote their culture and take advantage of Croatians, like himself who have some influence.

"Tell the Croatian story," he urged. Kurtis is also doing his share. He has a Web site which contains links to several Croatian organizations and said that he would like to help preserve the beauty of Croatia, which he saw a glimpse of on the unsolicited videotape. An environmentalist, Kurtis would like to partner with other Croatians to preserve some of the waterfalls or parks that beckoned him to visit. He has his eyes set on buying a castle and some real estate in Croatia. "It's calling me back," he said. "I want to go." Zlata Kozul Naumovski.

KUSANOVICH, LOU Horse Racing Board-State Senator

Former State Senator Lou Cusanovich, R-Westlake Village, died after a long illness. He was 72. His wife, Elleen, said that he suffered from respiratory ailments. “His heart gave our,” she said. Cusanovich, a descendant of a pioneer California family, often took the podium to preside over the Senate sessions before leaving the Legislature nearly six years ago. Until last summer, Cusanovich was a member of the California Horse Racing Board, a post to which he was appointed by former Governor Jerry Brown. Cusanovich served in the Senate from 1966 until 1979. Before that, he was in the Assembly for nine years. Before entering politics, Cusanovich operated a lumber business in the San Fernando Valley. His people came from the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia.

KUSPILICH, MARIN Shipyard Worker

Dear Mr. Eterovich, I would be amiss if I did not stop to take the time to say "Thank you." Your guide to Croatian Genealogy has cleared very muddy waters. I have just learned that my family heritage is Croatian and not the Austrian we always believed! It also explains why Great-Granddad also added Yugoslavia and Italian! I have learned that the family name was spelled Kuspilic and not Cuspilich and why the name change. I believe we came from "Cuzzola" which is now Korcula in Croatia. My search for “roots" continues. You have helped that search without knowing it! Thank you.

We have never found Great Granddad's immigration papers. Oral family history says he "jumped ship." What ship or where we don't know! He was Marin/Marino Cuspilich (our spelling). He settled in the Hudson County area of New Jersey (the backside of- the Statue of Liberty). He was Roman Catholic.

He married a woman from Hoboken, New Jersey last name of Capelli. (Italian) Their first born son, My Grandfather John was born, in 1894. Marin/Marion must have arrived at least before that date! He never learned to speak English. My own Father (also John) never learned to speak whatever language great Granddad spoke. He guesses Italian. We always thought we were Austrian but now I understand I am probably Croatian. Oral family history says the town was Cuzzola. I checked the Ellis Island records and I can find other Cuspilich's listed as coming from Cuzzola, Austria although I don't know who they are or where they are now! I am also not sure if yesteryear's Cuzzola is today's Korcula. Great Granddad told my Father that he could fish from his bedroom window! He worked at the shipyards on the Hudson River. As far as my Father knows his only cousins, Aunts and Uncles were my Great Grandmother's family. My own Father thinks Marin/Marino was alone. Now at 83, my Father has a thirst to learn of his heritage. I do too. We now live on Cape Cod. Pine trees & ocean. From what I can gather, this is much like Korcula! I am happy by the ocean. My Brother & Dad's brother Francis were in the navy and at home on the sea. All this may not be just a coincidence! I read your guide and was very impressed. Oral family history also says that a lot of our men became priests. That's is not good for producing heirs! There are so few of us. Hopefully, someday I will find our roots. Thank you for your interest and help.

KUZINA, VINKO Engineer

Vinko Kuzina is a Structural Designer at Gibbs and Hill in New York City, New York. Born April 2, 1921 in Sibenik, Croatia. Education includes Real Gymnasium, Sibenik, Croatia, Graduate 1939; University of Zagreb, Zagreb 1939-52, Diploma Engineer, 1952 with a major field in Civil Engineering and a specialty in the Hydrotechnical field. Member and officer in The United American Croats; North American Council for Independence of Croatia; Croatian Committee for the Protection of Human Rights; Croatian Radio Club, New York. Occupational experience: Field Engineer, Sibenik, Croatia 1953-56; Field Engineer, Bari, Italy 1957-58; Structural Designer, Sharon, Pennsylvania 1959-62; Structural Senior Designer, New YorkCity, New York 1962.

LACOVIC, RAYMOND F. Aeronautical Research Scientist

Raymond Lacovic is an Aeronautical Research Scientist at NASA-Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Born September 22, 1942 to Croatian parents in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Education includes University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1960-63, B.S., 1963; University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1963-65, M.S., 1965 with a major field in Chemical Engineering and a specialty of Theoretical Thermodynamics. Thesis:1965 The effect of a Damping Fluid on the Sonic Velocity in Viscoelastic Materials. Member of Omega Chi Epsilon, Honorary Society of Chemical Engineers. Work is directly pertinent to the Atlas-Centaur Space Vehicle which was instrumental in placing Surveyor I on the moon.

LALLY, JOANNE Croatian Activities

Joanne (Modrcin) Lally serves as the Treasurer of North American Croatian Relief, Inc. (N.A.CR.) based in Kansas City, Kansas that will be celebrating its tenth anniversary in September. Joanne graduated from St. John the Baptist as have her three children. She and her late husband Tom Lally were married at St. Johns and the family continues to be members there. She was one of the five original members of "Celebrate the Children" - the forerunner of the N.A.CR. "I'm proud to be affiliated with this group and the volunteers, says Joanne, and am in awe at the growth and the many, many containers we have shipped. It's amazing to me that such a small working organization, with the aid of its many contributors, can accomplish so much." Joanne's expanding family includes daughter Kathy, husband Loren Bareiss, and their children Amanda and Eric; daughter Kelly, her husband Ed Grisnik, and their children Max and Isabel]; and son, Tom Lally, and wife Carrie and their daughter Madison. Joanne's parents, Ignac and Kala (Dolmar) Modrcin were bom in Lipnik, Karlovac, Croatia. They immigrated to Kansas City, Kansas, and were married at St. John the Baptist Church on November I1,1922. "I’m very -proud of my heritage and often think of the courage it took for my parents to leave their home, for a new countty and way of life while still retaining the culture of their homeland, a culture that our family still holds on to." The things closest to my heart are my family, my church, and my friends. Joanne has been a tireless worker. As Treasurer of the NACR., she has an enormous responsibility for keeping the most accurate records. Her patience for detail makes her a natural for the job - so much so that she has been re-elected by the members of the Board since its beginning. Joanne states that that happens because no one else want the job. We know better - no one can do the job as well as she does. She is a relentless worker for the N.A.C.R. cause.

LANDIKUSIC, TOMISLAV H. Librarian

Tomislav is a Slavic Cataloger at the Main Library, Catalog Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. Born March 7, 1933 in Gornji Vakuf, Bosnia. Education includes lst Classical Gymnasium, Bogdan Ogrizovic, Zagreb, 1952; Faculty of Economics, Zagreb, 1952-54; East Carolina College, Greenville, North Carolina, 1959-61, A.B.; Indiana University, Bloomington, M. S. , 1965 with a major field of Library Science and specialty in Cataloging books in all Slavic languages. Member of American Library Association; U.S. Army Reserve (Officer - 2nd Lt.) 1961-1962; Library of Congress. 1962; Librarian at Indiana University; also translator.

LAPLANTE, LAURA Actress

Laura, one of Universal Studios top Hollywood female film stars during the silent era, was born in St. Louis. She entered the film industry at the age of 13 and was dubbed the “All-American girl-next-door type”, going on to make 62 films, including comedies, melodramas, western serials, and the silent classics, “Show Boat” and “The Cat and the Canary”. In 1934 she moved to London to work on plays and films and shortly after married her second husband film producer Irving Asher. Soon after, Laura quit the film business to have children. Asher and La Plante were married over fifty years and had two children, a son and daughter, Jill. Laura returned to film in 1946 and again in 1956 to make cameo appearances in “Little Mr. Jim” and “Spring Reunion”.

LASANEO, GEORGE City Worker

George Lasaneo was born in San Francisco and his wife, Mary Balovich, was born on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. They met and married in San Francisco during the 1930’s. George was a life long member of the Slavonic Society of San Francisco. They had a large family of children: Marilynne, George, Lorraine, Michael, Yvonne, Thomas, Robert, Nicholas and John Lasaneo.

LATKOVIC, WILSON Councilman

Wilson M. Latkovic was the son of Croatian immigrants from Zumberak, Croatia. As shown in the cases of Boyd and Kovach, the Zumbercani seemed to have a gift for politics. Before he joined the U.S. Armed Forces, Latkovic served as secretary of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 859 Zumberak. From 1952 until June of 1967, Latkovic served as Councilman for the then downtown Ward 31, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a well known figure at many Croatian gatherings. He was for years the only American Croatian in the Cleveland City Council. He retired in June 1967 due to illness.

LAZANEO, NICK Mayor

Back in 1939, Fremont High School star Nick Lazaneo threw a no-hitter against Santa Clara High, the defending champ in the Santa Clara Valley League. His pitching and batting led his team to the league title that season and an offer from the New York Yankees. Nick Lazaneo signed that contract, but the promise of work in an athletic career, i.e. play, did not match the conventional wisdom of a job in a Depression, i.e. work. Nick Lazaneo stayed home to work and attend San Mateo Junior College. During World War 11, he served in the merchant marine, and he came back to a job with Dix Pont chemical experimental station in Cupertino. When offered a promotion if he moved east, Mr. Lazaneo said no. He went to work for Niagara Chemical, a subsidiary of FMC Corp., became a sales manager and never left. Even though Mr. Lazaneo was 5 when his family brought him south from San Francisco, Cupertino was first. He was elected to its city council in 1958 and served a term as mayor in 1962. He didn't run for re-election. but he never missed an opportunity to assume a role as ambassador for his city. Mr. Lazaneo was also a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union, the Slavonian American Benevolent Society and the AmSlav Club, which he helped found and served as president. Other affiliations included the Blato Club of San Francisco, Kiwanis Club, Native Sons of the Golden West and the Cupertino Historical Society. A pinched nerve in a hip Mr. Lazaneo had had replaced several years ago sent him to a Mountain View hospital just last week. While there, he suffered what may have been a heart attack, said his daughter, Gail, and he died Friday. An autopsy was planned. Nick J. Lazaneo was 75. In January, he celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with the woman he met at a rosary. "Everybody loved him," said Viola Vlahovich Lazaneo. "He was just a great guy." Born: Dec. 16, 1920, San Francisco, Calif. Died: July 5,1996, Mountain View, Calif . Survived by: Wife, Viola Lazaneo; daughter and son-in-law, Gail and Matthew Hurley; grandchildren, Nicole, Joseph and William Hurley, all of San Jose; sister, Mary Butler of Mission Viejo; numerous nieces and nephews. Nick’s parents were born on the Island of Brac, Croatia.

LAZO CLAN Restaurant-Railroad

Petar Lazo, son of Marin from Babino Polje, Island of Mljet, Croatia came to Oakland in the late 1890’s. He worked at the railroad. He married Ane Srsen, born in Soline-Govedari in 1886. Petar was born in 1880. Their wedding took place in 1908 in Watsonville in St. Patrick church, because Ane used to work there at the hotel of Duro Strazicich. They had four children: Martin, born on January 23, 1909, Pauline, born on Januray 29, 1910, Vincent, born on February 15, 1912, and Peter born on January 20, 1913. They were all born in Oakland where the family of Petar Lazo was residing. Later on Petar Lazo managed to become a co-owner of a restaurant. Nikola Lazo, Petar's borther also lived in Oakland. There he was a coowner with Petar Divanovich, a co-owner of the "Ideal Cafe" restaurant. After the sale of that restaurant Nikola Lazo moved to Calgary, Canada, where he married a girl of Irish origin. They had a son Robert, and a daughter. Marin Lazo a cousin of Petar and Nikola, also lived and worked in Oakland. At the begining of third decade of the 20th century he returned from America to live in Babino PoIje.

LEKO, BLAGO Real Estate Broker-Croatian Activities

Born May 13, 1943 in Tihaljina, Hercegovina. Arrived in America July 27, 1962. Ever since 1962 has lived in California. Received B.A. in history and politcal science at California State University Northrigde, 1977. Owner of a very successful real estate office since 1986 with 50 associates. Active in Los Angeles since arrival until 1994. For many years belonged to Croatian National Congress, “Sinovi Slobode Los Angeles” and served as President. Served as President of the Croatian Fraternal Union Branch 1986. Was a member of a Croatian Democratic Union and served as president for three years of “Ante Starcevic- Los Angeles.” Served as vice-president of the Croatian Democratic Union for the USA, 1992 and 1993.

LEPESH, ANDREW P. Food Wholesaler

Having heard of the wonderful opportunities in California afforded to any man who was willing to work, Andrew P. Lepesh left his native home in far-away Dalmatia to see what America had to offer, and he has not been disappointed. He was born in Smokavliani, Dalmatia, on December 11, 1865, and was the son of Peter and Kate Lepesh. He started to work at the early age of twelve years, and at the age of seventeen he made the trip to the United States, coming direct to San Jose, in 1883, where he had a cousin living, John N. Lepesh, who had come here twenty years before and who died in 1888. He began to work for fruit ranchers and was in this line of employment for a period of two years, when he engaged in restaurant work and continued in this occupation for about a year and a half. In 1888 he bought a grocery and fruit store, located in the Rea Building from his cousin’s window, and in 1910 he and J. S. Mise formed a partnership under the firm name of Lepesh-Mise Company and moved their present location, at Market and St. Augustine streets, where they are operating a wholesale and retail grocery business which has proved most successful. Mr. Lepesh is an enthusiastic and energetic worker in the interest of his people and in this work also he has made great progress. His activities during the war in the various loan drives as a member and captain of the Slavonian committee from San Jose that made the Slavonian day, September 20, 1915, such a success at the San Francisco Exposition. He is a member of the Red Men, the Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the advisory board of the Bank of Italy.

LESICNIAK, MILIVOJ Businessman-Croatian Activities-Sports

Milivoj Lesicnak is an important member of our Croatian community in Sacramento. He has served on the Executive Board of the Croatian American Cultural Center for many years holding several different offices. He has been responsible for printing the Extravaganza souvenir book for several years, and he has donated the printing for many other events over the years.  Milovoj is one of the first members to volunteer when help is needed, especially with the barbeque. He is originally from Dugo Selo, Croatia, near Zagreb, and in 1966 and 1967, played on the Croatian National Ping Pong Team.  he moved to the United States in 1977 and met and married Marija Delisimunovic in 1978. They had one son. In 1985, they opened MM Printing and Milivoj also has a second business, Mike’s Printing and Copy Repairs.  He is reigning ping pong champion of the Croatian American Cultural Center and welcomes a good match anytime.

LESKOVAR, BRANKO Scientist-Professor

Dr. Branko Leskovar, a research engineer and scientist, was born on July 2, 1930 in Zagreb, Croatia.  He received a diploma- Engineer and Doctor of Science Degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Zagreb in 1954 and 1963, respectively. His doctoral thesis was entitled “Coherent Detection of Electric Signals”. After graduation he became employed as a research engineer and scientific associate int he Institute Ruder Boskovic, Zagreb, from 1954 to 1965.  Since 1965 Dr. Leskovar has been associated with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, as a staff senior scientist and section leader in the Electronic Engineering Department.  There he was involved in developing advanced instrumentation systems for basic and applied research. Since his retirement, in 1994, he has been active as a scientific advisor and project reviewer at LBNL and the US Deparment of Energy. Dr. Leskovar was very active in the following organizations which helped the Republic of Croatia in the last six years. The Croatian Fraternal Union of America, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which has sent humanitarian help to Croatia in the value of more than 110 million dollars. Rotary Club of Santa Rosa, Northern California; SABRE Foundation, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Scientific Assistance Project- which sent more than 200,000 scientific books.

LESKOVAR-JELIC, EMA Professor of Language

Ema Jelic-Leskovar taught Croatian language at University of California, Berkeley for 20 years. Professor Johanna Nichols, chairwoman of the department of Slavic languages and literatures at the university, said “She was a superb teacher”. Born in Zagreb, Croatia, she studied and later taught languages and literature at the University of Zagreb. She and her husband, Branko Leskovar, came to Berkeley in 1966. He is a senior engineer at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Jelic-Leskovar leaves her father, Ivan Jelic, and a brother, Dr. Ivan Jelic, in Croatia. Ema died at the age of 53.

LETICA, ILIJA Corporation President-Chemical Engineer

llija Letica, founder and Chairman of the Board of Letica Corporation of Rochester, Michigan, started his firm in 1967 manufacturing five-gallon plastic pails. Today, Letica Corporation manufactures various industrial packaging products, with thirteen (13) plants throughout the United States, and licensee's in Japan, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and throughout the world. Born in Duvno, now known as Tomislavgrad, Mr. Letica was the youngest of nine (9) children. He attended grade school in Duvno, and went to high school in Jesenice. He left his homeland in 1951. With the help of Catholic Relief Service he attended the University of Strasbourg, where he earned a degree in Chemical Engineering. He met his future wife, Gudrun, in English class. They married in 1954 and in 1955 immigrated with their baby daughter to Canada. In 1957 Mr. Letica immigrated to the United States on a professional quota as a process engineer for Ford Motor Company. In 1960 he started his own engineering firm and eventually refocused the business, which is the foundation of today's leading edge packaging business. "I had a few dreams as any young man has," Letica said. My heroes are Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Edison. Those are American heroes; those are the people who built the United States. They built the public libraries, museums, theatres, and other cultural monuments. Everything was financed by these hard-working men." Of the business Mr. Letica developed he states, "We were always designers and innovators of various products. We saw the future in synthetic materials. We committed ourselves to developing the most innovative packaging products industry wide." Today, those products span both plastic and paper, supplying Fortune 500 Companies throughout the world. Letica corporation ranks #10 among the largest custom injection molders in plastics in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, placing it among the leaders in an industry that includes several thousand custom injection molders, according to the premier industry journal Plastic News. Although in the United States for over 40 years, Mr. Letica never gave up the dream that Croatia would one day have a free democratic future for itself. In the summer of 1989, Mr. Letica went to Croatia and saw first hand the impact U.S. policy was having on all countries. "I knew then the time was at hand for a true opportunity for Croatians to be free."

Mr. Letica committed himself and his resources to supporting pro democracy activities in Croatia. He met with hundreds of politicians in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, including President Bush, Margaret Thatcher, and Vice-President Al Gore (who at that time was Senator Gore). "It was a massive education campaign, because at that point many of the politicians and civil servants did not even know about Croatia." The people of Croatia would soon become all too well known. Ilija Letica continues to work for the development of a strong democratic Croatia. "The future of Croatia is in developing a true free-market economy, strong independent legal system, and continuing the work of developing a democratic political system. Croatia is blessed with natural resources and good people. We need to continue to work hard and never let go of the dream."

LETTUNICH, EDWARD B. Fruit Shipper Businessman

With the passing of the late Edward B. Lettunich at Watsonville in the last month of year 1919 many thereabout felt regretfully that all untimely had come the close of a most promising business career. In the very height of his vigorous and energetic manhood Mr. Lettunich was stricken down with then all too commonly prevailing influenza that took such dreadful toll in this country and there thus came an interruption to the culmination of the extensive plans for business expansion he had set on foot. As a promoter of the material interests of the Watsonville trade and shipping area few had rendered more active service than had Mr. Lettunich and he had done much toward the development of the material interests of the community, with particular reference to realty development and the expansion of the fruit shipping industry. Active in business, faithful in his various relations with his fellowmen, a fine companion socially and an indefatigable worker, Mr. Lettunich not only had acquired a wide acquaintance but had endeared himself to all. At his passing therefore he left a good memory and it is but fitting that in this definite history of the region he had so faithfully and so usefully served there should be carried some brief review of his life and career.

LETTUNICH, MATEO Restaurant-Fruit Packer-Shipper

A native of Mihanici, Dalmatia, Croatia who has made his mark in America is Mateo Lettunich, a businessman of 110 Maple avenue, Watsonville, known throughout and beyond Santa Cruz county. He was born in Dalmatia, February 2, 1857, the son of Nicholas and Anna Lettunich.

When sixteen years old, he came to the United States, and for a year he supported himself in New York. He then went south to Aspinwall, Panama, and tried the heavy labor requirements as a longshoreman but on account of the fever prevalent there, he came north to San Francisco, and in 1875 engaged in the restaurant business. He next moved into the wilds of Humboldt county. In Arcadia he started a restaurant for himself but tiring of this he left the redwood forests and made for the more settled Eureka. There he remained for fourteen years, while serving others with his appetizing meals. While in Humboldt county he engaged in the buying of fruit and timberland and in different lines he became a trader. He then went for a visit to Dalmatia. On his return to the United States in 1892 he came direct to Watsonville, for as early as 1888 he had become interested, with his cousin, in the possibilities of fruit buying and fruit packing in Santa Cruz county. It was not long therefore before these ambitious young men were first to ship apples by the carload and, thanks to the impetus given them by their old neighbors, they shipped the first car of bellflower apples from this section, which was since become so famous for its apples. From a modest beginning they have gradually become the largest shippers and packers and growers of apples in this locality and now Mateo Lettunich is the owner of the celebrated Del Monte fruit ranch at Aromas, is one of the owners of the Lettunich building in Watsonville, the principal office building in that city and also has other large property interests in and about the city. He was one of the organizers of the Fruit Growers Bank of which he is still a director. Mr. Lettunich married Miss Rose Farlan, a native daughter, who was born in 1875 and who died in 1900, leaving two children, Nicholas N. and Louis - the latter a volunteer in the World War campaigns of the United States army. He enlisted really before he was of age, and saw hard service in far-off Siberia. One grandchild, Mateo, gives joy to the grandfather. Mr. Lettunich is a member of the Knights of Columbus, of which he was a charter organizer. As one of the organizers of the Austrian Benevolent Society, he has done much for his native countrymen of this community, while himself doing his full duty as a loyal American by adoption.

LETTUNICH, PETER N. Fruit Packer

Peter N. Lettunich, senior member of the well known fruit Packing firm of P.N. Lettunich and Company, died at his home on Fifth street this morning at 3 o'clock, August 11. 1904. Deceased had not been in good health for more than two years and recently he had been failing rapidly. He was born in Dalmatia, Croatia 31 years ago and came to Pajaro Valley about fourteen years ago. Since his arrival here he had been engaged in the fruit business and to him much credit was due for bringing Pajaro valley apples into fame in Europe. His firm was the one that originated the celebrated "Dewey Brand" and caused it to become famous all over the country. by reason of superior quality and exellent pack. On the date of the marriage of Admiral Dewey in Washington P. N. Lettunich & Company forwarded to him a box of the valley's choicest apples. In a courteous letter, published in the Pajaronian at the time, the great admiral expressed his high appreciation of the fruit and commented upon its excellent quality. At that time the "Dewey Brand" was adopted. P. N. Lettunich was a man of strict honesty and integrity, his word being as good as his bond. In business dealings he displayed good judgment. He possessed a kindly nature which readily won him friends. About four years ago he returned to Croatia and was married. His wife and one child born of the union survive him. He was a good husband and good father and his death breaks up a happy home. Deceased was a brother of M. N. Lettunich and Edwin B. Lettunich.

LIKAN, GUSTAV Artist-Professor

Gustav Likan is an artist in Austin, Texas. Born May 1, 1912 in Srb, Lika, Croatia; married with one child. Education includes lst Real Gymnasium, Zagreb, Diploma 1926; Academy of Fine Arts, Munich, Paris, Rome, Hague. 1930-1937 with a specialty in Artistic painting. Professor, Acadeny of Fine Arts, Munich, Germany; Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. Paintings to be found in museums and galleries in Europe, America and South America.

LIMAN, ERZIKA Nurse-Croatian Activities

Erzika has been Treasurer for seven years and prior to that sat on the Board of Trustees of the Croatian American Cultural Center for three years.  Erzika was born in Medumurje and came to the United States in 1970. She worked as a mid-wife in Croatia for 16 years, then in Libya for 2 years.  She worked for 22 years at Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento as a nurse in the maternity ward.  She headed up the kitchen during the Extravaganza for years.  Erzika is the first member to help when one of our elderly members or friends is ill.  Her efforts and talents are greatly appreciated.

LIPAK, ROBERT Fireman-Military

He was born December 30, 1925 in Highland Park, Michigan the only child of Stephen and Mary (Stricko) Lipak, who were active Croatian Fraternal Union members. Robert received a Purple Heart after serving with the 1st Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan, in World War 11. He worked as a Hazel Park firefighter for 28 years and was a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union for his whole life. He was a member of Spirit 64 Fire Department in Detroit, Michigan. With heartfelt woe I report the death of my husband, Robert Lipak, 76, who died January 10, 2002 at home. Survivinq are his wife Anne Serdar Lipak of Grand Rapids and granddaughter Tracy Olane.

LISTER, WALTER Baseball

Had Walter Lister been graced with a blue ox and admirers with more vivid imagination, he could have become the Paul Bunyan of San Francisco semi-pro baseball. As it was, all he had was a prodigious right arm and admiriers whose imaginations were limited to wondering how they could ever get a hit off him. Thus, Lister has had to settle for relatively anonymous greatness. In thirty-four years of pitching semi-pro baseball, Lister was estimated by sports writers of his era to have won, conservatively, somewhere between 900 and 1000 games in about 12000 appearences. He once won twenty-nine straight in one season, was beaten 1-0 in the thirteenth and last game of the season, and then won his first sixteen next season.  He pitched his last no-hitter when he was forty, against a team made up a largely of Coast Leaguers. it was during the war years, 1943, and pro baseball was short of players. Ray Harrell, a leading pitcher with the San Francisco Seals, was Lister’s pitching opponent. After the game Harrell told a reporter, “That guy (Lister) dosen’t belong here.  He should at least be in the Coast League.” When he was forty-seven, the oldest active player in California, Lister officially retired. In his last game he pitched the Portola Merchants to a championship. Still throwing his time-tested fastball, he allowed only two bloop hits and stuck out fourteen. Yet Walter Lister played exactly five innings of professional baseball and in 1968 retired as a machinist foreman from the American Can Company, for which he worked for forty-eight years.

LIVAJUSIC, ANTHONY S. Priest-Professor-Editor

Anthony Livajusic is a Hospital Chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Canton, Ohio. Born November 27, 1903 in Komar, Bosnia, Croatia.Education includes Archdiocesan Gymnasium, Travnik, Bosnia Diploma, 1924; Seminary of Archdiocese of Vrhbosna, Sarajevo 1924-28. Gregorian University, Rome, S.T.D., 1930 with a major field in Dogmatic Theology. Thesis in 1930 "De authencitate Quarti Evangelii," Gregorian University. Teacher of Psychology; 1931-37 Editor, Katolicki Sv (Catholic World); 1937-45 Editor, Vrhbosna, Official paper of the Archdiocese, Vrhbosna at Sarajevo, Bosnia.

LIVOVICH, ANDREW F. Scientist

Andrew Livovich is a Senior Research Scientist at Universal Atlas Cement Division, United States Steel Corporation, Gary, Indiana. Born September 18, 1915 to Croatian parents in East Chicago, Indiana; married with two children. Education includes Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, A.B., 1940; De Paul University, Chicago. Illinois 1946-47; Roosevelt University, Chgo. Illinois 1950-51 with a major field in Chemistry and Ceramic Engineering, Applied Research - Refractory Concrete. Past President Croatian Singing Society. Preradovic and Croatian Glee Club Sloga 1965. SecretaryTreasurer. Sacred Heart of Jesus. Croatian Catholic Union Lodge I 1966.

LJUBETICH, ANDREW Fisherman

My grandfather, Andrew Lubetich was born in Sutivan, Brac, and island village not far from the city of Split, Croatia. My grandmother, Tonino, was also born there. They had four children; Jerry, Maria (my mother), Domina, and Cannan. My grandfather came to the United States in the late 1890's by himself, leaving his family in Croatia. He settled in a little village called Clifton, near Astoria, Oregon. It was a village with many Croatians from the islands off of Split. All of the men were gillnet fishermen. Everyone saved their money, what little they made, so they could bring their families to America. My uncle Jerry was the first of the family come over. My mother Maria was next to arrive at Ellis Island in March of 1911. She could not speak any English, so she would use her hands to express herself. She told of someone trying to feed her a banana and she thought they were trying to poison her. At seventeen years of age my mother arrived in Clifton, Oregon. My grandfather had already picked out a husband for her by the name of Nick Mardesich; but my mother fell in love with Nick Joncich, my father. My father was born in Komiza, island of Vis, Croatia. his father's name was John and his mother's name was Vizanza. My father was from a family of six children. Two of them died in childhood. My father along with his brother, Jack, came to the United States when he was 14 years old. They settled in Clifton, Oregon and "Bingo!" he met and married my mother. Mother and Father brought six children into this world. Me, Winifred Rose: born August 17, 1912; Johny, born March 6, 1914; Minnie Pearl, born November 2 1, 1916; and Andrew (Babe), born August 18, 1919. We had two sisters that died in their first year of life. By: Winnie Joncich Mardesich. (Sleasman 2000)

LJUBETICH, ANTON, JOHN, MICHAEL, MARKO, NIKOLA, PETER

Restaurants-Saloons-Goldminers

Marco and Michael were from the Island of Brac. They operated a saloon at 605 Davis Street in San Francisco in 1862. Marco owned and operated the famed San Francisco Saloon at Virginia City, Nevada. Michael mined gold in Butte County, then opened the Overland Restaurant and Saloon at 29 North 1st street in San Jose.

LJUBIC, IVAN Saloon-Boardinghouse-President CFU

Ivan Ljubic was born 14 June 1854, in the village of Orisje, to Ivan Ljubic and Barbara Cainar (Canjar). Ivan married Maria Kralj on 31 January 1875, in the parish church of Sveti Mavar Opat, in Bosiljevo. Children soon followed; Josip was born in december of 1875, Ivan (John Jr.) in 1878, Amalia (Emma) in 1884, and Vjekoslav (Edward Adolph) in 1887.   In 1889, Ivan left his home in Croatia and settled in the mill town of Benwood, West Virginia, adjacent to the city of Wheeling. Meanwhile, Maria, still in Orisje, gave birth to Stjepan (Steven) in February of 1890. Not long afterwards, Maria and all the children departed Croatia for their new home in West Virginia. Ivan quickly acclimated himself to his new surroundings. Unlike most other immigrants, he did not seek employment in the steel mills of Benwood. Instead, he became a saloon keeper and boarding house owner. Generally, the saloon keepers and boarding house owners were the natural leaders in the immigrant communities; Ivan Ljubic was no exception to this rule. His daily dealings with his fellow countrymen made him keenly aware of the dreadful conditions in which so many of them lived and worked. Witnessing so much misery, he quickly became convinced that something needed to be done. In 1893, along with other like-minded individuals, he founded the Croatian Lodge in Benwood, and served as it's president. Soon, Croatian communities in other cities were forming their own lodges. It did not take long for leaders in various cities to realize that there would be great advantages in working together on a national level. In September of 1894, representatives from 6 lodges met in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and formed the National Croatian Society (later to become the Croatian Fraternal Union of America). Ivan Ljubic was elected the first president.

The National Croatian Society was primarily an organization that provided assistance to members and their families in case of death, disease, accident, unemployment or other distress. But as the organization grew, it also became the great promoter and preserver of Croatian culture in the United States. From it's rather humble beginnings in 1894, the Croatian Fraternal Union of America has grown to become the largest and most influential Croatian society outside of Croatia, with a membership of well over 90,000 people, and assets in excess of $150 million dollars. Ivan Ljubic served two terms as president of the new society - September 1894 to August 1900, and November 1904 to October 1906, a time which saw a rapid expansion of the organization.

During this period his family continued to grow as well. In 1894, son William was born, and in 1898, daughter Genevieve. On the eighth of April the following year, Maria Kralj died. In 1902 Ivan married Ida Vogler, a Wheeling native of German heritage. She bore him three more sons - Albert in 1903, Charles (my grandfather) in 1906, and Arthur in 1910. In 1906 Ivan left Benwood, and settled in Johnstown, Pennsylvania where he was once again a proprietor of a boarding house, the Hotel Ljubic. Around 1920 he left Johnstown for McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania (near Pittsburgh), where he died on 7 July, 1923. Today, his many descendents are scattered from coast-to-coast in the great land that became his adopted home.

LJUBICIC, IVAN Tennis

Tennis player Ivan Ljubicic ranked 43rd best tennis player in the world, he is at age 22 in 2001 talented, focused and disciplined. Highly motivated, Ljubicic achieved fantastic results this year when he beat a number of top tennis players including Andre Agassi. "I want to give and try everything I can in tennis," said Ljubicic. "Top ten is reachable." Asked about any weaknesses, Ljubicic said, "Not really, I just need more confidence". All around player, not limiting himself to a particular surface, his goal is to continue in the direction of "I can beat anybody, anytime. No rush, it will came." Ljubicic received his base training in Italy at a tennis academy. Now he trains in Monte Carlo with an Italian coach Ricardo Piazzi since '97. He has no plans to move to tennis Mecca in Florida. In Monte Carlo, in between professional tournaments, he is able to practice all year around, always perfect conditions with 25-degree temperature. In Monaco he has free tennis courts available at any time and endless supply of tennis balls.Ordinary he practices 5 hour's per day tennis plus crosstraining in the gym. Lots of stretching and psychical therapy to prevent any injuries. It takes 8 hours per day. In his spare time, Ljubicic loves computer games. He speaks fluent English, Italian and of course Croatian. Born in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, he was 13 years old when the family made a dramatic escape during the war via Belgrade and moved to Zagreb, Croatia. Now he has a steady girlfriend for 6 years. In terms of mentors in his young life, Ljubicic mentions his parents. "They always gave me support, which was not easy for them. I left when I was 14 and moved to Italy. From that moment I have never been home for more then 10 days in a row. I am always traveling. My parents gave me support that was crucial, very important and the freedom by not forcing me to go to school. I saw Wimbledon on TV, so I wanted to play tennis. Even though soccer was so popular, I wanted to do something different. Every day in my life I wanted to be better and improve. I wanted to learn more, I can't be satisfied with small things". Ivan is supporting the entire family and happy to do it. His brother is a physical therapist, assisting Ivan and part of his entourage. " I am just giving back to my family what they gave me when I was a kid." Ljubicic is particularly grateful to his management company from London who recognized his talent and took a chance on him when he was still just a junior tennis player. From them he received much needed financial support. "They took me on when I was nobody."

"I find it difficult to play in Croatian Open in Umag, because there is so much pressure there." Ljubicic is full of compliments for other Croatian tennis players, especially Ivanisevic. "I got inspired by Goran Ivanisevic a lot. He is my friend. Katarina Tepesh tepeshk@aol.com

LJUBISICH (LOVELY), MARKO-Saloon-Capitalist

Marko Lovely voted in 1851 at Mobile, Alabama prior to coming to California. He was in business in San Francisco during the 1850’s and first appeared in Virginia City, Nevada at the E/S of B near Union Street in 1862 being listed in the Business Directory as Gluibisich. He operated the Silver Age Saloon at the corner of Union and C Street in Virginia City in 1863. He was a member of the Virginia City Fire Engine Company No. 1 in 1867 and was an American citizen. He was interested in various mining ventures and business interests throughout Nevada. In 1870 the Federal Census indicates he had a wife, Margaret from Pennsylvania, aged 19. Marko was related by marriage to the Medin family and following letter written by a grandson to a Medin sheds further light upon this Virginia City pioneer: August 21st, 1965, Dear Grace (Medin) It was good hearing from you, and learning all those interesting things about your family. No, I am not of the Medin “clan.” Our great-grandfather was Anthony Thornton, and our grandmothers, Sarah and Margaret Thornton, were sisters. My grandmother was born in Liverpool, England, presumably during the “Famine” in Ireland. We never could figure our how she could be sixteen at the time of her marriage. Your grandmother invited her to spend a vacation with her in Virginia City, and she was about to leave Burlington, Iowa, where they were then living, by overland stage, when her father read that the Indians had waylaid a stagecoach and there were no survivors. So Maggie went to New Orleans where she embarked on a trip around the Horn that lasted a couple of months. During the trip a handsome Englishman became very fond of her and wrote to her insistently after the trip, but she never received the letters. Your grandma discretely destroyed them, and confessed so doing years later after her sister was safely wed to the mad whom she had selected for her as the most eligible bachelor in Virginia City- Mark Lovely (originally Ljubisich), a good friend of Marco Medin and a fellow Slavonian, from Ragusa (now Dubrovnik) Dalmatia. Grandpa was then reportedly worth a fortune. He was old enough to be Maggie’s father, but they were happily married for nearly fifty ears. He told of taking his bride to Piper’s Opera and all heads turned in admiration when the petite blonde in white with a crimson-lined white cape entered escorted by her tall husband. I remember seeing “Aunt Sally” only once as a small boy. Mother says that she had a charming and rather “grand” manner. Soo-- I wonder if anyone will be relating anecdotes about us a hundred years from now! I wish I could interview my grandparents and get some points straight. But I’ll have Eternity to do that. It will be nice to pass the timelessness that way. (Marco, your uncle, and George, my uncle had the same blue blue eyes as Maggie.) Mark

Antonio Lovely was in Virginia City as a miner in 1870 and was farming in Tuolumne, California in 1890; Mitchell Lovely had a saloon at Hamilton in 1870 and was farming at Tuolumne, California in 1884. They both were American citizens. Nikola Lovely was a saloon owner in Virginia City during the 1870’s and died at the age of 76 in 1926 and was buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, San Francisco. Virginia City Business Directories for 1875, 1862, and 1864.

LOLICH, MARY C. Sister Catholic-Professor

Sister Lolich was born September 21, 1918 in San Francisco, California. Her field is chemistry education and is a graduate of Queen of the Holy Rosary College, Mission San Jose, California. She can speak French. She teaches at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and is the Science Department Head. She has published a supplement for parochial school teachers. She presently resides in Pasadena, California.

LONCAR, SEBASTIAN Priest-Missionary

Rev. Sebastian Loncar, Croatian American priest and a good friend of the Croatian Catholic Union, died in his native village of Preko, on the Island of Ug1jan, Croatia, Feb. 15, 2001. The funeral Mass was served by Archbishop Ivan Prendja in the Holy Rosary Church in Preko in the presence of numerous clergy and faithful. Rev. Sebastian is interred in the Parish cemetery in Preko. Father Loncar was born on June 18, 1913, in Preko, Croatia, to Luka and Gaspa nee Mihatov. He received his degree in theology at the University of Zagreb. He obtained a masters degree in philosophy at the Pontifical University Gregoriana in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood June 27, 1937, by the then Archbishop of Zagreb, now Blessed Alojzije Stepinac. As a young priest Father Loncar served as parish administrator of a church in Croatia, then immigrated to the United States in May, 1940, where he ministered in the Pittsburgh area to Croatian parishes, namely, St. Nicholas on the North Side and- St. Nicholas in Millvale. He also established and supervised the small seminary at St. Jerome House of Study in Washington, D.C. For the reasons of health he moved to a warmer climate in Florida. He served at Holv Family Parish in Miami and at St. Ambrose Parish, Deerfield Beach. In 1966 he was appointed pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Port Charlotte, where he administered for two years before being appointed pastor of St. Raphael Parish, Englewood. When retired from active ministry in 1979, Father Loncar was appointed pastor emeritus of St. Raphael Parish. From here that same year he went to Africa to become a missionary. For three years he dedicated his life to missionary apostolate in Arusha, Tanzania and East Africa. Upon his return to Florida he continued pastoral work for the diocese of Venice, Florida. During the war years 1991 to 1995 in Croatia and Bosnia and Hercegovina Rev. Loncar visited the war torn areas of his native Zadar diocese and brought humanitarian aid. On several occasions the archbishop of Zadar, Ivan Prendja visited Fr. Loncar in Florida for talks with the American Bishop, John Nevins who was well-informed of the needs of Catholic Church in Croatia, and helped abundantly. Father Loncar returned to his Croatia in 1999, where he spent his last two years on earth in the proximity of his native village, Preko.

LOPINA, ANTON Ranch

Anton Lopina was one of the most successful orchardist in the Santa Clara Valley. While still quite young he acquired extensive farm land in the valley and developed it into a very profitable enterprise. He built a fine home and raised his family on the ranch. Anton Lopina died in San Jose on November 18, 1979. Anton Lopina was the beloved husband of Clara Lopina of San Jose; loving father of Anthony J. Lopina of Saratoga, John M. Lopina of Patterson, Ca. and and Mrs. Mary Ann Skitarelic of Orinda, Ca.; dear brother of Anna Dolina and Mary Perusina, both of Chicago, Ill., Mrs. Katie Vodopia of Woodside, N.Y. and Miss Helen Sorich of Roseville, Ca.; dear father-in-law of Alice Lopina and Joseph Skitarelic; devoted grandfater of 10; a native of Majkovi, Croatia; aged 93 years, a member of the American Dalmatian Society of San Jose and the Slavonian American Benevolent Society of San Jose.

LOPIZICH, IVO Attorney

Lopizich was born in Los Angeles, the only son of Henry and Lucy Lopizich. His father settled in Los Angeles in 1891 and operated a drugstore in the old plaza section of the city. Ivo graduated from Los Angeles High School and then earned a law degree from U.S.C. in 1928. He was admitted to the bar a year later. Lopizich was also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1958. His office was located at 549 Spring Street in downtown Los Angeles. From 1942-46 Lopizich served as special assistant to the U.S. ambassador in Lima, Peru. He helped organize and was the first president of the American-Yugoslav Republican Assembly and was also a member of the Republican National Committee’s Nationalities Advisory Committee. Lopizich was a prominent figure in the Croatian Community of Southern California and many of its member sought him out for legal assistance. When in a relaxing mood, Lopizich enjoys hunting and fishing. His home is at 4006 Sutro, where he lived with his wife, Lucile, and their little girl, Eva Lu, 9.

LOPIZICH, IVO J. Doctor of Medicine

Dr. Ivo J. Lopizich, who was born in Los Angeles 72 years ago to pioneer pharmacist and banker, John Lopizich, a native of Orasac, Dalmatia, Croatia, passed away on July 22, 1966, the birthday of his late uncle, Henry Lopizich. “Dr. Ivo,” as he was known to his numerous friends, was the survivor of three brothers, namely, Vladimir M. and Mirko J. His late mother, Marianna Lopizich, nee Davarde, was also a native Angeleno. Dr. Lopizich was a surgeon on the staff of many hospitals in this area, and at the time of his demise, he was president of the Los Angeles City Board of Fire Commissioners. He is survived by his widow, Anna, a daughter, Eva Mae (Mrs. John) Skoby, 4516 Strohm, North Hollywood, and two grand children, Stafanie and Peter.

LOPIZICH, JOHN J. Druggist-Banker

John J. Lopizich, from Orsac, arrived in the early 1880’s. Shortly after his arrival he established the Viole-Lopizich Drug Company, which was dissolved in 1924. He was one of the first Croatian men to receive a druggist’s diploma and permit to operate a drug store. His brother, Rico Lopizich was the second to obtain these honors and today is a druggist in Los Angeles. In 1904, John Lopizich organized the International Savings and Loan Exchange Bank, of which he was president until 1917 when it became affiliated with the Bank of Italy. For many years he had been active in social and philanthropic work among his people and was knighted in 1924 by the King of Italy for his splendid work among the Italian people. Lopizich was one of the most loved and honored men in this community. For many years his smile, kind words and hearty hand shake will be remembered by those who were fortunate to have either known him or worked with him. There are three sons residing in Los Angeles, Dr. Ivo Lopizich, surgeon for Los Angeles County Health Department; Dr. Vladimir Lopizich, dentist, and Mirko Lopizich, drugstore operator.

LOPIZICH, NICK Ranch

Nick Lopizich, a third brother, came to Los Angeles in 1885 from Orasac and his wife Mari from Konavle. Nick Lopizich has also played a very important role in the civic life of Los Angeles and is today owner of a ranch and store in Lankershim. His sons, Tony and Ivo, are owners and operators of the Columbia and LaMar Pharmacies; the daughters Jenny, Stella, Annie and Mary are engaged in various commercial activities.

LOPIZICH, RICO Croatian Activities

Rico Lopizich arrived shortly after his brother John and was one of the charter members of the Slavonian American Benevolent Society, which was organized in 1892. Since his arrival in this community he has always been a very active social worker among our people. His wife, Luce Lopizich, is also vitally interested in Croatian activities; Ivo Lopizich, prominent attorney and the son of this couple has recently been appointed a member of the Housing Commission of the City of Los Angeles.

LORKOVIC, HRVOJE R. Professor-Biologist

Hrvoje Lorkovic is a professor at the University of Iowa, Department of Neurology-Medical School, Iowa City, Iowa; married with three children. Born November 12, 1930 in Zagreb, Croatia. Education included Classical Gymnasium, Zagreb. Graduated, 1949; University of Belgrade, Belgrade, 1949-1953; M.A., December 1953 University of Zagreb; Zagreb,1959-1961, Ph.D. July, 1961. Studies at University of Tubingen, Univsity of London, Wellcome Fellow. Major field in Biology and a specialty of Muscle Physiology. Thesis: Influence of Ionic Medium on Mechanical Responses to Potassium in Frog Muscles. Ph.D., 1961. Several papers published in American and European Physiological journals from 1959 to 1968. Member of American Physiological Society. Experience in Assistant at the Institute for Medical Reserch Academy, Zagreb, Croatia 1956-1962; Assistant at the Physiologisches Institute der Universitat, Tubingen, Germany 1962-1963; Wellcome Fellowat the National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, England 1963-1964; Research Fellow, Department of Physioly, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minneapolis 1964-1967.

LOVRICH, FRANK M. Professor-Author

Frank Lovrich is a Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology-Anthropology, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina. Born September 16, 1930 to Croatian parents in Moosup, Connecticut; married with two children. Education includes Arnold College, Milford, Connecticut; Southeastern University of Louisiana, Hammond, Louisiana, B.A., 1951; University of S. Dakota, Vermillion. M.A. , 1952; Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 1952-55; South Dakota State University, Brookings, Ph.D., 1962 with a major field in Sociology and Social Theory, Rural and Urban Social Organization, The Family, Industrial Sociology, Minority Groups. Thesis completed 1952 "The Assimilation of the Sioux Indian in Rapid City, So. Dakota." Published University of So. Dakota. 1962. "The Dalmatians in the U.S." "An Intense Study of a Rural Dalmatian-American Community" University of So. Dakota. Published "The Social System of the Dalmatian in Louisiana," Faculty-Publications, 1967, Appalachian State University "Croatians in Louisiana," Journal of Croatian Studies, 1966-67. Member of American Sociology Association; Southwest Society Science Association.

LOVRICH, NICHOLAS P. Professor-Author

Nicholas was born in San Pedro in 1944. His parents, Nikola Petar Lovrich (Miko Smokovac) and Ljubica (Lubie) raised Nicholas in a Croatian-speaking home with the intention of instilling a knowledge of the language and culture of the Hrvasko Primorije from which they came. Nick played baseball in his youth, and was the captain of the San Pedro High School baseball team which played for the Los Angeles City Schools championship in 1962. Nick went on to play baseball on the Stanford University freshman team and went on to graduate cum laude in 1966. From there he proceeded to graduate studies in the area of Political Science, and received his MA in 1967 and his Ph.D. in 1971 from U.C.L.A. After graduating from Stanford he married Katherine Marie Ackerson of Salt Lake City, Utah; Nick and Katherine met at Stanford University’s campus in Florence, Italy. Nick and Katherine have one child, Nichole, who was born on June 8, 1985. Nick began his career as a college professor at Metropolitan State University (Denver) in 1971, and taught at the University of Denver (1973-74) and DePauw University (Greencastle, Indiana) (1974-77) before settling in for a long career at Washington State University (1977-present). At Washington State University Nick is the Director of the Division of Governmental Studies and Services and has the honor of being the Cladius O. and Mary W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Political Science. Nick’s Ph.D. dissertation was a comparison of the pattern of assimilation of Yugoslav and Italian immigants in San Pedro, and was published by the Ragusan Press (Palo Alto) under the title Yugoslavs and Italians in San Pedro: Political Culture and Civic Involvement (1977). Nick has authored or co-authored six books and over 100 articles in social science journals, and he has supervised the Ph.D. dissertation of 16 student who have gone on to become college professors in universities throughout the U.S

LOVRICH, NIKOLA P. Fisherman

Miko Smokovac was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 17, 1908 and returned with his family to Crikvenica. His father (also Nikola) was a contractor in the employment of King Alexander working on a building in St. Louis when Miko was born. Miko Smokovac worked as a stone mason (zidar) for his father during his youth, traveling widely in Croatia. He returned to America as a young man in the mid-30s, taking up residence in San Pedro, and marrying Ljubica Brnjac (born in Crikvenica, residing in Vancouver, Canada) in January of 1941. He was active during the war and during the post-war years in organizing help for the Partisans and gathering relief for post-war Yugoslavia. Miko became an active member of and leader in the fishermans union (ILWU) in San Pedro. He was elected to the executive board of the union on numerous occasions, and remained a fisherman (ship’s engineer) his entire working career. He fished for sardines and mackerel in California, tuna in South America, and Salmon in Alaska during the course of his long career at sea. In the summer of 1974 Miko and Ljubica returned to Crikvenica in retirement, where he renovated the old family home in Sopaljska and where he and Ljubica lived in peaceful retirement until his death on May 3, 1997.

LUBENKO, ANNE Religious Sister

Sister Anne was bom Dec. 23, 1904 in Angels Camp, California to Chris and Anna Struich Lubenko. She entered the Sisters of Charity, BVM on September 8,1925 from St Brigid's, San Francisco, and professed first vows on Aug. 15, 1927 and final vows on August 15,1933. Sister Anne taught in San Francisco at St. Paul Elementary, 1946-50, 1953-55 and 1964-69; Most Holy Redeemer, 1951-52; St. Philip, 1952-53; and St. Brigid, 1969-70.. She also, taught in San Jose and, Sacramento, California and in Washington , Montana, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska. Former San Francisco educator Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sister Anne Lubenko (Francina), 95, died May 25 at Marian Hall, Dubuque, Iowa. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Henrietta Lubenko and nephew, Mitchell Lubenko, both of Plymouth, Calfornia, and the Sisters of Charity, BVM, with whom she shared life for 74 years.

LUBICH, EDO Tamb Hall of Fame-Engineer-Restaurant-Recording Artist

Edo Lubich was born in Donji Vakuf, Bosnia, on May 7, 1912, son of Nikola and Klara Lubich . As is generally the case with gifted individuals, in the music or any other field, Edo became a tamburas at the tender age of 5 when his dad acquired a bisernica (made of cardboard and plywood) and so began a musical career which was to span two continents and covering a period of 65 to 70 years. At the age of 10 Edo received his first "real" biscrnica and proceeded to master all the tambura instruments in both Farkas and Sremski systems. At the astounding age of 14 Edo organized his first tamburitza band in his home village, consisting of from 7 to 10 members. Edo was organizer-leader, instructor and made the arrangements for all the instruments. Edo attended a Jesuit's Gymnasium in Travnik, Bosnia. After this Edo went to Zagreb to study music and singing. After a year of studies in Zagreb, Edo decided to go to France to study Electrical Engineering for the period from 1929 through 1933. After France Edo returned and due to certain circumstances, began to sing professionally, rather than following an engineering career. Shortly after embaring on a singing career a very good friend of Edo's, who was from a very prominent family in Belgrade, committed suicide and had left a request for ..Edo to sing his favorite song, which was at that time one of Edo's "big hit songs," namely Kad Mi Pises Mila Mati (When You Write To Me Dear Mother) during his funeral. This last wish of Edo's friend was included in Edo's Belgrade Radio Program which coincided with his funeral, and needless to say, Edo's popularity zoomed to unprecedented heights resulting in his receiving offers to appear in almost every capital city in Europe. Included in his European tour was Paris, France; Budapest, Hungary; Rome, Italy, and Berlin, Germany. At a later date Edo appeared in Berlin on a TV show! Prior to World War 11, Edo, with his Belgrade Radio Show, was Yugoslavia's number one Premier Singing Star. He was voted Yugoslavia's third Most Popular man in 1936. Edo's singing style was unique which was an inspiration to the U.S. tamburasi. Edo's song interpretations were very different and attractive to all tamburasi and tamburitza music lovcrs across the Country, rclating to the "songs of that time. " Edo made many recordings on RCA Victor-ColumbiaDecca, Balkan International and Sonart. These rccordings enhanced Edo's reputation and image to such a degree that lie was selected to go on a four-year tour of the U.S., appearing before high school and college students. It is estimated there were 2,000,000 students involved in this fou-ycar assignment who were fortunate to have bccn entertained by this most gifted musician. His presentations were the songs of Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, Slovenia and, of course, his native Bosnia! Edo appeared at concerts with such tamburitza greats as Steve Pavlekovich, Milan Verni, the Baich Tamburitzans, Blue Danube and made recordings with the well known Sar Planina (Marty Kapugi band) and also with Vinka Ellison. Edo also appeared with the famous Popovich Bros. band. Edo opened his first well-known restaurant, frequented bv many entertainment celebrities, called "La Place" (the piace) and later opened another restaurant "Edo's Other Place. " These were both very successful restaurants in the Century City, California, area. Edo sold both restaurants in 1978 and semi-retired and is living in Palm Springs, California. Edo travels to Europe every year, and in 1985 appeared in a feature movie made in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, which is currently having its premiere showing. Edo is a widower, his wife having passed away nine years ago. Edo has a daughter Nicolette and a granddaughter Victoria who is 14 years of age.

LUCICH-LUCAS, ANTHONY Discovered Oil-Engineer

Another Croatian immigrant who helped revolutionize American industry was Captain Anthony Lucas. He was born on September 9, 1855, in Split, Croatia, the son of a sea captain, Franjo Lucic from the island of Hvar. Anthony completed gymnasium studies in Trieste, where his father served in the Austrian navy, then attended the same Polytechnic Institute in Graz which his countryman Tesla later attended. After graduating from the Institute in 1875, he enlisted as midshipman in the Austrian navy, where he was soon promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. However, he disliked the rigor of the service; in 1879 after an unpleasant incident he obtained a six months' leave to accept an invitation from his uncle in America, his father's brother, then living in Saginaw, Michigan. Upon his arrival here the young man found that his uncle had adopted the name of Lucas, to escape the difficulty that Americans had in spelling and pronouncing Lucic; Anthony then adopted the same name. After an extension of his leave, he decided to remain in this country. On May 9, 1885, he became an American citizen, receiving his citizenship papers at the Corporation Court at Norfolk, Virginia.

Lucas married Caroline Fitzgerald in 1887. The young couple spent a year of their honeymoon in Dalmatia and Trieste, then established their home in Washington, D.C., where Lucas worked as a mining engineer and geologist. By 1893 he was busy in Louisiana and Texas, where he stayed for three years. His dream was to find petroleum in a region where none had yet been found. Oil was first discovered in Pennsylvania, where a commercial well was drilled at Titusville in 1859. But to prospect for oil in Texas, as Lucas did, seemed to many a crazy idea. Nevertheless, he insisted on drilling in Beaumont, Texas at a place called Spindletop, where three companies already had failed. Lacking the necessary capital he approached the Standard OU Company for financial support, only to be told by their experts that he did not have the slightest chance of finding oil at Spindletop. Despite all, such discouragements, this stubborn prospector proceeded to drill.

Then suddenly on January 10, 1901, after drilling 1,020 feet deep, Lucas and his crew struck oil. It ran wild, gushing some 200 feet and drenching the ground with an estimated 75,000 to 100,000 barrels. The well ran wild for days before Lucas could cap it. The whole country was amazed. Fifty thousand people came to see the gushing of oil at Spindletop. The Lucas well was "heard around the world.

This was a great day in the industrial era of America. Lucas, however, did not develop the Spindletop. He sold all his interests to the Mellon group for $400,000. Lucas, for his part, did not stop with this first discovery. In Mexico, where he worked for the next three years, he found two other oil fields. In 1905 he returned to Washington, where he opened an office as consulting engineer. In this capacity, too, he travelled around the world. He died at the age of sixty-six on September 2, 1921, in Washington. The inscription on his tombstone at the Rock Creek Cemetery states that he was born in Spalato, Dalmatia, and that he was of "Illyrian [Croatian] parentage." To supplement all other evidence and his own statements, his tombstone plainly records'his place of birth and his ancestry; yet surprisingly Who Was Who in America erroneously stated that Lucas was born in Trieste and that he was of Italian origin.26

On October 9, 1941, during the convention of the Texas Mid Continent Oil and Gas Association at Beaumont, Texas, a fifty foot granite monument honoring Lucas was unveiled at Spindletop. The inscription on the front reads, along with other tributes to Lucas. Petroleum has revolutionized industry and transportation; it has created untold wealth, built cities, furnished employment for hundreds of thousands, and contributed billions of dollars in taxes to support institutions of government. In a brief span of years, it has altered man's way of life throughout the world.

The memory of Captain Lucas has been honored in other ways too. The American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, in order to recognize the "distinguished achievement and practice of finding and producing petroleum," established in 1936 the "Anthony F. Lucas Medal" as an award to all outstanding persons whose achievements contribute to the development of oil. Prpic, George

LUCICH, GEORGE Restaurant-Goldminer

Born on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia, October 15, 1882, when fourteen years old he came across the ocean and located in Denver, Colorado, where an uncle lived. After going to school for a time, he started to learn the restaurant business with his uncle, in the latter’s cafe. He learned to cook and was chief cook for the establishment from 1897 to 1901, beginning with fourteen dollars a month. He next moved to the mining camps of Colorado, working as a cook, and experiencing all the thrills of a gold strike while at Cripple Creek; then to Goldfield, Nevada, during the boom there, when it was a city of tents, arriving before a house had been erected. Mr. Lucich first came to Sacramento in 1904, and then he later decided to look over the possiblities of San Francisco, arriving in time for the earthquake and fire of 1906, which occurred just fifteen days after he reached the city. Not discouraged by having passed through the trying experiences of that period, he later, in partnership with two others, opened a restaurant and liquor store on the water front, at Second and Townsend Streets. In February, 1915, Mr. Lucich sold out his interests in San Francisco, and came to Sacramento, and his first business venture in the Capital City was a small lunch room, with just twenty-three stools, located on Ninth Street, and again with two partners. Every other store on the block, wich was was between J and K Streets, was vacant at time, but the lunch room prospered and this site marks the place where now stands the Rosemont Grill, Mr. Lucich’s present establishment and one of the best appointed cafes in Sacramento, remodled at a cost of $30,000 and opened to the public in December, 1922. He has his own cold storage plant on the premises, ad five chefs are kept busy busy supplying the best the seasons afford to its many partons.  The cafe is always open, day and night; a key to the front door is always open. They also own the Annex Lunch Room at 911 K Street, and in both places employ forty-two people, with a payroll of $900 a week, thus adding materially to the prosperity of the city and makng it possible for its residents to enjoy dining in surroundings which are seldom equalled for artistic furnishings and correct service outside of the larger cities. Mr. Lucich was married in San Mateo, Cal, to Katherine Grasi, born on the Island of Brac, and a resident of the United States for about twenty-five years, and they have one daughter, Nicolena Lucich. Mr. Lucich is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

LUCICH, MARCO Restaurant

A leader among those to whom Sacramento owes much for its excellent catering is Marco Lucich, the genial and popular proprietor of the Young American Restaurant, at 1026 Fourth Street, Sacrametno. he was born on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia, on September 8, 1878, and in 1894, or at the age of sixteen, he came to America. He could not speak a word of English when he reached Denver, Colorado, and the first work he was abel to secure was the washing of dishes in a restaurant.  he then became a waiter, and finally a cook. In 1906, he came to Sacramento, remaining for a short time, and then he went to San Francisco after the big fire and earthquake.  In the autumn of the same year he opened a restaurant at the corner of Second and Townsend Streets. He sold out, and in 1908 came back to Sacramento.  On June 15 of that year he opened the Young American Restaurant, and on the 15th of June, 1923, he celebrated his fifteenth business anniversary here. While in Colorado, in 1902, M. Lucich was married to Miss Katie German, a native of Croatia, by whom he has had a family of five children, bearing his names of Vincent, Mary, Lucile, Marco, Jr., and Paul. Mr. Lucich was aways been a public-spirited and ever ready to help along movements of benefit to the community. Starting with very small capital, he not only owns his own home, but valuable real estate in Sacramento, including an apartment house on O Street; he has great faith in the future of the capital city, as is evidenced by the fact that he has invested his earnings right here.

LUCICH, NIKOLA Croatian Activities-Military

Born in Zatrazische, Island Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia in 1894. He moved in America in 1912 and lived until 1917 in Sacramento, California. As a member of the Croatian Sokol, Sacramento, he applied as a war volunteer in 1917 and served in the Timok Division at the Solun Front. After the War, he was transferred to Split where he served in American military kitchen as a translator. Together with his comrades he moved back to San Francisco, California in 1919. He was president of Croatian Benevolent Society Zvonimir-Dalmatia and former accountant of that Society; president of the Supervisory Board of Croatian Union of the Pacific; member of the Slavonic Mutual Benevolent Society and honored member of the Croatian Sokol in San Francisco.

LUCICH, ROMANA Restaurant

She and her husband operated a restaurant in Bucksport during World War II and, in 1943, moved their business to Broadway, where it was known as the Broadway Coffee Shop. Brother Lucich passed away in 1949, but Romana continued the operation with the help of her son, retiring in 1956 to enjoy her garden, her friends and many trips with her daughter. She became a U.S. citizen in 1941 and joined CFU Lodge 249 in Eureka, California in December of 1915. It is with sadness that we report the death of a longtime member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 249, sister Romana Lucich, 93, who died on Oct. 6, 1988 in Eureka, California Sister Romana was born in Podvezice, Susak, Croatia and later lived in Rijeka. Surviving are her son, Milan; daughter-in-law, Catherine; Grandchildren, Mark Lucich of Springfield, Oregon and Susan Lucich Caulk of Oakland and two great-grandchildren in Oregon.She was preceded in death, in addition to her husband, her daughter, Darinka Gutsch-Elkins of Ukiah in 1985; and her two grandsons, Gary in 1980 and Larry in 1957.

LUCIN, JOHN Fisherman-Banker-Capitalist-Mariner

Another productive Dalmatian who immigrated after World War I is Joseph M. Lucin. Lucin came to the United States in 1931. He recalled: I was born on the island of Drvenik, on the southern coast of Croatia in 1914, to a very poor family. I attended six grades in grammar school and owned but one pair of storeboughten shoes until I was eighteen years old. My father, Frank Lucin, came to Clifton, Oregon, in 1926 and was a fisherman on the Columbia River. He sent for me. in my first year here, I used to dream of someday owning a couch to sit on and a radio to listen to. In the fall of 1931, Lucin traveled to Tacoma, Washington, and became a crew member on the boat Oregonian. The captain was Pirak and the owner was Budrovich. They fished for two months for chum salmon at ten cents apiece, and endid the season at seven dollars per man in the hole. In 1936, while fishing at Alaska's peninsula as a crew member of the boat Tatoosh, captained by John Mardesich, Lucin recalled, "I was getting onethirteenth before grub and the fuel were deducted, which amounted to $26.44 per day for each man, and we were very happy. The Tatoosh, the Invincible, the Iceland, and the Frostland were all fishing for the Columbia River Packers Association, and adhered to the limit of 12,500 pink salmon per boat per day. The price was two- and-three-fourths cents per salmon." After years of fishing, working as a welder, and then as a seaman in the merchant marine during the Second World War, Lucin married and settled in Everett. He fished on purse seiners in Northwestern Alaska and Washington State for twenty years and owned three seine boats of his own. They were the Johnny-L, the Farewell, and the Siren. Lucin also served on the board of directors of the seiners association. In 1962, he helped to form a new state bank, the Bank of Everett, often called the "Fisherman's Bank". In 1966, he was elected a director. Many Croatian fishermen own shares and deposit in this bank, which now has ten branches in Snohomish County and total assets of seventy million dollars. In 1967, Lucin retired from fishing and went into the investment business. Today he is semi-retired, active on the bank board, and is chairman and counselor of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). He offers his services as a volunteer counselor for the benefit of the local small businesses.

LUCIN, KARLO Fisherman

He was born February 22, 1905 in Zadar, Croatia, and was a resident of San Pedro for 44 years. Like many of his fellow Croatians, Karlo was a commercial fisherman. He and his wife Simica had four daughters, Marija Bocarski and Mila Zuvich, of San Pedro; Antica Vicucic of Croatia and Svetka Ellis of Palm Desert, California; they had seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Karlo Lucin died on May 19, 1985.

LUJIC, ANTE Engineer

Ante Lujic is Manager of Engineering at Conrac Corporation, Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Born February 12, 1933, Bisko, Croatia; married with three children. Educated at Classical Gymnasium,Split, Croatia 1952; University of Zagreb, Zagreb, 1952-57, Dipl. of Engineers, 1957 with a major field of Electrical Engineering and a specialty in Control Systems.

LUJIC, PETAR Physician

Petar lujic is a physician at Hospital of St. Rapheal's, New Haven, Connecticut. Born September 5, 1934 in Bisko, Croatia; married and a citizen of America. Education includes Classical Gymnasium, Split, 1952; University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia 1952-60. M.D., 1960 with a specialty in Anaesthesiology.

LUKETICH, BERNARD President CFU-Radio-Mayor-Coal Miner

Bernard M. Luketich first became active in the Croatian Fraternal Union (CFU) in his late teens, when he was elected president of St. George CFU Lodge 354 in Cokeburg, Pennsylvania. That once-small lodge now includes more than 1,800 members and ranks among the largest in the Croatian Fraternal Union. Son to Ivan and Emma Grossek Luketic., Bernard is one of five children in the Luketich family. His father, Ivan, was born in the village of Zagorje, Ogulin, Croatia. He came to the United States in 1904 and settled in Cokeburg, Pennsylvania, to work as a coal miner. Respected as a coal miner's child and then as a coal miner himself in his youth, Bernard became interested in CFU activities at a young age and was elected president of his local CFU lodge at the age of sixteen. After serving in the U.S. Army in Korea during the Korean War, Bernard returned home to become deputy controller of Washington County, a position he held until joining the CFU National Administration. In 1951, Bernard Luketich attended his first CFU National Convention as the youngest delegate. In 1959, he joined the CFU National Administration as part of the National Board of Trustees. He was elected to the Executive Board in 1964; he succeeded the late Martin Krasich as national treasurer. In 1977, he became national first vice president, succeeding Milan Vranes, who had retired. In 1978, he was sworn is as National President of the Croatian Fraternal Union. He succeeded the late National President John Badovinac. Bernard Luketich has been re-elected president six times at the 1979, '83, '87, '91, '95 and '99 conventions. Bernard still remains active in his lodge in Cokeburg, where he continues to serve as president, and in the United CFU Four County Lodges. He organized the St. George Junior Tamburitzans, of CFU Lodge 354 and serves as the ensemble's manager. He is also an active tamburitzan in the St. George Junior Tamburitzans, of the Lodge. His popular radio program, "Voice ofthe CFU-Four Counties," broadcast in the Croatian language, has been heard over the western Pennsylvania airwaves every Sunday afternoon for the past 45 years. President Luketich launched the CFU Junior Cultural Federation and the CFU Adult Tamburitza Federation, both which are flourishing. They serve to promote Croatian tamburitza music throughout the United States and Canada. Bernard also initiated the CFU Ski Holiday, which has been held annually for the past 29 years at various ski resorts. He continues to serve on the boards for the CFU Scholarship Foundation and the Croatian American Professional and Business Association of Pittsburgh. One of President Luketich's greatest accomplishments as national president has been the humanitarian relief campaign within the Croatian Fraternal Union. Since 1991, the campaign has led to the collection of nearly $1 million for humanitarian aid. The campaign has also been responsible for the disbursement of an estimated $23 million in goods and services to aid the people of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. This remarkable humanitarian project is the largest charitable activity ever conducted in the 105-year history of the Croatian Fraternal Union. In addition to this work, Luketich has traveled many times to Croatia to foster relations between Croatians, living in the Republic and those living abroad. He works to bridge the distance and keep alive Croatian heritage and culture in the United States. Throughout his leadership, the CFU has been supportive of the people of Croatia even when they lived under the former regime and endured less than favorable conditions.

Luketich was also instrumental in the organization of the National Federation of Croatian Americans (NFCA). This happened at a time when a strong need existed to unify Croatians, living in the United States. He was in the forefront of the organizational activities of the NFCA, which promoted lobbying efforts to the Clinton ration and the U. S. Congress on behalf of the people in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Luketich was a great supporter of Governor Clinton for the presidential candidacy, as the governor expressed a strong commitment to help the people of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. During 1992 presidential campaign, Luketich was in close contact with the ethnic campaign coordinators who sought insight into Croatia's struggle for independence. For his activity and support in the Clinton/Gore campaign, Luketich was invited to participate in a dinner in Little Rock, Arkansas on the eve of newly elected President Clinton's departure for Washington, DC. At that event Luketich had the opportunity to personally convey to President Clinton his concern for the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina and received the President's assurances of continued support for Croatia. Luketich has since been invited to the White House on numerous occasions to participate in conferences and round-table discussions on Croatia and BosniaHerzegovina. Bernard Luketich has received several honors from Croatia; they include the "Redom Hrvatskog Pletera" and the "Redom Danice Hrvatske S Likom Katarine Zrinske, " which were bestowed upon him by Croatian President Dr. Franjo Tudjman. Luketich has also been honored as "Man of the Year" by the United CFU Four County Lodges; the CFU Scholarship Foundation, Inc.; the Fraternal Societies of Greater Pittsburgh; and several other fraternal organizations. He resides in Cokeburg with his wife, Martha Cindric, of Uniontown Pennsylvania. Bernard and Martha have two daughters, Marlene Luketich-Kochis and Bernadette Luketich-Sikaras, as well as three grandsons. Bernard Luketich has served for the past 25 years as the mayor of the Borough of Cokeburg, where he has been a lifelong resident. By LORRAINE MATKO TURKALJ.

LUKETIC. GORAZD C. Doctor-Medicine

Gorazd Luketic is a Professor in Medicine at the Medical Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama. Born July 8, 1923 in Zagreb, Croatia; married with three children. Educated at lst Classical Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia, Diploma 1941; Medical Faculty, University of Zagreb, M.D., 1946 with a major field in Medicine and Gastroenterology. British Council Scholar, 1953-54, Central Middlesex Hospital, London, England; Fellow University of Alabama Medical Center, 1961-62, Birmingham, Alabama. Member of American Association University Professors; American Federation Clinical Res.; Amererican Adv. Science; American Association Medical Colleges; Society Sigma Xi.

LUKETIC, ROBERT Film Director

A new film, Legally Blonde, has been announced by Metro-Goldyn-Mayer in Hollywood and is to be directed by Robert Luketic. Robert made another film, a short film that won the Aspen Film Festival in 1998. He is from Australia. 2001

LUKRICH, JOHN Farm

Today, 400 acres in the Pajaro Valley, Watsonville carry the Lukrich apple ranch name. Lukrich arrived in 1910 from the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia and worked in the orchards for two years until he had enough money to buy a horse and plow and to rent a small apple orchard. In 1928, he and other Croatian apple growers banded together to start the Apple Growers Ice and Cold Storage, a cooperative that is in its 60th year. John, his son, never learned the language of his father, who strove to be American, not Croatian. But he says he did learn one, strong Brac characteristic-thriftiness. "Most of the Croatian people were thrifty. My father taught me how to work, about the trees," said Lukrich, who married a Croatian-American, the former Antoinette Balich. They belong to one of the newest Croatian clubs, the Slav-American Cultural Organization.

LUKSICH, JOHN Chemist-Football-Croatian Activist

John Luksich was an outstanding athlete at the University of New Mexico. He was named to the All Border Conference First Team in 1940 and 1941. In 1998, he was inducted into the University of New Mexico's Hall of Honor. In addition to being a great athlete, Luke was also an honor student. In 1941 and 1942, he was selected to appear in the edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, an honor given only to those who have the outstanding qualifications of character, scholarship, leadership and the promise-of usefulness to business and society in later life. He lived up to this promise, culminating 43 years of service with Crucible Steel in Midland, Pennsylvania as a chemical analyst. One of his many accomplishments was refining the performance of the ball bearing, a major industrial achievement. He was also honored by the Alumni Lettermen, with Bub Henry's effort, dedicating the Foyer at Hodgin Hall in Honor of John G. "Luke" Luksich. Brother Luksich was a loyal church member, never missing Mass. It came naturally to him to show goodness and loving kindness to all of his fellowmen. From those closest to him, a finer memorial tribute could not have been given, as they expressed their thoughts about brother Luksich when they wrote, “He will be missed by all of us who became better people for having known him. He truly was a unique human being." There is no doubt brother John G. Luksich was a terrific athlete and competitor, as well as a good friend and upstanding individual. His generosity to his alma mater, the University of New Mexico, and to the Croatian Fraternal Union, is testimony to the type of man he was. He did not forget his roots, his upbringing or the value of his education and sports career. We are honored to announce this newest Croatian Fraternal Union scholarship endowment fund established in the name of John G. Luksich and are proud to recognize his lifetime of fraternal loyalty and gracious acknowledgement of his Croatian heritage. Throughout his football career and throughout his life, brother Luksich was always proud of his Croatian ancestry. He was well pleased when he was named to the Croatian-American football team in the Zajednicar during his collegiate football career and also appreciated the efforts of his fellow Croatian athletes. The true legacy of John G. Luksich goes far beyond his remarkable financial considerations to the Croatian Fraternal Union and the University of New Mexico. It is apparent his legacy is more clearly defined by the lasting friendships he made along life's way which earned him the admiration of his family, close associates, acquaintances and fellow CFU fraternalists. Perhaps he will be best remembered for his glorious football seasons in the sun years ago, but brother John G. Luksich really was a man for all seasons, with a generosity of heart and spirit that will not be forgotten.

LULICH, JOHN Oyster Dealer-Orange Grove-Winery

John Lulich, 210 Soloman Street, New Orleans, for many years engaged in the oyster business, first at Olga, Louisiana, where he grew his own oysters, shipping on his own boats across Lake Pontchartrain to the New Orleans markets, and later becoming one of the most extensive operators in Plaquemine and St. Bernard Parishes. In 1926 Mr. Lulich purchased a tract of raw, undeveloped land in Plaquemines Parish, cleared it and planted the land in orange and grapefruit trees. He has a number of the five principal varieties of orange trees and some grape fruit, and produces annually around fifteen thousand. bushels of oranges. On the sixth of January, 1934, Mr. Lulich started a small winery which has grown to be the largest orange wine establishment in Plaquemines Parish, producing as high as eighteen thousand gallons in a single season. The wine is allowed to age in large vats or tanks with only about four thousand gallons being offered for sale each year. John Lulich was born in Croatia on the eighth of September, 1889, a son of Michell Lulich, a former fisherman, merchant and winery man, and Madeline (Urlich) Lulich. Both parents are now deceased. The family came to the United States when Mr. Lulich was thirteen years old and in 1903 he removed to Olga, Louisiana, where he fished for oysters until 1921 and then started his own business on a large scale. Oysters from beds controlled by Mr. Lulich have found their way in a steady stream to the New Orleans markets for nearly two decades. On the twenty-first of June, 1921, Mr. Lulich was married at the Church of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans to Miss Pauline Katie Saltalamachia, member of a pioneer New Orleans family and the daughter of Felix Saltalamachia, a former oyster and grocery merchant and now superintendent of bladding machines for the City of New Orleans. Mr. and Mrs. Lulich are the parents of two children, Madeline Rose Lulich, born the twenty third of February, 1924, an honor graduate of Mt. Carmel High School, and John Lulich, Jr., born the twenty-sixth of April, 1927, a student in the Jesuit High School. Mr. Lulich is a member of the Slavonian Benefit Society and the Catholic Church.

LUPIS-VUKIC, IVO Croatian Author

Lupis-Vukic was a Croatian who occasionally lived and travelled in Croatian communities in the United States between 1891 and 1930.  He was the author of Medju Nasim Narodom u Americi (Among Our People in America).

LUSA, MATO Oysterman-Restaurant

Mato P. Lusa was born in Krapanj near Sibenik, Croatia where he attended grammar school. He came to New Orleans, Louisiana in 1920 where he started as fisherman and later opened his own business. Now he has modern restaurant in the center of town, corner of Camp and Common Streets in New Orleans. He also maintains oysterbeds. He married an American woman and has one daughter.

LUSICIC-EAVES, ELEONORA Tamburitza Hall of Fame

Eleonora Lusicic Eaves was born February 9, 1927 in St. Louis, Missouri. She is the daughter of Anna Deranja Lusicic and the late Ivan Lusicic Sr., both of whom are members of the Tamburitza Hall of Fame. She is the sister of Ivan Lusicic Jr., also a well known Tamburitza player and teacher in this area. In 1946, she married Russell G. Eaves and they have one son, Darryl Evon, who lives in St. Louis with his family.

Eleonora is Musical Director of the Croatian Jr. Tamburitzans, Director and Pianist of the Vila Singing Society of St. Louis and Director of the Vila Tamburitza Orchestra of the Croatian Sokol Dalmacija. In 1977, she was selected to be the Guest Conductor of the Croatian Fraternal Union Jr.Tamburitza Festival held in St. Louis. The first woman to be so honored. Climax of the weekend came when she directed over 900 Jr. Tamburasi assembled on the stage of Kiel Auditorium in an arrangement of U Boj U Boj from the opera "Zrinski". Instead of attending Duquesne University, where she had been accepted to join the Tamburitzans, she worked toward a degree from The Sanford Brown Business College. She was a booking agent for the Fanchon and Marco Theatrical Agency and went on to become a monumental designer and bookkeeper with the Lusicic Monument Company. She is now a free lance artist. She received many accolades for her work: From the Bayless School System, where as President, she raised funds to build a new school addition which houses equipment for a closed circuit T.V. studio. Also from the Boy Scouts of America for her services as Den Mother and from the American Red Cross . In 1971, The Central Committee of the C.F.U. Lodges In St. Louis honored her for perpetuating our culture thru music and tambura. And, in 1976 she was made and Honorary Member of the Croatian Sokol Dalmacija for her 34 years of work and devotion to their organizations. As in past Extravaganzas, she has been very active with the 1981 Tamburitza Committee: She is the Publicity Chairman, Name tag and flower committee, Responsible for obtaining St. Louis Award plaques, assisted by Ann Lusicic and is responsible for the printing and arrangement of the Extravaganza Program ad-book, assisted by her mother Anna Lusicic. Training began early in her life with the study of ballet and toe dancing. Her musical talent was recognized by her parents and Ivan Sr., began teaching her the Farkas Tambura in 1933. She played Bisernica with the Primorac Tamburitza Orchestra for a number of years. Then in 1935, when Ivan and Anna started the Hrvatskl Pomladak, with young boys and girls, she played many years with them. This group proved to be very popular and played for many programs and events in St. Louis, Mt. Olive, Benld, Sawyerville, 1ll. and many other communities.

Ivan Sr., in 1938, originated and hosted the First Croatian Radio Hour, which was broadcast over W.T.M.V., Broadview Hotel, East St. Louis, Illinois. Eleonora with the Hrvatski Pomladak performed live for an hour each Sunday morning. Thru this broadcast Ivan Sr., also gave other talented youngsters in the area a chance to appear on the programs. Eleonora went on to play the violin and organ and studied piano at the Boeddeker Conservatory of Music. While in High School she taught piano and dancing at Wesley House Community Center to children less fortunate who could not afford lessons. Vocal training was under the direction of Carrie Deal Kemper one of the finest voice teachers in the area. And Eleonora went on to sing in concert with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. In 1942 the entire Lusicic family became Charter Members of the Vila Singing Society of the Croatian Sokol Dalmacija. Ivan Sr., was made Musical Director and Eleonora it's pianist. Performances were concert style for many years and gradually evolved into musical shows, a style later copied by the other singing societies. With Vila she not only played, but also sang, built and painted scenery and sewed costumes. When her father died in 1964, she was asked to assume the position of Musical Director as well as pianist.

The Croatian Jr. Tamburitzans were restarted at the home of Ivan and Ann, in 1961, with children of the original Hrvatski Pomladak. Eleonora assisted her parents in teaching these young people the basics of music, using the Jankovich system of Tambura. Since most had no musical knowledge at all, she wrote a simple to understand basic music instruction booklet, to help them learn quicker. In 1964, when Ivan died, his wife Ann took over as Manager and Eleonora was Musical Director. When it became apparent to her that most of the Tamburasi were using the Sremske system she switched the entire group over. To make the transition easier, she compiled another instruction book, which has been used successfully by her and adopted by many other Jr. instructors in teaching their groups. Soon she was teaching 3 nights a week. Over 300 young people have been thru the group over the past 20 years, and they have traveled with the C.J.T. all over the country participating in all but a few Croatian Fraternal Union Jr. Cultural Tamburitza Festivals and also a 3 week concert tour of Croatia. They have recorded three record albums, all of which have gone into second pressings, and feature some of the 1981 Tamburitza Extravaganza participants, such as John Mudro, Frank Jovanovic, Mike Katich, Dave Dopuch, Matt Klaric, Ken Ban, Anton, John and Stanley Mayer. Not content to only sing, the Vila Singers, formed the Tamburica group in 1975, with students all over the age of 50, and this group performed in 1977, when one of it's members Ann Lusicic, was inducted into the Tamburitza Hall of Fame. Southern Illinois University expressed an interest in setting up an Ethnic program, and Eleonora was chosen to teach 3 Tamburitza Workshops on the campus In Edwardsville, Ill. As a result, the SAEEF, Slavic and East European Friends now have a group called Slava, of which the nucleus Is formed by mostly all students or former students of Eleonora. Since the Tamburitza roots are here in this mid-west area, The permanent Hall of Fame will be housed in the Lovejoy Library where many other historical artifacts of our Slavic Culture and Heritage is being preserved. Eleonora is certainly a part of our history, and it is only fitting that she be included in this prestigious Tamburitza Hall of Fame, beside her parents.

LUSICIC, IVAN Jr Tamburitza Hall of Fame-Music Writer-Teacher

Ivan Lusicic Jr., joins his Father, Ivan Lusicic Sr., 1972 - Mother, Anna Deranja Lusicic, 1977 and sister Eleonora Lusicic Eaves, 1981 in the Tamburitza Hall of Fame. This is the first entire family to be so honored. Ivan was born July 5, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1947, Ivan married Grace Patrico. They have two sons, Michael Ivan and Daniel James Lusicic and five grandchildren. His involvement with music began at the early age of 7, when he started violin lessons in grade school. At the same time, Ivan Sr., was teaching the Primorac Jrs., in "Bribirsko Selo" a section of the south St. Louis and The Walnut park Jrs., in North St. Louis. Ivan Jr., played Farkas Bugarija with both groups. In 1935, Ivan and Anna started the Hrvatski Pomladak with young boys and girls, Ivan Jr., and sister Eleonora were part of the group This was very unique at the time, as there were no Jr. Tamburitza groups in the area. They proved to be very much in demand and played in St. Louis, Granite City, IL, Benld, Mt. Olive and Sawyerville, IL. When his parents started the first Croatian Radio Hour in 1938, it was broadcast from W.T.M.V., Broadview Hotel in East St. Louis, IL. Ivan Jr., and the Hrvatski Pomladak performed five shows every Sunday morning for one hour from the studios. Unfortunately this was not to last, as the group was disbanded when WWII started and the boys were called to military service. In 1942 The Croatian Singing Society "Vila"' of Hrvatski Sokol Dalmacija was formed. The entire Lusicic family became charter members. Ivan Sr., musical director, Eleonora, pianist, Anna sang soprano and Ivan Jr., baritone. This group is still in existence. Ivan is proficient in all the Tamburitza instruments and as a result during his high school years and later too, played with various groups. The most memorable and popular one was the Plavi Dunav Orchestra. The Croatian Fraternal Union approached Ivan about starting a Jr. group there. He and his wife Grace with their two sons became part of the "Happy Strings". Ivan has many record albums to his credit and his versatility in writing musical arrangments, transposing and rearranging can be heard on some of the songs recorded. In retirement, Ivan has realized another dream, for as a child he wanted to be a pilot. He is now a certified flight instructor at the Parks Airport in Cahokia, Illinois. Ivan's dedicationin teaching young people to play the Tambura and get involved in thier heritage will be passed on for many generations to come, a wonderful legacy for a Teacher-Musician.

LUSTIG, BRANKO Hollywood Producer

The long-awaited production of the film Hannibal, the sequel to the film Silence of the Lambs is beginning in Florence. Ridley Scott is sitting in the director's chair, while the film's producers are Branko Lustig and Dino De Laurentis. This is a continuation of the excellent cooperation between Lustig and Scott in the film Gladiator. Approximately US 80 million are being invested in Hannibal, while filming in Italy should take five weeks. The film's cast is once more being led by Anthony Hopkins, playing the elegant cannibal Hannibal Lecter, while Julianne Moore is playing the role played by Jodie Foster in the last film. In addition to Moore, other notable members of the cast are Gary, Oldman and Ray Liotta. Under pressure from Hopkins, Scott decided to change the end of the film, which is based on the novel by Thomas Harris. Thus, for now the film's script, particularly its end, is being carefully concealed from the public. However, even if the script is a mystery, the premiere date has already been set. In typically ironic fashion, this film about a cannibal will be shown for the first time on Valentine's Day, 2001. Branko Lustig is from Zagreb, Croatia.

MACELA, MATO Fisherman-Tomb Marker

Mato Macela Born in Vrucica Gornja March 24, 1846 in State of Dalmacia under the “Australian” flag came to the State of Louisiana in 1870. “This vault is for Mr. Macela and his wife. Mr. Macela is not dad yet, but when he is dad this vault is to be sealed forever. This tomb is never to be sold None except those of white blood to be buried in this tomb.” Our Lady of Good Harbor Cemetery, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.

MAGDIC-MORGITCH, MARY Plating-Croatian Activities

Bruce and Mary Robert started a modest plating business, which developed into a worldwide-diversified manufacturer. A great financial success propelled the Roberts to become benefactors of numerous worthwhile causes. Mary Morgitch Robert is the sixth child of Petar and Marija Magdic. Their name Magdic was changed to "Morgitch" shortly after Petar and Marija emigrated to the United States from Croatia, and their first names were changed to Peter and Mary. Mrs. Robert parents, Peter Magdic and Mary Novosel Magdic were born in selo Sica, Croatia, a small town near Karlovac and emigrated to America in 1904. In typical turn-of-the-century fashion, Peter arrived first and after working in the coalmines saved enough money to by passage for his wife and their first-born daughter. Mother and daughter Ana (the name later changed to Anna) arrived in the United States in 1911. While father Peter Morgitch worked in the coalmines around Mt. Olive, Illinois, mother Mary Morgitch tended to her growing family. With eight children in the family and ten mouths to feed there were no material luxuries in the household - but the children had a luxury that mere money cannot buy; that is, their parents instilled in them the love of church and God, the value of hard work, the worth of education, and the need to be generous to others and to love all people regardless of race, creed or nationality. Mary Morgitch was born in Mt. Olive, Illinois, on March 17, 1919. She married Bruce G. Robert on May 13, 1944. Their marriage was blessed with eleven children.Shortly after Mary and Bruce Robert were married they pooled their meager resources to start a plating business. This modest plating business through the years, and after many difficult struggles, became a worldwide-diversified manufacturer and a great financial success, which propelled the Roberts to become benefactors of numerous worthwhile causes. The Roberts were particularly active in support of Croatia during its war for independence, which support was acknowledged by the Croatian government in visits to Croatia. Numerous Catholic charities supported by the Roberts prompted His Holiness John Paul 11 to name Bruce Robert a Knight of St. Gregory, so they became Sir Bruce and Lady Mary. In the field of education, a favorite charity of the Roberts, they financed numerous needy students who otherwise would not have been able to go to college. Mary Robert is a member of the Croatian American Association, The National Federation of Croatian Americans, the Croatian Fraternal Union, and Croatian Woman. Mary Robert supports the Catholic Church in Bahamas where she spends much of the winter. There she engages in her favorite sport - golf. Most of her many children are also golf enthusiasts but they also have a serious side to them inasmuch as they are lawyers, doctors, educators, and artists. Now in her eighties, Mary Morgitch Robert can look back upon a life of service to others and is a model for other Croatian Americans.

MAGLICA, ANTHONY Mag Lite Corporation

Anthony was born in 1930 in New York. His mother and longshoreman father were Croatian immigrants. He returned in 1932 with his mother to the Island of Zlarin, Dalmatia, Croatia. Unable to leave during World War II, he and his mother earned a living by selling salt and making wooden scrub brushes. In 1950 he married in Croatia. The couple returned to the United States in 1950 with their first child. They had four children. He worked in the United States at a sewing factory, then in machine shops. In 1955, he opened his own shop which eventuallly blossomed into multimillion - dollar Mag Instrument Inc. in Ontario, California where he is the company President.

MAJ1C, CASTIMIR Priest-Editor-Author-Professor

Castimir Majic is editor of the Franciscan newspaper in Chicago, Illinois. Born January 9, 1914 in Vitina, Bosnia-Hercegovina. Education included a PhD in Germanistics at University of Freiburg im Br. 1946; D Theology at same university 1951. He was a member of Croatian Academy of America; secretary of Alliance of Croatian Priests of the USA and Canada; president and editor of Vinculum Caritatis; member of Executive Council of Catholic Conference for Ethnic Problems of America1972; member and councillor of Croatian National Council 1974; editor of Morning Star 1951-1979; head of Croatian Franciscans in the USA and Canada 1973-1976. Published The History of the Croatian Franciscan Custodial of the Holy Family for the USA and Canada plus numerous articles.

MAJICH, LEO Administrator-Croatian Activities

1995: Mr. Leo Majich was born and raised in Los Angeles where he resides with his wife, Eva. They have five children and nine grandchildren. Leo graduated from Loyola University of Los Angeles with a degree in accounting. Mr. Majich served in an administrative capacity in general engineering until 1972 when he became the Administrator of Operating Engineers Trust Funds for Southern California and Southern Nevada with assets of $1.5 billion, which fund provides benefits for over 35,000 participants and their dependents. He holds this same position today. Mr. Majich serves as the President of Affiliated Health Funds, Inc., a coalition of fourteen health care funds that contracts with hospitals and doctors for over 325,000 people. In 1994, Leo was appointed by Pope John Paul II as a Knight of St. Gregory of the Pontifical Order of St. Gregory the Great of the Los Angeles Archdiocese. Finally, Mr. Majich played a major leadership role in helping to establish the National Federation of Croatian Americans. He was recently elected to a second term as the Western Region vice-president of the NFCA.

MAJICH, PETER Croatian Activities

Born in 1895 in Vitina, Ljubuski, Hercegovina and came to America in 1910 locating in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1910, he moved to Los Angeles. He is a member of the Lodge No. 177 Croatian Fraternal Union, treasurer of the Hercegovian Benevolent Society and a member of St. Anthony Croatian Society. He entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company in 1913. He has been secretary of the Croatian Home, Inc., in 1929, which office he still holds.

MAJOLI, IVA Tennis

Iva was born in Zagreb, Croatia on August 12, 1977. Her parents are Stanko and Dragica. She started playing tennis at the age of seven; competitor from the age of nine. Attended Nick Bollettieri tennis school in Bradenton, Florida (1989); best placing on WTA list: thirty-sixth in March 1993; played in 1/8 finals of Roland Garros (1993) and in quarter finals of tournaments in Chicago (1993), Huston, Oakland and Inadianapolis (1992); won Challenger tournaments in St. Simons and Evansville (1992).

MALTARIC, ANTE Engineer

Ante Malartic is a Senior Development Engineer at Motorola, Inc., Franklin Park, Illinois. Born July 10, 1920 in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Croatia; married with one child. Education included lst Real Gymnasium, Sarajevo, 1939; Institute of Technology, Vienna, Austria Diploma June, 1949. with a major field in Electronics Research and Development of the rectangular color picture tube. Thesis completed 1949, Pulse Code Modulation. M.A. Development Engr. Austrian Telegraph aud Telephone Co., Vienna, Austria, Elecrical Engineer 1949-1954. Pioneering in the research and development of the rectangular color picture tube. with the special field of the color picture tube gun (Electron Emission-Getter.

MALETIC, MIKE Contractor-Croatian Activities

Mike Maletic has been the president of the Croatian American Cultural Center for three years and was also a founding member back in 1976. Mike was born in Zumberak, Croatia, just north of Samobor. He came to the United States in 1954. He started Maletic Construction in 1969 and today, is a well respected contractor in the Sacramento area. Mike was instrumental in the building of the hall and dedicated countless hours and talent to its contstruction.  Mike met Biba Lesicnjak in 1979, and they married in 1980. Biba is very active in the Croatian American Cultural Center, as well as in the Croatian Women’s Club.  Mike has four children: John, Lisa, Michael, and Christina.

MALKOVICH, JOHN Actor

John was born December 9, 1953 in Benton, Illinois of mostly Croatian ancestry. Malkovich was one of the original founders of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago where he directed and acted in various stage productions. His first acting appearance in film was in the acclaimed film the “Killing Fields” in 1984. Other well-known works include “Places in the Heart”, “Eleni”, “Of Mice and Men”, and “In the Line of Fire”. He can also be seen in “Being John Malkovich” (1999). Malkovich continues to be one of filmdom’s top actors.

MALOVOS, ALFRED Real Estate

Alfred F. Malovos, member of a pioneer Alviso family, died in 1971 in Palo Alto California. He was 80 years old. He was born in Alviso on the family ranch, known at the time as Lighthouse Farm. The property is now occupied by Agnews State Hospital Annex. His mother was the late Maria J. Malovos, who was a granddaughter of Ignacio Alviso, and infant member of the historic DeAnza party which came to California in 1775 to found the City of San Francisco. His father was the late Andrew J. Malovos, a ship captain from Island of Sipan, Dalmatia. Malovos was a real estate broker until 1961 when he retired and moved to Capitola. He was the husband of Florence Malovos of Capitola: step-father of R. W. Johnson of Huntington Beach; and brother of Delphia Becker of San Jose and Kathryn Mayer of Richmond.

MALOVOS, ANDREA Farm “The Lighthouse Farm”

He was born in Zupana, Dalmatia, Croatia, October 18, 1845. He is the son of Picto and Margerita (Gasivoda) Malovos. He lived on his father’s farm until fourteen years old, at which age he entered the marine service. He followed a seafaring life until 1862, when he located at Matamoras, Mexico, at the mouth of the Rio Grande. Here he engaged in lighting stores from vessels lying off the mouth of the river to the landings. He found this work very profitable. It was during Maximilian’s occupation of Mexico and the War of the Rebellion and as this was a neutral port, business was brisk. Beginning with one small schooner, Mr. Malovos soon increased the number to five, the largest of which he himself commanded. The closing of the war and the restoration of peace in Mexico threw open the neighboring ports, and this destroyed Mr. Malovos’ business. After suffering heavy losses, he closed up his affairs in 1868, and came to this State arriving in San Francisco on the eight of April of that year.

He came directly to the Santa Clara County, and here spent the two following years in various pursuits. In 1870 he took possession of the ranch upon which he now lives, and at once commenced its cultivation and improvement. Occasionally large companies own orchards from 100 to 500 acres, but individuals, seldom. The Lighthouse Farm, on the Alviso road, about five and a half miles north of San Jose, owned by Andrea Malovos, is an exception to the rule. Mr. Malovos secured 286 acres of land, on Coyote Creek, in 1870, and at once commenced to improve it. The soil was exceedingly rich and fertile, as it consisted almost entirely of silt deposited by the waters of Coyote Creek. Mr. Malovos constructed a levee along the bank of the stream, at great expense, from thirty to forty feet wide at the base, and from ten to fifteen feet in height, for a distance of more than a mile. The work was done most thoroughly, and the levee is safe for all time. Mr. Malovos then sank four artesian wells, varying from 225 to 475 feet in depth. He thus secured an ideal orchard tract-one containing rich soil, with plenty of water, in a locality where there is an abundance of sunshine to ripen and give fruit to its choicest flavor. Subsequently Mr. Malovos purchased 100 acres more. There are two artesian wells upon this tract, and a fine twenty-five-horse-power engine was purchased at the cost of $2,300, with which to propel a Byron Jackson rotary pump. With this plant 2,000 gallons per minute are pumped into an irrigation canal which leads to all portions of the vast orchard tract, supplying abundant water for irrigation purposes, just when and just where it is needed.

Malovos Home 1875

Mr. Malovos now has a large orchard, and the trees are all very thrifty and bear heavily. There are 22,000 prune trees, 3,000 peach, 3,000 apricot and 2,500 cherry trees. They are planted from 20 to 24 feet apart, the average number of trees for the entire orchard being 108 per acre. Sixty acres are devoted to asparagus. This is one of the most profitable tracts on the farm. In years when the prices are good, the profits are in advance of those secured from prunes; and are always great. Twenty-eight acres are devoted to strawberries. The profits vary with the season and market price, but are always quite satisfactory. Twenty-five acres are in pasture for horses and cows. Mr. Malovos leases about 60 acres to a nursery company. The nursery stock is heeled in between rows of young fruit trees. Mr. Malovos has a large two-story residence, containing sixteen rooms and bath, a large basement, hot and cold water piped throughout, and sewers connected with the main sewer, which leads to the bay from San Jose. Water is raised from artesian wells to tanks above the house by hydraulic rams. There are also two large barns, and a house for employees. Mr. Malovos’ residence is surrounded by a beautiful flower garden, flowers growing here luxuriantly. The residence is connected with San Jose and San Francisco by a long distance telephone.

In 1870 he was united in marriage with Mrs. Maria J. G., a daughter of Domingo and Magdalena Alviso. They have nine children, vis: Michael G., Peter, Marcus, Andreas, Stephen, Magdalena, Margarita, Catarina, and Delfina. Mr. Malovos’ children have received good school advantages. Most of the boys have attended the Santa Clara College, while several of them have completed a course at the Garden City Business College. The younger children are now attending the district school.

MANDICH CLAN

The Mandich’s were well represented in all parts of Nevada. It is not known whether they were all related, but it is probably they knew of each other. The general groups were saloons, fruits, grocers, speculators, and capitalists in Nevada during the 1860’s.

A history of Nevada has Alex Mandich as a pioneer in Nevada in 1859. He had the Adriatic Saloon in Hamilton in 1869 and later in various fruit businesses in Pioche from about 1876 to 1886. He was active in the Knickerbocker Fire Engine Company No. 5 in Virginia City in 1867 and the White Pine Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 in Treasure City in 1869.

Peter Mandich had the famed Sebastopol Saloon at 9 Front Street in Sacramento in 1861 and also was in the saloon business at Davis and Oregon streets in San Francisco in 1862. Peter was in Virginia City in 1868 with a saloon at 105 No. C. Street. he was a citizen and voted in Hamilton, Nevada in 1870. He had a wife named Maria from Austria and his son, Peter, was born in San Francisco in 1859.

John Mandich was in Virginia City in 1862-1863 with a saloon on Union Street between C and D Streets. He was noted in various business directories as a Capitalist and at other times as a Speculator. In 1880 he appeared on the Census with a wife, Kate, from Austria, aged 31, he was 59 years old at the time. He was an American citizen and voted in Virginia City. His nephew, George, was at Virginia City in 1880.

Louis Mandich was a silverminer in Hamilton in 1870 and had the largest family with him. His wife, Sophia, was from “Austria” and his two sons, Nickola and Louis, were born in California. Louis was 65 years old at the time. His child, Louis, could have been the first child born of Croatian parents in California.

A young man and perhaps a relation, Samuel Mandich, indicated as from Dalmatia, was in Nevada as a silverminer in the 1870’s and 1880’s. He was a citizen and voted.

MANDIC, DOMINIK A. Priest-Author-Professor

Franciscan priest, historian, writer, and humanitarian, Dominik A. Mandic was born on December 2, 1889, (1889-1973) at Lise near Mostar, Herzegovina. He entered the Franciscan Order (O.F.M.) in 1906 at Humac monastery near Ljubuski. From 1910 until 1914 he studied theology in Fribourg, Switzerland where he was also ordained as priest in August of 1912. He obtained the doctorate in theology in Fribourg in 1921. His doctoral dissertation De Protoregula Or'dinis Fratrum Minorum was published in 1923. From 1916 until 1928 he taught religion at the State Gymnasium in Mostar. In 1928 he became the Franciscan Provincial for Herzegovina; in 1934 he was appointed as director of the Franciscan Gymnasium in Siroki Brijeg. In 1939 he was elected to the post of General Counsellor and Treasurer of the Franciscan Order at their headquarters (Curia) in Rome, Italy. During his tenure in office he built the new Curia and a splendid main church of St. Mary's. For three years he was the delegate (custos) of the Croatian Franciscans in the U.S. with the center at Drexel Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois. From 1952 until his death he spent a great deal of time doing research and writing mostly on the medieval history of Croatia. He also wrote about the origins and development of the Croatian provinces Bosnia and Herzegovina. His life work were the volumes on Bosnia-Herzegovina: Bosna i Hercegovina; Potjesnokriticka istrazivanja, sv. 1. Drzavna i vjerska pripadnost sredovjecne Bosne i Hercegovine (Chicago: The Croatian Historical Institute, 1960) and Bosna i Hercegovina, Povjesno-kriticka istrazivanja, sv. IL Bogomilska Crkva bosanskih krstjana (Chicago, 1962). In 1962 Mandic’s Chroati Catholici Bosnae at Hercegovinae in descriptionibus annis 1743 et 1768 exaratis (Rome-Chicago) also appeared. In 1955 he founded the Croatian Historical Institute in Chicago and headed it until 1962 when it moved to Rome. In his writings Mandic emphasized the following facts: the Croatians came in the early 600's as a well organized people from the north (present day Poland); they established their rule in former Roman provinces between the Drava river and the Adriatic between Istria and northern Albania, and from the Sutla in the West to Drina River in the East. Bosnia and Herzegovina are by their geography, historical and cultural past, and through ethnic origins Croatian lands. The Ottoman period and Turkish wars were tragic because of tremendous losses on both Christian and Moslem sides. A great majority of Moslems in Bosnia and Herzegovina are mostly of Croatian Catholic and Bogomil origin. While thousands of Moslem Croatians contributed to the glory and expansion of the Ottoman Empire over a million and a half Christian Croatians fled or were deported from their homeland. He was a persistent- searcher for the truth, a tireless and objective scholar, and an ardent advocate of freedom for his people. In his numerous writings he liked to stress the democratic spirit of the Croatian people which was especially manifested through the institution of the Sabor. He was above all a dedicated priest, a true Franciscan, a kind and gentle man beloved by all who knew him. He died in Chicago on August 23, 1973.

MANDICH, JOE Naval Graduate

If you open the 1966 Luckybag, the first thing you will see is a full-page photo of a proud, brand-new graduate of that class. It’s not an unusual picture. It is one that you might expect; he stands tall, smiling, while his girlfriend clips the ensign boards to his dress whites. Nothing unusual for Commissioning Week, but this random photograph captured one of the most unusual and unlikely graduates ever to attend the United States Naval Academy.

Joseph Mandich was born on 13 April 1941 in Ljubuski, a small Croatian village in what is now western Herzegovina. His parents, Ante and Matija Mandich could neither read not write and made a subsistence living, farming harsh land and herding sheep. That summer the extended Mandich family, along with baby Joe, herded their sheep to summer pastures in the mountains a hundred kilometers north of Ljubuski. It was an annual trek, only this summer, Germany attacked Russia.

In 1951 Frank Mandich, Ante’s brother, visited the family. He was born in Ljubuski and had emigrated to America after the turn of the Century. Frank had settled on the coast of Washington State. On seeing the poverty and near-starvation conditions in Ljubuski, Frank immediately agreed to take two of the children back to America. Joe and one of his cousins were selected and began the three-year visa process to leave Yugoslavia. During the waiting period, Joe’s cousin died of hepatitis. So at the age of thirteen, traveling alone, Joe Mandich left his family and the village for America. In the fall of 1954, after three days on trains, buses and airplanes, Joe arrived in the logging town of Aberdeen on the Washington coast. He was just over five feet tall, weighed eighty pounds, and spoke not a word of English. Joe had completed six years of school in Yugoslavia, but was made to repeat the sixth grade. By the end of the first year in this new school, Joe was getting A’s, even an A in English. Uncle Frank owned the local taxicab company, and Joe worked part-time as a dispatcher. Life was good in America, but during the summer of his sophomore year in high school, his uncle fell ill and died. His aunt Eva sold the cab company, but Joe still needed to work. Jobs were scarce, but Joe now had been in America for five years, so he became a citizen. Joe wanted to join the Marines, but Eva would not hear of it. Her son, a Marine, had been killed in action at the Chosen Reservoir in Korea. Joe joined the Naval Reserve and went off to boot camp in San Diego between his junior and Senior year. During his senior years, Fireman Mandich attended weekend drills, drew his pay and continued to excel in school. His grades were such that he was invited to compete for and NROTC scholarship. Joe sat for the exam and won the competition, but the selection panel chose and alternate candidate. He needed security clearance, and his parents lived in a communist country.

Following graduation, Joe reported to the Oakland Navy Yard and forward engine room of the Alvin C. Cockrell (DE-366) for active duty. Shortly after he reported aboard the Cockrell, the XO commanded him to his stateroom. "Mandich, you seem like a bright guy and you scored well on your tests in boot camp. How’d you like to go to the Naval Academy?" "I don’t see how that could be possible, sir," Joe replied. "I tested okay for ROTC, but I had a problem with the security clearance." He smiled and added, "You don’t need much of a clearance to be a fireman on a DE." "There may be a way around that," the XO replied. "You see, a lot of Plebes wash out so they don’t initiate clearances until the second year. By that time it’d be too late to kick you out. What do you say; want to give it a shot?" "Yes, sir!"

The Cockrell was in waters off Vietnam when the test arrived at Subic. Fireman Mandich was detached to Clark in search of the elusive test. After several days in the transit barracks and a few long nights in the Clark Enlisted Men’s Club, a weary Joe Mandich sat for the competitive fleet examination for admission to the Naval Academy. Joe returned to Subic just in time to catch the Cockrell embarked for Yokosuka. On arrival in Yokosuka, the ship received a garbled message that ordered Fireman Joseph Mandich to the USNA Prep School at Bainbridge, Maryland, on 28 June for processing and induction into the Naval Academy with the Class of 1966. Within the week, he was detached from the Alvin D. Cockrell. Joe arrived at Friendship Airport (now BWI) the afternoon of 27 June 1962. With his last folding money, he bought a bus ticket to Bainbridge. When he reached the Prep School late that evening, he immediately knew something was wrong. Except for the watch at the gate, the place was deserted. Yet his orders said 0800, 28 June. The following morning, he was summoned by the commanding officer. "Mandich, where have you been," he demanded. "You were supposed to be here on the 10th!" The garbled message had been read as the 28th and his orders cut with that date. "You’re supposed to be sworn in as a midshipman this afternoon. For the next two hours, Joe signed his name and filled out forms. Then ex-Fireman Joe Mandich was driven to Annapolis in the CO’s sedan. Wearing the same se of whites in which he’d traveled in all the way from Japan, Joe Mandich was sworn in with the class of 1966.

Midshipman Mandich endured the usual trials of Plebe Summer. He was a smoker and came right from a ship, so he was not in the best physical shape. Joe studied hard, carried a 3.0 into finals the first semester of his Plebe Year, and felt good about his final exams. But when the grades were posted, he had flunked English. He was devastated. All this effort to get in the Naval Academy and he was about to flunk out. The next day he found himself before the Academic Board, lots of gold stripes and stern looks. "Mister Mandich," the captain at the end of the green table intoned, "are you trying to flunk out of the Naval Academy?" "Oh, no sire!" "well, you English professor seems to think so. Professor?" Joe’s English professor leaned forward and eyed him over the top of his glasses. "Well, Mandich, then why did you misspell over forty words on you final English Exam?" Standard response; "I’ll find out, sir." Off to one side, a commander studying Midshipman Mandich’s file raised a hand. "Excuse me, but I have a question for the midshipman." The captain nodded for him to continue. "Mister Mandich, is English your native language?" "No, Sir." "Just exactly when did you begin to learn English?" "When I came to this country, when I was thirteen." Now the hard looks around the table were fixed on the English Professor. "Mandich, why don’t you have a seat out in the hall and we’ll let you know what we decide."

Midshipman 4/C Mandich was allowed to remain at the Naval Academy, and the professor directed to work with him to master the inconsistencies of the correct spelling in the English language.

First Class cruise presented the Joe with an opportunity to go home, but it would not be easy. A generous Classmate lent him $300.00, enough to help him travel home if he could get on a ship in the Mediterranean. That summer, defense budget cuts froze all nonessential foreign military travel and Joe was ordered to ship in Hawaii. But he was determined to go home. For twenty days of this thirty-day leave period, Midshipman 1/C Mandich sat in the passenger lounge at McGuire Air Force Base waiting for a space-available hop to Europe. With only ten days remaining, he managed to get aboard a flight to Paris. From there he took a train to Trieste, Italy, on the Italian-Yugoslav border. Ljubuski was a 500 mile road trip down the Adriatic to the Dalmatian Coast. Joe had a passport, but no visa, a B-4 bag full of U.S. Navy uniforms, and he wanted to enter a communist country. In Trieste, he boarded a bus for Yugoslavia not knowing what to expect. Ljubuski was fifteen miles inland from the coast. There he hired a cab for the final leg of the journey. Joe was able to direct the cabby up the dirt road to his house; nothing had changed in eleven years. Matija was in the front of the yard churning butter when they drove up. At this point the driver knew the story and waited while Joe got out. She paused to lean on the shaft of her churn and they looked at each other. His mother looked much the same as he remembered, but Joe had changed considerably. He was eleven inches d taller and ninety-five pounds heavier. He did not recognize him. The cab driver was unable to contain himself and leapt from the car. "What’s the matter, old woman," he yelled. "Don’t you recognize your own son?" There the reunion began. There were aunts and uncles he had never met and a younger brother born after he left home. The small village turned out in force and it was quite a homecoming. Joe arrived at the Naval Academy with hours to spare, ready to begin his last year at the Naval Academy. He was able to repay the $300.00 loan and send some money back to his parents in Hercegovina. Joe was also lucky when it came to poker. Following graduation, Joe Mandich serves as a Surface Warfare Officer with sea tours aboard Richard E. Krus (DD-849) and New Jersey (BB-62). He retired from the Naval Reserve in 1994 with the rank of Captain. Today, Joe Manages a business in Seattle and visits Croatia on an annual basis. His father has passed on, but Matija still lives in the same house where Joe was born. He also sponsors Croatians and Bosnians who emigrate to this country, and participates in relief efforts for this ethnically divided homeland. Oh, and that tall, Attractive lady who pinned those ensign boards on his dress whites some thirty-two years ago. Her name was then Bette Pearl. She is now Bette Mandich, Joe’s wife of almost 32 years, and the mother of their son and two daughters.

MANDICH, JOHN Basketball-Parole Officer

John Mandich, from Los Angeles, a 6-4 forward, earned All-American honors in 1942 at Oregon State under coach Slats Gill. Mandic later played for the NBA Rochester Royals, NBL Indianapolis Jets and the Portland Indians of the Northwest League. After leaving basketball, he became a parole and probation regional supervisor in Portland, Oregon.

MANDRICH, TONY Football

The 2nd player chosen in the National Football League draft by the Green Bay Packers was 22 years old Tony Mandrich. Canadian born and son of Croatian parents, he will be the highest paid offensive lineman of all time. Note his stats 22" biceps, 54" chest, 6'6", 315 lbs., size 13 feet. At a workout for NFL scouts he weighed in at 304 lbs. ran 40 yards in 4.65 seconds, did a standing long jump of 10'3", leaped vertically 30" and bench pressed 225 lbs., an unheard of 39 times. His stature is attributed to his mother Donna 5'11" 240 lbs. with regal bone structure and large shoulders and limbs, she could pick Tony up and slam him till he was a 13 year old. Both sides of the family are unusual in size. Uncle Dinko 6'4" 300 lbs. and his dad at 6'1" 210 - two nieces each 6'2". Tony is believed to be the fastest man in the world at his weight and rated the best college player at his position ever. He lifts weight each morning and again each night and eats seven meals a day 12,000 to 15,000 calories yet he possesses a magnificent body and wants to compete for Mr. Universe after his football career. Tony is asking 8 million dollars for a 5 year contract with Green Bay. 2000.

MARCHELYA, ALBERT W. Dentist

Albert Marchelya is a dentist with a General Practice in Lyons, Illinois. Born November 10, 1906 in Rijeka, Croatia; married with three children. Educated at Loyola University, Dental School, Chicago,' Illinois, 1925-1929; D.D.S., June, 1929 with a major field in Dentistry, general practice. Member of the American Dental Association.

MARCHELYA, NORMAN A. Dentist

Norman Marchelya is a dentist in private practice in Hinsdale, Illinois. Born May 31, 1936 to Croatian parents in Berwyn, Illinois; married with one child. Education includes Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois B.S., June, 1961; Loyola University Dental School, Chicago, Illinois, D..D.S., June, 1961. Member of American Dental Association; Psi Omega Fraternity.

MARCHESI, KARLO Professor-Psychologist

Dr. Karlo Marchesi, professor at the Institute of Parapsychology at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina since 1950 when he left his homeland. Invited by Duke University, Professor Marchesi has made significant contributions in his field. An opponent of Freud's psychoanalysis, he has published a great number of books and studies during the past thirty years.

MARCICH, ZIVKO PETER Doctor

Zivko Marcich is a Physician and Surgeon in General Practice at Cudahy, Wisconsin. Born January 15, 1920 on the Island of Rab, Dalmatia, Croatia; married with six children. Education includes 4th Male Real Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia. Diploma, 1938; University of Zagreb, M.D., 1943; Universita Degli Studi, Rome, Medico 1950; Istituto Carlo Forlanini, Rome 1950-51; St. Luke's Hospital, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1957-58, Resident Internal Medicine with a major field in Medicine and Phthisiology and Lung Diseases. Thesis completed 1950 "Cura Sanatoriale in alta montagna per i malati di tuberculosi polmonare," Medical Faculty, Rome. "11 problema terapeutica della tuberculosi dei lobi inferiori," Istituto Forlanini, Rome 1951. Member of the American Medical Association.

MARDESICH, ANTON Fisherman

Anton and Jelica (Ellen Marincovich) both came to America from Komiza, island of Vis, Dalmatia, Croatia. They married in this country in Bellingham, Washington. Anton's first boat was the Sloga which was little more than a dory. His daughter, Dorothy, remembers it as being very tippy and that Tony fished for every type of sea life he could with that little boat. After the Sloga, He owned the Arizona then the Dorothy Joan. Anton was married to Ellen (Jelica) Marincovich. They had six children. Their children and spouses were: Winnie, who married Tony (Ante) Martinis; Pete, who married Vinka Mariani; Barbara, who married Henry (Hank) Weborg; John, who married Vera Story; Helen, who married Warren Phillips; and Dorothy, who married Don Dawson. Pete and John were lost at sea when the Dorothy Joan went down off the coast of Oregon in the 1940's. (Sleasman, M. 2004)

MARDESICH, AUGUST Fisherman-Lawyer-State Senator

August P. Mardesich: An Oral History is the story of an Everett, Washington fisherman and lawyer who was thrust by tragedy into the political arena and emerged as one of the most respected and influential state lawmakers during his twenty-eight year tenure in the state Legislature. Senator Mardesich was appointed to the state House of Representatives in 1950, after tragic fishing accident took the life of his brother Tony, a freshman House member elected in 1949. After serving the remainder of his brother’s term, he decided to remain in politics and went on to be elected to serve six terms in the House and four terms in the Senate, serving as majority leader in both houses.

MARDESICH, JOSEPH M. Cannery Owner

Joseph M. Mardesich was born in Komiza, Island of Vis, Dalmatia on June 10, 1889. His family sent him to America in 1903 to live with his aunt in Sunnyvale, California. He survived the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 and completed his high school requirements and earned a diploma. When World War I created shortages of certain European imports like canned sardines as produced by Joseph’s relatives in Dalmatia, Joseph was inspired to solve the problem. After discussing the concept of building a cannery just like in the old country with fellow Croatians, Mardesich and his partners built several canneries in San Pedro. In 1920 Joseph married Milda Klein from San Francisco and they had a son, Michael born in 1921.

MARDESICH, NICHOLAS Fisherman

Nicholas Mardesich was born on November 27, 1883 to Ante Mardesich and Frana Jurjevich Mardesich. Born in Komiza, Island of Vis, Dalmatia, Croatia. In order to avoid mandatory military service and escape hunger and hard times, he came to America on March 18, 1901 at the age of 17. He came aboard the S.S. L'Aquitaine departing from Le Havre, France. His destination was Tacoma, Washington. He saw no future in staying in the old country, nor did he ever wish to go back; even though he had a brother still living there. On one occasion I asked him why he didn't go back to see his brother. He said, "No Way!" He would send monies to his brother and sister-in-law to come over, but did not want to go back because it would bring back memories of hunger and hard work. His only education was three years of school in Komiza. He taught himself to read English and made it a point to read the newspaper from cover to cover. On occasions when I accompanied him at business meetings with canners who wanted to charter his boat; he would ask me to explain what they had said (talking to me in Croatian), using the excuse that he knew what they said, but wanted time to think before answering them.

Shortly after his arrival, he got a job in a saw mill shoveling hot ashes from a sawdust burner which -they used to produce steam to drive the mill. His salary was 25 cents a day. Later that summer he started his career as a fisherman on an oar-powered boat, which the fishermen used at that time. They were towed out to the San Juan Islands where they fished all day and would go on the beach to eat and sleep at night. A few years later, he joined Nick Evich and Nick (Drinda) Vitalich, purchasing a fishing vessel which they named the Three Nicks. A few years later they ended the partnership as Nick Evich wanted to spend his entire life fishing out of San Pedro. It was at that point that dad got his first solo- owned boat and named it Sunset. Dad was the first of the Croatian fishermen to go to westem Alaska, False Pass, and Bering Sea.

After the salmon season came to an end in October and early November, he would come south and fish out of San Pedro. One year he was a crew member on a fishing boat run by Martin Bogdanovich, who later was the founder of what became Starkist Fisheries. During the winter months he lived in one of the cabins that were in the backyard of our grandmother's house. They had facilities for six to eight men. The men would pay for lodging and meals and this is how he met our mother. Nick's family were farmers for the wineries in the old country, raising grapes. They were not fishermen. Mary's family had fishing in their background. Her father, Augustine Felanda, fished the Adriatic Sea off the Dalmatian Coast, around Vis, and later in San Pedro, when he moved his family there. Margarita (Mary) Mardesich was born on November 19, 1896 to Augustine and AnaStanojevic Felando. Born in Komiza, Island of Vis, Dalmatia She came to America on October 23, 1906 with her mother, brothers Anthony and August, and her sister Florence to join her father and brother George in San Pedro. They came on the S.S. Pannonia. On the train trip to the west coast, they passed through the outskirts of San Francisco and saw the devastation created by the earthquake and fire. She began elementary school but only completed a few grades, as she was needed at home to help care for the younger children and help with the cooking and washing for the family and boarders. Nick and Mary were married in March, 1918 in San Pedro. Their sons were all born in southern California: Tony (Anthony) on January 11, 1919 in San Pedro; August on February 11, 1920 in San Pedro; Joseph on August 8, 1924 in Long Beach; and Nicholas on September 13, 1925 in San Pedro. The family moved to Everett in 1928 or 1929 , but I know that we went back to San Pedro the winter of 1930 while Dad fished there. We all became ill; I almost kicked the bucket and Mother was very ill. The house (our grandmother's) became an infirmary. Our first house in Everett was on 22nd and Grand Avenue where we lived for many years. Later we bought a house on 18th and Grand by the park. We lived there for many years until a fire started in the back part of the house. We never did figure out what caused the fire.

The Mardesich boys went out on the boat when they were just kids -- like a vacation. Then when Tony and Augie were around 15 or 16, they fished for a share (one share between the two of them). At this time there were nine men on the boat. The boat took two shares, the net took two shares, and the nine men took a share each. Everyone understood (on all boats) that the captain was the boss. Either you did what you were told to do, or you would get off the boat the next time you docked. Nick wasn't a gruff boss, but he kept the line of chatter up so that everyone could hear it. Tony and Augie would be the outlet for Nick's comments. If something was going wrong, he would say, "Hey, what are you guys doing?" This way, everyone got the message to shape up. As the boys got older, Nick and Mary insisted that the boys get an education. They would say, "Are you going to be a fisherman all your life?" After we graduated from high school, Tony went to law school and then Augie went. Augie preferred fishing, but his parents would make education the discussion at the dinner table every evening. Tony was in Seattle at the University of Washington, and they would say to Augie -- every night -- "Hey, you're sitting here and your brother is down there getting educated." Augie said, "All right, All right!" After about a week of that conversation, he said he would go.

Joseph and Nicholas Mardesich were four and five years younger than Augie, they fished with the family and went up to Alaska with Augie on the bigger ship that he had. Then when they went to medical school, they quit fishing because it was a full-time occupation for them.

Nick's boat the Sunset, was the seiner that capsized when the seas were whipped-up by an Alaskan williwaw while fishing near False Pass on June 10, 1949. Five men lost their lives, among them was the Captain, Nick Mardesich and his oldest son, Tony Mardesich, age 30. Nick's three remaining sons were also on board along with a nephew, Tony Mardesich, and were rescued by the seiner Johnny B. Mary died shortly after that, (August 5, 1951) from cancer. At the time the Sunset went down, the Mardesich's also had an interest in the Pacific Queen which was 187 feet long. Right after the accident, Augie was back fishing in the Puget Sound, soon he bought a purse seiner. He got started in the Legislature at about the same time. Tony was elected for the 1949 year and was killed the following summer, so in a special session, Augie was appointed to fill Tony's position. The Mardesich boys had a ship with other, partners, they ended up with 24 gillnet boats. They also bought the North Star, the ship used by Admiral Byrd to explore the Antarctic. It was a 225- by 44-foot vessel. They picked the gill netters right up on deck, and were ready to go. They had their own fleet!

The household/clan name for the Mardesich family was originally Soltan going back to the early 1700's. We noted a change to "Kvasina" in 1850. Why the change, I have no known reason, nor do I know the derivation of "Soltan.“ Kvasina means vinegar. Maybe the Mardesich's of the 1850's had a bad batch of wine or maybe he was just a sour individual, but it stuck so far. Dad's personal nickname was Konjic. This was given to him while he was a youngster in Komiza because he would ride their mule through the vineyards at a reckless, high speed. By Joseph Mardesich. (Sleasman 1999)

MARDESICH, TONY Fisherman-Attorney-State Legislature

Nick Mardesich and his eldest son Tony, who was an attorney and a member of the Washington State Legislature, perished in a tragic boat accident while returning from a fishing trip to Alaska in the late 1940's. August Mardesich and his brothers Nick and Joseph survived the accident. Mardesich is from the Island of Vis, Dalmatia, Croatia. In 1915, Nick Mardesich, with his boat Sunset, and Nick Vitalich on the Sunrise were among the first to take their boats north to Alaskan waters. They were fishing for the Pacific American Fisheries. Nick Mardesich, Sr., is recorded as being a purse seine boat owner in Bellingham, Washington and as having citizenship and residence in Whatcom County in 1901. Mardesich, who later resided in Everett, was a most respected and prosperous captain and boat owner.The Pacific American Fisheries was one of the numerous large fish processing plants that were located in Bellingham. It was the largest canner of salmon in the world. The P.A.F., as it was called, also had numerous canneries throughout Alaska. It owned a fleet of ocean going ships which transported workers, materials, and food supplies to Alaska every March and April, getting ready for the long season ahead. Most of the salmon processed by this cannery were caught in fish traps. The first Dalmatians in Skagit, Whatcom, and San Juan counties worked for the canneries and manned the traps until they had enough capital to purchase their own boats.

MARDESICH, VISCO Fisherman

Vincenco " Visco" Petrov Mardesich, born in Komiza, island of Vis, Croatia June 3 0, 1865, arrived in New York in route to Clifton, Oregon in 1890 in the company of Jack Marinkovich, Furezo Marincovich, and Andrew Marincovich. By 1892 they had all submitted Declarations of Intention tb become citizens of the United States. What has been learned about Visco's ancestors goes back to his parents and grandparents. Visco's parents were Peter Ivan Mardesic and Vincenca Mardesic both bom in the 1840's in Korniza. His siblings were Nicola Simun, Jakov "Jack" Vincenco Donata, Petar Vincenco, Lucija Maria, Andrija Vladimir, Antonio Petar, Vinka and Luchija Antonia. Jakov "Jack" returned to Komiza from the Columbia River fisheries in the late 1920's and sister Antonia and brother Antonio Petar settled in Everett, Washington. The parents of Peter Ivan Mardesic were Vincenco Mardesic and Lucija Zuanic, both born close to 1800 in Korniza. Siblings of Peter Ivan Mardesic were Katarina, Vincenco, Petar and Andrija.

Once in Oregon, Visco worked hard as a gillnetter, working for various canneries, only realizing a wage after the boat lease, gear and fuel were paid. Once he had accumulated enough money he returned to Komiza to marry Katherine "Kate' Mardesich, daughter of Mitchell Mardesich and Luchria Zuanich. They arrived back in the United States via Triest in 1900 and headed to Oregon and the Columbia River. It was to Clifton, Oregon, in 1900, that Vincenco (Visco) Mardesich and his wife Katherine "Kate" Mardesich, and Andrew Peter Marincovich and his wife Katherine Stanovich, arrived in New York from the Island of Vis and the village of Komiza to begin their new lives fishing for salmon on the Columbia River in Oregon state.

By 1910, Vincent (Visco) Mardesich and wife Kate had three children born in Clifton, sons Peter, born 1903, named for his paternal grandfather, daughter Lucrejia Pauline (Lucille/Lucy), named for her maternal grandmother, born 1905, and Mitchell, born 1906, named for his maternal grandfather. Their neighbors in Clifton were Andrew Peter Marincovich and his wife Katherine Stanovich who now had six children, sons John (born in Komiza), Andrew, Mathew, Anthony, Jack and daughter Pearl (Martinis). John was the oldest of the Marincovich boys, who in 1922 had courted Visco Mardesich's daughter, Lucille, in Bellingham and married her in Everett, Washington. Through this union, John George Marincovich and Lucille Pearl Mardesich became my grandparents.

Vincenco "Visco" Mardesich continued to gillnet for the Columbia River Packers Association first at Clifton and later when he moved his family into Astoria. The Mardesich family did well enough, but it was obvious that the number of salmon returning to the Columbia River was decreasing. Some long time fisherman decided to take their earned savings and return to Croatia. Those who remained saw better fishing opportunities in San Pedro, California or Puget Sound in Washington state. It was during this time, about 1912, that Visco and his family took a series of coastal steamers up the Washington coast

and a mosquito fleet ferry across Puget Sound from Pt Townsend to make their new home in Anacortes, Washington. Visco, became a hand on larger purse seiners who fished for the Fidalgo Cannery. Other Mardesich cousins also were making Anacortes their home. There were many Croatians living along Puget Sound, from Gig Harbor to Bellingham, many of them had come from the same archipelago in Croatia and were related through marriage. Much socialization occurred between families of brothers, sisters and cousins and mostly around church events such as baptisms, weddings and funerals. Old traditions such as wine making and old country cooking kept the ethnic group strong.

In 1915, the Mardesich family moved to Bellingham, first out on north Aldrich Avenue, then Nome Street and a few years later 13th and 16th Streets in Fairhaven. Visco purchased his own gillnetter and fished for the Pacific American Cannery in Fairhaven. His wife Kate and daughter Lucille also worked there on the fish cleaning and processing lines. Oldest son Peter assisted his father on the gillnet when not attending school. Visco was proud to be in America and was naturalized a citizen at age 53 in 1917. So proud was he, that he took the name of Wilson Mardesich in honor of then President Woodrow Wilson! Also in 1917, at age 13, Lucille was confirmed at Sacred Heart Church in Fairhaven. As a teenager, she dreamed of being a nurse so at age 15 she took lessons in healthful food preparation, hygiene and patient care at the old St. Joseph's hospital in Bellingham. She never did become a nurse, but her tender care of her ill children and grandchildren was outstanding. Her Dalmatian soup had the reputation as a "cure all" and three more generations continue the tradition of that healthful broth.

It was after the First World War, 1921, that John George Marincovich, eldest son of Andrew Peter Marincovich, came from San Pedro via Astoria with a cousin to visit and assess the fishing opportunities between Astoria and Bellingham. It was in Bellingham that he again met his former neighbors from Clifton, the Mardesich's - and daughter Lucille. It didn't take very long to rekindle their friendship and within the year John and Lucille were married in a civil ceremony in Everett , Washington. Their witnesses were Paul Martinis, Sr. and John's sister, Pearl Marincovich Martinis. John and Lucille returned to Astoria, Oregon and the Columbia River Fisheries in 1922. Within a year, John and Lucille had a daughter, my mother, Kathleen Marie, bom in Astoria in 1923. They were in the process of building a home just over the crest of the hill in the shadow of the Astor Column when their second daughter Pearl Lee was bom several years later. John fished salmon in a leased gillnet from the Columbia River Packers Association until mid 1934. Opportunities in Washington State were calling John and Lucille back to the Puget Sound. Lucille's mother, Katherine "Kate" Mardesich passed away in 1924 in Bellingham. Son Peter, two years older than Lucille, was already an independent fisherman who eventually settled in Everett and passed away in 1963. Youngest son Mitch fended for himself when not attending school or on the water with his father. It was during this time that Mitch accidentally burned the 13th Street house down - and with it all the old Mardesich photographs. Mitch was a "favorite" uncle to three generations with his outrageous stories and infectious sense of humor. Mitch later had his own gillnetter which he moored at Point Roberts until his death in Bellingham in 1977. With his family grown and scattered between Washington and Oregon, Visco again moved back to Astoria about 1926 to be nearer daughter Lucille and her family. He continued to fish the Columbia River until his death in 1933. All buried at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham are Vincenco "Visco" Mardesich, wife Katherine and son Mitchell Mardesich. Lucille passed away in 1989 and rests at Everett's Evergreen Cemetery with husband John Marincovich, her brother Peter Mardesich, and daughters Kathleen Marie Wilson and Pearl Lee Conley. (Healey 2001)

MARELICH, ANTHONY J. Cultural Activities-Electrical Contractor

Tony Marelich, Sr. was born in San Francisco on August 20, 1908. His parents immigrated from Mali Iz and Postire, Brac, Dalmatia. Tony was sponsored by his late father-in-law, George Biocina, Sr., into the Slavonic Society in July 1931. Tony is a 50 year member and the only living past president to hold this honor. Of the 50 years of membership, Tony served as the Recording Secretary for 32 years, 29 years in succession from 1939 through 1967. He became President for two years and was then reelected Secretary; the office he holds today. Over the years, Tony devoted considerable time to lodge business in promoting the society to ensure that the club was keeping pace with time. This was achieved by his active participation in various committees as the building of our Cultural Center, providing the electrical work and on-site supervision, sponsoring new members for a better club and devotion to the lodge needs. Away from lodge business, Tony's hobbies are singing and playing cards, and he does well in both. Tony and his wife Kate have 5 children, married and many grandchildren. Kate, along with Tony, Jr., has served SMBS in many ways over the years. Tony, Jr.'s son, Tony 111, became a member 50 years after his grandfather's initiation; thus three living generations, a reflection of our past president's dedication to SMBS.

MAREOVICH, IVAN N. Attorney

Engaged in general practice of law in San Francisco, his native city; was born on April 24, 1897. He is the son of Rocque, a Dalmatian from Croatia who crossed the Atlantic in the Early nineties, and of Cora Buja Mareovich, a native born San Franciscan. His mother’s parents were Nicholas and Mary (Plancich) Buja; his grandfather, a native of the Island of Hvar, Dalmatia came to San Francisco in 1850 by way of Cape Horn, and after engaging in placer mining for a number of years, opened a restaurant opposite the old Ferry Building on Montgomery Street. His name is listed in the earliest directories issued by the city of San Francisco, being a member of the Volunteer Firemen of San Francisco and a charter member of the Slavonic Mutual Benevolent Society, which celebrates its Diamond Jubilee, of the seventy-fifth year of its organization this year. Mr. and Mrs. Mareovich were parents of two sons, Ivan Nicholas and Nicholas. After attending private schools in San Francisco, Ivan Nicholas Mareovich enrolled as a student in the St. Ignatius College, now known as the University of San Francisco, from which he relieved the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1918 and that of Bachelor of Laws in 1930. Since his admission to the bar he has followed his profession in this city and has conducted a large general practice. On June 12, 1923, Mr. Mareovich was married in San Francisco to Miss Florence Margaret Mountford, a native San Franciscan, and a daughter of George and Margaret (Lane) Mountford. Mr. and Mrs. Mareovich now have two children, Margaret Mary, born on September 8, 1924, and Ivan N., Jr, born on February 5, 1927. Mr. Mareovich is a Past Grand Knight of San Francisco Council of the Knights of Columbus and Past State Advocate of the California Jurisdiction of the Knights of Columbus. He is likewise a member of the Slavonic Mutual Benevolent Society, of which his grandfather was a charter member and his father served as president during his lifetime, and of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.

MARGARETICH, GEORGE Goldminer-Goldmine

George Margaretic was a pioneer prospector and miner. He was born in Dalmatia, Croatia. He came to the U.S. in 1857 and shortly thereafter became a member of a party of four young men who left Buffalo, New York and crossed the plains on horseback. They arrived in Amador County, California in 1858. Margaretich mined and worked there until 1874. Then he went to Nevada and mined there and was very successful. Margaretich came to Arizona in 1879, where he lived the rest of his life. He was important to the development of mining in Arizona. He mined at Cherry Creek and at the Wickenberg Section. He prospected where he developed gold and copper mines, notably the United Groups and Golden State mines. He mined gold and copper ore.

MARIANI, DENNIS-JACK-MARTY Walnut Processor-King of Nuts

In the early 1900s, immigrants from Croatia and the Adriatic islands in Dalmatia had followed their older brothers to the Santa Clara Valley, where they bought and farmed small fruit and nut orchards. Their children were farming those orchards in the 1950s and 1960s when houses started to fill the area. Like other Santa Clara farmers, as they sold orchards to developers, they often brought new orchards farther away and set up processing facilities. That’s why you’ll find the 25-year-old Mariani Nut Company, the largest independent nut processor in the world, right in the Bay Area’s backyard, in Winters, in Yolo County. Owned and managed now by the third generation of Marianis- Dennis, Jack and Marty- the company ships millions of pounds of nuts worldwide for over 1,000 California farmers. At one time, says Jack Mariani, part of the walnut crop was held- unsold- to maintain market price. About a third of California’s walnut crop is handled “old fashioned,” in-shell, for shipment in October and November. Much of it goes by ship to Northern Europe, where it’s sold during the year-end holidays. The other two-thirds of the crop is shelled, then packaged and sold as walnut meats throughout the year. The biggest market for these shelled nuts is here in the United States. In the first half of the century, Southern California and the Stockton area were the state’s major walnut production centers. Walnut orchards were abundant here, too, on the deeper soils in the valleys of the Bay Area and its outlying counties until swept away by the housing boom of the 1950s and ‘60s. In Contra Costa County, walnuts were planted around Clayton and Brentwood, in the Moraga Valley, in the small valleys around Lafayette, in the Diablo Valley, around Walnut Creek and Concord. The Santa Clara Valley had early plantings of walnuts, with orchards trailing down through Morgan Hill to Hollister. Walnuts have moved north now, out of Southern California and almost out of the Bay Area, forced out by housing development. Visalia is the significant southern producing area. The orchards skip up to Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, then follow the Sacramento and Feather Rivers up to Chico and Red Bluff.

MARIANI, JACK Ranch-Motel Restaurant

Jack Mariani remembers the Santa ClaraValley in the 1920s, when the area was covered with orchards of apricot and prune trees and there was “one house for every 50 acres.” He remembers living through the earthquake of 1906 as a lad of 16, and he remembers working as a ranch hand in Mountain View and walking to and from his home in San Jose. Today, at 92, Mariani is the semi-retired partner of the Mariani motel and restaurant in Santa Clara.  He still keeps his hand in the vast operations of the Mariani family fruit business, which he helped build from a few orchards in Cupertino in the 1920s to sprawling land-holdings in five counties. Mariani, who arrived in San Francisco in 1905, returned to his homeland and came back with a family in the 1920s. His brother, Paul Mariani, who founded the Mariani fruit drying and packing empire in the 1920s, took him in and encouraged him to buy land. In 1927 he bought a five-acre apricot ranch for $7,000 near Homestead and Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road in Cupertino. Today, the Mariani family owns 40 acres between Fremont Road and Stevens Creek Boulevard in Cupertino, much of which has been developed into residential housing. The family also owns agricultural land in Solano, Yolo, Sutter and Butte counties. “When I first came here, there was one house for every 50 acres.  There were trees everywhere,” said Mariani while sitting in the huge recreation room on the family grounds on Homestead Road, where he lives. “There was one school here and there was one store where you got everything,” he said. In their leisure time on weekends, members of the Croatian community would get together for social activities. They founded the Napredak Club, the Slavonian-American Benevolent Society and other brotherhood lodges. Jack Mariani was a founder of the Napredak CLub.

MARIANI, MARK Fruit Packing

Being head of a family-owned business means more to Mark Mariani than just having a portrait of his grandfather hanging in the lobby of his dried fruit packing plant. Mariani, headquartered in San Jose, California, is and old company with a modern approach in food production. It was founded in 1906 by Paul Mariani, and immigrant from Croatia who staked our four acres in the rich Santa Clara Valley to start his first orchard. His son, Paul Jr., introduced the company’s first dried fruits in 1947. He was the first to offer dried fruits in a clear package. Mark Mariani, president since 1979 was exposed to his family’s heritage- and a family approach to business- at and early age. He grew up on the Mariani’s sweeping Santa Clara Valley prune ranch. “I was picking prunes in diapers,” he says. “I have always loved the business and worked in the fields and the plants before becoming president. In the company’s earliest days, the lush Santa Clara Valley was the cornucopia that provided most of the apples, plums, apricots and other fruits for Mariani Packing Company’s production lines. But the business branched out beyond California as modern shipping methods made it possible for the company to shop among the world’s orchards for the best prices and quality. Other factors played roles in the change, particularly the coming of high-tech industries to the Santa Clara Valley. “My grandfather used to say the Santa Clara Valley was good at growing two things: apricots and babies,” Mariani says. “He knew the babies would win out. And so he started looking overseas for new places to buy fruit.” His early predictions were correct. The Santa Clara Valley is now the Silicon Valley. While Mariani kept its processing plant in San Jose, most of its California growers relocated in the San Joaquin or Sacramento valleys. In a sign of the times, the Mariani family’s prune ranch is now the site of Apple Computers.

Grapes and plums for raisins and prunes for the company are grown in California; apples come from a variety of places, including Chile; apricots are imported from Turkey; and the Mariani family has spread it’s operations to Australia, where Mark’s brother owns a dried fruit company. Mariani Packing also produces dried bananas, pineapple, papaya, pears and figs. All of Mariani’s fruits however, are processed in San Jose. The challenge has been to preserve Paul Mariani’s trademark- a hands-on contact with the growers. The company still prides itself on working closely with growers to choose the best fruits and follows strict quality control. In 1985, about a fifth of Mariani’s dried fruits were sold on the retail level; the rest was exported of sold to bulk buyers. Thanks to an extensive marketing plan, the company has boosted its retail sales to 62 percent- and its total annual sales to $50 million, double over six years ago.“We changed the whole culture at the company,” says Mariani. “We changed from a sales company to a marketing company.” But much of Mariani’s success is not due to marketing or a change in business focus. More people are simply discovering the convenience of dried fruit and its natural goodness. Mariani’s dried fruits have no cholesterol, are low in sodium, rich in potassium and magnesium, and provide fiber. It’s a combination that fits today’s healthier lifestyles. It’s also a combination that should be around for awhile. Mark Mariani has a first cousin working his way up in the company. And he has twin sons at home who represent the fifth generation of a family that has its roots deep in the fruit business.

MARIANI, PAUL JR Farm Fruit Packer Businessman

Paul A. Mariani Jr., a widely known Cupertino businessman and philanthropist, has died at the age of 59 in New Zealand. Mr. Mariani was on the first leg of a global business trip in March 1979. He was born in San Jose and brought up in Cupertino. He graduated from the University of California at Davis in 1942. Mr. Mariani was president of the Paul A. Mariani Co. of Cupertino, a large firm that grows, packs and exports Santa Clara valley produce.  He was also involved in other businesses that deal with foreign trade. Mr. Mariani was also involved in many charitable organizations, and he served on the boards of several hospitals. He is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Mariani of Los Altos; two daughters, Linda Jane Pratt of Fiji and Marialisa Mariani of Los Altos; five sons, Paul Mariani III of Casino, New South Wales, Australia, John Mariani of San Francisco, David Mariani of Saratoga, Mark Mariani of San Jose and Richard Mariani of Healdsburg; his stepmother, Lorena Mariani Sr. of Cupertino; three sisters, Winifred Thitgen of Sonoma, Irene Perkov of Saratoga and Mathilda Sousa of Sunnyvale; and ten grandchildren.

MARIANI, PAUL A. SR Ranch-Fruit Packing

A Croatian by birth, Mr. Mariani came to the United States in 1906 as a nearly penniless immigrant. He was born on the Island of Vis, Dalmatia. He started his ranching operation in the Santa Clara valley three years later and by 1925 had become one of the area’s wealthiest and most prominent agricultural leaders. He extended his vast holdings to Sonoma county and was a leader in developing new packing techniques. Some years ago his son, Paul Andrew Mariani Jr., assumed leadership of Paul Mariani Growers, the elder Mariani remained in an adisory capacity until his last illness. He was a member of the State Agrricultural Pro Rate Commision from the mid-40’s until his death, and in 1952 was honored by the United States government for assisting the Economic Cooperation Administration in acquainting foreign visitors with the Santa Clara valley’s fruit industry. Mr. Mariani’s spectacular rags-to-riches career was the subject of a recent television documentary. Surviving Mr. Mariani are his wife, Lorena; his son, Paul Jr.; three daughters, Winnifred Thiltgen of Sun City; Irene Perkov and Mathilda Souza, both of Sunnyvale. He also leaves a foster daughter, Flora Williams of Los Altos, two brothers, Jack Mariani of Cupertino and Nick, of Croatia; 16 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

MARIC, ANDRIJA Machine Shop

Andrija Maric immigrated from Croatia to France, eventually arriving in the United States in 1967. Having received an industrial education in Croatia, he was soon hired by a well-known American manufacturer. He decided to open his own business in 1980. Beginning with the investment of a single machine, Maric has expanded his operations into a large machine shop. He currently manufactures parts for the auto, plastic and aviation industries in Cleveland, Ohio.

MARICH, Elia Saloon

Elia, from Dalmatia, Croatia was the proprietor of the famed Constitution Saloon in 1858 and the Golden Gate Billiard Saloon at 509 Davis Street in 1860 in San Francisco, California. He married an Irish girl and had seven children. He moved to Contra Costa County and opened a saloon.

MARICH, VINCENT Croatian Activities

Vincent N. Marich, passed away Friday October 14, 1983 in San Pedro. he was Past president of the Dalmatian American Club and a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union 588. He is survived by his wife Anna Marich of San Pedro; children, Boris and wife, Antoinette Roje, Norma Marich of San Pedro, Winifred and husband, Joseph Blatchford of Washington,D.C., Antoinette Marich and Vincent N. Marich, Jr., both of San Pedro.

MARICICH, MARK Fisherman-Author 

AlaskaFishing Jobs.com founder, and "The Greenhorn’s Guide to Alaska Fishing Jobs" author, Mark Maricich, gets a 70 lb. king salmon ready for the barbecue in the Kodiak Island waters of Alaska. So, you may ask, “What the heck’s a greenhorn?” Greenhorn’s Guide author and AlaskaFishingJobs.com founder, Mark Maricich, answers this and many other questions about landing an Alaskan fisheries job in his comprehensive guide.  Maricich has over 11 years of experience as an Alaskan commercial fisherman. And his family has fished the waters of the Last Frontier for over 70 years.   "The Greenhorn’s Guide to Alaska Fishing Jobs"  is highly respected and recommended by members of the Alaskan fishing industry.  No other Alaskan employment program or guide can compare with its insight, credibility, wealth of knowledge, and list of almost 8,000 job contacts.   For over 10 years, since 1992, the Greenhorn's Guide has helped over 20,000 job searchers in their quest for information about Alaska fishing jobs.  And the guide is the only one of its type which has appeared, and been endorsed, by notable fishing industry publications such as National Fisherman and Pacific Fishing magazines. AlaskaFishingJobs.com is the "e"-volution of The Greenhorn's Guide, as a destination for job-searchers to obtain this valuable information in an easily accessible medium upon which to make their job-search decisions.  This web site was launched in January 2002, and our goal is to continue improving, and adding features and functionality to it, to make Alaska fishing job information even more and more accessible to the people who could benefit from it.  We hope that AlaskaFishingJobs.com is helpful for you. (King Salmon Com 2002)

MARICICH, VINCENT Fisherman

Vincenti Moricich was born in 1854 on the Island of Hvar, Dalmatia. His parents were Lucas and Maria Moricich, both members of old and prominent families. As a young boy Vincenti learned fishing with his father. He spent a part of his early days in Venice, Italy, and some in the land of his birth. At the age of thirteen he began his career as a sailor, sailing under many different flags on various ships, his cruises taking him into the waters of the Mediterranean, Black, Red and Baltic Seas, to the East and West Indies, through all of the oceans, twice each around Capes Horn and Good Hope, and into innumerable ports. Arriving in San Francisco in 1872 he stayed their but a short time, then came to San Pedro, where he engaged in fishing, subsequently going to the Columbia River salmon fishing beds and fishing as far north as Victoria. In 1890 Moricich settled in Avalon, Santa Catalina Island. He owned three launches, the Mascot, Wavepress and Sea Bass, and a number of small boats and had the largest fishing business on the island. His marriage in Wilmington united him with Josephine Gimelier, a native of Santa Barbara, and a daughter of Fortunato Gimelier, who came from Marseilles, France, to Santa Barbara, then moved to Wilmington, where the daughter was raised. Mr. and Mrs. Moricich became the parents of the following children: Lucy, wife of John Roberts, of Avalon; Vincenti, who was drowned in Avalon Bay at the age of nineteen years; Tony and Lucas, who assisted their father in business; Alice; Ruth; Magdalene; Irene; Estella; Violet; and Mary, who died in July, 1906. His daughter Ruthie (Griffin) was the first white person born on Catalina Island in 1892. Moricich was for many years the Constable of Catalina.

MARIETICH, JACK Restaurant

Jack Marietich was born in Milna, Island of Brac, Croatia about 1840. After relocating to Los Angeles, and establishing himself as a storekeeper and restaurant proprietor he decided to marry in 1880. His wife was Rose Garcia, the 18 year old daugher of the San Fernando Garcias. Jack and his bride spent the next eleven months in Europe, four of which were in his home village of Milna. The Marietichs had a son, James, who studied medicine and eventually became director of the Los Angeles Fire Department Rescue Squad. Jack passed away in 1908.

MARINKOVICH, ANDREW P Fisherman

Andrew Peter Marincovich was born March 5, 1869 in Komiza, island of Vis, Croatia to Vincent Marincovich and Perina (Pearl) Martinis. Siblings of Andrew Peter were Jack Marincovich, born September, 1865, who also came to Oregon and settled in Clifton, Vincent Marincovich who settled in Sacramento, California, and Antone Marincovich who settled in Clifton, then Astoria where he was in the small grocery business, and after 1933 lived in Bellingham, Washington.

Andrew Peter Marincovich married Katherine Stanovich, daughter of John Stanovich and Minnie Martinis, in 1894 in Komiza. On July 15, 1900, Andrew and Katherine and their 3 year old son John George arrived in New York via Havre, France on the ship La Normande. It took them 5-9 days to cross the 'United States on the train. Their destinationwas the Columbia River and a small hamlet called Clifton, Oregon. Andrew quickly arranged with the Columbia River Packers Association for the lease of a gillnetter, purchased a home in Clifton and by 1915 had four more sons and a daughter. John George was the oldest, sons Mathew, Andrew, Anthony Marko, Jackson and one daughter, Perina (Pearl) were all born after 1900. Second son, Mathew, was born and grew up in Clifton. In later years he followed his older brother John and wife Lucille to the Puget Sound country and Everett, Washington where he married Pearl and had his own purse seiner, the Wonderland, built. Mathew's children are Katherine (Katie), Mary and Andrew (Andy).

Third son, Andrew (Andy) was also born and raised in Clifton. He, too, followed his older brothers to new opportunities in the salmon rich Puget Sound and Alaska fisheries. Andy married Mabel Iverson in Astoria before coming to Everett, Washington. Their children are Jeannie, Katherine and Andreen. Andrew also had a purse seiner, the Saint Christopher, built for seasonal Puget Sound and Alaska fishing.

Fourth son, Anthony (Tony) Marko was born in 1915, came to Everett as a young man and served on the Everett Fire Department for several years before returning to Astoria to become a longshoreman. He died in Astoria in 1974. He had no children.

A fifth son, Jackson, was born in 1902 and drowned at Clifton at age 8.

Daughter, Perina (Pearl), also grew up in Clifton, and married Paul Martinis, Sr. in 1922. They lived in Oregon for a short time before moving to Everett, Washington. Paul Martinis, Sr. became one of the best known Croatian fishermen in Washington and Alaska, being proclaimed the "King of the Fishermen" in the 1950's. Pearl and Paul Martinis's children are Winifred, Paul, John, Andrew, Vincent, and Katherine (Katie).

Andrew Peter Marincovich passed away in 1993 in Astoria, Oregon and Katherine in 1944 in Everett, Washington. They, and other Marincovich family, rest at Greenwood Cemetery overlooking the Skipanon River east of Astoria.

There was always "friendly" competition between these close knit fishermen. When it came to "corking" each other to gain the best advantage there was little hard feelings - because they knew that their own time to “cork" would not be too long in coming. The fleet of fishermen left each Sunday from the dock at Everett or Anacortes with whole families turning out to see them off This ritual of "seeing off the fleet" each Sunday was an event most of my friends and classmates could not understand. But I have rich memories of the crew's loading supplies, having a snack with the cook in the galley, playing in the upper bunk in my grandfather's cabin, sitting at the wheel on the upper deck and playing with the other children who were also there to see their father's off for the week's fishing. I had a very pleasant experience several years ago of being reconnected with one of the "Sunday at the 'dock" playmates, Mike Voolich. His father, Sam Voolich, was a long time crew member on my grandfather's purse seiner. Mike Voolich, now of Boston, and I had lost contact since those Sunday afternoons in the 1950's I have since found him to be a passionate supporter of his Croatian heritage. He, too, has done extensive research on his Voolich and Zorotovich families. We have enjoyed sharing family information and recollecting those happy days.

As was customary, Andrew Peter's oldest son John George began working at an early age. The 1910 census for the Clifton district shows John already working as a "whistle boy" for a local logging company. Before too long he would join his father on the gillnetter on the river. In about 1916, John joined the Oregon Coast Artillery Corp, a precursor to the National Guard. He was in the 9th Artillery Corp out of Astoria and did Artillery Guard duty and practice at Fort Stevens. The 9th Corp was attached to Battery Lewis which was built in 1909 with 10 inch cannons which were recoiled up and down within the cement bunkers that faced the mouth of the Columbia. In January of 1918, the many Coast Artillery Companies of the Columbia stationed at Fort Stevens were organized into regular Army units as the Guards were being called to serve in France. These units moved to the Western Front by August, 1918 and were demobilized in December, 1918. All the Oregon Coast Artillery Guard Army units returned for discharge in Virginia by early 1919. John never talked about his military service in France but the Astoria Budget newspaper did run several letters that he had sent home while he was overseas. The only comment my grandmother Lucille could say about John's military service was that "He never wanted to go camping after he got back from France!"

After the Great War, and between 1919 and 1921, John still single, fished and long shored, worked and visited cousins in California and Bellingham, Washington. In 1922, he was visiting in Fairhaven and found his old neighbors from Clifton, the Visko Mardesich family and daughter Lucille. John and Lucille started going out and on Lucille's 17th birthday she and "Johnny" were married in Everett, Washington. Their witnesses were John's sister and brother-in-law, Pearl and Paul Martinis, Sr.

It was during the early 1920's that new Oregon legislation went into effect that made it illegal for persons who were not American citizens to commercially fish in Oregon. This was a big blow to the small fishing villages like Clifton, Oregon and the many immigrants that had settled there. John's father, Andrew Peter, had submitted his intention to become a U.S. citizen in 1902 and filed the petition which was heard before the Federal Circuit Court in 1906. Unfortunately, Andrew was denied citizenship because he could not read or speak the English language. Son John did attain citizenship when his Coast Artillery Guard Unit was called to active Army service in early 1918. All the other Marincovich children were born in Clifton, Oregon and were, therefore, citizens.

The Astoria Days 1922 - 1934

John and Lucille moved to Astoria in 1922, living on Duane Street which is now directly across from the new Columbia River Maritime Museum. Their residence was not damaged in the great Astoria fire as their street was not built on pilings. Nine months later my mother Kathleen Marie was born, and five years later, second daughter Pearl Lee was born to John and Lucille.

John's 1928 Tally Book

During the years between 1922 and 1932, John gillnetted on the Occident for the Columbia River Packers Association. His daily fish tallies by type of fish caught and the number of total pounds sold are recorded in small yearly pocket ledgers. A sample of John's gillnetter's catch for June, 1928, totaled 3,169 pounds of salmon. The packing company paid .17 cents per pound. Other fish caught such as steel head brought .II cents per pound. Purchased from the Columbia River Packers, 25 pounds of bluestone cost $2.00 and 15 gallons of gasoline cost $2.40. All the account books were written in English, Finnish and Croatian with the following instructions:

FISHERMEN ATTENTION

please note carefully

Be very careful in handling the big fish as it will be in

your own interest

Rough handling will bruise the fish and make them

unfit for pickling

Do not throw the fish too roughly in the fish box

Avoid throwing the fish so that they fall on the tail

Avoid getting as much as possible and try to gaff the

fish by the head

If possible deliver fish to stations daily

Take care so as to avoid having the big fish lay

against the timbers

of the boat as the timbers will cut into the fish

The Move to Everett, Washington and New Opportunities 1934-1963

By 1934 John and Lucille had saved enough money to plan a move back to the Puget Sound. John entered into a partnership with Ed Nowak of Everett, Washington. They purchased a boathouse built on a barge and moored it on the Everett waterfront below the old train depot and near the old Yacht Club at Pier 1. They called it "The Everett Boathouse" where sport fishermen could rent boats, gas motors, tackle and bait. This was before almost every fisherman had his own boat and equipment. The business went very well but both John and Lucille had to put in long hours from pre-dawn to close to midnight. They also had property on Hat Island in Port Gardner Bay where they kept fresh bait tanks, rented cabins and even had a small restaurant. In the busy season Lucille would make 2 trips a day to Hat Island through the rain and fog alone in a small skiff. They kept the boathouse business until the beginning of World War 11. John then went to work at a local shipyard as a rigger. After the war, John decided to build his first purse seiner. This vessel was built at the Everett Ship Yard and completed in 1947. The vessel was named Cheryl Ann in honor of his first grandchild, the daughter of daughter Kathleen still living in Southern California. John and Lucille's second daughter, Pearl Lee, christened the vessel in July, 1947. John fished the Puget Sound waters for another 2 years in his new purse seiner but found that he needed a larger vessel in order to fish in Alaska waters. He sold his first purse seiner to a cooperative in Southeast Alaska and immediately began building a second larger and more powerful Cheryl Ann. The first vessel was later damaged and sank in Southeast Alaska in the 1950's. The second Cheryl Ann was built by the Sagstad Shipyard in Ballard. In a not to be forgotten ceremony for a 5 year old I christened my name sake and watched her slide down the ways in August, 1949.

In the 50's and early 60's, John Marincovich took the Cheryl Ann purse seining from Cape Flattery to Dutch Harbor, Alaska. He now fished for the Fisherman's Packing Corporation first out of Everett and then Anacortes, Washington. Fish Pack, as it was frequently called, canned under a wide variety of labels including Ocean Spray, Goldenglow, Snow King, and WaterFall. John later became President of the Fisherman's Packing Corporation.

My mother, Kathleen Marie, John and Lucille's oldest daughter, came with her parents from Astoria when she was about 12, attended South Junior and Everett Fligh School. She was in the first class of the new Everett Junior College in 1941 and named the school newspaper The Clipper. Kathleen married Perry Wilson in Everett in 1942. They immediately moved to Southern California where he was employed in aircraft maintenance. They moved back to Everett in 1948. Both my father and uncle Roy Conley became crew members on the Cheryl Ann through the mid 50's. Evidently my grandfather, John, was quite a daring skipper as there are several harrowing stories of near misses while going through Deception Pass. One incident was so close that the cook, Dusan Militich, literally jumped from the boat to the rocky island in the middle of the passage and made the choice to hitch a ride back to Everett.

John Maiincovich retired in 1961 and the Cheryl Ann was sold. In recent years the Cheryl Ann has been seen at both the Everett 14th Street dock and going through the Hiram Chittenden Locks in Seattle, maybe on its way to be moored at Salmon Bay. John passed away in 1963 and Lucille in 1989. They rest at Everett's Evergreen Cemetery along with John's brothers Mathew and Andrew and sister Pearl Martinis, daughters Kathleen and Pearl, and Lucille's brother Peter Mardesich and other Mardesich families. My only regret is that the second and third generations of my family did not keep the Croatian language alive. As I recall, my grandparents only spoke Croatian when they did not want others to know what they were saying. Neither my grandmother or mother took the opportunity to visit Komiza, although they spoke of it often. I hope that some day I will make that trip both for me and for them. Discovering, documenting and keeping family history alive for the next generations takes a good amount of effort and free time - but it is worth it! Perhaps these histories of my Mardesich and Marincovich families will set others on a path of discovery and reconnection with their Croatian roots. (Healey 2001)

MARINKOVICH, JERRY Fisherman-Chief Financial Officer

Anyone who knew Jerry's roots could not have predicted his future success. His parents were hard working people who came to San Pedro, California from the island of Brac, off the Dalmatian coast. They had six children during the toughest of economic times. Jerry was the youngest. As a kid, he shined shoes, picked tomatoes in the fields, labored in the fish canneries, shipyards, and on his father's small commercial fishing boat, the Chum. All this before he graduated from high school. And he turned over all his wages to his parents. Later he and his brothers, Frank and John, bought their own boat. They named it the Janis M., in honor of Rose's and Jerry's lovely daughter. The boat was a source of pride to the family. Despite these humble beginnings, and despite never having gone to college, he became a success in the business world. He was intelligent, reliable, and hard working. In time he became chief financial officer in a division of TRW. He was proud of his successful career. Jerry was also a sensitive, caring person. He had a deep compassion for victims. Injustices upset him, and he would expound at length about social problems such as crime. He loved to talk and to debate. I used to tell people that he once had a conversation with someone for 25 minutes before he discovered the guy he was talking to was a mannequin. He also had a soft spot in his heart for autistic children, so even after retiring he drove regularly to the San Fernando Valley to serve on the board of a foundation which helped these kids. He loved many things: his hometown, his work, his friends, his family. He also liked Las Vegas and the horse races. Jerry died at the age of 68 in 2002. (Domancich 2002)

MARINCOVICH, LOUIE Paleontology

B.S., University of California, Los Angeles (1966); M.S., University of Southern California (1969); Ph.D., University of Southern California (1973). Research Paleontologist, Texaco (1973). National Research Council Post-doctoral Research Associate, at U.S. Geological Survey (1974). Research Paleontologist, U.S. Geological Survey (1975-95). Research Associate, Department of Invertebrate Zoology & Geology, California Academy of Sciences (1996-Present). Adjunct Curator, Department of Invertebrate Zoology & Geology, California Academy of Sciences (1997-Present). Fellow, Geological Society of America; Fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science. Member, Paleontological Society, Paleontological Research Institution (Life Member). Research Associate, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and University of California Museum of Paleontology, Berkeley.

My fascination with paleontology began at age 10 when I read the children's book "All About Dinosaurs." I became hooked on finding fossils in remote landscapes. I started collecting fossil sea shells around my boyhood home, town of San Pedro, California, not knowing then that San Pedro was a famous locale where a number of famous molluscan paleontologists had worked. Much later, as a college student, I took summer jobs in Alaska and became enthralled by the ethereal landscapes of the Arctic as a place to do research. So, in a roundabout way, I finally came to study fossils in remote place -- marine mollusks in the Arctic instead of dinosaurs in the Gobi Desert.

My fieldwork and research in the Arctic focus on molluscan faunas of the Cenozoic Era, the last 65 million years of geological time. Most of my work involves Alaska, but I have also worked in the Canadian Arctic Islands as far north as latitude 81 North. The Arctic is the least well-known of the world's oceans, and the surrounding land is mostly a remote, uninhabited wilderness rich in wildlife. Working in Arctic frequently requires living in isolated tent camps up to 300 miles away from any supply base, so doing research there happily leads not only to novel scientific discoveries but to adventures as well. My fieldwork and research are divided between two geographic areas, the Arctic Ocean and the high-latitude North Pacific Ocean.

Much of my work on the Arctic Ocean is aimed at learning the history of the marine "gateways" that connect it to the North Atlantic the North Pacific. When these marine gateways are open, as they are today, marine animals can migrate freely between the Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic oceans. When these gateways are closed, as they have been for most of geological time, it is because North America has become joined to Asia and/or Europe by land bridges that cut off migrations of marine organisms, but allow land animals to migrate between continents. The history of these gateway openings and closings is recorded by the molluscan faunas I study and by the terrestrial vertebrate and plant biotas that my colleagues study.

MARINCOVICH, MICHELE Professor

Marincovich adds new title to CTL responsibilities. Michele Marincovich, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), has added the title assistant vice provost to her responsibilities, announced Robert Weisberg, vice provost for faculty relations. The new title acknowledges the expanded role that she and CTL are playing in the training of teaching assistants, according to Faculty Senate legislation passed last December. In addition, Marincovich is working 25 percent time this year for the Stanford Learning Lab, as consulting director for faculty relations.

MARINKOVICH CLAN

Mateo Marinkovich had the famed Delmonico Restaurant at Treasure City, Nevada in 1864. This town in the Nevada desert, now a ghost town, boasted of a Delmonico Restaurant serving oyster eggs and wines, with private rooms for ladies. Mateo Marinkovich and Koschina were from the island of Brac. Peter Marinkovich had a restaurant in Los Angeles in 1875 and the United States Restaurnat at Portland, Oregon in 1883. John Marinkovich operated the Overland Chophouse at San Jose, California in 1878. George Marinkovich was goldmining on the Calaveras in California in 1852.

MARINKOVICH, MATEO and JOHN Restaurant-Coffee Saloon-Fruits

Mateo Marincovich, native of the Island of Brac, was a naturalized as a citizen in Nevada. He first ventured to Virginia City in 1864 and worked as a mattress maker with John Marincovich. he entered into a partnership in the Delmonico Restaurant at Treasure City, Nevada in 1869. He was later in the fruit business in the Santa Clara Valley, California in 1873. He also had a fruit establishment at Davis and Commercial Streets at San Francisco in 1875 and a coffee saloon at 513 Clay Street, San Francisco in 1884. John Marincovich also from Brac had a mattress making business in Virginia City during the 1860’s and 1870’s. He probably was related to Mateo.

MARINKOVICH, MATT and MIKE Fisherman

Alexander Archipelago, Alaska (March 9 to 13, 2001). As we roll toward another spring, it is time for me to roll into another longline trip. This year they opened it three days later than usual - on March 18 instead of the 15. "They" would be the National Marine Fisheries Service, Restricted Access Management Division (NMFS - RAM), if anyone cares. I guess the reason they pushed it back was to make the processors happy by timing those first fish to come across the dock on a weekday instead of a weekend so they wouldn't have to pay a bunch of overtime, and to make the Russian population in Homer, Alaska happy by not starting it on a Sunday because they wanted to go to church (that's what it said in the mailing from RAM division). So here we are starting on a Monday, three days late. Well, we left on Saturday from Bellingham, Washington. Mike actually left with the boat on Friday from Port Townsend, and I met the boat in Bellingham. I drive up so I can go to Costco and get the groceries. We also load bait, which we get from our market, Arrowac Fisheries. We loaded up the groceries and let go the lines around noon. We had the weather on our side as we ran up Georgia Strait, between Vancouver Island and the Canadian mainland, but that really didn't cause too much of a ruckus. We hit the tide perfectly at Seymore Narrows, and our eight-knot boat sailed along with the current, making sixteen knots. We had a great crossing of Queen Charlotte Sound on Sunday night, for which we were fortunate because we were only one day ahead of a sixty-knot blow generated by the typhoon, which brought quite a bit of wind and rain to Washington. We were in the sheltered waters of Greenville Channel on the Inside Passage when the blow pushed through, so it didn't bother us a bit. When we touched land once again in Ketchikan early Tuesday morning, we realized it was a bit colder up here than it was in Washington when we left. But news from back home told us we weren't the only ones braving the cold, because it was snowing in our absence. We continued on and cruised right through Petersburg on Tuesday night without stopping. We traveled through a blizzard of snow the next day, and arrived in Sitka on Wednesday afternoon all decked out in white. So we made it to our destination in just over four days - pretty good time for this slug of a boat. And I wouldn't trade our weather for anything. But I'll tell ya, I about froze my ass off in that fo'c'sle for a couple nights until I found another blanket to keep me warm.

MARINKOVICH, VICKO Fisherman

Vicko Marinkovich was born in the village of Bol, on the Island of Brac, off the coast of Dalmatia and immigrated to San Pedro in 1921. He married Franka, nee Ivulich and they raised two children, Ivan and Tony. Vicko was a professional fisherman and owner of the Supreme, the Radio and co-owner of the Blue Sky a purse-seiner.

MARINOVICH, ANTOINE Plantation

Antoine Marinovich, planter, Cloutierville, Louisiana. Mr. Marinovich, whose success as a farmer has been very great, was born in Croatia on December 8, 1835, and came to America in 1853. Since then he has made two trips to his native country, one in 1867 and the other in 1878. He settled in Natchitoches Parish in April, 1853, and it has been his home ever since. For thirty years he was engaged in merchandising in Cloutierville, and he built up a reputation as an honest, reliable business man which extends far and near. He now resides between four and five miles below Cloutierville, where he owns a fine plantation of 500 acres, 300 acres of which are under cultivation. He is also the owner of several other small tracts of land in this parish, and he is now one of the wealthy and substantial planters of the parish. Upon his hoine plantation he is conducting a plantation store, to accommodate his tenants, and he is a proper representative of the prosperous, enterpising citizens of this community. He has a happy home where a devoted wife and eleven intelligent children brighten his days. He and wife and family are members of the Roman Catholic Church, are estimable citizens, and are alive to all issues of the day. It is unnecessary to add that Mr. Marinovich is a man of progressive spirit, clear perception, and that his fellow citizens owe him a debt of gratitude for the advanced state of agriculture in this locality.

MARINOVICH, CAROL Mayor-Councilwoman-Teacher

Carol Marinovich made history when she became the first woman to be elected Mayor of Kansas City, Kansas in 1995. Now she has added to that record by serving her second term in office. A remarkably talented and determined woman, Ms. Marinovich has devoted her life to public service. Having earned a BS and an MS degree in the field of Education, she worked as an educator from the time of her graduation from St. Mary College in 1972 until 1981, when she moved on to an administrative position as a Special Education Coordinator with the Wyandotte Special Education Cooperative. During the 14 years that she served as an administrator, Ms. Marinovich was twice elected to the Kansas City Council, becoming the first Councilwoman in Kansas City history. She has also served as President of Kansas Women's Chamber of Commerce and President of the Kansas Administration and Supervisors' Association.

MARINOVICH, P.B. Medical Doctor-Mayor

Born in Watsonville, California, February 3, 1896. Son of Mr. and Mrs. F. P. Marinovich, natives of Dalmatia, Croatia. His father is one of the oldest Croatian pioneers in Watsonville. Dr. Marinovich attended the local public schools, and is a graduate of Santa Clara University and St. Louis University. Engaged in practice of medicine and surgery in Watsonville since 1925 who also served as mayor of Watsonville from May 15, 1951, until his death in April, 1953.

MARINOVICH, STEPHEN P. Farm

Members of the Marinovich family first settled on the West Coast in the later decades of the last century on their arrival from Dalmatia in Croatia, and have since contributed much toward developing the area's agricultural potential. Stephen Philip Marinovich has from the early years of his career been responsible for the operation of the family farms near Watsonvllle. He is genuinely devoted to his occupation as farmer and orchardist, in which he has achieved success. The first of the family to come to this country were his uncle and aunt, William and Anna Pulisevich, who arrived in 1879 and settled in Santa Cruz. There Mr. Pulisevich built and managed an evaporating plant for drying apples. Mr. Marinovich's father, Frank P. Marinovich, followed in 1887, bringing his family and first settling in San Jose. In 1889 they moved to Watsonville. He took out his American citizenship papers at San Jose six months after his arrival. He and his wife, the former Nicolene Pulisevich, were the parents of six children-four sons and two daughters. In addition to Stephen, one cf the daughters is still living. She is Mrs. Paul Miladin of Watsonville. Another of the sons was Peter B. Marinovich, M.D., a physician who also served as mayor of Watsonville from May 15, 1951, until his death in April, 1953. He had three sons, in whose career their uncle has taken a vital interest. They are: 1. Phillip, who is a music teacher in Castroville. He is married and the father of nine children. 2. Peter Bill, a graduate of San Jose State College who is an instructor of physical education at Sonora. He is the father of six childen. 3. William F., who took his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Santa Clara, and is now practicing as an attorney at Watsonville. He is the father of one child. Stephen Philip Marinovich was born in Watsonville on August 24, 1900, and attended local public sehools including Watsonville High School. At an early age he started farming on his father's property, which had been acquired in the early days of the family's residence here. Since 1926 he has been entirely responsible for the operation of the acreage, which has a firm name, F. P. Marinovich and Company. Major products are: apples and row crops. On January 8, 1926, in Santa Cruz, California, Stephen Philip Marinovich married Pauline Louise Bronich, formerly of Stockton and a daughter of Louie M. and Marie (Deranja) Bronich. Her parents, like his, came from Dalmatia. Mrs. Marinovich was formerly a member of the Y. L. I., and is active in the Altar Society of her church, the Catholic Daughters, Corolitos Women's Club, the Garden Club, and Native Daughters of California. The couple are the parents of two daughters: 1. Ellen Nicholene, born in Watsonville on February 14, 1928. Stephanie. 2. Anne Marie, born August 27, 1931.

MARINOVICH, STEVE J Fish Trawl Company-Inventor

A specially designed net intended as a cleanup remedy during Red Tide outbreaks is towed between two boats in a trial run in Tampa Bay, Florida the net sags behind as bags beneath the surface become weighted down with dead fish floating in the path of the net. The large corks spaced periodically along the net's edge mark the bags, which can be emptied and reattached while the net is still in the water. The designer Steve J. Marinovich, observes the operation as the net is fed into the water between the two boats. A six-man crew from the Marine Research Laboratory at Bayboro Harbor, St. Petersburg, dropped a funny-looking net into Tampa Bay Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, a few miles off the Pier. The net came up with 1,000 pounds of dead mullet which they had dumped overboard earlier and the best chance yet of a Red Tide cleanup. For this perennial cleanup problem - tons of stinking dead fish poisoned by the Red Tide organism, Gymnodinium breve, and blown ashore is incredibly expensive. In a single year 1971, the economic loss caused by this marine plague was put at $20-million in seven afflicted counties on Florida's West Coast by Mote Marine Laboratory scientists in Sarasota. You could buy a lot of $7,000 nets for $20-million.

The 1974 Legislature provided funding to develop some effective method of handling the great windrows of floating dead fish that appear in the Gulf, usually in late summer and early fall. Alan H. Sellen, project leader who is also administrative assistant at the Bayboro Harbor lab, an arm of Florida's Department of Natural Resources, invited the netting industry (23 Major US firms) to tackle the problem. He specified that nets must be rugged, simple to operate, efficient surface collectors, of adjustable dimensions for use by boats of various sizes. "In addition," manufacturers were told, "the net must have a removable collection bag, so that when it is full it may be detached and closed, to be towed away or transferred to an accompanying collection barge. "The net must he constructed so that it can be raised by a hoist and emptied into a dockside dump truck or offshore barge."

Only three replies were received. Of these, says Sellen, Marinovich Trawl Co. Biloxi, Mississippi was the most likely prospect. ln the dry run, says Sellen, 500 pounds of dead mullet were dumped onto the water's surface a couple of miles out from the Pier. Then the two vessels, towing the Y-shaped net between them, approached the area. "I think this net is the best thing we've come up with yet," he told The St. Petersburg Times later. "It fished real well and basically, the design seemed good. The mouth of the Y is about 400 feet across when towed. The nylon net bellows down three or four feet from the surface. The mesh is one inch. , "It picked up the fish real well Wednesday afternoon, a nice calm day. Thursday we were in moderate seas, 18 to 24 inches, winds about 20 miles per hour." This time, some of the 600 pounds of fish slipped over the back of the net, although a good portion was picked up. "We'll need more flotation on the net and more experience in net handling," Seller says, "The designer is also modifying the nets, making 'doors' on each side of the net to force it open. This will enable a single vessel to haul it." The net comes in four detachable sections, each 45 feet long. As each one is filled, it is detached and towed away. Since the bags can be re-attached while the net stays in the water, a continuous operation is possible. Under terms of the agreement, Sellen says, the collector net's specifications and design are property of the state, not copyrighted by the maker. Hence the lab plans to make these specifications and design available to individual communities, which can then have their own made. He envisions each Gulfside municipality having its own equipment stored for use, much as northern cities have snow removal gear on hand. "But this isn't like snow," the project leader points out, "with snow, just part of it is removed. With dead fish, we've got to get them all. '”We see no reason why this won't work." (Bothwell 1975)

MARINOVIC-WACKERLING,VIDA M. Mathematician-Programmer

Vida Wackerling nee Marinovic is a Mathematician-Programmer at the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. Born June 24, 1929 in Split, Croatia; married with two children. Education includes VII Female Gymnasium, Split, Croatia, 1948; Mathematics Faculty, Split, Croatia, 1949-53, Diploma in Mathematics, 1954; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1957-61, M.A., 1962 with a major field in Mathematics and Astronomy.

MARIS, ROGER Baseball

Roger Maris of the New York Yankees was the first baseball player ever to beat Babe Ruth's home run record. Many Croatians are pleasantly surprised when they learn that this baseball star and home run hitter was an American of Croatian origin. In fact, all four of his grandparents came to the United States directly from Croatia.

In 1906 a pair of Maras brothers (not Maris), Michael and Paul, left their home in the Karlobag/Pag area to seek their fortune in America. They arrived first in northern Minnesota to lead the way for their other brothers, including Roger's grandfather, Steve Maras. In this time period, many immigrants worked in the booming iron ore mines in Hibbing. Minnesota. Like many recent immigrants, the brothers took work with Oliver Mining Company. Paul Maras became an interpreter for the Company and also taught English in the growing Croatian community. By the time Steve Maras's son Rudy was born in 1910, over 3000 Croatians were living in the Hibbing area. Rudy's son Roger Maris would one day become one of America's baseball legends. By 1915, Croatians constituted the majority of the immigrants working in the iron ore mines of Hibbing, which was becoming known as the "Iron Ore Capital of the World."

The older Maras brothers, Michael, Paul, and Steve were soon joined on the Iron Range by their younger siblings Peter and Joso. Within a few years, the Maras brothers opened and operated a saloon in Hibbing. To this day Nick Maras and his family still own and operate the "Homer Bar" on First Avenue in downtown Hibbing. "Big Nick" Maras, as many Minnesotans know him, favored basketball, while his first cousin Rudy Maras preferred ice hockey and trains.

Roger Maras was born in Hibbing on September 10, 1934, to Rudy and Corrine Maras. Both parents were first- generation Croatians. Corrine's parents were Croatian immigrants from the Alar and Perkovich families. Rudy's marriage and the responsibility of providing for his two sons ended any hopes of a hockey career. Instead Roger's father began work with the Great Northern Railroad. Life on the Iron Range during the years of the Great Depression was filled with many hardships for all the Slavic immigrants. The depressed times were compounded for many mining families, as the mining cornpanies typically owned worker housing and controlled staple-goods stores. The children of immigrants learned valuable survival skills through these hard times and harsh Minnesota winters. This was Roger Maras's first world, growing up in the Leetonia mining section.

Roger spent the first five years of his life in Hibbing, exploring this town where passersby would hear a variety of Slavic languages spoken. He was an active child and loved to ice skate, play stickball, and run around the woods of the Iron Range with his older brother, Rudy Jr. (known as Bud).

In 1939 Rudy Maras moved his family to Grand Forks, North Dakota, after his promotion to a railroad supervisory position. In the mid1940s the family moved to Fargo, where Roger Maras pursued his greatest interest: baseball. Roger and his brother Bud were standouts in baseball and football. Roger even scored four touchdowns off kickoff returns in one game for Fargo Stanley High School. Roger almost took a football scholarship to the University of Oklahoma.

However, in 1953 Roger went straight from high school to FargoMoorhead of the Northern League. He had convinced the Cleveland Indians to let him start his career in his hometown. As an eighteen year old, he batted .325 and hit nine home runs to be named Northern League's Rookie of the Year.

In 1955 Roger Maras changed his last name to Maris. He was convinced that a spelling change would make in more pronounceable to baseball fan. Basically, he had tired of hearing his Maras name mispronounced as "mare-ass, " among other things. In 1956, Roger married Patricia Carvell--his high school sweetheart and date to the senior prom. After short minor league stints in Tulsa, Reading, and Indianapolis, the talented right-handed thrower, and smooth-swinging left-handed hitter made it to the big leagues with the '57 Cleveland Indians. He spent most of that year platooning with Rocky Colavito in right field. He played briefly with. the Kansas City A's before the trade that brought him to the New York Yankees on December 11, 1959. The Yankees traded Don Larsen, Hank Bauer, Marv Thornberry, and Norm Seibern for Roger Maris, Joe DeMaestri, and Kent Hadley.

Baseball changed forever in 1960. Mickey Mantle clubbed 40 homers'and that new Yankee Maris clobbered 39. Roger's 112 RBI's, 98 runs scored, golden-glove fielding, and his .238 earned,_him the American League's Afost Valuable Player. He had beaten Mantle by three votes. Something had begun. The American League expanded in 1961. Mantle and Moris, dubbed the "M and M Boys," began to chase Babe Ruth's record of 60 home runs in a single season. Their competition transcended sports and grabbed the American public.

Mantle took an early lead as Maris went 10 games without a homer. The Yankee front office even sent Roger to an eye doctor. But by mid-season Maris hit 24 home runs in a 38-game stretch. It appeared either man could set the mark.

In July, American League Commissioner and Babe Ruth biographer Ford Frick made a catalytic offer: since there was now a 162-game schedule, if anyone broke the Babe's record after 154 games, an asterisk would be placed next to his name in the record book. Roger quickly found out that the Babe's record was considered sacred by Yankee fans, many Americans, and far too many sportswriters. In a hot mid-August stretch Maris hit seven home runs in six consecutive games; he tied a major league record. On August 13 th, Maris and Mantle were tied at 45. By late August, the Yankees traveled to Minnesota with Maris at 51 and Mantle at 47. The sale of M&M's candies grew month-by-month, as did the intense media scrutiny. Maris tried to endure under the media glare, but he was starting to lose his hair and his temper. The Yankees did little to shield him, leaving him to face newspaper, TV and radio reporters for as much as two hours after games. Regardless, Maris was solid on the field. On September 16, a few days after his twenty-seventh birthday, he hit home run number 57. Then Mickey Mantle was sidelined by an injury and left the race to the new Croatian Yankee from North Dakota. In the 154'h game, Ford Frock's D-Day game, the press flooded Baltimore. Maris hit number 59 that night, thereby passing Jiminy Fox and Hank Greenberg on the all-time single-season home run list.

In the final week of the season, America saw Roger Maris hit number 60 in New York on September 26 against Jack Fisher and the Orioles. Mrs. Claire Ruth was in the crowd that day to witness the feat -and congratulate Roger. Nevertheless, she made it clear to the press that the Babe wanted to be known forever as the "King of Home Runs." Roger skipped the fourth-to-last game to spend time with his wife, Pat, which was on a rare visit to New York from their home in Missouri. That left only a three game series with the Boston Red Sox. Bill Monbouquette shut out Maris on Friday night, and Don Schwall did the same on Saturday. Sunday, October 1, 1961 was Maris's last chance to set a new record. There were only 23,154 fans on hand at Yankee Stadium that historic day-another sign of Yankee fans' desire to see the Babe's record live on. Roger was set to play center field and bat third. Yogi Berra batted fourth that day with Mickey Mantle still in the hospital. On Roger's first at bat, he flied out to a rookie left fielder named Carl Yastremski. In the fourth inning, at 2:43pm, Roger blasted a 2-0 Tracy Stallard pitch, landing the ball 360 feet from home over the right field fence. It was the only run of the game.

Against all odds, Roger Maris hit number 61 for the record book in the last game of the season. Mrs. Babe Ruth was in attendance that record-breaking day. Maris's teammate Johnny Blanchard told the story of how Roger went to Mrs. Ruth immediately after the game, hugged her, and saluted Mrs. Ruth and the "Babe" with some kind words. The press surrounded the new "Home Run King" for over four hours before he could escape the grasp of the media and leave the Yankee locker room with his wife. At a celebratory dinner that night, Roger stated to a friend that the home run record chase was the greatest experience of his life, but he would not want to go through it again. After dinner, Roger went in alone at Lenox Hill Hospital to visit Mickey Mantle and share this historic moment with his Yankee teammate and friend. The new home run record holder received many messages of congratulations, including a telegram from President John F. Kennedy:

My heartiest congratulations to you on hitting your 61" home run. The American people will always admire a man who overcomes great pressure to achieve an outstanding goal. The 1961 New York Yankees had won 109 regular season games. Seven players hit 20 or more home runs. Whitey Ford won 25 games. The National League champ Cincinnati Reds split the first two games of the Woild Series and Game 3 was a 2-2 knot until Maris homered in the top of the ninth inning. The Reds never recovered and New York won in a five game series. Maris finished the '61 season having played 159 games: 61 home runs, 142 RBI's 132 runs and only 67 strikeouts, in 590 at-bats. Playing for one of the greatest teams in the history of the game, Roger Maris won the American League's Most Valuable Player for the second year in a row. The off-season after this monumental record-breaking performance was extremely hectic for the new American celebrity. Roger was barraged with banquet invitations, media requests, and award ceremonies. However, Roger was not comfortable as a public speaker nor did he particularly enjoy the banquet circuit. He did make a few television appearances, endorsed a few commercial products, and even starred in one Colombia Pictures movie. Unfortunately, the national spotlight brought new disputes with several demanding sportswriters and reinforced the surly Roger Maris's reputation in the press.

During the early 1960s the Maris family resided in Raytown, Missouri. This quiet suburban town ad acent to Kansas City was the perfect retreat for Roger Maris after a long, high-pressure season. He was a family man and enjoyed taking his children around when he was home for the winter. Also, there were a number of other major league baseball players in the Raytown area; Roger socialized and golfed with his baseball network of friends during the off-season.

Roger Maris was paid $42,000 dollars in 1961 as a Yankee; Mickey Mantle pulled $75,000. Roger asked $100,000 for the '62 season. The Yankee organization refused and the negotiations complicated. He finally settled for a $72,000 salary for the 1962 season. Mickey Mantle received $100,000. The season started shortly after the settlement was reached. A story goes that Maris fizzled out after his brilliant 61 in '61 season. However, in 1962 Maris flogged 34 doubles and 33 home runs as he helped the Yankees to another World Series title. Again, he was golden in the field, overshadowed by only two Hall-of-Fame outfielders, Roberto Clemente and Al Kahne.

Maris stayed with the Yankees until 1966, but injuries began to wear, him -down. He was traded to St. Louis and promptly helped the Cardinals win the 1967 World Series. In 1968 the Cards seemed on their way to another World Series crown when Detroit rallied behind star left-handed pitcher Mickey Lolich (another American of Croatian descent). Detroit won three games in a row. That was it for Maris. In all, Maris had played in seven World Series in nine years.

After his retirement from the Cardinals, the Maris family moved to Gainesville, Florida. The Busch family had rewarded Roger with a lucrative Budweiser beer distributorship in central Florida. In his life after baseball, Roger focused on his family and his business. Their six children-Susan, Roger Jr., Kevin, Randy, Richard, and Sandra-kept their parents busy with sports activities. Golf remained Roger's hobby. Roger also bought a satellite dish so he could watch major league baseball and root for the Yankees. Buddy Maris and the Maris famfly still own the Budweiser distributorship based in Gainesville, Florida.

Twenty-three years after Roger's record-breaking year, George Steinbrenner and the Yankee organization honored Roger at Yankee Stadium. On July 21, 1984, the Yankees paid tribute to Roger at their annual Old Timers game. They retired his number 9 jersey and place a Maris plaque adjacent to the ones for Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Babe Ruth. Over 200 friends from North Dakota attended this tribute on what would be the Maris's last visit to Yankee Stadium. By the spring of 1985, Roger knew he had incurable lymphoma. Roger Maris died of cancer on December 14,1985 at the young age of 51. On a cold, snowy afternoon on December 19, he was laid to rest in Fargo, North Dakota. Close to 1000 mourners, among them Mickey Mantle attended the funeral. On December 23, there was standing room only for over 3000 mourners attending his memorial service, arranged by George Steinbrenner at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. Only Babe Ruth and Vince Lombardi had been bestowed the honor of a requiem service at the famous cathedral. His Eminence Cardinal John O'Connor was the celebrant that day; he praised Roger Maris for being the star father, husband, and athlete he was. Also at this service, famous sportscaster Howard Cosell affirmed that Roger Maris was the equation for guts, courage, integrity, character, and principle.

Mickey Mantle called the Maris record of 61 home runs, "the greatest sports accomplishment" of his time. Maris broke Ruth's record 34 years after the Babe had set it. The bat and ball that made for the sixty-first home run are on display in Cooperstown, New York.

Sadly enough, Roger Maris, the Croatian American who first hit rocks with a stick in Hibbing, Minnesota, has not yet been included into the Baseball Hall of Fame. It has taken 37 years and the likes of Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa to finally break his record of 61 home runs.

The baseball season of 1998 finally gave Maris the fitting accolades he deserves for his heroic 1961 season. All Americans of Croatian descent should be extremely proud of Roger Maris's lifetime achievements and his baseball accomplishments.

The author, Steve Rukavina, is President of the National Federation of Croatian Americans, based in the nation's capital. Corrine Maras, Roger's mother, helped baby-sit the author's father and the Rukavina siblings with her cousin Anne Sertich in Virginia, Minnesota from 1930 to 1931. By Steve Rukavina.

MARISICH, PROSPERO Fisherman

Prospero and his wife from Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia, had a large family, four lovely daughters and five sons. The family lived on Hvar until about 1876, with the exception of the father and the oldest son, Nikola, who came here in about 1870. Not long after his arrival here Mr. Marisich returned to Hvar and brought his family to San Francisco.

MARJANOVIC, ANTOINETTE Soccer

Arizona State junior midfielder Antoinette Marjanovic has been named the Pac-10 Women's Soccer Player of the Week for October. 3-9, 2001 Commissioner Tom Hansen announced today. Marjanovic, from Los Angeles, tallied both game-winning goals as the Sun Devils collected wins against Oregon and Oregon State. Against Oregon, the Sun Devils rallied to score two goals in the final 8:04 and win the Pac-1 0 opener for both teams. Marjanovic dribbled 20 yards beating the Ducks' defense and goalkeeper to net the gamewinner. In ASU's shutout victory over the Beavers, Marjanovic took a rebound off of the goalkeeper and shot the deflection to knock in the game-winner. This is Marjanovic's first career Pac-10 Player of the Week honor and Arizona State's third Player of the Week honor all-time.

MARKAN, JOSIP Animal Trainer

Metaire, Louisiana: Wild animal trainer Josip Markan is breeding a zoological controversy with his part Lion-part tiger curiosities known as ligers. The big cats being bred by the Croatian-born circus performer have light ochre stripes similar to tigers, but the males also sprout manes, like lions and grow larger that either parent. Some zoologist question the ethics of such breeding, while others see oddities like the liger as a way to increase traffic at increasingly market-conscious zoos. "They are fiddling around with two different animals," said David Anderson, curator of the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. "This is distracting people from a responsible opinion of animals." "We are going to develop a completely new species," said Markan during a recent performance stop of the Beattie and Cole Brothers Circus. "It will be far more larger, more intelligent and superior than the others." He said his two young ligers, which already are larger that their lion father, may become the largest living members of the feline family. Halfway through the season, I think we have a problem. Now they are growing non-stop," he said. " We have a monster here instead of a regular pet." Markan who for 20 years has tried to crossbreed tigers and lions, now says he has the only ligers in the world. He says he will continue producing ligers, which are not known to exist naturally, and sell them to zoos.

MARKET, MARIN Restaurant

Marin Market born in Babino Polje on July 7, 1887, had a great desire and a great need to go to America. To realize this wish he had to sail to Dubrovnik (30 miles) in a small boat, and then had to take a steamship to Naples. There he transferred to a trans-oceanic steamboat "Algeria" with which he successfully arrived in New York, and from there he took a train to Hollister, arriving on July 27, 1907. In this town he got a job in a restaurant. He washed dishes and did a variety of other jobs, while learning how to cook. He moved to Monterey in 1911 where he was a cook in his own restaurant, named "Star". Towards the end of 1913 in Monterey Marin married Ana Hazdovac, born on November 4, 1889 in Mljet. They had four children, Martin, born on December 2, 1914, Nike, born on December 4, 1916, Mary, born on June 21, 1918, and Ann, born on March 4, 1924. Martin and his wife Joan had three children, Janice (7. XI 1948), Maureen (30 IV 1952), and Cheryl (13. Vill 1956). Their daughter Maureen, married Fleischman, has two sons: Nicholas (14 vi 1988), and Drew (28 111 1992). Sisters Nika and Mary both married. Nika married Mr. Flaws and had daughter Carolyn, who married Mr. Harbin, and had three daughters: Debbie, Lisa, and Julia. Mary married Mr. Wathen and had a son Robert and a daughter Linda. Robert had a son. Shaun, and Linda, married Espejo, had a daughter Mary Anna, Anna Market lives in Monterey in the family home.

MARKET, PETAR Fisherman-Restaurant

Petar Market-Pasa, born on March 4, 1877 in Babino PoIje went to America in 1908 on the steamship "Grof Valdersen". In the beginning he worked on the railroad in Oakland. There he married Marija Cumbelich, born on February 6, 1884 in Babino PoIje. In 1918 the family moved to Monterey where Petar fished along the Monterey coast, and later managed to open his own restaurant in the same town. They had six children in their marriage: Anna, born on 10. IX 1909 in Oakland, Paulina born 13. IV 1913 in Oakland, Mary, born on 2. VII 1917 in Oakland, Mark, born 16. IX 1919 in Monterey, Joaquin, born on 8. 1. 1925 in Monterey, and Helen, born on 18. VIII 1926 in Monterey. Their daughter Anna married Mr. Paul and had a son Wilbur and a daughter Pauline. When she became a widow, she married Petar Hazdovac, also a widower. Daughter Pauline, married Carlsen, had a son Lerry and a daughter Paula. Mary, married Necker, had two sons, John and Bernard, and a daughter Chris. Daughter Helen, married Ancich, had three sons: Martin, Anton and Thomas. Mark and Joaquin did not marry, they are both living in Monterey. The children often wrote to their relatives in Babino PoIje, and visited Mljet, the birth place of their parents. Ana Cumbelich, the sister of Marija Market, came to Oakland, California in 1912. She lived with her sister, where she helped with the household and children. She never got married.

MARKOVICH, ANTONE Restaurant

Tony Markovich, the son of the late Jerry and Vinka Markovich, was raised and schooled here in the Excelsior District of San Francisco, California. He went on to St. Ignatius High and to San Francisco State University. In 1941, with the advent of WW 11, he volunteered in the Army and had duty in the European Theatre as a sergeant in 'a culinary capacity. Upon his discharge he resumed employment in the restaurant field and subsequently became a partner of the "Grotto" at Jack London Square. Tony had the capacity to efficiently and harmoniously handle all the facets of a large restaurant operation with a smile. After the sale of the Grotto, Tony and his spouse, Norma, relocated to "Pine Mountain Lake" in the Sierras near Yosemite. Tony was born July 9, 1918 and died June 25, 1992. Tony leaves his loving wife, Norma; daughter, Barbara; and son, Ricky, and three stepchildren. Tony was a member of the Slavonic Society since November 15, 1946 just as both of his parents, Jerry and Vinka, were before him.

MARKOVICH, JACK Restaurant

Jack Markovich, who came to San Francisco from his native Croatia at the turn of the century, joined his cousin Ben in founding and operating the Big Ben Restaurant in the heart of the financial district. He was host to a generation before selling the 645 Montgomery St. spot five years ago to Dragomir Zegura. Proud of robust health- he was an honorary member of the Croatian Sokol (Falcon) athletic group here and a popular hunter and fisherman- he hadn’t known illness for half a century when death struck him in 1960. Starr King lodge of Masons conducted services at H. F. Suhr’s yesterday. The popular restaurateur is survived by his widow, Antiza; daughters Mrs. Kay Simon and Mrs. Nida Devoto and brothers Vlaho and Bernadro Markovich.

MARKOVICH, JOHN Waiter

John was a native of Postire on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. He died at age 70 in 1973. John was a long time waiter at famed Tadich Grill in San Francisco, the oldest restaurant in San Francisco. John was a gentleman of the old school, a sharp businessman and invester in the stock market. John married Tillie Matulich in San Francisco and had two children, Yvonne and Ronald. He was a member of the Culinary Union and the Slavonic Society of San Francisco.

MARKOVICH, JOHN Goldminer

Ivan Markovich from city of Hvar on the Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia was a pioneer gold miner. He mined in all areas of the Mother Lode in the 1850’s. John and Anton Markovich from Starigrad, were his nephews.

MARKOVICH, JOHN AND NIKOLA Saloon-Hotel-Restaurant

John and Nikola owned the New Orleans Saloon on the corner of Commercial and Davis St., San Francisco in 1856. John moved to Sacramento in 1861 and operated the William Tell Restaurant and Saloon at 258 J Street. John had married an Irish girl and owned a hotel in Placer County in 1870.

MARKOVICH, JOHN B. Trucking Company

John B. Markovich was president of Utility Trailer Sales Co. for more than 40 years in Fresno, California. Markovich first began working for Indiana Pacific Truck Co. in San Francisco when he was 16. The company later purchased Utility Trailer Sales and expanded into the Fresno area, under the direction of Markovich. The company expanded into other valley towns and started Valley Kenworth Corp. of Fresno, Commercial Body Sales and Manufacturing Co., GMC Truck Dealership in Modesto, Toyo Tire Sales, Thermo King Service Dealer, Sierra Pacific Leasing Co. and California Truck Trailer Finance Co. Markovich was affiliated with the Young President's Organization and was a Rotary Club member. Markovich died January 21, 1978. He was 64. He was a native of San Francisco and lived in Fresno County 40 years. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn ; a daughter, Kathie Bedwell of Fresno; a sister, Mary Bergander of Fresno, and four grandchildren. His father, Jerry, was also in the trucking business. Jerry was a member of the Slavonic Society in San Francisco, California.

MARKOVICH, STEPHEN C. Professor

Stephen Markovich is a professor at the University of North Dakota, Department of Political Science, Grand Forks, North Dakota. Born December 1, 1934 of Croatian parents in Schumacher, Ontario, Canada; married with two children. Education includes University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada 1955-1959; University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia Ph.D., June, 1968 with a major field of Political Science, International Relations and the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Thesis in 1968, The Impact of American Foreign Aid on Yugoslav Policies. Member of American Political Science Association; Canadian Political Science Association. Researching Political Succession in East European Nations.

MARMILICH, JOSEPH Sr. Tamburitza Music-Kolo King

Joe Marmilich was born on February 28, 1924. His parents were John Marmilich, a well known and gifted Tamburasi, and Helen (Dellich) Marmilich. Their other son, William passed away at a young age. Joe began his musical career in 1935 at age eleven. At age thirteen, Joe was playing the Bugarija in his father John's band. About 1940, The Happy Hearts; a family band, composed of John as leader and Joe on Bass and the three girls, Millie, Katie and Louise; played together for nearly ten years. By now, Joe was writing music they used in their appearances. Also, in 1944, Joe married Caroline Scacclietti. Tneir marriage was blessed with a son, Joe Jr. The Marmilich girls also married and became known as Mildred Markulin, Katie Pezell and Louise Repko. Joe joined George Skrbina's Balkan Serenaders in the late 1940's, playing Second Brac. Their many 78 RPM records and years of radio programs made The Balken Serenaders known far and wide. In 1950, Joe joined Dave Zupkovich and his Balkan Recording Orchestra playing both the Cello and Second Brac. Joe Matacic on Lead Brac and John Krillich on Bass with Dave singing lead and playing the Bugarija. During this time, Joe also formed The Slav Serenaders and in 1956 rejoined George Skrbina. In 1963 Joe formed The Marjon Recording Orchestra and recorded its first LP record featuring his rendition of the now famous "Mama Draga Mama". They also made two LP's of just "Kolo" tunes and Joe became known as "The Kolo King." Joe passed on his love and knowledge of Tambura to his son, Joe Marmilich, Jr., who began with Bugarija at the age of fourteen. For the next twenty six years, father and son, along with numerous other Tamburasi performed throughout the Tri-State Area. Joe Marmilich, Sr. devoted over sixty years of his life to Tambura music and also gave thirty seven years to the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. in its electric repair shop, retiring in 1997. Joe was an active member of the Infant of Prague Guild of Campbell's St. Johns Church and the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 185 also of Campbell. Joe was also a member of Struthers. Ohio AARP Chapter.

MAROHNIC, JOHN Priest

John Marohnic was the second son of Zlobin who became a priest. He was the eldest child of Ivan Marohnic (Pah1jinkin) and his wife Jovana Marohnic. John was born July 30, 1922 in International Falls, Minnesota and died September 11, 1985 in Belleville, Illinois. He died serving the parish of the Holy Mary. Father John founded an association known as the Missionary Victims. They gathered together handicapped people who joined to serve the faith, the church and God through their pain and sufferings. Father John also visited Zlobin, Croatia on one occasion to visit his aunt, Antonija Kalafatic (Tonka Grgina).

MAROHNIC, JOSEPH Croatian Bookstore-Poet-Author

Most likely the most influential Croatian emigrant on the North American Continent was Josip Marohnic. He was born in Hre1jin, but he originates in Zlobin. He lived in the US for 28 years. He emigrated in 1893, and stayed until his death on January 23, 1921. He acted as the accountant of the National Croatian Society between 1897 and 1909. He was also the President of the same organization from 1912 until his death in 1921. He was the founder of the "First Croatian Bookstore" in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. As editor, he published books of an educational nature, manuals, grammars, dictionaries, calendars, novels, anthologies, short stories, theatrical works, humorous books, collections of poetry, various books of folklore, maps, albums, breviaries and books of a religious nature. As the first poet among Croatian emigrants, he also published his own collection - "Jesenke" in 1897 and 'Amerikanke" in 1900. He was the first Croat officially invited by an American President. It was in. 1911 and he was received by President W H. Taft. We will not delve into his life but instead we will focus on some- facts that preceded his departure to America. We will concentrate on those years from his birth, November 12, 1866, until he emigrated Jn 1893. We have little knowledge about this period of his life except the following: 1. His parents were Mate Marohnic from Zlobin and Marija Polic from Hreljin. 2. He was born in Hre1jin. 3. Mate and Marija had two other sons. The oldest was Ivan, born May 9, 1858, died January 19, 1924. The younger son was Matej, born September 19, 1875, died July 9, 1949. 4. He served in the Austrian-Hungarian Navy for four years. He mastered printing and the book binding trade. 5. He married Andrijana from Hre1jin who was born November 26, 1869, died in 1945 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 6. Josip and Andrijana had a daughter named Josipa, born in HreIjin on February 27, 1892. 7. He left for America by himself but was joined later by his wife and daughter. Josip's father Mate (born May 10, 1833, died December 5, 1897) was from Zlobin, house No. 51, and his mother Marija Polic (born March 23, 1834, died February 15, 1922) from Hre1jin, house No. 212, were married on May 19, 1856. They were joined in wedlock by Mate Sablic, Chaplain of the St. George's Church in Hre1jin. His mother's parents were Anton Polic, "laborer" (already deceased at the time of his daughter's wedding) and Marija Blaliza. Matej’s parents, Josip's grandmother and grandfather on his father's side, were Grga Marohnic, son of Matija (born February 26,1810, died July 14, 1901). They were married on November 24, 1830, in the parish church of St. George in Hre1jin.

MARSH, JOHN Fish Dealer

John Marsh was born July 14, 1890 in Dalmatia, Croatia. At the age of 13 he moved from his homeland to San Pedro and secured a job in a local dry goods establishment. After relocating to Astoria, Oregon to work with his uncle and learn the grocery store business, John acquired a yearning for travel. From 1914 to 1921 he traveled from San Diego to Oregon in various positions working as fisherman, salesman, and truck driver. In 1921 John settled down in San Pedro and married Maria Zuanich. His final calling in life was as a wholesale fresh fish entrepreneur.

MARTINAC, JOSEPH Shipbuilding

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation has called the Thea Foss Waterway, Tacoma, Washington home for more than 70 years. Founded in 1924, by J.M. Martinac, a Croatian shipwright of unusual talent, the company is still family owned and operated. Joseph M. Martinac was born in Sumartin, Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. In 1912, he came to Tacoma, Washington with virtually nothing but a desire to build boats as he had learned to do in Europe. Now in its third generation of management, the yard is operated by Joe Martinac Jr., president of the family company. The founder's son, J.S. Martinac, remains active in the day to day operations as chairman. Originally the yard began designing and building wood-hulled salmon seiners for the local salmon fishing industry. A few of these vessels built in the 1920s are still in service today. These designs graduated into sardine seiners and eventually tuna vessels for the San Diego, California based West Coast Fishery fleet. While fishing vessels were the backbone of the business, the company also built a variety of vessels for the U.S. Navy including tugs, torpedo retrievers, and minesweepers. A few private yachts were built as well. A succession of highly successful steel hulled tuna seiners, designed and built by Martinac followed. J.M. Martinac and J.S. Martinac were instrumental in the pioneering efforts that were to revolutionize the methods of tuna fishing from hook and line to purse seining. With some 70 of these vessels constructed over the years and fishing in nearly every ocean, Martinac has been recognized worldwide as building the "Cadillac" of fishing vessels. The same skills and lessons learned in building these premier tuna clippers have also been applied to other types of craft. Whether it's tractor tugs in Hawaii or factory trawlers in Alaska, U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats or high-speed catamaran ferries, the Martinac standard of quality has never changed. The building of a ship requires the collective skills of all these craftsmen. "Even with all the modern equipment and computerization available today, there is still a great deal of personal craftsmanship required," says Joe Martinac Jr. "That's one of the things I love about the business and why we all feel such a sense of pride and accomplishment when a boat sails away for the first time. There's a real piece of you that goes to sea with it." Martinac has employed as many as 350 craftsmen during busy times to build boats up to 250 feet in length and 45 feet in beam, sometimes with four vessels under construction at once. His firm was the first to successfully convert a tuna bait boat into a seiner, a move that revolutionized the world tuna fishing industry. He was a personable man, he liked people, and they liked him. Martinac died in 1963, and this tribute was made to him by the Tacoma News Tribune: There are Navy admirals and enlisted men, fishing boat owners and crewmen, who will say Joe built boats with the best of them. Boats which contributed to the safety of the nation in wartime, boats which added to the economy of the nation in peacetime. He did it all quietly, by choice. Martinac's firm continues to carry on his fine traditions. The Martinac team of naval architects and craftsmen are prepared to meet these challenges and are pursuing a variety of new projects including Norwegian designed aluminum catamaran ferries, high tech tugboats for ship handling and renovations to some of the Washington State Ferry vessels. “If all goes well, there may even be a few fishing boats in the future. It hasn't been the smoothest sailing in recent years,” says Martinac, "but we're still on course." (Internet)

MARTINIS, PAUL King of Salmon-Fisherman

Paul Martinis from Komiza, island of Vis, Croatia entered the history of American fishing not only for his record catch of salmon in the Bristol Bay and Bering Sea in Alaska, but also for being the first fisherman who discovered fishing riches in the dangerous waters of the Aleutians. He received a state award of America – King of Salmon – for his fishing exploits on the Aleutian islands in 1958 with personal recognition from President Eisenhower.

Paul Martinis was born in Komiza in 1893. Before being drafted by the Austrian army for several years, he decided to immigrate to USA in 1913. He boarded “Martha Washington” steamship in Trieste, and after 18 days embarked in the port of New York without knowing a single word of English, and with a capital of 22 dollars and great fishing experience that he attained while fishing with his father since his early childhood.

He arrived to Astoria, state of Oregon, and, to survive, he found a job immediately in a restaurant as a fireman. After hearing that there were fishermen from Komiza in Tacoma, Washington he went there to find a job as a fisherman. He met Nikola Mardesich there whom he knew in Komiza and earned his first dollars in the salmon catch on Mardesich’s boat “Sunset.” He bought his first boat “Sloga” for the salmon fishing in Anacortes, Washington in 1916. He fished salmon at the mouth of the Columbia River and in the Pudget Sound near Tacoma and Seattle. After a successful fishing season he built a new twenty-meter long boat “Northland” only a year later. On the “Northland,” Paul Martinis took the role of the captain for the first time and went to Alaska to the Bering Sea to spend the season salmon fishing. This was a risky undertaking for someone who did not know this dangerous sea. Fishing success opened for him paths toward new fishing accomplishments for which he will become known in America.

This was the time of pioneering fishing in Alaska when fishing was still done with sail and rowboats. This was the time for which Robert A. Henning, the writer of the monograph about the salmon fishing in Alaska, says: Terrible time to remember. Time when Ketchikan was the salmon capitol of the world, and 14 factories worked for two or three months, almost without a break every summer.

That time was best described by John Resich, a fisherman of Komiza origin, in the story I recorded in San Pedro in 1990: At that time, when we were fishing in the Bering Sea, there were no motors in the boats but oars. Upon waking up in the morning, you have to urinate on your hands to warm them up so you can move with your fingers. For the hands get stiff from work and cold. I am not of a big build, but I have hands like Joe Lewis, the fighter. You had to take your boots with your teeth for you could not take it with your hands. You cannot believe this. If there was a steamboat, everybody would run away. It was impossible to endure this, it was impossible to believe, and this was not during the winter, but in the summer – May, June, July, August. And we would make 12 rounds in one day. And days are 24 hours long there in summer. We slept for 3-4 hours a day.

At that time the only fishermen in the Bering Sea were from Komiza: three brothers Martinis, Dinja, Drinda, Zverce; Konjic, Guja, Kroj, Tetus. Toti were the fishing cages used by the Indians. And Komizans paid the Indians to remove the traps so that they could fish with nets.

In these most severe fishing conditions did Paul Martinis become the most successful fisherman. He had a good knowledge of sea currents, which is very important in salmon fishing. Other fishermen say that while the boat was anchored in the port he would watch movement of the sea grass on the ocean floor and this is how he could predict changes in the sea currents, which gave him an advantage in the fishing action against the others. This skill as well as many others is the heritage of an ancient tradition of Dalmatian fishermen.

While sardine fishing, Komiza’s fishermen developed a fine sense for all signs in the environment that are important for sailing and fishing. In new conditions this skill was that one specific difference that gave them an advantage against the others. Paul Martinis lives in Everett, Washington, and is president of Great Fishing Enterprises.  

Paul Martinis entered the history of American fishing not only with his record salmon catch in the Bristol Bay and the Bering Sea, but also as the first American fisherman who discovered the profusion of salmon in the dangerous waters of the Aleutians. He received a state award of America – King of Salmon – for his fishing exploits on the Aleutian islands in 1958 with personal recognition from the President of USA Eisenhower. (Bozanic 2001)

MARTINIS CLAN

It was called the Dreamland. That wouldn't have meant much to people picking up recent newspapers in Ventura, California. They read about a 68-foot fishing boat that ran aground and was torn apart. The vessel, which was returning from squid fishing, missed the harbor entrance in the dark. The Dreamland was built in 1949 for Everett fisherman Paul Martinis Sr.

Here in Everett, Washington there was a time when the Dreamland meant the world. For the Martinis family, a salmon fishing dynasty, the vessel's destruction is a sad chapter in a sweeping story. "I was sick. To see it broken up must made me sick," said John Martinis Sr., 73, whose late father, Paul Martinis Sr., had the purse seiner built in Tacoma in 1949. "Everyone in the family had the same feeling. Even though it was owned and operated by someone else, it was a loss to us,"' said Martinis, who fished in Alaska aboard the Dreamland and later served in Snohomish County government and the state Legislature. Paul Martinis Sr. was the patriarch of a prominent Everett commercial fishing family.

"It was a very sad end to a beautiful boat," said Barbara Martinis Piercey, 71, of Everett. She opened her scrapbooks last week and explained a sizable family tree. Four brothers in her father's generation came here from Croatia. The came from the island of Vis in the Adriatic Sea of Dalmatia. "The Dreamland was part of a historic fishing fleet owned by the Martinis brothers," she said. Piercey's father, Antonio "Tony" Martinis owned the Freeland. Paul Sr. had the Dreamland. Matt Martinis owned the Iceland, and Vince Martinis had the Polarland.

The Clan was one of a number of Croatian fishing families, some related and others bonded by marriage, that settled in Everett, among them the Mardesich and Marincovich families. "My father (Paul Sr.) was sort of the admiral of the fleet," said Dr. Andy Martinis, 78, of Edmonds. "He was the oldest, and brought his brothers over from Croatia, one at a time." As each immigrated, another purse seiner was acquired.

Paul Martinis Sr. and his wife, Pearl Marincovich Martinis, had two daughters, Winifred and Katie, and [four] sons, Paul Jr., Andrew, Vincent, and John. Andrew and John have vivid memories of fishing in Alaska aboard the Dreamland every summer, returning each August for the salmon run in Puget sound.

"In 1950, when we went north that year, the Dreamland and the Freeland each had 100,000 sockeye in four days," John Sr. said. "It was the weather and the wind blowing in, it sent all the Bristol Bay fish along the beach." "My father was the leader," he said. "The fleet was run collectively, but he put things together. He could read tides and current. He was absolutely remarkable about understanding fish." "I fished six years and then went into business for myself, into the sporting goods business," John Sr. said. His son, John Martinis, Jr., now operates John's Sportng Goods, a sport fishing shop in Everett. Andy Martinis would fish in the summer while pursuing his medical degree at the University of Washington. "I had to fly up to meet the boat in Alaska when I was in medical school," he said. "We got up early, worked very hard during the day, and sometimes didn't finish until the wee hours." "Fishing was a very intense, rugged time," he said. "We had a lot of stormy weather in Alaska."

Local fishing families saw tragedies as well as triumphs in the industry's heyday. In 1945, Pete and John Mardesich were lost at sea off Astoria, Oregon, when the Dorothy Joan went, down. The Sunset, owned by Nick Mardesich and his sons, was lost in Alaska in 1949. The Dorothy Joan and the Sunset were sister ships.

Piercey, whose sons Guy and Paul are fishermen, spent summers without a father. "My dad was gone all the time, he wasn't here for my graduation," she said. Her family wasn't alone. "As a kid, we'd go to the other homes during the summer. Paul's wife would rent [owned] a cabin on Lake Stevens," Piercey recalled. In the winter, the men mended nets and worked on the boats at Everett's 14th Street dock.

In 1954, Paul Martinis Sr. was honored at the Everett Elks Club for contributions to the fishing industry. "He was declared the King of Salmon. President Eisenhower sent a recognition award, and the Snohomish County Superior Court made him an honorary judge," John Sr. said. "He was the honcho, the big kahuna," Andy Martinis said of their father. After Paul Sr. retired, Paul Jr. took over the Dreamland, going to Alaska every summer as their father had. Paul Martinis Jr. died earlier this year. Andy Martinis said the Dreamland and his brother's license to fish in southeast Alaska were sold on contract to a California squid fisherman.

Of the fleet, only the Freeland is still operated by a family member, Tony Martinis Sr.'s son Paul Martinis. "The family, they were big-time," Piercey said. "They were called high-liners - that's an honor." "My father was such a high-liner," Andy Martinis said. "They used to say fish would not come into Puget Sound until Paul Martinis got back from Alaska." (Sleasman 2004)

MARTINOLICH, JOHN A. Shipbuilder-King of Purse Seiners

The history of the Puget Sound would be incomplete without the story of the Croatians who purchased land and made Dockton, a town on Maury Island, their home. Among them was John A. Martinolich, who was born in Mali Losinj, Dalmatia, Croatia and came to this country in 1893. Martinolich came from a line of shipbuilders who had practiced their trade along the Dalmatian Coast of the Adriatic. He had emigrated first to Canada, where he was employed at the Vancouver Shipyards Ltd. under Watts. He was not only a skilled craftsman but also had considerable knowledge and ability as a ship designer." In June, 1909, the drydock of the Puget Sound Drydock Company, for which the town of Dockton was named, was gone. But Dockton was by no means ready to become a ghost town. Her greatest days were yet to come. Many of the former drydock workers stayed on and embarked on enterprises of their own. Among them were Martinolich and John Busanich, who was a blacksmith. This hardy citizenry of fishermen and drydock workers liked their community too much to leave. They soon established a thriving economy, even surpassing the drydock era. Martinolich operated his shipbuilding business at several locations in Dockton in the early years. In 1904, he signed a contract to build the Vashon, which was the first of many well-known "mosquito fleet" steamers to be built in Dockton. Next he built the 142-ton, 113-foot steamer, the Verona. After building these, Martinolich had kept busy building purse seiners and other fishing boats for Dockton’s growing fleet of fishermen. John Martinolich had often been credited with the development of the West Coast purse seiner. His long, deep draft hulls became the classic pattern for the engine-driven fishing fleet that was to dominate the fishing grounds of the Northwest and Southeastern Alaska for the next fifty years. Many of those early purse seiners are still in use.

As the larger shipyards in Seattle and elsewhere became mobilized for the war effort in 1916, opportunities arose for small, independent operators, and Martinolich obtained a contract from the Norwegian government for three large wooden sailing schooners. All three were 235-foot, fore and aft rigged, topmast schooners. To accommodate these large vessels, the yard was completely rebuilt to provide fully planked ways capable of handling all three ships simultaneously. When America entered World War I in 1917, work was in progress on all three hulls. However, by the time one of the ships was completed in 1918, the shipping crisis had abated and, with worsening financial conditions, the Norwegian government failed to make payments on the contract. Because of Martinolich's fine reputation, a major lumber supplier decided to take over the contract. During the reorganization of the shipyard operations following the panic, Martinolich took in his relative, John Catalinich, to be a partner, Several relatives, including Tonce Cosulich, also worked in the same shipyard. The combination of relatives and fiery Dalmatian tempers resulted in some memorable verbal battles and smouldering rivalries. Cosulich and Catalinich formed a partnership and bid for the construction of a new passenger steamer by undercutting Martinolich. They obtained the contract to build the Vashona. Martinolich was enraged, and he, in turn, fiercely undercut them on every job that came along, so that the partners were driven out of business. The rivalry finished, Martinolich hired them back. Martinolich continued to build purse seiners and packers for the salmon trade. Many of his boats were operated by local Dockton fishermen. They were divided into two groups: the big seine boats which were operated by Slavonians such as Plancich, Beretich, Lubich, Catalinich, and Berry; and the Scandinavians, who operated one and two-man trollers. In 1929, when business became slack at the shipyard, Martinolich sent most of his crew to Gig Harbor to help the Skansie yard during the construction of the ferry Skansonia. In 1930, he retired and the shipyard closed except for occasional repair work. In 1937, he left Dockton to go to Italy, where he had acquired a villa. The Second World War forced his return to this country. He died in Tacoma in 1960.

Petrich, M

Yugos in Wash

MARTINOLICH, MATTEO Shipyard

When Croatian born Matteo Martinolich came to the Mississippi Coast in the mid-1880s, he was already skilled in shipbuilding and design. First working for Handsboro shipbuilder Henry Lienhard, Martinolich then established his own shipyard on the banks of Bayou Bemard at Handsboro, now part of Gulfport, Mississippi. An ad in the 1893 publication Mexican Gulf Illustrated advertises "Martinolich Shipyard. Vessels Built Hauled out and Repaired on Short Notice, and Satisfaction Guaranteed. Also, Steamboats, Iron or Wood, Yachts and Pleasure Boats." Matteo was the first to use Mississippi pine in the building of seagoing vessels and built the first sliding-way on the Coast to handle vessels larger than 60 feet. Pictures of visitors to the shipyard stand in the ribs of the schooner John Francis Stuard, then under construction. The rigged halfmodel of this 205.8-foot 1,200-ton, four-masted schooner, built in 1919 to carry freight and lumber, is on exhibit in the Hancock Bank in Gulfport The ship itself burned at the dock in Gulfport in 1928. Another photograph is of Martinolich and the large family he reared in the banks of Bayou Bernard. Seated in the center of the photograph is Frank Martinolich Sr., who came in 1883, along with his wife and sons Matteo and Frank Jr., from the island of Losinj near the western coast of Croatia. Other family members are front row, from left; children Joseph, 12, Andrew, 10; Leo, 3; Joanna Pavalini Martinolich holding 1-year-old. Jessie, standing next to Frank Sr. are Katie, 8 and Anna, 5. Through hard work and diligence, Martinolich launched a shipyard and raised a large family a true American immigrant success story. But as with many success stories, his was also touched by tragedy. From 1911 to 1914, three Martinolich's sons, his brother and his father died. On June 19, 1914 his two youngest boys drowned while swimming together in Bayou Bernard. Through Worid War I and until his semiretirement and closing of the business in about 1922, Matteo Martinolich built and designed hundreds of ships and boats; some still ply the seas today.

MARTINOLICH, VENANZIO Fisherman-Shipyard-Mariner

In June of 1905, Venanzio Martinolich of Ladner signed a contract with Yammamoto of Steveston to fish with Martinolich's 50 ft. steam tug "Eva". The tug was accompanied by two scows, two seine boats, all necessary purse seine nets and approximately nine sailors and fishermen to fish for dog salmon between Deep Bay and the town of Comox.

Purse Seiners were introduced in the U.S.A. during the mid-1880's to the Puget Sound area. The problem was mobility; the early purse seiners were operated using both a scow and a skiff. As Duncan Stacey states in 'A History of Gear Technology in the West Coast Fishing Industry', "Seine fishing at this point of time was a slow, ponderous procedure: The early purse seiners were fished from a boat and scow. The boat was 25 ft. long and 7 ft. wide". The scow upon which most of the work was done, and which was considered indispensable in setting the seine, was 20 ft. long by 8 ft. wide.

At each end there was an iron winch. These winches were used for the “pursing up", the seine being pursed from the scow. There was a wooden purse davit, which stepped into the side of the scow and to which were attached two (3 inch) wooden blocks, the purse line leading from them to the winches at either end. Eleven to fourteen men were required to set the seine, six at the oars, two at the seine and two on the scow. During the slow process of pursing, a man stood at the davit with a long pole, which had a block of wood called a "plunger" fastened to it.

This was kept working up and down between the purse lines to frighten the fish away from the centre of the net. No doubt it was very effective in saving the school, as the bottom of the seine was left open from twenty-five to forty minutes which was ample time for the salmon to find its way out. From an hour and a half to two hours were required for setting, pursing up and stowing the seine ready for another trial.

The use of steam tugs partially solved the mobility problem, as Venanzio Martinolich proved, but the real innovation at this point in the purse seine industry was the introduction of the internal combustion engine. As Duncan Stacey explains: "It provided mobility and changed the method of setting the net".

The scows were discarded and the net moved from the skiff on the powered seiner. The end of the seine was now made fast to the skiff which acted like a sea anchor and the seiner made a circle back to the skiff. Both ends of the net were then brought aboard, the net pursed and finally hauled up, allowing the fish to be removed.

Soon after these powered seiners were introduced, their purse winches were driven by the main engine, which eliminated much of the labour of pursing up. The powered purse seiners could set and haul up their nets in approximately half the time required by their predecessors.

Venanzio Martinolich was bom on January 10, 1848, on the island of Mali Losinj on the north Adriatic coast of Croatia. He was married in Mali Losinj; however his first wife passed away, leaving Venanzio with two children; a son Mariano and a daughter Maria. A master mariner and boat builder, Venanzio decided that North America would present better opportunities for him and his family, so they left his island, never to return. They landed in New Orleans and Venanzio Martinolich soon met and married Antoinetta Nikolich. Venanzio then took his family to Colorado where their daughter Carolina was bom on July 27, 1889. Apparently he attempted coal mining in the north-west. The family moved on to Tacoma, Washmgton where a son, Venanzio was born on May 14, 1891. Venanzio and Mariano started fishing in Tacoma, where it was decided that the Fraser River had no more to offer to catch. How he finished in Tacoma and with what type of gear is not known. Venanzio then moved to Port Guichon 1892. Port Guichon, about a mile south of moderm day Ladner near Vancouver, accommodated steamer and also sailing vessels.

Venanzio saw that there was a demand for scows and tugs. So he started his own shipyard. The first Martinolich boats were steam-powered tugs. One was called the "B.C. Boy"; the other was the "Eva".

The entrepreneurial Venanzio began to work the gear that he built. In a recent

interview, grandson Richard Martinolich related to me that "Venanzio built a tug and used it himself to tow scows and what not because they needed them on the river to collect the fish and bring the fish to canneries and what not".

By the early 1900's a market was developing for the lesser grades of salmon such as dogs (for salting) and pinks (for canning) where previously only sockeye, or in a bad sockeye year, red springs and cohoe were in demand.

Venanzio saw the opportunity to go fishing for the lucrative salmon market that was establishing and in 1905, he acquired one the first Purse seine licences in B.C. He proceeded to fish areas on the coast, working an area until the run had finished and then travelled to another area. Two scows were used: one for living quarters, the other for the working platform and the base for the two boats that were used to set the nets from the scow. Venanzio continued this type of operation for approximately three years.

However, as Duncan Stacey describes, the purse seining would be revolutionized by the internal combustion engine. "The forerunner of the modern seiner was introduced around 1902 when the 'Pioneer', a gas-powered seine boat, was launched in Puget Sound. This vessel was only 38 ft. long, powered by a 5 H.P. combustion engine, and had a hand-operated purse winch. The typical early seine was a small open boat decked forward with a small cabin over the engine. The width was twenty-five percent of the vessel's length to take the heavy cargoes and the strain of pulling in the nets. The seine net was stored on a platform or table on the stem, hence the term table seiner".

In about 1909 Venanzio brought over the table seiner "Yankee Boy", probably imported from the Puget Sound area. It was one of the earliest powered seine boats used in B.C. These early seiners were built to fish a localized fisheries; however the fishing industry was changing and a need for most robust, deeper hull types would necessitate changes in vessel design. As Duncan Stacey asserts, "British Columbia's seine fleet began to develop rapidly after 1911 to exploit the Swift Sure Bank fishery of the Straits of Juan de Fuca. Between 1911 and 1912 the number of seiners in this fishery rose from 22 to 100. Also seiners that fished theses waters were known as deep sea seiner boats and differed from the earlier types, had more power, had crew quarters, and were fully decked."

Venanzio used the "Yankee Boy" very successfully locally and he decided in 1912 to build a more robust hulled seiner based on boat design. The boat he built "The B.C. Kid", was approximately eighteen feet long and a deeper displacement hull, which was more geared for rough weather. The first home-built table seiner in the Ladner Area was the "B.C. Kid", and would be Venanzio's last vessel.

In 1913 at age sixty-five, Venanzio Martinolich died of a heart attack, but he left behind him a legacy: The pioneering Martinolich family would continue to be innovative in it's approach to fishing.

Matt Martinolich carried on in the fishing industry and built the "Green Sea" in 1918, a sixty-'five footer, the "Daisy B" in 1927 and the. "Splendor", another sixty-five footer in 1940. Matt Martinolich married Emilla Giuricich on February 17, 1917 in Port Guichon. They had three sons, Richard, Aldwin and Glenn. Little major technological change occurred in the seine fisheries until the late 40's when a few seine fishermen were using rudimentary drums, but with little success. Drum type seiners in contrast to table seiners could set and purse more quickly.

A drum is a mechanically or hydraulically powered horizontal drum made of wood or aluminum which sets and hauls the seine. It was commonly accepted however, that drum seiners could not catch the high-paying sockeye salmon, a favourite target species by table seiners. This train of thought was commonplace mainly because this new technology had not evolved to where the drum seine could became the dominant seine system. Table seining was still the accepted means to catch salmon. In the early 50's the table seine net was brought up by fleeting the net. This was by strapping the net and hauling it using the winch. The power block replaced the strapping process. (Herman 1995)

MARTINOVIC, BORIS Opera Singer

Boris Martinovic is an opera singer born on August 27, 1955 in Zadar, Croatia; Parents are Tomislav M. and Marija; Wife Sylvia (nee Saavedra) and one son. Educated atJuilliard School of Music, New York. Debut in New York soon began career on great American opera stages like the San Francisco Opera and Carnegie Hall in New York (1972); started European career debut in the Vienna State Opera under Claudio Abbado (1991); leading voice of Opera in Zurich as basso-cantante (1993); made many records for important world record companies. Resides in Palm Desert, California.

MARUNA, BORIS Writer-Poet-Croatian Activities

Boris Maruna a writer-poet was born April 13, 1940, in Jasenice, Croatia. He completed his education at Loyola University, Los Angeles; From 1976-77 he was the secretary of Croatian National Council in New York City and member of the Sena of the Croatian National Council. In 1990 he returned to Croatia to assist his new, liberated homeland move into democracy. He was also director of Hrvatska Matica Iseljenika (Croatian Immigrant Association) from 1990-92 in Zagreb, Croatia.

MARUSH, ANTON K. Fish Company-Goldminer

Anton was born in Orebic, Dalmatia September 27, 1872. The son of Mato, a seafaring man who sailed around the world many times and was in San Francisco as early as 1845. Anton lived in Orebic until he was 13 years old when he himself went to sea as a cabin boy. When he was 17 he rounded the horn and landed in San Francisco where he attended a navigation school and earned his master’s papers; and he also received instruction in the English language to enable him to transact business intelligently. He spent three years in Alaskan waters on a whaling expedition while making San Francisco his headquarters, and he made 14 trips to Honolulu under Captain Jorgensen on the barkentine Planter. Mr. Marusch also operated a restaurant, then became a salesman for a fish company. He was in Seattle when the first rush to the gold fields of Alaska began and was one of the first to outfit for the expedition. He took passage on the City of Seattle to Skagway, then packed over Childoot pass to White Horse Rapids and thence to Dawson, where he mined until 1896. He lived in Circle City from 1896 until 1899. In 1901 he settled in San Pedro, California where he engaged in the wholesale and retail fish business, having bought out G.O. Tayor’s Union Fish Company, which he conducted until his brother Baldo became his partner and they then called their business the American Union fish Company. In 1922 this business was sold and Mr. Marusch devoted his time to his personal affairs. He was manager of the San Diego and Los Angeles American Union fish Company and for several years was a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Italy. Anton was married in Los Angeles, January 28, 1906 to Mary Trinaystich, who was born at Kastav, Dalmatia on October 16, 1882. She was a daughter of Andrew and Josephine Trinaystich, the former of whom, a cooper by trade, died November 9, 1914 at his home in Dalmatia. Six children were born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Marusch, namely: Frances M., Mato B., Annie V., Carmela A., Anton K., and Steven A., the last being twins.

MARUSICH-MARSH, JOE Wrestler-Actor

The Company Logo and picture “Mr. Clean” on the well known kitchen cleaning product sold for years is actually Joe Marsh whose real name is Josip Marusic. His parents were born in Trogir, Croatia and immigrated to Chicago. His weight at birth was 22 lbs. He is a product of the Croatian Catholic School System in Chicago. Before making his hollywood appearance, he participated in over 3,000 professional wrestling matches. He took the movie star name of Joe Marsh, and appeared in over 100 films as well as TV shows and theaters. In one film he played Nikita Kruschev. Joe Marsh has appeared with Judy Garland, Burt Lancaster, Marlo Brando, Karl Malden, Peter Sellers, Rod Steiger and many others.

MARUSIC, SVETKO Industrial Machines

Every Croatian immigrant could write a book about his immigrant experiences, stated Svetko Marusic, a successful businessman and activist in the Cleveland, Ohio Croatian community. He came to the U.S.A. in the 1960’s as did many of his compatriots. He, initially, worked in a hydraulics factory. He rose quickly with his outstanding skills; and showing great potential as a skilled craftsman, he was sent to Lakeland Community College by the company to advance his skills. After twelve years with the company, Marusic started his own company. If I was good for others, why would I not be good for myself, he said. As he states, it is important to have support of one’s family and his wife Dubravka encouraged his dreams to go into business for himself. ìf you do not try, you will never know if you can be successful. The first few years in any business are most difficult and it is much easier when you get over those first years, stated Marusic, who employs over 140 people, at least 100 of whom are Croatians. His firm, Universal Screw Machine Co., has a solid reputation in the regional business circles. Svetko Marusic started the Universal Screw Machine in a small garage in 1978 and every few years moved to a larger facility. Marusic now has a 60,000 square feet headquarters facility in Willoughby, Ohio.

MASCOVICH, MARGARET Sister

The Santa Clara Valley native was graduated from Notre Dame College in the early 1930’s. She entered the Notre Dame deNamur Order in 1936. In her later years she devoted her energies to special education and tutoring children with learning disabilities. Sister died on October 14, 1981. She is survived by two sisters: Mary Elizabeth d'Artenay of San Jose and Grace Lobrovich of Arizona; a brother, Joseph Steven Mascovich of San Jose.

MASLAC, GEORGE Croatian Activities

Juraj was born in Dolnje Hrasno, Stolac, Hercegovina 28 April 1885 and immigrated to the United States as a young boy. He met and married his wife in Los Angeles where they raised a daugher Marianne (Suddreth) and a son George, who died in 1979. Juraj joined the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 177 in 1917 and served in various offices.

MATAYA, MARTINA Catholic Sister-Teacher

Sister Mary is a biology teacher and head of the science department at Lenihan High School in Marshalltown, Iowa. She was born of Croatian parents on May 7, 1915 in Albia, Iowa. Education included Ottumwa Heights College, Ottumwa, Iowa 1931-1934; College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, Minnisota, B.S., 1938; St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, 1951-1953; Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois, 1962; University of California, Berkeley, 1964. Major field was Education, Biology, Home Economics. Activities and Awards:Wells College, Tallahassee, Florida; 1963-64 First alternate to the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award. National Association of Biology Teachers. Teaching in secondary schools in Iowa 1962-64; Director of Science Manuscripts, State of Iowa. Iowa Jr. Academy of Science; 1963 Catholic School Area Editor, Iowa Teachers Journal; 1964 Secretary, Iowa Science Teacher's Association. 1965-68 Advertising Editor of Iow's Science Teacher's Journal; 1967 Committee for Public Relations of Iowa Science Teacher's Association; Finance and Endowment Committee for Iowa Jr. Academy of Science 1968-1971.

MATCOVICH, N.N.S. Hotel-Restaurant-Goldmine

An experienced hotelman who has made his holstery one of the most important headquarters for lodgers in Sacramento, and has also rendered good service by opening a first-class employment agency in connection with the hotel, is N. N. S. Matcovich, the proprietor of the St. George Hotel at the corner of Fourth and J Streets, and also of the St. Nicholas Billiard Parlor at 1116 Fourth Street, the largest ground-floor parlor in the world, containing fifty tables. He was born in Dalmatia, Croatia, on March 12, 1884, the son of N. N. S. and Lucy Matcovich, industrious folks who made their way to America and Chicago, where the good mother died. Our subject attended the common schools in his native land, and continued his English studies after he came to the United States, when he was thirteen years of age. he remained in Chicago unitl 1905, and then came West to California, stopping in San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles; and he also was interested in a large cafe in Sausalito. In 1914, Mr. Matcovich came to Sacramento, and on August of the following year he bought the old St. George Hotel, formerly the Dawson House, built in 1852, which was the center of all activities of the prominent pioneers. He has constructed the first unit of and entirely modern and up-to-date structure which, when completed, will be of eight stories, to cost $100,000 and to be known as the St. Nichlas Hotel, located at 1116 Fourth Street, between K and L Streets.  He has installed, at great expense, in the basement of his building, a modern gymnasium and trainng quarters for wrestlers and boxers, with steam, Hamman tub and shower baths, the latter open to the public. He has a very large banquet room, capable of seating over 200 persons, lounging and rest rooms, full and complete kitchen equipment, barber shop and lunch counter; in fact, every modern convenience is to be found under the roof at 1116 Fourth Street. Mr. Matcovich is the owner of Estella No. 2, a producing gold mine on Weaver Creek, near Weaverville, Trinity County; and he owns the famous Pennington Mineral Water Springs at Helisma, Claveras County. This water is a high-grade medicinal water, and is bottled and shipped in car-lots to their headquarters at 2319 Wentworth Avenue, Chicago, where it is then distributed throughout the country.

MATEJCIC, JOHN J. Professor

John Matejcic is a Professor of Mathematics at Florissant Valley Community College, Ferguson, Missouri. Born November 26, 1936 to Croatian parents in St. Louis, Missouri; married with two children. Education includes Harris Teachers College, St. Louis, Mo., A.B., 1959; St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, M.S. Teaching 1965 with a major field in Mathematics and a specialty in Algebra and Analysis. Member of Pi Mu Epsilon, National Council of Mathematics Teachers.

MATHIEU, GEORGES Sergeant of Marines

In the "Le Conseil De LaVie Francaise D' Amerique" papers in Quebec, Canada, an interesting entry appeared among the French Acadians who had settled in Louisiana:

Georges Mathieu "Croatian", Sergeant of a company of Marines born around 1685. Married around 1708 to Marguerite Etheque and a child, Marguerite, in 1709.

Every other entry listed in the birth place and I believe "Croatian" is unmistakable in this case. This would be the earliest Croatian in America and Canada.

MATICH, JOHN, SR. Construction Company

John was born in Stolac, Hercegovina and immigrated to the United States in 1906. He began his career in the construction business by working for Kaiser Paving Company in Northern California. In 1918 John founded what would become the Matich Corporation, builders of highways and Freeways. In 1923 he was joined in the enterprise by his cousin Nikola Matich forming the partnership “”Matich Brothers”. Why “brothers”? The two men were cousins and good friends. People always assumed they were brothers, so they might as well call it Matich Brothers., In the late 1940s John’s sons, Jack and Martin began their careers with the company and acquired the partnership in 1951. They grew the company into a major builder of highways, airports and flood control systems. The Matich corporation also expanded its operations to include permanent asphalt plants, a rock, sand and gravel plant, two transit mix production operations and a rich quarry.

MATICH, JACK and MARTIN Construction Company-Mayor

Sons of John Matich Sr., all contractors. After earning a B.S. in civil engineering at Notre Dame, Martin Matich started his career in heavy construction. Along the way he became involved in many areas of civic activity. He was council member and mayor of Colton (1965-60); member of the boards of St. Bernardine Hospital and the National Orange Show; president of the Southern California Chapter, Associated General Contractors of America (1962); member of the California Contractors State License Board (1963067); president and chairman of the Board of Inland Action Business and Professional Association of San Bernardino (1969-73); member of the boards of the Orange Belt Savings and Loan Association(1972-82) and Security Pacific National Bank, Inland Division (1970-83); and member of the Engineering Council of Notre Dame (1970-83). He was president of the National Orange Show in 1976 and served on its Board of Governors. He was president of the Inland Empire Council of the Boy Scouts of America and Board of Directors of Phototron Corporation. Additionally, Matich is a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepuchre, holds the Fourth Degree, Knights of Columbus; and is active in the B.PO.E. Lodge 836, the Native Sons of the Golden West, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. His broad range of political, civic and community interests often requires Matich to visit the state capital. One trip to Sacramento many years ago was very eventful: he met his future wife, Evelyn. She continues to share his interests in community service, his hobby of riding, and—most important—the raising of their four sons. She is a life member of the St. Bernardine Hospital Auxilliary and a member of the San Bernardino Co. Civil Service Commission. In October of 1983 Martin’s brother Jack Matich passed away. Martin continues to serve as president and leader of this company. He is supported by Executive Vice-President Roy Hays and a large fraternity of employees which include his four sons and Jack’s son and daughter. The Matich Corporation may be noted for local landmarks in the San Bernardino-Riverside area: the former Ontario Motor Speedway, Colton Interchange, Silverwood Lake, Lake Skinner, Glen Helen Regional Park Facility and channel and levy construction of the Santa Ana river. They didn’t stop with these counties or state. Their work may be seen throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii and Oregon.

MATICH, MICHAEL Saloons-Goldminer

Michael Matich was from Hercegovina. He had  saloon at Jackson and East streets; he also operated saloons at 1306 Pacific, Jackson Street Wharf and Davis and Washington Streets in San Francisco. He gold mined on the Yuba in 1852. He married an Irish girl and had a large family.

MATICH, MICHAEL Policeman

Retired San Francisco police officer Michael Matich died at his home In San Francisco, January 6. 2000. Dearly beloved son of the late Isaac and Sarah Matich: loving brother of Helene Bernhardt. Millicent Caruso, and the late Nick R. Matich; dear brother-in-law of Helen Matich, and the late Tony S. Caruso and Walter J. Bernhardt; cherished uncle of Marlene Bernhardt Kauppila, Frances Caruso McAuliffe. Rose Marie Caruso Ewing, Nancy Bernhardt Erdman, Lois Caruso Berzman.. Anne Matich Marquard, and the late Katherine Matich Anderson. A graduate of Stanford University, Veteran of WWII, and, a retired. member of the San Francisco Police Department.

MATIEVICH, JOHN G. Policeman-Military

He was born in Murray, Utah to John and Manda Sudar Matievich on January 28, 1915. He grew up in Murray and attended grade school and high school. In March of 1936 he went to work at Portland Cement Co. in Parleys Canyon. On June 13 of 1942, he was called into the service. His basic training was at Fort Leanardwood, Missouri, after which he was shipped over to the European Theater and fought in the battle of Anzio under the command of Lucian K. Truskott in France and Italy. The battle lasted 45 days and John was wounded on the 43rd day and hospitalized in Italy. He received the Purple Heart. Later he spent time in France and Germany. In 1945 he returned home, going to work for Murray City as a police officer for three years. He went back to Portland Cement and there on Jan. 9, 1951, he suffered a premature blast in which he lost his left hand and his eyesight. Easter Sunday of 1957 he married Vea Pearson. She preceded him in death on April 3, 1973. With heavy hearts, we announce the death of John G. Matievich of Svi Slaveni Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 388. He died on December 6, 2001. He was a 68-year member of our lodge. He was a lifetime member of the CFU, Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. John is survived by a brother, Nick Matievich and sisters Rose Robertson of Murray and Katie Buchanan of Centerville.

MATIJEVIC, EGON Chemist-Professor-Author

Egon Matijevic is Director and Professor of Chemistry at the Institute of Colloid & Surface Science, Clarkson College of Technology, Potsdam, New York, N.Y. Born 1922 in Otocac, Croatia. Education includes Diploma in Chemical Engineering, Technical School, University of Zagreb 1944; Ph.D. in Chemical Technical School, University of Zagreb 1948; Doctoral in Physical Chemistry, School of Science, University of Zagreb 1952 with a major field in Chemistry and Physical Chemistry, Colloid Chemistry. Member of American Chemical Society; Sigma Xi; Amererican Association of University Professors; Croatian Chem. Society, Zagreb; Kolloid-Gesellschaft Koln, Germany. Authored and co-authored over one hundred scientific papers, published in scientific journals; Books, Textbooks in Chemistry.

MATKO, STEVE Tamburitza Music-Croatian Activities

Learning to play the tamburitza in 1937, Steve Matko beagn his career of playing and singing Croatian music. He remembers his first instructor, George Beleg, this year's Tamburitza Honoree, and echoes the sentiments of the Selections Committee in choosing Mr. Beleg to receive the distinction of being named to the Tamburitza Hall of Fame. After several years under Beleg's tutelage, Steve Matko learned from fellow Monessenite, Steve Zoretich, who shared his tamburitza expertise with other budding young students. With the basics of the tamburitza ingrained in him, Steve was prepared to entertain. And, since 1937, that is what he has done. He started his career with the Sloga Tamburitza Orchestra of Monessen, Pennsylvania and first played for war bond rallies and local programs, later entertaining at weddings, picnics, banquets and other charitable affairs in Monessen, the Mon Valley and the greater Pittsburgh area. Born March 24, 1928 at Monessen, PA to the late Max and Katherine Matko, Steve was encouraged to develope his musical talents. His mother, Katherine, had a beautiful alto voice and lent her abilities to her son's efforts by singing along with Sloga whenever they performed at social activities for the Croatian Home and Croatian Church in Monessen. "Sloga" has long been popular among Croatian people in the western Pennsylvania area for their knowledge of the Old Croatian favorites which they played from the heart and which brings many wonderful memories back to young and old alike and elicits in them an urge to sing along with these familier melodies. With the Sloga Tamburitzans, Steve had the opportunity to visit Croatia twice, once in 1981 and again in the summer of 1984, allowing him to share his love of tamburitza music with family and friends in the old homeland. He has remained active, not only in tamburitza musical circles, but also in activities which involve other aspects of his Croatian community. He is past president of the Monessen Croatian Club and currently serves as Club Secretary. He is also a past president of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 194 of Monessen and now holds the position of trustee within the lodge. He is employed as a member of the Board of Assessors in Westmoreland County. Steve and his wife-Ruth, reside at Monessen and are the parents of two daughters, Mrs. Harold (Linda) Jones and Lorraine. When asked about his feelings in being selected for this honor, Steve expressed his gratitude to the Tamburitza Extravaganza Committee by citing the award as, "A special honor for me. It is an award for what I have enjoyed doing all of my life - playing the tambura and singing Croatian songs l have loved from my childhood days." He added, "First, last and always, I will be proud of my Croatian heritage and will continue to share this musical enjoyment with my good friends and all who appreciate our Croatian music."

MATKOVICH, GREGORY Fisherman-Restaurant

The Matkovich family hailed from Vrboska, Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia. Grgo (Gregory) Matkovich came to the United States in the first years of the century, working in coal mines near Chicago and financing the immigration of six of his brothers and sisters to America. Around 1906 the family moved to Oakland, where Gregory's sister Frances Matkovich married fellow Croatian immigrant Nicola (Nick) Kojich who reportedly operated a public house, perhaps a restaurant and/or bar. Hearing of the thriving Croatian settlement on Tomales Bay and frustrated with work in Oakland, the Matkovich brothers moved to Tomales Bay in 1911. They rented a house at which would become Nick's Cove from the Blake family and started a fishing business, working alongside of the Vilicich's, Cosmitich's and others. Their neighbors in the cove included the Miller family a short distance to the north and the Blake's to the south. The Matkovich brothers' fishing business consisted of several boats, including at least one of the classic Monterey double-enders common at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. The men tended nets which they had made themselves and shipped their catch to San Francisco markets, including Paladini Fish Company and probably the P.E. Booth Company, on the freight trains out of Hamlet. The catch was seasonal with the winter herring season being the busiest. Fish shipped to market included perch, shrimp, herring, salmon, halibut, smelt, and sea bass. Around 1917 or 1918 the brothers moved from the east side of the bay to the west, building a house, sheds and pier in a small cove opposite Hog Island which they rented from the owners of the Pierce dairy ranch. Gregory's children, as well as the others living in numerous coves on the bay, attended school at the ranch. In the late teens Nick Kojich also went into the fishing business, first at Monterey where he fished in the waters south of there.

Nick and Frances Kojich had remained close with her family on Tomales Bay, often taking care of the children in Oakland while things were busy on the bay. The Kojich's moved to the bay in 1920. A few years after the Matkovich brothers left Tomales Bay around 1927, Nick Kojich bought the fishing business and buildings at Pierce Point. Nick and Frances Kojich remained at Nick's Cove until they died, but in 1950 brought Frances's nephew Andrew and his wife Dorothy to be partners in the business. Andrew Matkovich was a son of bay pioneer Gregory Matkovich and had been born in one of the cabins now used as a rental cottage. That year the restaurant had been burned down and Andrew Matkovich helped build a new one on the same site. They developed the restaurant with a full menu, still specializing in seafood (featuring local oysters from Hamlet) but offering traditional road food as well. Within a decade as Nick went into a slow retirement, the Matkovich's took over the business fully; they raised a family at Nick's Cove. As when the Kojich's managed the business, the Nick's Cove cabins during the 1950s and 1960s were occupied by families and the Matkovich's' hunting friends on a long-term rental basis. The Matkovich's hosted an annual Stingray Derby and a Shark Derby, and held traditional events such as clam digs and crab feeds. They rented small boats with oars and motors, keeping them tied up to the south side of the pier; neighboring fishermen also ported their boats at Nick's Cove. Visitors on boats could tie up at the pier for a meal at the restaurant, and in the early days fishing boats called at Nick's Cove with their catches which ended up on the menu (this practice was later discounted due to state regulations). Andrew Matkovich, and the aging Nick Kojich, fished the bay and ocean commercially for smelt, salmon and other fishes as their predecessors had done for a half a century. Nick Kojich died around 1960, Frances having died previously. In 1973, Dorothy Matkovich, by this time a widow (Andrew died in 1969), sold Nick's Cove to Alfred and Ruth Gibson, ending more than 40 years of family ownership. The development of Nick's Cove by Nick and Frances Kojich and Andrew and Dorothy Matkovich reflects a number of historical themes which are important to the Tomales Bay area and the California coastal area in general:---They were built by ambitious immigrants who had worked their way up from tenant fishermen to landowners, finding the American Dream to be attainable; a number of the Croatian immigrants continue to be represented by later generations still living on Tomales Bay with successful businesses.

MATLOVICH, LEONARD Gay Activist

Leonard Matlovich the famous airforce member who was discharged for being homosexual and died in San Francisco of Aids. He was featured on the cover of Time Magazine in 1975 and his grave in the Congressional Cemetery, Washington D.C. is a pilgrimage destination of gays.

John R. Mark

MATOSEVICH, MILAN Department Store

Clothes carrying Croatia’s renowned fashion brand Varteks of Varazdin will soon appear on the US market. This was made possible by an agreement concluded between Varteks, the U.S. Mike's, and Burgtrade, Varteks subsidiary in Austria. Varteks products will be sold in a department store, actually a joint venture undertaken by Varazdin's company and Milan Matosevich, a Croatian American living in Sacramento, California, and the owner of Mike's Tailoring and Clothing. The department store will be opened in March 2000, and the value of the first delivery of Varteks ready-to-wear clothes will amount to US $ 700,000. The signing ceremony was held in Varazdin and the agreement was signed by Andelko Herjavec, Varteks CEO, Milan Matosevich, the owner of Sacramento's Mike's, and Vladimir Maric, Burgtrade's CEO. The agreement provides for the opening of a department store owned jointly by Varteks and Mr. Matosevich, who emigrated from Croatia to become a successful businessman in Sacramento. As stated by Mr. Herjavec, the opening of this department store, which covers a total surface area of 1,100 square meters, marks Varteks entry into the US market with its own fashion brands and under its own corporate name.

MATTESICH, DOMINIC Farm

On December 9, 1880, Miss Connors was married to Dominic Mattesich, a native of Croatia.  At sixteen years of age he became a sailor and thus spent four years, arriving in San Francisco when he was twenty years old, where he stopped with an uncle, who persuaded him to give up the sailor’s life and remain in California. He pruchased a tract land south of Stockton and engaged in farming persuits for four years, when he transferred his operations to the present quarter-section of land some six miles southeast of Farmington, where he raised wheat and barley. The ranch was formerly a sheep ranch and when Mr. and Mrs. Mattesich took up their residence here, there was only a small cabin on the place and the wonderful development and improvement in this section has been witnessed by Mrs. Mattesich. This ranch consists of 160 acres of fine wheat land, located about six miles southeast of Farmington, San Joaquin County, where for thiry-eight years abundant crops of wheat and barley have been raised.  Before her marriage, Mrs. Mattesich was Miss Catherine Connors, a native of County Galway, Ireland, born March 1, 1852, the youngest daughter of Matthias and Nellie (Kennon) Connors, natives also of the same county in Ireland. Mr. Mattesich passed away in 1901, survived by his wife and three children: George F.; John Edward; Lena is the wife of Charles A Seward, and they have one son, Charles, Jr.

MATTESICH, GEORGE Farm-Vineyard

Among the grain farmers of pronounced success in San Joaquin County, is George F. Mattesich, a native son of the county, who lives on his ranch three miles south of Farmington; he also operates the 500 acre ranch owned by M. Harrold south of Farmington, besides leasing other grain land aggregating 2,500 acres.  he was born at Stockton, Cal., September 21, 1881, a son of Dominic and Catherine (Connors) Mattesich, natives of Croatia and Ireland, respectively.  Both parents were pioneers of the county and were active in its advancement and development for over a third of a century. There were three children in the family, George F. being the eldest; John Edward; and Lena, Mrs. Charles A. Seward, who lives in the same home place. Dominic Mattesich passed away in may, 1901, and Mrs. Mattesich resides on the home ranch southeast of Farmington.  On December 25, 1910, at Lodi, Mr. Mattesich was married to miss Mae Madeline Miloglav, a native of Stockton, and a daughter of Peter and Lara Alice (Johnson) Miloglav, vineyardists residing two miles east of Lodi. Two children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Mattesich, Glen and Lloyd, students in the Wheatland school. Dominic Mattesich had one of the first great Holt Harvesters drawn by 32 horses, in 1891. Mr. Mattesich started with two eight-horse teams and accomplised extensive grain raising until 1913, when he bought his first Holt caterpillar, paying $4,000 for it. He owns half interest in 160 acres of land five miles southeast of Collegeville which was purchased sixteen years ago in partnership with his brother John; he also owns a ten-acre vineyard on the eighty acre farm near Farmington where he resides.

MATULICH, BEN MATEO Waiter

Born in Dol, on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia on July 16, 1894, . Ben was the youngest and last of six brothers, all of whom came to California, two settled in Hollister, two in Gilroy and two in Santa Cruz. They had a clan name "Scaraboje" to distinguish them from the large Matulich clan. He is survived by his wife Hattie, son Nick and daughter Catherine, ten granchildren and seven greatgrandchildren. Ben left home at age 18 in 1912, went directly to Hollister where he worked at various jobs and in 1915 moved to Santa Cruz where he started to work as a waiter at the St. George Hotel. He met and married his first wife Emma, had two children and settled down in California that had many countrymen from the Island of Brac. In 1934 his wife was killed in an automobile accident and shortly after, Ben moved to San Francisco where he worked as a waiter at Tadich Grill and Nugget Grill. He married "Hattie" and returned to Santa Cruz. Upon semiretirement, Ben became a part-time gardener and could prune trees better than anyone else in Santa Cruz county. He was loved by everyone he came in contact with, always smiling and pleasant, and always ready to relate his experiences in Dalmatia and comical stories were endless when he would get together with his brothers. Ben was a member of the SlavonicSociety in San Francisco for 61 years. He died on May 29, 1987 at 93 years old.

MATULICH, DANILO CLAN Winery-Professor-Business-Professionals

The family came to Sacramento December 19, 1946 from Egypt where they spent three years in a refugee camp at El-Shatt during World War Two. Sponsored by uncle Tom Matulich. Danilo bought a parcel of land and started a chicken business, but died four years later of Hodgkins Decease. Danilo Matulich, born in Postira Island of Brac 1899, died in Sacramento, California in 1950. Wife Josephine, born Josipa Schuster in 1907 at Nova Gradiska, Croatia died in 1998. Children are: Irene Patterson born in Split, Croatia 1930, retired, three daughters Carolyn Fiori, Adoptive Technology Computer Specialist at San Mateo College; Kathy Jones, Accounting Administrator,Veterans Affairs, State of California; Renita Chamberlain, Dental Assistant, Sacramento. Husband Donald, we have 2 grandchildren, a step-son and 2 step-grandchildren; Serge Matulich PhD (born Sergije, in Split 1933), semi-retired professor at Rollins College, Orlando, Florida, wife Margarete, son Alex, daughter Erika Porter PhD; Milan Matulich, born in Split, Croatia 1933, owner of Dobra Zemlja winery in Plymouth, Amador wife Victoria, 5 step-children; Daniel Matulich, born in El-Shatt,Egypt 1945, wife Claudine, 2 sons Mischa and Jordan, students. Danny is a bus driver for Regional Transit in Sacramento, lives in Newcastle.

MATULICH, JERONIMO Pirate

In Herbert Eugene Bolton's book "Athanse De Mezieres and the Louisiana-Texas Frontier, 1768-1780 - Spain in the West": A report was sent to the Governor by De Mezieres:

"Likewise I am informed by courier that the persons named Jeronimo Matulich and Juan Hamilton continue to make journeys to the mouth of the Trinity, buying horses and mules off the Indians who live there and who have joined recently thirty families of Coxos and Carancaoueys, Apostates and fugitives from our missions, attracted by the opportunity to barter; and now they get a small amount of money, I do not know whether stolen or found in some shipwreck. These traders go in by land as far as the Bidais Nation, and try to arouse the interior tribes."

De Mezieres further reports: "That a man named Matulich had gone to the mouth of the Neches River with a boat manned by ten men and there he was selling liquor to the Indians and maligning the governor."

On August 8, 1774 the Governor ordered the arrest of Jeronimo Matulich but no further mention is made if he was actually caught and jailed. Matulich was an inhabitant of Mobile, Alabama and took the Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity to his Brittanic Majesty King George III in 1764. Matulich appeared in many court cases in New Orleans in the 1760's and 1770's dealing with piracy, indebtedness and other sundry matters.

MATULICH, JOHN Investment Corporation-Restaurant

John Matulich was born on February 2, 1891 in the village of Dol on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. John married his childhood sweetheart, Mary, and had two boys. Tragedy was to strike and their young boys were taken from them. In their grief, John and Mary returned to Brac and gave birth to Mary and Darko. They returned to San Francisco in the early 1930's. John Matulich joined the Slavonic Society in 1904 and held the following offices during his lifetime: 1914-Conductor; 1925-President; 1927 -Vice President; 1936-Vice President; 1950 Treasurer; 1952-Vice President; 1958-1962-Sick Chairman; 1968-1969-Conductor. John was a successful restaurant operator for many years and branched out into San Francisco commercial properties with the organization of his, Matulich Investment Corporation. John was a hard bargainer and shrewd businessman. He left his mark on the Slavonic membership and society.

MATULICH, JOHN Vineyard

John Matulich had been a grape grower in Delano, California. John married Gabriela who had come to America from the Island of Brac in 1914. Mrs. Matulich was a homemaker. She had lived with her niece, Marie Coehlo in Atherton for the last five years. Before that, Mrs. Matulich lived in Mountain View. She died at age 89. She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

MATULICH, JUDY Wine Maker

When Judy Matulich-Weitz was an intern at Mirassou winery in San Jose there were no other woman working full-time in the cellar. Today she is wine maker at Inglenook and loves the job. Given her background, success was almost inevitable. Judy grew up with wine. As a child she and her grandfather used to go to Almaden, where they filled an empty jug from the winery casks. She and her father used to make wine in the kitchen, and when she met her future husband one of their common interests was making wine together. In 1982 she began studying for her winemaking degree at UC-Davis, taking six months off to gain some practical experience as an intern at Chateau St. Jean’s Sparkling Wine Cellar. She was the first intern Chateau St.Jean had hired, and the program was, to put it bluntly, tough. When she went back to Davis to finish her studies she built an extraordinary academic record, graduated with the highest honors with a B.S. in Fermentation Science from the Department of Viticulture and Enology. She also received the Department Citation for outstanding undergraduate. The job at Mirassou came next. She moved to Inglenook two weeks before the 1985 harvest. She knew the book stuff, as she calls it, from Davis but she also knew she had a lot to learn from practical experience. This openness helped her win the job as Inglenook’s wine maker. Among those she worked with was the legendary Andre Tchelistcheff, the dean of California winemakers. She says she also is grateful for the opportunity to work with Inglenook’s director of winemaking John Richburg, with who she shares a wide, double sided desk from a ship. “Inglenook will always hold a special place in my heart,” she says. “It was my first winemaking job. I got married there and my first child spent her first year of life at the winery. It truly is a special place.” She came to Buena Vista, which is owned by Racke USA, in August 1994, just before the harvest. Buena Vista, Napa, was founded in 1857 by Count Agoston Haraszthy, which makes it California’s oldest premium winery.

MATULICH, MARY 100 Years Old

Mary Peruzovic was born in the little town of Postira on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia on April 22, 1894. She was the second of five children. In 1914, young Mary came to America and in the same year married John Matulich, a native of Dol, Brac. The journey was one of joy and hope for a good life in her new home here. The couple had two children, and at first life seemed good. But tragedy struck the Matulich family and at the time of the flu epidemic, a two-ycar-old baby died and then their tcn-year-old also passed on. Sadly they returned to Brac, their early dreams shattered. They were again blessed with the arrival of two more children Mary, who is married to Joe Cimmarusti; and Darko and again, full of hope, returned to America with their two small children. John and Mary prospered, saw their family raised and enjoyed the experience of having two grandchildren Sasha Matulich and Joe Cimarusti, Jr. John died in 1982. Mary regularly attended Slavonic Cultural Center functions and American Slavic Women's Club activities. Mary remains bright, alert, and in a good frame of mind. She is 100 years young.

MATULICH, MILAN Winery

In 1985 Milan and Victoria Matulich moved from the Bunker Hill region near Amador City to their property on 12505 Steiner Rd. in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County. The property was known as the Stewart ranch, and the 50 acres on which they settled was the old homestead dating back to the 1870s. They planted grapes and numerous trees and ten years later established a winery they called Dobra Zemlja which means good earth in Croatian. The small winery currently produces 2000 cases of Viognier, Syrah, Sangiovese and Zinfandel. The Zinfandel, incidentaly, is the grape thought to have originated on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia. The winery is carved out of the sloping hillside under a restored 100 year old structure. Milan is the winemaker and Victoria, who is an artist, has her studio and a small gallery located above the winery. In mid-February the Amador wineries conduct the annual barrel tasting. Victoria, who hails from Idaho, prepares Croatian dishes for this event such a chevapchichi, sarma and preznac. These Dalmatian dishes combined with the big, robust wines have created a following and a reputation for earthy friendliness and warm hospitality that is associated with European wineries and specifically the Dalmatian konoba.

MATULICH, MARK and PAUL Restaurant

Los Gatos' new Old Town is an oxymoron. It's scrubbed and stiff-looking, brand-spanking new and stuffed to the gills with all the shops of the moment. Steamer's Grillhouse fits right in, a far cry from the old Los Gatos standby that for years stood just across the street. The new Steamer's opened at the end of October in 1999 and has steadily become the the plus ultra nightspot in town. Thursday nights, it's 10 and 12 deep at the bar, with a few intrepid souls trying to balance a dozen oysters on one knee and a Cosmopolitan on the other. The draw is largely about atmosphere, although the simple seafoodheavy American menu has a number of pleasant offerings. Owners Paul and Mark Matulich have maintained many of the old' Steamer's originals (the house sea- food linguine, shrimp cocktail, a phalanx of grilled fish), while adding pizzas as well as steak and a chop or two.

MATULICH, RICK Invention

San Diego, California. The idea for IntelaVoice™ came one night when Matulich was watching a rerun of the '60s television program "Star Trek." Dr. McCoy walked into a room and said, "Computer, lights." Matulich recognized that technology today could incorporate electronics that would make such commands a reality in everyday life. After years of research and testing, IntelaVoice™ is now available. Since time began, our world has been filled with sounds to which we respond. Now, VOS Systems has created the first artificial intelligence switch capable of responding to voice commands to turn on and off lights and small appliances. IntelaVoice™ is now available for consumers seeking the perfect device to facilitate convenience and safety. The speech-activated switch incorporates sophisticated electronics in a small, reliable and east-to-install device. IntelaVoice™ works simply by plugging the unit into a standard wall outlet and then connecting the item to be controlled into the IntelaVoice™. "IntelaVoice™'s benefits are far reaching. It's a simple-to-use home automation device offering hands-free assistance and security at home or in the office," said Rick Matulich, COO [Chief Operations Officer] of VOS Systems. "IntelaVoice™ is for anyone who has ever wished they could turn a light on when their hands were full or when they were stumbling down a dark hallway in the middle of the night."

IntelaVoice™ listens continuously for voice commands, automatically adjusting to ambient noise levels by using an eight-bit micro-controller combined with a sophisticated neural network to achieve a high level of speech recognition. The 4 1⁄4 by 2 1⁄2 by 1 3⁄4-unit is 98 percent accurate and weighs just seven ounces. The switch comes ready to use with four pre-set speaker commands to turn items on and off. The variety of commands enables an IntelaVoice™ to be reliably activated in the same room with numerous switches. The unit can be operated from distances as far away as 20 feet. IntelaVoice™ will work with any voice and comes with a preprogrammed vocabulary so no training is required. There are no dials or switches to adjust, and an optional external microphone is available for installations that require the switch be located behind large objects like couches.

"People often find themselves juggling several different tasks at one time. Voice-activated products such as IntelaVoice™ enable busy people a freedom they've never before experienced. IntelaVoice™ enhances lives by giving consumers tomorrow's technology today." IntelaVoice™e was named the 1998 "Best Consumer Product of the Year" from the American Voice Input/Output Society as the No. 1 technological product involving speech recognition.

MATULICH, SIME Fisherman-Naval Revolt

Sime Matulic was born in 1890 on Otok (Island) Molat in Dalmatia. At the age of 15 he left his home, coming to the United States. He returned to Molat in 1912. In 1914, he was inducted into the Austrian Navy. Franz Josef was the emperor at the time (1848-1916). At first, Matulic served aboard the warship Zrinski. At the end of the war, he served aboard the warship Prinz Ferdinand, stationed at Boka Kotorska. The crew members were mostly Croatians from Dalmatia and Hrvatsko Primorje, with other Slavs from Slovenia and from what is now Czechoslovakia. At the end of the First World War, these sailors revolted. Many were put in prison, including Matulic. Several of these sailors were executed, but Sime was rescued by a friendly Croatian officer. Sime soon returned to this country, settling in San Pedro, and became a commercial fisherman. He joined the Croatian Fraternal Union, Lodge of 588 Dalmatinska Sloga.

MATULICH, STEVE Attorney

Steve is a native of the Bay Area, where he attended junior college and then joined the Marines. After the military, he went to college and recieved a BS in Economics fom Chico State.  He graduated from Lincoln Law School in 1976 and went into private practice.  Steve has three daughters, Beth, Gwen and Kate, who is a member of our local kolo group, Samoborci.  Steve is engaged to Ljubica Pavich and they recently bought a home together.  Steve has volunterred many hours of free legal service to the Croatian Cultural Center and has helped professionalize the meetings and by-laws.

MATULICH, ZORAN Restaurant

What makes a restaurant work? For me, food counts the most, but I am in the tiny minority. Most restaurant customers are seduced by a mysterious potion of location, setting, decor, service, menu and price. Every time I have visited Oberon, its three little dining rooms have been full. Even the small bar offered no empty seats. Oberon has become a Russian Hill/Marina/Pacific Heights hangout where everyone seems to know the maitre d'/co-owner Zoran Matulich from the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, former king of the door at Vanessi's on Broadway. Oberon brings together Old World style ( violinist strolling from table to table, candlelight, white linen, intimate surroundings) with current eastern and western Mediterranean cooking, the idea being to give patrons a big, luxurious, dining-out experience at a discounted price. Gelco's specialized in lamb-rack, moussaka and kebabs. Oberon continues to offer these dishes and they're good. Everything on the plate was delicious. Zoran told me that he composed an interesting and fairly priced wine list. He knows what's he doing. With a Croatian 1988 Postup, Plavac Mali and all other wines on the list that I tasted were very much alive and intriguing. The cheese and fruit plate , also assembled by Zoran, presents a fine excuse to have a last glass of wine. Again, the selection is astonishingly well informed. Six cheeses, all in perfect condition, of varying flavor and texture. I walked into Oberon for the first time expecting the worst and ended up, well, enhanced, Oberon worked its magic, gradually revealing its tastiest morsels, its loveliest wines, its cheese treasures. I was transformed from a skeptic to a believer.

MATULOVIC, VICKO Electronics Engineer

Vicko Matulovic was born Oct. 11, 1928 in Zrnovo, Korcula, Dalmatia. His field is Data Processing and is a graduate of the University of Zagreb, Croatia. He furthered his education at San Jose State College. He is an Electronics Engineer for Fairchild Semiconductor. He is presently researching the design of digital control systems, data processing systems, and test equipment. He now lives in Mountain View, California

MAVAR, JOHN Hotel

Born in San Pedro, Mavar in July 1986 opened the Mavar Grand Hotel. The 60 room hotel features a restaurant capable of seating 160 people. The European-style hotel is decorated with antiques and has rooms with ten foot high ceilings. The Mavar Grand Hotel was one of several new hotels which helped to develop San Pedro’s growing tourism industry in recent years.

MAVAR, JOHN Fish and Oyster Company-Fisherman

Biloxi -- Born in the Island of Molat, Croatia on April 14, 1880 and educated there in the public schools. Came to the United States in 1901, remaining in New, York, eight months, was a resident of New Orleans for two years. Mr. Mavar founded the Mavar Fish and Oyster Company in Biloxi, Mississippi. and has had first hand experience in all branches of the work. He worked as deck hand in New York Harbor, before coming to New Orleans. Caught shrimp and oysters in the Louisiana marshes, before coming to Biloxi in 1904 to be captain of E. C. Jullions boat. Later he was captain for various companies until he established the company of which he is president. This company began shipping raw-seafoods in 1926, gradually enlarging until is now one of the largest shrimp and oyster plants in this vicinity, operating under government supervision. The Company owns and operates a large fleet of boats employed in catching shrimp and oysters - During the season approximately 200 employees are used throughout the plant and nearly as many boats. Mr. Mavar is a member of National Canners Association, Biloxi Oyster Exchange, Chamber of Commerce, Biloxi Benevolent Association, Slavonian Benevolent Society, Catholic Church. In 1907 married Olivia Skrmetta who was born on the Island of Brac coming to the United States with her parents when she was eleven years old. His hobbies are boating and fishing.

MAVRETICH, LAWRENCE Tamburitza Hall of Fame

Lawrence Mavretich was born in Panama, Illinois in 1922. His family thereafter moved to Detroit, Michigan where Lawrence was introduced to tambura at the Benkovich family home while visiting there with his family. The Benkovichs had several Farkas instruments which Lawrence soon learned to play. In time, Lawrence and his brothers, Joseph and Frank began to play Sremski tambure, entertaining at home and at informal parties and gatherings. Lawrence and Frank also began taking lessons from Steve Pavlekovich (Hall of Fame 1979) and, given his aptitude, Lawrence quickly earned a place at age 15 playing 2nd brac in the old Jedinstvo tamburica orchestra along side of Andy Benda (Presidential Award 1985) and Marko Kramarich (Presidential Award 1985). He later joined the Detroit Tamburitza Symphony playing celo and, at times, served as treasurer. Upon his return from the military in 1945, Lawrence could be found playing 2nd brac with the Aberlich Brothers orchestra, celo with Dave Zupkovich at Jim's Cabaret, and bugarija for violinist, John Halik, during his Detroit appearances. Later, he played celo with a newly organized Jedinstvo Orchestra along with Eva Barkovich on violin, Matt Blazen on brac, Blaz Skalac on bugarija, and Marko Kramarich on bass. This Orchestra was featured on the Radio Program in Detroit for many years. When the Steve Pavlekovich Orchestra was formed including Matt Blazen, Blaz Skalac, and Johnny Aberlich, Lawrence played celo and together, they performed many concerts at the Detroit Institute of Arts and the university of Michigan in Ann Arbor. They also entertained regularly at Jim's Cabaret, the Blue Danube Inn on Russell Street, and played dinner music at many fine Detroit hotel restaurants. The highlight of this period was accompanying Vinka Ellison in live performances and on her first record album. Years later, in 1950, Lawrence formed his own orchestra, Neven, consisting of himself, his brother, Frank, Danny Hodak, Amil Milovich, and Joe Benkovich. Under Lawrence's direction this group grew in popularity, playing throughout Michigan, including the performance of an operetta as accompanying orchestra to the Ravanica Choir. They also participated in the early Detroit Freedom Festivals on Belle Isle, gave several performances at the Detroit, Institute of Arts, and played Sunday afternoons at the Eagles Nest Bar. As his talent and knowledge grew, Lawrence began to arrange musical scores including many sophisticated classical pieces for the large tamburitza ensemble. In fact, since his retirement in 1980, Lawrence has devoted many hours to these works which are now a regular part of the performing repertoire of the Detroit Tamburitza Orchestra and are available to other interested groups. Lawrence treasures the memories and friendships he has acquired over the years through our tamburitza musical culture and hopes to continue his 50+ year contribution with his arrangements and compositions.

MAVRICH, PAUL Miners Hall-Saloon

One of the historical buildings of early Virginia City, Nevada is the Miner’s Hall. The proprietor of the building in 1863 was Paul Mavrich. The Virginia City Business Directory lists the building at 21 No. B. Street and Paul Mavrich as proprietor. He also had a Billiard Saloon at 21 no. C Street, Virginia City in 1867-1871. The census of 1870 lists him with a saloon, value $5000., and with nativity of “Hungary.” Many Croatians of this period were under Hungarian control. he associated with C. Milinovich and Milatovich in Virginia City. With this association, it would be safe to say he was a Croatian especially with a last name of Mavrich. This is another historical first for a Croatian in Nevada being proprietor of the historic Miner’s Hall.

MAYDAK, PAULA E. Art Teacher

Paula Maydak nee Burazin is an art teacher at Nathan Hale High School, West Allis, Wisconsin. Born May 22, 1930 to Croatian parents in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; married with four children. Educated at Alverno College, Milwaukee, 1961-1965, B.A., 1965 with a major field in art. First place sculpture Alverno Honor Show.

MAZANOVICH, ANTONIO Indian Fighter-Military-Saloon

Anton Mazzanovich served in campaigns against the Apache Indians in 1881. He was a member of General George Crook's Camp Association, Arizona Pioneers Historical Society and Life Companion of the Order of Indian Wars of the United States, Washington D.C.. His arrival in America and enlistment is best stated in his own words: "I was born on Lesina (Hvar), Province of Dalmatia, Austria, ( now Croatia) April 30, 1860. At the age of eight years my people emigrated to America, landing at Castle Garden, New York, in October, 1868. Our stay here was brief, for on December 24,1868, we arrived to San Francisco, California, the gateway to the 'Wild and Woolly West'. I enlisted in the army as a musician , January 29, 1870, at San Francisco. I was discharged at the request of my father Lorenz Mazzanovich, to enable me to assist in the support of the family. I consider myself to be the youngest soldier, probably , that ever enlisted in the Regular Army, being but nine years and nine months of age at the time of my enlistment. During the Modoc Indian War of 1872 and 1873 I was considered too young to go to the front. My second enlistment occurred February 10, 1881, At San Francisco, California. I was assigned to Troop M, Sixth Calvary, and was transferred to the band of that regiment on March 1, 1881, and to Troop T, same regiment, August 11, 1881. I was discharged July 10, 1882, at Fort Grant, Arizona Territory, because of disability. The Mazzanovich family were musicians upon coming to San Francisco in 1868. Lorenzo and Lena Mazzanovich listed on the United States Census of population in 1870 in Los Angeles with four children. Anton,1860; John,1856; Paul, 1858; and Lena, 1869. All were born in Dalmatia except Lena. One son John, was employed at the Grand Opera House and the famed Bella Union Theatre in San Francisco. A L. Mazzanovich was a volunteer musician in the Slavonian Rifles, 1st Company, Louisiana Volunteers, Confederate Army of 1861.

Apache Campaign: During 1881 it was reported that the White Mountain Apaches were getting ready to go out on the warpath and that trouble would likely ensue. Meantime affairs at the White Mountain Apache reservation were becoming more and more serious. One of their medicine men , known as Nokay-de-Klinne, was going from camp to camp on the reservation, telling the Indians that on August 31,1881, all the Indians who had died, would return to earth again. They were holding dances nightly for three months. The medicine man attempted escape, but was shot with three bullets through head. In a short time pandemonium seemed to have broken loose. All the Indians on the reservation joined the hostiles and started on the warpath. They surrounded the Fort, opened fire, cut the Government telegraph wire, and Fort Apache was cut off from all outside communication.

Mazzanovich's Troop broke camp and started for the Gila River, which was running high. An Indian scout brought the news that Chiricahua apache, led by Geronimo had gone on the warpath. Later, the Troop was informed that Chiefs Nana and Geronimo returned to the reservation. It was agreed that the Indians were to be given rations prior to surrender. In Mazzanovich's own words the following is related: "About three P.M. they were all out of sight, although we could see the smoke of their campfires coming up from behind a hollow in the foothills. Shortly thereafter, Geronimo rode into camp with half a dozen braves, and asked Lieutenant Overton if he could allow him one hour more, as he wanted to see if the tribe got what was coming to them. Three o'clock was the time that had been agreed upon as the time for surrender. The Lieutenant wired Colonel Carr for instructions. I happened to be standing alongside Geronimo's pony and when old rascal was not looking, I tried to nip one of the silver trinkets which dangled from his buckskin saddlebag: but I failed, as he caught me in the act. Geronimo was a fine specimen of the Apache Indian, with high cheekbones, a very determined face, straight mouth, thin lips. On this occasion he was all 'dolled up' in his best, with a long war bonnet, the feathers of which trailed down on each side of his pony. At four o'clock Geronimo had not shown up. We waited about ten minutes; then Colonel Forsythe ordered troops of the calvary to ride toward the Indian camp to ascertain what was detaining him. Upon reaching the camp we discovered that that the wily old chief had pulled stakes and left.

Deadly Combat with Apaches: Mazzanovich in his own words relates the battle "This was the first time that I was ever under fire, and in the excitement I lost my can of peaches and side of bacon. Then came another volley! Fortunately, no one was hit, but some of the leaden missiles seemed to come mighty close -too close for real comfort. There we were a fine group ! I know I had a creepy feeling and expected to be sent to the 'happy hunting grounds' almost any second.

Wounded: Finally a bullet struck me in the tight about the knee. The pain was terrible. I was afraid to look down or feel the wound, but imagined that the blood was trickling down my leg. I was trembling like a leaf , and so dry that it seemed as if I could drink a gallon of water. When I finally made an investigation, I discovered that I had been hit by a spent bullet! In fact, the slug was lying on top of the gravel at my feet. The scar is still with me to this day , and every time I look at it I am reminded of my first fight with the Indians.

The Saloon: Mazzanovich later ran a saloon in a mining town called Shakespeare, about three miles from Lordsburg, New Mexico. During another Indian uprising in 1885. he joined the New Mexico rangers. It is indeed unusual to find an Indian fighter , frontiersman, saloon-keeper, ranger and cowboy by the name of "Mazzanovich", but not again so strange when the story of the hardy Dalmatian pioneer in the West is researched and made a part of the American West.

Gambling: As a last remark of all remarkable pioneers: "Mention is made of gambling. I don't want to hold this against me; for in the days when the Empire of the West was in the making, conditions and the standards of morals were very different from those of the present day. Gambling was no more thought of against a man than going to the theatre, automobiling, dancing, or any of the other conventional modern forms of amusement. I have seen what rattlesnakes and gambling can do to men. My warning to our future generation included every form of gambling. Never attempt to get something for nothing.

MAZANOVICH, LORENZO Musician-Confederate Army

The Mazzanovich family were musicians upon coming to San Francisco in 1868. Lorenzo and Lena Mazzanovich listed on the United States Census of population in 1870 in Los Angeles with four children. Anton,1860; John,1856; Paul, 1858; and Lena, 1869. All were born on the Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia except Lena. One son John, was employed at the Grand Opera House and the famed Bella Union Theatre in San Francisco. They were members of the Slavonic Illyric Mutual and Benevolent Society of San Francisco, organized for less than a year, the family moved to Los Angeles. They are considered Croatian Pioneers of that city and amongst its earliest residents. The Mazzanovich family was the first Dalmatian family to settle in Los Angeles, although other Croatian pioneers did come earlier with families, having married women other than Croatian nationality. Lorenzo Mazzanovich was a volunteer musician in the Slavonian Rifles, 1st Company, Louisiana Volunteers, Confederate Army of 1861.

MAZOR, LUCY Croatian Activities

Born June 21, 1922, Alpine Street, Los Angeles. Lucy distinguished herself in professional life as a secretary to an associate professor of Medicine and Emergency Medicine at LAC/USC Medical Center. Later she served as secretary for St. Anthony’s Croatian Catholic church. She was also a member of St. Anthony’s Women Guild, financial secretary for Croatian Catholic Union Lodge 60 “Hrvatska Sloga”, and treasurer for Croatian Radio Program. Lucy was one of the most generous people when it came to volunteering her time and talent for the benefit of the Croatian community.

MEDAK, FREDERICK M. Professor

Dr. Frederick Medak was born November 28, 1959, in Aberdeen, Washington to John and Dolores (KIeczynski) Medak. He graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1978 and was the Bobcat Band drum major that year. He attended Oregon State University his freshman year, then transferred to the University of Washington, where he earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics. He earned a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Utah and a doctorate in statistics from Iowa State University. Dr. Medak had been a research assistant and taught as a teaching assistant in the Statistics Department at Iowa State University. He had also been a teaching assistant at the University of Washington and the University of Utah. He was a member of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, the Mathematical Programming Society, the International Linear Algebra Society and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He had worked as a systems engineer in Dallas, Texas; a senior technical associate at British Petroleum in. Cleveland, Ohio; director of institutional research and evaluation of Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff and an operations research analyst at U.S. Air in Arlington, Virginia. Dr. Medak had been a mathematics professor at Shawnee State University since 1995. He had traveled extensively in the United States, Europe and Canada. As a high school senior, he went to Scotland and England with the school band. It is with deep sadness that the officers And members of Mirisna Ruza Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge report the passing of our lodge member Dr. Frederick M. Medak. Brother Medak September 18, 2001 at Portsmouth. He was a professor of mathematics at Shawnee State University. He is survived by his parents in Aberdeen, Washington and his brother, Jim of Roseburg, Ohio and also survived by his Aunt Violet Medak and uncles Martin, Frank, and Walter Medak and many cousins.

MEDIN, MARKO Coffee Saloon-Goldmine-Fruit-Millionaire Capitalist

Marco Medin, pioneer from Budva, Dalmatia was one of the first pioneers in the Nevada territory during the Great Silver Boom in the 1860's and 1870's. He came from San Francisco in 1861 having had a fruit store at 115 Kearney Street, in 1856, a coffee saloon on Market Street in 1859 and another fruit store at Kearney and Dupont Streets in 1860. His San Francisco Fruit Store was one of the largest establishments of its kind in the Nevada Territory and State. Grant H. Smith in his history of the Comstock Lode mentions the Medin Building in pages 53 and 54. It is interesting to note that this was one of the largest brick buildings in Virginia City during the 1860's. The United States census for 1870 lists his family as living in Virginia City. He had a brother, Alexander, who was his business associate in San Francisco during the 1850's. Alexander later opened a branch of Marco’s business at Austin, Nevada, called the Virginia Branch Fruit Store. While in Nevada, he organized the Medin Gold and Silver Mining Company. White Pine News, May 14, 1870: We now have the heaviest baseball club on the Pacific Coast and perhaps the world. The Fat Mans Baseball Club of White Pine consists of twenty one members whose united weight foots up to 4856 pounds. Marco Medin weighted in at 240 pounds. Marco, a Dalmatian, had a saloon in town.

In 1884 Marco moved with his family to Butte, Montana and became a leading citizen in the commercial and business community. In June 16, 1865, Mr. Medin was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Thornton, a native of Ireland, who survives him, as do their six children, who were born in Nevada, and of whom we enter brief record as follows: Antoinette is the wife of Marco Zarick, of Sacramento, Cal., Marco J., a young business man of Butte; Sarah, wife of J. J. O'Meara, of Butte; Mamie, wife of John G. Holland of Butte; Annie (deceased), wife of W. A. O'Brien, of Butte, and Tony, who is in business in Butte. Mr. Medin, at his death, was the owner of a large amount of Nevada real estate and had valuable holdings in Great Falls, Montana.

MELADA, IVAN P. Professor

Ivan melada is professor of English at the University of New Mexico, Language Department, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Born August 21, 1931, Chester, Pennsylvania; Married with two children. Education includes State College, West Chester, Pennsylvania 1949-53, B.S.; University of California, Berkeley, California, 1956-60, M.A.,; Ph.D., 1967 with a major inEnglish literature. Thesis: The Captain of Industry in British Fiction: 1821-1871, Ph.D., 1967. Member of American Association of University Professors; Modern Language Association; Rocky Mountain Modern Language Association.

MELADIN, MICHAEL Merchant

Mr. Michael Meladin of New Orleans, Louisiana died recently. He was a prominent merchant of Plaquemine parish, having branch stores in Port Eads near Quarantine Station with headquarters at the Jump and was a member of the Democratic parish executive committee. He has numerous friends and relatives here (published 24 August 1895).

MELINZ, ADOLPH Metals Industry

Adolph Melinz came with his family to America when he was twelve years old from Croatia. Not knowing any English language, he studied to be a tool and die maker at Max S. Hayes Vocational-Technical High School in Cleveland, Ohio. Melinz worked at various shops until forming his own. Eventually, he acquired five plants in the metals industry, which did $10 million in sales annually and employed 125 people. Melinz diversified his holdings to auto and aircraft parts, steel reinforcing bars for the construction industry, safety equipment for punch presses, machining and other metal stampings. When he saw a need for space heaters, he quickly converted one of his plants and began mass producing them. His companies included Paterson Leitch Rebar Co., Hohlfelder Stamping Inc., Weber Hydroforming & Metal Spinning Co., The Positive Safety Manufacturing Co., and Melinz Industries. Melinz operated five Cleveland companies involved in metal stamping. Added to this impressive list of enterprises was Riverview Racquet Club at Melinz Parkway in Eastlake. The Club offered weight lifting, and body building in addition to ten racquet ball and nine tennis courts. The 80,000-square-foot club was located next door to one of his companies. His brother, Bruno Melinz, was the Vice-President of Melinz Industries for a long time and involved in many Croatian activities. He owns and operates with his son Philip, Melinz Rebar, Inc., a successful rebar fabricator business located in northeast Cleveland, serving the construction industry with reinforcing bars, wire mesh, rebar accessories, tie wire, anchor bolts, etc. The Melinz brothers, Adolph and Bruno, also have been the guiding force in developing the modern Croatian National Lodge.

MENGOLA, DOMINGO Coffee Saloon

Domingo Mengola, from the Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia was a pioneer of the 1860’s with a coffee saloon in San Francisco. He was a member of the historic Slavonic Illyric Society of San Francisco. His son, George, followed a hunch that the earthquake and fire of 1906 would create a food shortage. He pioneered in the rice industry and milled his first bags in 1911. the business expanded to 3 million bags per year. He was president of the Growers Rice Milling Company. He was known as the Rice King of California.

MENGOLA, GEORGE Rice King-Policeman

George Mengola who had been a special policeman in San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake and fire, followed his hunch that the food shortage of that day could have been averted by growing rice in California. He pioneered in the rice Industry and milled first 2000 bags of rice here in 1911. The business expanded to some 3 million bags per year, and he was president of the Growers Rice Milling Co. and general manager of the Farmers Rice Growing Cooperative at the time of his death in 1950. His family came from Dalmatia in Croatia. Mrs. Ida Mengola is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Irene Conrad, Mrs. Ruth Weil and Mrs. Marian Wagner.

MESTROVIC, IVAN Sculptor

Ivan Mestrovic was Croatia's greatest contribution in art to America. By some of our press he has been called a "Croatian Michelangelo." Born of Croatian parents from Dalmatia in Vrpolje, Slavonia, on August 15, 1883, he very early displayed a great talent for sculpture. Discovered and furthered in his career by an Austrian, he worked for a while in Split, and in 1901 enrolled at the Art Academy of Vienna. After exhibiting in Vienna and Zagreb he became a pupil of the famous Rodin in Paris in 1907. His renowned. teacher declared Mestrovic "the greatest phenomenon among the sculptors. His two years in Paris resulted in a prodigious amount of work, and also a sensational exhibition of his new style in sculpture. Subsequent exhibitions followed in Vienna's Secession Gallery, Zagreb, and Rome. His sculptures created a great stir. They were based on national epics, on folk heroes and legends. His sculptures, in other words, were created thematically from the mind and soul of his people. In 1915 he exhibited in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, an unprecedented honor for a living artist. After 1918 he worked in Zagreb, where he served for many years as rector of the newly founded Academy of Arts.

Mestrovic was at home all over Europe, for he lived and exhibited in most European capitals and great cities. In 1925 during his first American exhibition in New York he met and became a friend of his countryman, Nikola Tesla. His exhibitions in America in 1924, 1926, and 1927 were great successes. In the 1930's he created his two famous statues of mounted Indians for Grant Park in Chicago, using a motif from the American heritage. During the last war the Croatian government sent Mestrovid to Rome and Switzerland. While in Switzerland he wrote a book published in German under the title Dennoch Will Ich Hoffen (Still I Shall Hope.) In Rome he worked on sculptures for the Croatian St. Jerome College there. Following World War II, Mesrovic settled in Syracuse, New York, where he taught sculpture at the University of Syracuse. From September 1955 until his death in January 1962 he was a professor of art at Notre Dame University. Today Mestrovic sculptures adorn several major American cities; they are exhibited in most important museums and art galleries. Much has been written on him since he came to America. The University of Syracuse published two representative books which prove the artist's versatility with hundreds of reproductions of his stone, bronze, plaster, and wood sculptures as well as his reliefs, drawings, and architectural works.

In all his works one notes dignity, perception, and variety of form. His heroic figures from the Croatian, South Slavic, and American past are of tremendous power, original in style and expression. "With his appearance," wrote the painter Jozo Kljakovic, "erupted centuries of suppressed national dynamism as well as the national soul, suppressed, humiliated, offended and oppressed through centuries. With pride the artist always pointed to his peasant stock and many of his best works depict Croatian women in their national costumes. He himself stated on occasion that as a young boy he learned to read from the popular collection of national poetry compiled by Andrija Kacic-Miosic. Occasionally Metrovic, too, wrote poems which reflect the influence of the national epics. Mestrovic was undoubtedly the most famous Croatian immigrant living in America. The art critics compare him to Michelangelo; they call him "the last living master of the human form," "an epic type," "his people's symbol of freedom and their spokesman and defender"; his art has been "more than a creative outlet; it has been a social and political and religious statement." Through it "Mestrovic speaks for man. And long after the oppressors have been forgotten, the art of Ivan Mestrovic will remain to speak for him.

Time after time he has been honored with awards. In 1953 the American Academy of Arts and Letters presented him with the Award of Merit; in 1960, the same Academy elected him a member for distinction in his field. Honorary doctorates were awarded to him by Notre Dame and Marquette Universities in June of 1955. Mestrovic was a member of the Edinburgh, Prague, Munich, Vienna, Bucharest, Zagreb, Belgrade, and Brussels Academies of Arts and Sciences, and of the National Institute of Letters. His works are in the permanent exhibits of more than twenty museums and art galleries. During the Art Festival. of Notre Dame University in November, 1955, he exhibited over seventy sculptures. He has been hailed as the greatest religious artist in America.

Mestrovic's mission at Notre Dame was to build "the strongest, most respected department of sculpture in any American university." He was hard at work there. His chisel was always busy. In a single year he was known to complete as many as nine major works amid a score of minor ones. Both a carver and a modeler, he has produced in this country and other countries every kind of sculpture from portrait busts to huge architectural schemes. In addition to sculpturing, he painted in fresco and oil, engraved, and lithographed.

In 1954, he was past his seventieth birthday and became an American citizen. He produced then a bronze work, "Man and Freedom," for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In addition he created a bronze statue of St. Anthony for the University of Oxford; a statue of Pope Pius XII for St. Louis University; one of Cardinal Stepinac for the National Catholic Welfare Conference; one of former President Herbert Hoover; a monument to Nikola Tesla and another to Rudjer Boskovic, the famous Croatian scientist of the eighteenth century (both donated to the Atomic Institute in Zagreb); as well as several other statues of famous Croatians. His monument to Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, and "Pieta," honoring the modernCatholic martyrs, were unveiled in St. Augustine, Florida, in April 1958. A statue of St. Jerome is placed in front of the Croatian Franciscan House in Washington, D. C. Two more works by Mestrovic are at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in the nation's capital.

One of the artist's most recent works is the "Mother of Immigrants" statue unveiled in October, 1960, on Cathedral Square in Milwaukee; it bears the inscription "Dedicated to Immigrant Mothers." On August 12, 1960 Mestrovic celebrated his seventy seventh birthday at which time he received also felicitations from President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He died in South Bend, Indiana on January 17, 1962 and his body was transferred-according to his own wish-to his native Otavice.

MESTROVICH, KLAUDIE Bank Manager

The Detroit Free Press reports that Klaudije Mestrovich has been appointed the manager of the Detroit Fund and Security Bank. The new manager was born in Detroit but is of Croatian origin even though the newspaper does not cite the place his ancestors originate from. It only mentioned that "his parents rocked fishing boats." He has a degree in banking from Toronto, Canada, but he moved back immediately after his studies to the bank which he now manages. Unfortunately, Mestrovic does not speak Croatian, but now at the age of 55, he is diligently taking a Croatian language course being taught by three Croatian Carmelite nuns in Detroit. He wrote a letter in the Croatian language to Zajednicar, the publication of the Croatian Fraternal Union in the United States, that was full of mistakes. Commenting on the letter, he explained in English that "I think that somehow my letter will be understood. For older people like me, each new type of learning represents a step back toward youth." The Detroit Free Press calls Klaudije Megtrovic one of Detroit's most eminent citizens. His basic monthly salary is US $ 26,000 not including bonuses.

MESTROVIC, MATTHEW M. Professor

Mathew Mestrovic is Professor of European History at Farleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, New Jersey. Born Zagreb, Croatia. Educated at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, A.B., 1951, M.A., 1952; Columbia University, New York, N.Y., Ph.D., 1957 with a major field of Modern European History. Published "What You Should Know About Communism and Why," Scholastic Magazines, Inc. 1962. Articles and reviews in: Time magazine, Commonweal, America, The New Leader, Dun's Review, The North American Newspaper Alliance.

MESTROV1C, STEPAN G. Professor-Author

Stepan Mestrovic is a professor of sociology at Texas A&M University. Born March 12, 1955 in Zagreb, Croatia; married to Amber with one daughter, grandfather is the sculptor Ivan Mestrovic. Education includes Psychology and social relations, Harvard University BA,1976; MA in education 1977, MA in theological studies 1979, Harvard University; Syracuse University sociology, Ph 1982. Books published include Emile Durkheim and the Reformation of Sociology 1988; The Coming Fin de Siecle: An Application of Durkheim s Sociology to Modernity and Postmodernity 1991; Durkheim and Postmodern Culture 1992; The Road from Paradise: The Possibility of Democracy in Eastern Europe with S. Letica and M. Goreta, 1992; Habits of the Balkan Heart 1993; The Barbaric Temperament 1993. Member of American Sociological Association; The Schopenhauer Society; International Academy of Law and Psychiatry.

METCOVICH, MARTIN Vineyard-Winery-Goldminer

Martin Metcovich, a native of Dalmatia, Croatia, born in 1848, the son of Nicholas and Nellie Metcovich. They are now both deceased, leaving six children, three boys and three girls, all of whom are living. It was there he first learned the care of vineyards and the making of wine, a business he eventually took up in Fresno County. He went to sea, and for five years served on a large sailing vessel, and in that way made trips to New York and Philadelphia, and to Australia.  When he left the sea he married Lucy Vusich, the daughter of John and Lucy Vusich. Three of her brothers had emigrated to California. Leaving his wife in the old home, he arrived in California in 1885. He spent two years in the mines in Placer County, after which he made a trip back home to see his wife and father, remaining there eighteen months. When he again came to California, after two months spent in Placer County, he located in Fresno County, and here began working as a viticulturist.  When the Kolondike boom burst forth, he made a trip via Skagway over the pass, packing into Dawson City, and for a year worked in the mines. After his experience in Alaska, Mr. Metcovich returned to Fresno. He again returned to his home in Dalmatia, remaining until 1901, when he came back to Fresno County.  he then concluded to stay, and his wife and family joined him, arriving in 1903. He purchased the present place of forty acres on North Avenue, about nine miles east of Fresno.  He leveled the land and set out the whole acreage to wine grapes, with the exception of a small grove of figs and a border of figs around the ranch and shading the avenue. He has installed two pumping plants and irrrigates the entire acreage, thus producing large crops. As soon as his vines were bearing sufficiently he built a winery and engaged in the manufacture of wine. Three children have been born to his worthy couple: Nicholas, John, and Nellie, the youngest.

METKOVICH, GEORGE Baseball

Metkovich, a former major league baseball player, was born in the mining town of Angel’s Camp, California and raised in Los Angeles. He was known affectionately as “Catfish” to his teammates. Splitting time between the outfield and first base, he averaged .261 batting mostly in the American League. Primarily a singles hitter, Metkovich hit a career high 28 doubles with the Boston Red Sox in 1942. After four years with the Red Sox, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1946. After spending 1949 with the Chicago White Sox and 1950-53 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Metkovic was dealt to the Milwaukee Braves. He retired after the 1954 season. George can be seen in a bit part in the film “Angels in the Outfield” (1951). He was related to Chris and Ivan Metkovich, pipeline contractors in Los Angeles.

MEZIN, JOHN Fisherman

Another pioneer of the fishing industry in California, Mezin landed in San Pedro in 1920, though he had to come to the United States in 1909, from Luka, Dugi Otok, Dalmatia. He was born on June 24, 1894 and married Mary Gugich in 1922. Robert, Norman and John are their children. During his days in San Pedro John had many boats and was considered among the leading skippers. He was a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union in San Pedro. His main concern was the welfare of fisherman and the fishing industry.

MICUDA, VLADIMIR Librarian

Vladimir Micuda is a librarian in the Agricultural and Biological Sciences at Pennsylvania' State University, University Park, Pennsylvania. Born January 26, 1926, Sv. Ivan Zabno, near Krizevci, Croatia; married with two children. Education includes University of Zagreb 1946-1952 Forestry; Lanbowwhogeschool, Wageningen, Netherlands 1955-1956; Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, M.A. in-L.S.,-1961 with a major field of Forestry, Library Science. Member of Croatian Academy of America; American Library Association; International Association of Agricultural Librarians and Documentalists; Beta Phi Mu.

MIHALIC, DAVID Yosemite Manager-Cherokee Indian

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt is making a special trip to Yosemite today to announce he is replacing National Park Service veteran Stanley Albright, 68, as the park's superintendent. In his place, Babbitt is expected to name David Mihalic, 53, an American Indian who is currently superintendent of Glacier National Park in Montana. In an interview yesterday, Babbitt said he "pleads guilty to an intense personal interest in Yosemite and to getting the general management plan under way on my watch." Like other Clinton administration officers, Babbitt will be out of office by January 2001. Mihalic is considered a rising star in the park service. He had been picked for special executive training and in the past six months has been on leave, from his Glacier job to be resources adviser to Montana Gov. Mark Racicot. Mihalic is also a member of the Cherokee Indian tribe and is the highest ranking American Indian in the park service.

MIHALEVIC, JOHN Military-Steel Worker

John Mihalevic was born on February 23, 1914 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania and was a lifelong resident of the city. He was a graduate of McKeesport High School. After graduation, he was a recruit in the Army Civilian Conservation Corps. implemented by President Franklin Roosevelt's administration. John was drafted into the Army during World War 11 and served in the European Theater under the command of General George Patton. John was wounded in action in Germany. Upon returning to McKeesport, he worked in the blast furnace section of National Tube Works until his retirement. John was also a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 3 of McKeesport. John, who was known to everyone as "Slim," was the son of th late Manda and Stephen Mihaljevic. He is survived by his wife Helen Mihalevic of McKeesport, son Donald Mihalevic of Seattle, Washington, brother Joseph Mihalevic of McKeesport and sister Helen Lowney of Medina, Ohio. John Mihalevic died on September 12, 2001.

MIHALJEVIC, SRDJAN Water Polo Coach

Mihaljevic of Croatia coaches the St. Francis College Women's Water Polo Team. The women's program, a Title IX sport established in 1996, had never won more than four games in a season. But under their first-year coach, Srdjan Mihaljevic, the Terriers, an undermanned amalgam of nationalities and playing experience, finished 16-3 and qualified for this weekend's Collegiate Water Polo Association Eastern Championships at Princeton, New jersey. The 23-year-old Mihaljevic played on several Croatian junior national teams before coming to the United States in 1996 as a high school exchange student. Mihaljevic attended St. Francis on an athletic and academic scholarship, playing four years for St. Francis's men's water polo team. While finishing his economics degree last spring, he assisted the former coach, Kylie Parnaby, and took over when Parnaby chose not to return this season. Mihaljevic, who works during the day as an equity controller with Morgan Stanley, inherited a team with little or no water polo experience. Other than Maljkovic, the team's leading scorer this season with 57 goals, and Reuven (27 goals), much of the team was made up of converted swimmers like the New Yorkers Patricia Comer and Catherine Dale, who were learning the sport for the first time. Mihaljevic, and seasoned players like Kollan, Reuven and Nolan, attribute much of this season's 12-game improvement to the swimmers' rapid progress. "In the U.S., with the exception of California, you don't have water-polo powers in a state," Mihaljevic said. "And the kids in California, they always want to go to the best water-polo schools, which are over there. My best bet when I'm recruiting people is selling coming to New York City."

MIHALJEVICH, IVAN Singer

Mihaljevich, born in Croatia, was one of the two most popular singers among Croatian people on the West Coast. He studied voice in Sarajevo, Zagreb and Hollywood, becoming a lyric baritone singer. He sang under contract with radio stations in Sarajevo and Zagreb as a soloist and appeared in numerous concerts in West Germany, Australia (Sidney Opera), Canada, and Mexico.

MIHANOVICH, CLEMENT Professor-Author

Clement Simon Mihanovich was born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 3, 1913. From 1919 to 1927 he attended St. Joseph's Croatian Grammar School. From 1927 to 1931 he attended William Cullen McBride High School in St. Louis, Missouri. In the year 1931 he enrolled in the School of Education of St. Louis University from which he graduated with the degree of B. S. in Education in the year 1935. enrolled in the Graduate School of St. Louis University in the year 1935. His Thesis at St. Louis University was Americanization of the Croatians in St, Louis, Missouri During the Past Thirty Years.

MIHOVILOVICH, JOHN B. Priest

Rev. John B. Mihovilovich worked inthe Church of Nativity as chaplain. Since Father’s Vodusek’s illess in 1972, and after his death in 1973, he became the third administrator of the church of the Croatian Church of Nativity in San Francisco. Father Mihovilovich is born in Istria, Croatia and he studied in Rome, where he was ordained in 1952.

MIHOVILOVICH, MARTIN Restaurant

Martin Mihovilovich never at a loss for words, a smile or a song. Martin brings a cheerful zest with him and always greets you with a hearty “Hello Brother.” Martin, our most senior member, joined the Slavonic Society over 64 years ago and still attends many of our functions. Martin was one of five children, born on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. He followed his brother Tony here to San Francisco. Martin’s late brother, Tony, arrived here in San Francisco the year after the earthquake and Martin came a few years later. His first job here in San Francisco was washing dishes at a restaurant on Taylor Street. He then began his career as a waiter at the Saint Anna Restaurant owned by S.M.B.S. member, Joseph Goich. It was 1920 when he was initiated into the S.M.B.S. joining his cousins, Bartul, Tony, and Martin Arbunich and many old acquaintances from the Island of Brac. He remained a bachelor through the years. Martins friendly manner, his willingness to work and good business sense assured him of employment in many of San Francisco’s finest restaurants, such as Delmonico’s, The Nugget and Tadich’s Grill. He was the night manager at the Old Grand Cafe in Reno, Nevada where Harrahs Hotel stands today and owned and operated restaurants in Petaluma and Martinez. Many remember him as a fixture passing the collection basket at the Croatian Church of the Nativity. Today, Martin, always neatly attired in suit and tie, still possesses that twinkle in his eyes and is ready at any occasion to deliver a speech or a joyful song.

MIJATOVIC (LJUBIC), KATARINA Professor-Croatian Activities

Katarina was born in Dubrovnik. Her higher education includes a B.A. Degree in German Language and Literature and an M.A. Degree in Applied Linguistics. She taught English at the University of Osijek in Croatia for two years, and for the last 15 years she has been an instructor in English and English as a Second Language at San Francisco City College. She is married to Miso Mijatovic, and they have three daughters. Katarina assembles and assists in editing the Croatian Scholarship Fund Newsletter. Recently she designed the exciting new CSF web site.

MIKACICH, PETE Restaurant-Saloon-Cardroom

Pete Mikacich and his wife, Lottie Munizich, were born on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia. They settled in Sacramento, California and had three children, Jerald, Mary-Lou and Peter. Pete had a restaurant in San Francisco in 1908 with V. Skarich, his partner. He then worked as a waiter at the Young America Cafe for Marco Lucich in Sacramento and in 1934 opened his own restaurant and saloon, the Gold Nugget.

Pete Mikacich, his son, opened the Limelight Restaurant, Saloon and Cardroom in 1975. In 1989 he bought the famed Rosemont Grill from Pete Valerio, also from Brac, located at 3145 Alhambra Blvd., Sacramento. He purchased the building, renovated the premises and renamed it Andiamo’s. The Mikasich Family have served the Sacramento and San Francisco communities with fine cuisine for over one hundred years.

MIKAN, GEORGE Basketball

In the game of basketball, before there was Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, or Magjc Johnson, there was George Mikan. Known as the first NBA superstar, George Mikan dominated the game throughout his entire career. As a center for the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1940's and 50's, George Mikan led his team to six professional basketball titles in seven years and a place in NBA history as the NBA!s first dynasty team.

Born on June 18, 1924 in depression-era Joliet, Illinois, George (along with his two brothers Joe and Ed and sister Marie) worked as a child in Mikan’s Tavern, his grandparents' restaurant situated near the industrial part of town. "My hardworking parents were named Joseph and Minnie", Mikan says. Mikan's grandparents had immigrated to the United States in the early 1900's from Vivodina, Croatia. George Mikan's grandfather Juraj, after whom he is named George, originally left Croatia alone to earn enough money to bring over his wife Marija. He settled in Pittsburgh and went to work in the steelmills. Within three weeks he made enough money to send for Marija. Shortly thereafter, the Mikan family moved to Illinois where the grandfather eventually bought their combination tavern and restaurant at the comer of Elsie Avenue and North Broadway in Joliet. "Gramps and Dad took care of the tavern business and tended bar until the three of us boys were old enough to see over the bar" remembers Mikan. "Mom was the restaurant cook. Her 35-cent fried chicken became a staple of the community. We kids did everything else at Mikan's Tavern from waiting on tables to cleaning fish for our weekly Friday night fish dinners." When he grew to six feet tall at age 11, George began to get involved in basketball. Remembering his grandmother at that time, Mikan states, "Although Grandma didn't know the rules of basketball, she knew when something wasn!t right. She decided all the court squabbles with the end of her broomstick." Mikan attended seven years of grammar school at St. Mary's Croatian School in Joliet. At age 12, Mikan went on to Joliet Catholic High School but soon transferred to Quigley Prep Seminary School after being cut from the Joliet basketball team because of his poor vision. "Quigley was a training ground for future priests on the north side of Chicago located 50 miles from my home" Mikan explains.,"I was able to transfer there thanks to my mom and Fr. Violich, the parish priest at St. Mary's Croatian School. Father Violich thought I would make a good priest, and my mother and grandmother agreed." At Quigley Seminary, Mikan studied for the priesthood, but his height, six and a half feet at the age of 16, drew him deeper into the basketball program at which he excelled. After graduating from Quigley, George accepted a scholarship offer and committed to De Paul University where he played under coaching great Ray Meyer.

While at De Paul, Mikan (then six feet, ten inches) led his team to an 81-17 record and won the NIT Championship in 1944. Individually, Mikan was All-American First Team, Player of the Year, NIT All Star, and NIT Most Valuable Player. After graduating from De Paul, Mikan married his sweetheart Patricia, obtained his law degree, and began playing professional basketball for the Chicago American Gears of the National Basketball League. When the league folded, Mikan signed with the Minneapolis Lakers. At this point, his career really took off. With the Lakers, Mikan won six NBA championships was a five time NBA All Star, led the league in scoring for five consecutive years, was voted Mr. Basketball of the First Half of the Century, and was enshrined into the NBA Hall of Fame.

After retiring from basketball in 1956, George Mikan was involved in a number of business ventures. He quickly turned his eye to politics and ran for Congress in 1956. At age 31, Mikan was new to the political arena but he displayed the same determination and hard work that he displayed on the basketball court. Mikan easily won the Republican nomination and gave the 15-year incumbent Democrat a run for his money. When all the votes were counted, George had lost by half of I percentage point, one of the closest races in the history of Minnesota. Eventually George started a successful travel agency. This success allowed him to return to basketball as the first Commissioner of the American Basketball Association (ABA), and he worked in the front office of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Today, at age 75, George and his wife Pat relax in Minnesota, where they have lived with their six children since George's first years with the Lakers.

MIKULICH, ANDREW Restaurant

The proprietor of the Peerless cafe in Sacramento has so thoroughly imbibed American principals of thrift, energy and resourcefulness that he easily might win recognition as a native of our country, if not indeed of California itself, but a residence of thirty years in the United States has not caused him to lose a feeling of loyal devotion to Croatia, the land of his birth and the home of his parents, Martin and Kate Mikulich. Memory affectionately recalls the scenes of his boyhood, the occurrences of youth and the friends with whom he worked and played at the old home in Rijeka, where he was born November 21, 1865. After he had landed in Philadelphia he severed employment as a sailor. During 1885 he went as far west as Chicago, where he worked in a restaurant for three years. In 1888 he went south to New Orleans, La., and there he found work in a restaurant. The next move brought him to San Francisco in 1889 and from there in 1891 he came to Sacramento, where he has since made his home and has engaged in the restaurant business. In this city, June 30, 1903, he married Miss Lena Arnold. Here, after one year as an employee in a restaurant, he embarked in business. When he sold out the business he became manager of the Southern Pacific Railroad restaurant. During 1902 he opened a restaurant at No. 1010 Seventh street, and on April 25, 1912, he located at No. 1117 Ninth Street and is a palace of mirrors set in mahogany, the furniture all being of that same wood. The mezzanine floor for ladies’ parties is furnished in old gold and ivory, the whole presenting an effect so exquisite and magnificent as to earn it the place of leading cafe in the vicinity and among the finest in the state. It is known as the Peerless cafe and is strictly a first-class restaurant that relieves a large share of the public patronage.

MIKULICH, JAKOV US Navy Civil War-Saloon

Jakov Mikulich, better known as Charlie from Senjska Rijeka, Croatia was an employee of Nicholas Buja. He was a young boy when he came to America on a sailing vessel, and as a young boy he enlisted in the United States Navy, year 1860, during the Civil War. He was real American. He enjoyed life to the utmost, was a stylish dresser and a great lover of race horses. He had his own business, was successful, and married an American girl. he passed away at the age of 85 years. A son, William Mikulich, well-known insurance broker with offices in the Mills Building, survives him.

MIKULICH, JOSEPH Priest

On April 3, 1998, Father Joseph Mikulich celebrated his 100th birthday. Born April 3, 1898 in Prolozac (near Imotski), located in southern Croatia. Ninth born of ten children. Completed elementary school and then left his village to attend the Franciscan Seminary in Sinj. Took the Franciscan vows of obedience, chastity and poverty on March 25, 1916. Resumed studies. After two years of philosophy and four years of theology in Saostrog and Makarska, he was ordained on September 22, 1922 Served as guardian (director) of monasteries at St. Lovre and Omis, covering eight years. Appointed as parish priest of Uglijane and soon thereafter World War II started. He and three priests sought refuge in Austria and were sent to a prisoner of war camp. Soon thereafter, the war ended. They entered Italy on July 6, 1946. Father Mikulich's brother, living in the USA, provided him with a ticket. He arrived in New York on May 27, 1947. Appointed to serve with Franciscans of the Santa Barbara Province whose headquarters were in Oakland. Two months later, he was assigned to lead the Poor Clare Sisters in Capitola, California. He served in this role fourteen years (1950-1960). Appointed Pastor of the Polish parish of St. Stanislaus, this parish was nearing extinction, but he revived it and served there for the next 18 years until his retirement in 1982. Answering his request, he moved to San Jose, though retired, he is still active in hearing confessions and strengthening the faith of his flock.

MIKULIK, WILLIAM Policeman-Military

Born in Chicago, Illinois on September 8, 1919. Bill served as a military policeman in the U.S. Army during World War 11. He saw action in Northern France, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and guarded the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen as German forces tried to destroy it. In 1947 Bill joined the San Francisco, California Police Department and worked at the Mission, Park, and Taraval Stations during his 30 year career. He retired as a Lieutenant in 1977. He passed away July 21, 2001 at the age of 81 in Roseville. Dearly beloved husband of Viola Mikulik for 59 years. Bill is survived by his devoted wife Viola, sisters Beatrice and Audrey, sons Richard and James, daughters Cathy Tobiassen and Carol Hsu, and 15 grandchildren.

MIKULIN. SAMUEL A. News Photographer-Military

Died April 19, 2000 in San Francisco. at age 75. Beloved husband of the late Mary Kladis Mkulin; loving father of Nancy (Bill) Andrea and Mary: cherished grandfather of Noelle Winters; son of the late John and, Catherine Mikulin; best buddy of Brutus the Frog. Army veteran of World War 11. Earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge while serving with the 11th Armored Division during the Battle of the Bulge. Awarded the Bronze,Star. A news photographer for over 40 years, he worked for Acme Newspictures and later United Press International. A man of few words, Sam illustrated his world through years of wonderful photos and family portraits. He had a kind and generous spirit. He had an uncanny connection with children and animals.

MILADIN, PAUL G. Apple Grower Packer Shipper

Paul G. Miladin, one of the well known and successful fruit growers, packers and shippers of this section of California, with headquarters at Watsonville, where he is well established in business. Mr. Miladin was born in Dalmatia, Croatia, August 29, 1878, and is a son of Peter and Catherine Miladin. Peter Miladin was a farmer and all his life was spent in his native land. Reared on the home farm in Dalmatia, Paul. G. Miladin received his education in the village schools of the neighborhood and remained at home until he was sixteen years of age, when, in 1894, he came to America and presently made his way to California, locating in this section of the coast country. By industry and frugality Mr. Miladin made progress in his affairs and in 1906 found himself in a position to engage in business as a grower and packer on his own account, becoming the proprietor of a profitable orchard in the immediate vicinity of Watsonville. In 1904 he formed a partnership with Anton Balich in an extension of these interests and the firm thus organized has ever since been engaged in business as growers, packers and shippers and has done very well, one of the most successful firms of the kind in the locality. Mr. Miladin is a member of the Watsonville Chamber of Commerce and takes a good citizen's interest in the general affairs of the community, helpful in promoting all movements having to do with the best development of those interests. He was reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic church, is devoted to the service of the church, and is a member of the Watsonville council of the Knights of Columbus, in the affairs of which organization he has long taken an earnest interest.

MILANOV, ZINKA Opera Star

Metropolitan Opera Star Considered one of Century's Greatest Sopranos. Born in Zagreb, Croatia in 1909. She signed her first Metropolian Opera contact for $75.00 a week in 1937, became for the next 28 years that company's most prolific "Aida." She brought lustrous timbre and concomiant pianissmo to that role 86 times - 49 in performance at the Met and 37 on tour. Leonora in "IL Trovatore" was another Milanov favorite with 50 performances. She also was Santuzza in"Cavalieria Rusticana" 57 times in the United States. At her prime she was considered the most signifcant dramatic soprano of her day, a singer capable of pristine top tones and thundering lower ones that soared over choruses and orchestras. Tall and imposing with sultry eyes and chestnut hair. She last performed at the Met on April 16, 1966, in a gala farewell in which she sang a duet from "Andrea Chenier" with Richard Tucker. It marked the end of a 453-performance career with that organization. After her Met retirement she taught at the University of Indiana, Curtis institute of Music in Philadelphia and at New York University. Prior to coming to the United States, she studied at the Zagreb Academy and with Milka Termina before making her operatic debut as Leonora in 1927 at the Croatian National theatre. From 1928 to 1935 she was the leading soprano at the Zagreb Opera where all her roles were sung in Croatian. She moved on to the Duetsche Oper in Prague, where she relearned her roles in German. Her fame spread in 1937 when she was engaged by Arturo Toscanini for "Verdi's Requiem", at that years Salzburg Festival. Edward Johnson the Metropolitan manager was in Europe at that time and she auditioned for him. He hired her with the advice that she lose some weight and learn Italian. She was also told that her maiden Croatian name of Kunc was not a name suited to American Marquees. She took her new husband's name of Milanov. With the advent of the Bing years in the early 1950s, Miss Milanov became a favored dramatic soprano and was given two of her four opening nights in the second year of his administration. Metropolitan archives show that only four prima donnas in the entire history of the company have ever had more. Her soft singing was especially impressive because she commanded a big warm luscious instrument that could hold its own handsomely against other principals, full chorus and orchestra in grandiose ensembles. Although she was not particularly comfortable in coloratura challenges, her voice was wide in range and broad in scope. Zinka Milanov suffered a stroke at her apartment overlooking New York's Central Park. She was taken to Lenox Hills Hospital and at age 83 died on May 31, 1989. She was extremely proud of her American Citizenship and opt to be buried in Woodlawn Cemetery which is known as the "Cemetery of American History", because of the number of famous personages interred there.

MILANOVICH, RICHARD Indian Casino

People here haven’t forgotten the lesson that not even Palm Springs is exempt from unemployment, which may explain why almost no one is complaining about plans for a $20 million casino on Native American land. In what may be the biggest shift yet in the sands of this recession-bitten posh desert resort, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians- striking a deal with Caesar’s World Inc.- said this week they hope to bring a casino to this upscale playpen within two years. Another factor that quiets opposition: The Auga Caliente are a conservation band of 289 that controls 26,000 high-priced acres in the heart of Palm Springs, Cathedral City and Rancho Mirage. “Personally, I’m opposed to gambling,” Mayor Lloyd Maryanov says. “But this tribe, this is their homeland, and they care about Palm Springs.” “It’s not going to be glittery and neon,” tribal Chairman Richard Milanovich says of the casino. “It’ll have quiet elegance and a nice ambiance.” That suits the city’s 40,000 year-round residents who worry that glitz may be losing its glimmer here.  A casino promises up to 1,000 more jobs and an influx of tourists when recession and competition from other resorts are taking a toll. The area is an oasis, carved from the barren southern California desert in the Coachella Valley below the rocky slopes of the San Hacintoo Mountains. Tourists were drawn almost immediately to the jagged vistas and the Agua Caliente’s ancient healing mineral waters. Two millions yearly visitors, many rich and famous, flock to the warm, dry climate (average daytime high: 88) and more than 80 golf courses 7,500 swimming pools and 600 tennis courts, plus palm-lined avenues of designer boutiques. The tribe hopes an 80,000-square-foot casino and entertainment facility will be a stronger magnet to the 15 million people who live withing a two-hour drive. Nearly 80% of Palm Springs’ visitors are from Los Angeles, 110 miles away. Milanovich has a pretty positive idea how it’ll all turn out: “Lots and lots of money.”

MILAT, BOB AND MIKE Vineyard

Milat Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery and vineyard situated in the heart of the Napa Valley, in the Saint Helena appellation. All of our wines are 100% estate grown, produced and bottled on our 22-acre property. Each vintage we produce distinct wines with a combined annual production of around 3,000 cases. The property, located near the now defunct Pine Station railroad stop, was homesteaded in 1877 and five years later the original vineyards were planted. In 1949, Richard and Izetta Milat acquired the land as a summer home to escape the San Francisco city life. Richard’s parents Marco and Franciska Separovich-Milat married at the Croatian Church of Nativity in San Francisco in 1918 and had emigrated to America from the Island of Korcula, Dalmatia, Croatia. The grapes grown on the property at the time were sold to local wineries. Soon thereafter, the Milats decided to make Saint Helena their permanent residence in order to raise their four young sons in the country. Two of the sons, Mike and Bob, took over running the family vineyard in the early 1970s. In 1986, with their respective spouses, Carolyn and Joyce, the two families decided to retain some of the grapes and make the first vintage of Milat Vineyards wine. By the 1999 vintage, all of the fruit was being retained and produced into wine.  In 2001, after fourteen vintages, Bob and Joyce decided to solely focus their efforts in the vineyard. To assist Mike and Carolyn in continuing the winery operations, their daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and David Duckhorn, joined the family business. Today, our goal remains the same as it has always been. That is, to produce only 100% estate wines that are unique to our vineyard site. Our small production and family ownership allows us to maintain the highest levels of quality and care as we manage all aspects from dirt to bottle. When you visit us at the winery, at least one of the family members will be there to greet you and pour samples of our current releases. The winery, located approximately two miles south of Saint Helena, is open from 10 am to 6 pm daily (during the winter season, hours may vary). We urge you to spend time at the table each evening with a glass of quality wine and enjoy life! Milat Vineyards, 1091 Saint Helena Highway South, Saint Helena, California 94574. Email: info@milat.com. www.milat.com.

MILATOVICH, ANDREW Restaurant-Fruit-Winery-Saloon

Andrew Milatovich was an early pioneer to the Pacific Coast. He was a fruit dealer at San Francisco on 252 Dupont Street in 1852. In 1854 he had a fruit business on 42 J Street in Sacramento. He was in Marysville, California in 1859 with a restaurant. The 1860 Federal Census listed him as a Slavonian with a Mexican wife and a son, John. He was a long time resident of Virginia CIty in the fruit business associated with Vincent Milatovich.  He was an American citizen. He returned to San Francisco in the late 1880’s and operated a restaurant. The Milatovich Association of VIrginia City, Nevada typified the foreign merchant families.  The Milatovich Grocery Store at 93 No. C. Street and a nearby saloon had, in 1870, been providing the community with foreign delicacies for almost a decade. In addition to Scotch, English, and Irish whisky, Jamaica Rm, and French brandy, the Milatovich’s specialized in French and Italian wines, truffles, Italian mushrooms, roasted chestnuts, Italian, English, Holland, Swiss, and California cheese, Dutch sardines and herrings, Russian caviar, Pagoliano syrup, and dozens of other foreign items to please the most discriminating epicure. During the summer of 1869, Vincent Milatovich decided to retire to the sunny Adriatic, but Andrew, along with other relatives, continued to direct the Comstock business, including the first and apparently the largest winery ever located in Nevada.

MILATOVICH, ANTONIO Sea Captian-Hotel-Capitalist

Antonio Milatovich came to California in his own ship in 1850 and was the proprietor of the Hotel de Ville in San Francisco in 1851 with major property holdings in the city. He sued the Republic of Mexico for over one million acres of land: Antonio Milatovich, a naturalized citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of the city of San Francisco, California, U.S.A., purchased at various times during the year 1858 and after, many large tracts of land in Lower California, Mexico, amounting in all to about one million acres. Some of these lands were bought from Mexican citizens, others direct from the Mexican Government, but claiment's title to all of said lands has been fully recognized by said Mexican Government, as evidenced by duly authenticated copies of the title deeds to said lands and other papers relative thereto, on file herein. Claimant bought said lands for colonization purposes, and from the year 1859 to 1864, fitted out many expeditions in said city of San Francisco, and endeavored to take possession of said lands, but was always prevented from so doing by unlawful acts of Mexican authorities in said State of Lower California. Claimant expended in these efforts the sum of $54,950, and claims to have been damaged in the denial of said possession in the further sum of $500,000; wherefore he prays judgment for the sum of $654,950.

Claimant's status of citizenship is that he had taken out his first papers before the occurrence of any of the acts complained of, and received his final papers of citizenship before the completion of all of said acts. R.E. Rowland, a San Francisco merchant, says he has known claimant twenty-three years; that claimant arrived in Son Francisco, California, in 1850, in the Brig Portinia, which vessel and part of her cargo belonged to claimant; that claimant continued in business in San Francisco until 1859, when he began to sell his property there, and buy land in Lower California. E.Costerauste, a French merchant in San Francisco, says he has known claimant eighteen years; knew him to be in business in San Francisco employing forty or fifty men; that claimant was doing a large and profitable business, and invested his money in real estate in San Francisco, California, which became very valuable, and that in 1858 he began selling off his city lots, and investing the proceeds in lands in Lower California. Antonio Milatovich did not succeed with his claim or recover his lands in Lower California. Perhaps the historical events of the time worked against him. Maximillian of Austria was sent to Mexico as Emperor . . . The homeland of Antonio Milatovich, Dalmatia-Croatia, was under Austrian rule. Antonio, being an enterprising man, was able to live quite well in San Francisco and to pass his final days in relative comfort far from his home in Dubrovnik.

MILATOVICH, VINCENT Saloon-Provision House-Winery

Vincent Milatovich from Dubrovnik had one of the largest foreign delicacies business in the State of Nevada during the 1860’s. Vincent was in San Francisco in 1859 and had a liquor business at Marysville, California in 1857. He appeared in Virginia City, Nevada in 1863 with a grocery and liquor business at 67 No. C Street. In 1864 he owned the Ophir Exchange Saloon and then owned his very successful V. Milatovich provision business. Vincent located at Reno in 1870 and opened his V. Milatovich Grocery and Liquor Store. He took an extended trip to Dalmatia and turns up in San Francisco in 1878 at 1024 Stockton Street as a Capitalist. It is not known what his movements were after this date, perhaps retirement. he was a member of the Famous Knickerbocker Fire Engine Company at Virginia City in 1867. A noted writer on Nevada history notes the Milatovich clan in Virginia City and gives extensive and interesting remarks about the family: The Milatovich Association of Virginia City typified the foreign merchant families. The Milatovich Grocery Store at 93 No. C. Street and a nearby saloon had, in 1870, been providing the community with foreign delicacies for almost a decade. In addition to Scotch, English, and Irish whisky, Jamaica Rum, and French Brandy, the Milatovich’s specialized in French and Italian wines, truffles, Italian mushrooms, roasted chestnuts, Italian, English, Holland, Swiss, and California cheese, Dutch sardines and herrings, Russian caviar, Pagoliano syrup, and dozens of other foreign items to please the most discriminating epicure. During the summer of 1869, Vincent Milatovich decided to retire to the sunny Adriatic, but Andrew, along with other relatives, continued to direct the Comstock business, including the first apparently the largest winery ever operated in Nevada.

MILETICH, ANN Artist

Many of the orphaned children of Bolivia will be a little happier this spring thanks to the efforts of St. H i I a r y E I e m e n t a r y School students in Tiburon, California. With the guidance of Juneau, Alaska artist Ann Miletich, the students created self-portrait quilt patches to be assembled by volunteer parents and then delivered in spring to Madre de Dios, a Catholic orphanage in Coachabomba, Bolivia. Miletich, who founded "Hands Across the Americas" in 1997, has traveled t,hrough out the United States teaching Bolivian children about poverty and the needs of developing countries. Miletich conducted two-hour workshops for grades k'8 during the week of November 29, 1999. The children learned about Bolivia through the artist's personal stories and presentation of slide shows, traditional clothing and Bolivian objects. Miletich challenged the children to think about heritage, family and country. ''What makes our country rich ?“ Miletich asked second graders. Freedom,", answered Brandon Hatter."Great answer, whatelse' asked, Miletich. "Love, friendship, a good president the people, money..." "in Bolivia," Miletich told the children, "It's cloth. Cloth is more important than gold." Miletich displayed a piece of cloth and said, "This piece of cloth is called“awayo”: In Bolivia, 'awayo' represents a woman's wealth family, heritage and more. The designs and patterns on them have been handed down for generations. It is used to carry a woman's baby on her back."Due to poverty. and abuse thousands of Bolivian children either run away or live on the streets. Many have never been carried in an ‘awayo' or given the pride of owning one." The example made the children aware of the importance of the patch work quilts they created, teachers said. Through Miletich's efforts, children have made hundreds of quilts for orphaned children in other parts of the world. Work on the quilts should be completed in February. In March, Miletich will deliver them to Bolivia. A child's quilt could quite possibly become his or her only possession, she said.

MILET1C, IVAN Librarian

Ivan Miletic is head of the Cleveland Public Library in Cleveland, Ohio. Born June 24, 1947 in Zagreb, Croatia; married to Vesna nee Tomas with two children. Educated at New York University BA in history and education 1971; MA in history 1973 at John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio; MA in librarianship 1975 at New York University. Member of the American Library Association; Croatian American Association; Association for Croatian Studies; American Association for Advancement of Slavic Studies.

MILETICH, SAM Sea Captain-Saloon-Oyster Saloon-Dance Hall-Smuggler

On Saturday, December 3, 1859, the steamer Pacific arrived in Victoria from San Francisco, California carrying a load of cargo and about 30 passengers. Two of the passengers were known San Francisco entrepreneurs - Meyer "Major" Malowanski and Sam Miletich - who had come to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada seeking new business and investment opportunities.

In the weeks following his arrival in Victoria, Miletich, a successful Croatian liquor merchant from San Francisco, applied several times to government for a liquor license with a view to opening a saloon in Victoria. On January 19, 1860, after two unsuccessful attempts, Miletich was finally granted a liquor license to operate a saloon, but only after he installed a dozen bunks in his saloon building so it could at least partially serve as a hotel. By the end of January, Miletich had opened his Adelphi Saloon at the southwest corner of Yates and Governmnet Streets, on what was soon to become known as "Adelphi corner". By the end of 1860, Miletich had installed three billiard tables in a parlour attached to the Adelphi. Major Malowanski, meanwhile, had opened a tobacconist's shop in the northeast corner of the Adelphi and launched a fur-buying business.

Both Malowanski and Miletich prospered during the early 1860s. While Miletich invested in a couple of lots on Pandora Avenue, Malowanski purchased the two masted schooner Langley. Under the command of Vincent Charles Baranovich, another Croatian, and Malowanski's son John, the Langley embarked on a series of three or four month voyages along the B.C. and Alaskan coasts during which large quantities of liquor were illegally traded to coastal tribes for furs and skins.

Like the dozen of other saloons, hotels and roadhouses in and around Victoria, the Adelphi did a roaring trade with the many miners, sailors and adventurers, who came to Victoria for work or entertainment. For many of these men, the saloons and the adjacent dance halls served as social centres where they could pass their time drinking, smoking, socializing, playing billiards, bowling, gambling (secretly), or making the acquaintance of the women who frequented such establishments. With a dozen bottles of ale or porter retailing at $40 the saloon business was a relatively secure and profitable.

Unlike some of Victoria's other saloons, there is no evidence that gambling or prostitution was ever carried on in the Adelphi, while it was under Miletich's ownership. The only discreditable report ever linked to Miletich occured a couple of weeks after the Adelphi was opened when Miletich refused to serve Jacob Francis, a prominent member of Victoria's black community. Francis complained to the authorities and Miletich was hauled into court. After his trial, a jury exonerated Miletich, but Francis was able to establish in this, and a subsequent court case, the principle that although blacks might be segregated in Victoria's saloons, they could never be refused service.

In 1864, Miletich spent $1,000 refurbishing the Adelphi and, in a first for Victoria, had gas lighting installed in the saloon. Major Malowanski, despite the confiscation of the Langley in 1863, for smuggling and trading liquor to natives, continued to operate his tobacco shop and, after repurchasing the ship from the government, purchased a second schooner, the North Star, to increase h'is coastal fur trading operations.

The buoyant business climate. in Victoria began to change for the worse in 1864 and 1865 as miners began to desert the Cariboo gold fields, once the easy diggings had been worked over. By January, 1865, the Bank of British Columbia's manager had to report that Victoria was "as dull as ditch water," and that "skedaddling and bankruptcies alone are lively." In the spring of 1866, Malowanski joined the “skedaddlers"when he slipped onto, the steamer Diana late one night and "skedaddled" across the line to the United States, in order to avoid imprisonment for debt. After his flight to Fort Steilacoom on Puget Sound, Malowanski was declared a bankrupt and -his assets divided among his creditors. Though Miletich and John Malowanski salvaged some of his business operations, Malowanski never returned to Victoria. John Malowanski and Vincent Baranovich continued to operate the schooners Langley and North Star in the coastal fur trade despite the bankruptcy of Major Malowanski.

Sam Miletich fortunes continued to hold up despite the business depression in Victoria. On June, 1866, he refurbisbed the Adelphi's billiard parlour by adding four of "Phelan's , Patent Combination Cushion Billiard Tables," and adorning the walls with "a well selected decorations of paintings and engraving." That same month, he entered into a partnership with John C. Keenan to operate the

Adelphi saloon. Keenan was an experienced hotel keeper who had previously operated the Fashion Hotel on Yates Street. Why Miletich established a partnership with Keenan is unclear. One possibility is that he wanted Keenan's experience in operating dance halls, for Miletich had also leased the Alhambra music and dance hall and bar, in the summer of 1866. The Alhambra was a popular dancing and singing establishment located in the second story of William Zelner's brick building on the southeast corner of Yates and Government, directly across from the Adelphi. Miletich's new "temple of music" provided some of the best music entertainment in the city, with many balls, recitals and other social events being held there.

In 1868, Miletich had abandoned his partneeship with John Keenan and entered into another with Captain William J. Doane, a popular Fraser River steamboat captain with a love of liquor and a desire to open an oyster saloon. Doane had to wait a few more years before realizing that dream but in the meantime he managed the Adelphi, throughout 1868. By that time, Miletich had moved to Sitka, Alaska, and opened a saloon and billiard parlour there. Like his acquaintances, John Malowanski and Vincent Baranovich, who had shifted their business activities to Alaska, in 1867, Miletich was probably drawn to Alaska by the business opportunities and weak government authority there following its purchase by the United States earlier that year. Unlike Victoria, with its 80 or so saloons and public houses, Miletich had virtually no competition in Sitka. Though his lasted until September, 1868, - Miletich had established himself at Sitka by January 1868 and he soon sold off all his property in Victoria, never to return.

Though Miletich spent only nine years in Victoria, his cultural legacy, though slight, was long-lasting. The Adelphi saloon gave its name to the corner it stood upon, and the brick building that replaced the original wooden saloon in the 1890s. While the doors of the Adelphi finally closed in 1917, with Prohibition, it was not until the late 1940s that the last trace of Samuel Miletich's presence was removed from Victoria's landscape with the destruction of the "Adelphi block" during the construction of the new Government Street post office.

An indication of why Miletich enjoyed success wherever he established a saloon, may be found on the front page of the first issue of Alaska's first newspaper, The Sitka Times. In an ad carefully written in longhand - since the newspaper's type had not yet arrived, Miletich advertised that "Sam's saloon was "still conducted in its usual happy manner" and that a pleasant smile, and good liquors and sigars (sic!) was "Sam's motto." Miletich was still operating his saloon at Sitka in 1871, but nine years later, this native of Dalmatia was no longer listed among the citizens of Sitka. By then, it would appear, this restless Croatian frontiersman had moved on in search of another El Dorado. "What can I tell you about these early Croatian pioneers," said an American researcher on the subject. "They were like birds of passage." They came here, stayed for a while, and then "flew off,", rarely to be seen again. Sam Miletich was like that. (Juricic 2003)

MILIAS, GEORGE Hotel-Saloon-Restaurant-Ranch

The three-story hotel is referred to as “the finest hotel between San Francisco and Santa Barbara” when it opened its doors in 1922. The Milias family were builders of the Milias Hotel. Milias, the hotel’s proprietor, is a Gilroy city councilman. He recalls with relish the history of his family, the hotel business, and Gilroy’s growth.

Many big land and cattle deals were cooked up in the bar and adjoining lobby of the Milias, and the Milias Bar is still frequented by tall-hatted men in boots who come off the range.

Milias recalls that his father, George Milias came to San Jose in 1880 from Dalmatia in Croatia. He was 13. He went to work at what was known as the Big Nick’s Restaurant on The Alameda. He worked there, after starting as a dishwasher, for six years and six months, and during that time attended night school where he learned to read, write and keep books. “One day my father’s boss decided to go to Hollister and shoot quail and rabbits,” Milias said. “My father went with him. “They stopped about half way down the block from here (the hotel). “It was a restaurant that was full of people. The man offered to sell out for $800. “My father bought the restaurant and when he took it he found out that it had no regular customers, it was full of people on the first day he was there because everything was free meals. It was a two-story building with the restaurant downstairs and 20 rooms upstairs. By 1898 my father had bought the whole corner. By 1914 he started accumulating land and operating ranches.

MILIAS, GEORGE JR. Mayor Councilman

His son, George Milias, Jr., has the management of the Milias Estate with his mother, Mrs. Marie Milias, his wife Mrs. Rachel Milias, and son, George W. Milias and daughter Carol Milias. The Estate comprises of Hotel, cattle ranches and raw crop ranches. George Milias, Jr., was councilman in Gilroy from 1930, which position of Gilroy from 1940 which position he still occupies. He was the Mayor of the City of Gilroy in 1940, and has for years been an important factor in the civic life of that city.

MILIAS, GEORGE W. Assemblyman

He was deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service at the time of his death. A native of Gilroy, Mr. Milias became chairman of the state republican Central Committee in 1958 and was elected to the Assembly in 1962. He served four two-year terms. He ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for secretary of state in 1970 and was appointed state labor commissioner a year later. He was named deputy regional administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency in San Francisco in 1972. In 1974, Mr. Milias ran unsuccessfully for Congress from the 13th District. He was appointed to the wildlife service in 1975. He is survived by his father, former Gilroy Mayor George C. Milias; his wife, Mary Ann; and two stepsons.

MILIAS, MARY ANN Executive-Teacher

Another Prominent Northern California family name in the news is Milias. In this case, Mary Ann Milias, the first woman to reach vice president status at Castle & Cooke in San Francisco. Like her cousin, the late California assemblyman George Milias, the 38-year-old ex-highschool teacher hails from Gilroy where for many years the Milias Hotel on Main Street was the only game in town. Her clan came from Dalmatia in Croatia. A farm girl, Milias was graduated from Stanford in 1967 and spent a couple of years teaching before deciding to chuck it and go for a Harvard MBA. Recruited on campus by a financial analyst, she’s been with Castle & Cooke nine years now. In addition to v.p., she is the company treasurer and in charge of both its investor and public relations.

MILICEVIC, IVANA Actress

Ivana Milicevic (Missy) can be seen starring in the new HBO series The Mind of the Married Man. She will also be featured in a supporting role in Cameron Crowe's Vanilla Sky for Paramount Pictures in November. Most recently she was seen starring in the feature film Head Over Heels opposite Freddie Prinze Jr. and Monica Potter. While continuing to model in New York, Los Angeles and Milan, Ivana decided stand up comedy might help her break into acting. She did stand up at The Comedy Store and was soon discovered by a manager, which led to her first job, a guest spot on "Seinfeld" as 'Patti,' the wife of the Russian tennis player, 'Milosh.' She went on to a supporting role in Jerry Maguire and a memorable role in The Enemy of the State opposite Will Smith and Gene Hackman. Her other feature film credits include Love Stinks, October 11, Kiss the Sky, The Big Brass Ring and Crazy Six. Ivana has also made numerous television appearances including guest starring roles on "Felicity," "The Nanny" and "House Rules." She lives in Los Angeles. Ivana has seen her life transformed since she was a girl in Bosnia. Born in Sarajevo, Ivana's family brought her to America when she was 5 years old where she grew up in Michigan. She started modeling while in high school and graduated early to follow her acting dreams in Los Angeles. Ivana Milicevic is daughter of Damir and Tonka Milicevic. They are both Croatians. They live in Troy, Michigan. Ivana has two brothers and the older one is a very talented musician. Damir's brother is a first class violinist. Milicevic's are a very lovely, talented and successful Croatian family. 2001.

MILICH CLAN

Nick Milich was first noted in Nevada as part owner of the Fashion Chop-House at Shermantown in 1870. He later settled at Eureka, Nevada with a boarding house and ice cream saloon. Mrs. N. Milich operated the French Rotisserie at Eureka in 1879. A Milich and Dyar were in Tombstone, Arizona in 1883 at 430 Fremont Street as Commission Merchants. Peter Milich, listed on the 1870, 1875, and 1880 Census as from Turkey, was a Capitalist at Carson City in 1878. He was a farmer in Carson Valley and had a wife, Mary, born in Switzerland and a son, George, born in California in 1858. Mary died in 1906 and was buried in Carson City. Peter was and American citizen. Frank Milich, listed as from Austria on the Census, was in Eureka, Nevada and Bodie, California in the 1870’s. He was an American citizen. Anton and Prosper Milich were fishing in San Francisco Bay in 1878; Frank Milich was a bartender in town and John Milich had a restaurant in 1884. George Milich was a member of the Austrian Military Society in 1905; Mato Milich of the Croatian Fraternal Society in 1904; Prosper Milich of the Austrian Benevolent Society. Nikola Milich was a member of the Catholic Hercegovina Society of Los Angeles, California in 1910. Antone Milich married at Mobile, Alabama in 1849; Christ Milich died in 1838 at New orleans, Louisiana; John Milich died in the hurricane of 1893 in louisiana and Luke Milich was fishing at Mobile Bay, Alabama in 1860.

MILIN-MILON, RUDOLPH Policeman

Retired sergeant of 28 years with the San Francisco Police Department. Age 72 years. A native of San Francisco. Died 1999. Dearly beloved husband of Rose Milon: loving father of Laura Bridgman and Janet Agius: dear father-in-law of John Agius and Kurt Bridgman; adoring Papa of Jennifer and Gina Agius: loving son of Christine Nicolai, dear brother of Evelyn Sills, Sam and Nick Milon.

MILIN-MILON, SAM Painting Contractor-Golden Gate Bridge

The symbol of San Francisco is the Golden Gate Bridge. It was the longest suspension bridge in the world. The clear span is measured between two arches above the sea surface. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is the biggest bridge in the world, taking into account its two arches on the entrances to the Bridge. It is a giant coast-to-coast bridge across the San Francisco Bay. The construction began in 1933 and it was completed four years later. The most interesting and barely known fact is that Croatians, mostly Dalmatians, had been working on the Bridge construction. They arrived directly from Dalmatia and it seems that only Sime Milin is still alive. He is retired and lives in San Francisco where we met him last summer. His father Nikola Milin arrived in 1905 from his native Tribunj, near Sibenik, via New York to California. He was born in 1872. His brother Roko arrived afterwards, in 1906, and returned to Croatia in 1912. he came back again to California next year. Nikola returned home with his wife. However, the story of his son Sime Milin begins in 1921, when he arrived in California from Trieste on the merchant ship "Belvedere". He was 22 years old. At first he worked for 18 months in the sugar refinery in Crockett, California. Then he served his apprenticeship and start to earn as a house painter. During the economic crisis his clients didn't have enough money to pay his work, so he had to work on credit, for 5 or 10 dollars per month. At that time his countrymen invited him to work on the Golden Gate Bridge. Since he had family to feed, he accepted the job that might be dangerous for his life. As a foreman he was paid 65 dollars per week. He remembers that the following Dalmatians were working with him on the Bridge: Chris Belich from the Island Ugljan, Sam Baturich from the Island of Iz, Mike Rugometich from Ugljan, and Peter Ban from Ston. He also remembers Joe Morovich, who lived in San Pedro and worked with molten iron. Morovich was 40 years old when he fell off the Bridge and was never seen again. Milin was working on the Bridge 11 years and one month. He and his workers have never had an accident. And their work was going on continuously, since once the painting of the Bridge was completed, it had to be repainted again. After the war, Milin returned to his contracting business. After his arrival in the USA he was a member of Croatian Union of the Pacific, Slavonic Society and Croatian Sokol. In 1942 he became a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union and he was the president of the lodge No. 61 for several years. During the war he was engaged in humanitarian aid in the period from 1941 to 1948. At first they were collecting clothes and shipping the packages to Croatia, and after the war they were sending money too.

MILINOVICH, MARCO Saloon-Gunfighter

Marco Milinovich, treasurer of the Slavonic Society in 1860, owned a coffee saloon at the corner of Commercial and Leidesdoff Streets, San Francisco, in 1859. He departed in 1861 for Virginia City, Nevada Territory, one of the most well known frontier towns in the West, and opened the San Francisco Saloon and Hotel on the corner of Union and B Streets. On Independence Day, July 4, 1863, Marko was shot and killed in a gun fight by one Joseph McGee of questionable reputation and perhaps a gunfighter. A newspaper account states that Marko was shot in the side, neck and arm and that a patron of his establishment, Peter Kelley, was shot in the abdomen. Marco’s remains were returned to San Francisco and he became one of the first to be buried in the Croatian cemetery. Peter owned a coffee saloon at Pacific and Drum Streets in 1859, and Mateo operated a coffee saloon at Commercial and Leidesdorff in 1859. Martin owned the New World Market in 1858 and later went to the Idaho territory and opened a restaurant.

MILINOVICH, MICHAEL A. Certified Public Accountant

Michael A. Milinovich is a C.P.A. in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. Born March 10, 1919 to Croatian parents in Monessen, Pennsylvania; Married with four children. Education included Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, B.S. Business Administration 1941; Pennsylvania State Examination, C.P.A., 1947. Major field Public Accounting. Member of American Institute of C.P.A. (Certified Public Accountants); Past President and presently member of Waynesburg Rotary Club; Former member Board of Director, Greene County Memorial Hospital; Former member Board of Director, Duquesne University Tamburitzans. Experience: Cost Analyst, U.S. Steel Corp., Gary, Indiana 1941-44; Accountant, Price, Waterhouse & Co., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1944-48; Instructor, Waynesburg College, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania 1948-56; 1948- C.P.A., own practice, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.

MILJAN, JOHN Actor

Miljan was born in Lead, South Dakota in 1892 of Croatian parents named Marinovich. John began his acting and stage career in 1908 and in 1922 moved to Hollywood to appear in hundreds of films. He appeared in such films as “The Plainsman”, in which he played the part of General Custer, “Twin Husbands”, “Samson and Delilah”, and “The Ten Commandments”. His last film was “The Lone Ranger and The Lost City of Gold” in 1958. Miljan died in Hollywood in 1960.

MILJAS, PAUL Croatian Activities

Paul was born in the village of Drvenik Opcin, Cavtat, Dalmatia in 1887 and immigrated to the United States as a young man, eventually living for a short period of time in Lead, South Dakota. Luce Miljas was born in Konavle, Croatia 9 May 1890 and left her home village to live with her sister Kate Pavlich in 1910. Kate’s family resided in South Dakota when Luce came to stay and that is where she met Paul Miljas. Paul met and Married Luce Kordic in 1911 in Lead and eventually they had two sons; Joseph and John and two daughters, Mary Passarino and Lucy Edwards. Paul and Luce raised their children in San Diego where they organized Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 641, “Croatian Life”, June 15, 1926. Paul passed away June 14, 1976— one day short of the Lodge’s 50th birthday. Luce passed away 16 may 1977.

MILKOVICH, MICHAEL Director Fine Arts

Michael Milkovich was born in Croatia under a full moon on Friday the 13th, 1929, circumstances, he says, "that explain a few things about me." Milkovich, who recently retired after almost 20 years as director of the Museum of Fine Arts, would be the first to say his life has been one interesting ride. As a young man, he fled to Germany as a political refugee after participating in a protest at the University of Zagreb. He studied at the universities of Madrid and Heidelberg but wanted to leave Germany in 1956. He came to the United States. He landed in Cleveland, but the fluent speaker of German, Russian, Spanish and Italian did not understand English. He and his wife were expecting their first child. He had little money and no job offers. His first employment was with Cleveland Drill Co., manning and cleaning the machines on the night shift. Through hard work and ambition, he learned English, earned a master's degree in art history and began his climb through the art world, which culminated in his appointment as director of the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, Florida. Along the way, he became a U.S. citizen, had four sons. Before coming to Florida, he became founding director of the University Art Gallery at the State University of New York and the Dixson Gallery and Gardens in Memphis. Milkovich's tenure in St. Petersburg, though remarkably long for the art world, has not always been smooth. In 1994, after clashing with a handful of board members, he was fired, then rehired by the full board.His last seven years have been marked by significant acquisitions for the collection and a string of successful exhibitions. One of his most successful was also closest to his heart, a show of naive Croatian art he brought from his homeland. Milkovich, 72, who plans to spend his retirement here and in Croatia, recently talked with the Times about his career and his thoughts about the museum and the city upon his retirement.

MILKOVICH, MICHAEL Teacher-Coach

Michael Milkovich is a teacher and coach at Maple Heights Board of Education, Maple Heights, Ohio. Born December 26, 1921 to Croatian parents in Cleveland, Ohio; married six children. Education includes Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, B.S., 1948; Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, Education, 1950 with a major field in Industrial Education, Science, Physical Education, History. Outstanding wrestling coach of Ohio, Merit Award, Kent State University, City of Maple Hts.; coached Mgr. J. World Games Champion.

MILKOVIC, MILAN Librarian

Milan Milkovic is a Librarian at Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio. Born March 20, 1924 in Gospic, Croatia. Education includes II Classical Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia. Graduate, 1944; University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia 1944-45; University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria M.A. 1950; John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio, B.S., 1958; University of Detroit, Detroit 1955-58. Member of American Library Association.

MILLICH, FRANK Ranch

An enterprising citizen who is making a success as a fruit grower, the owner of a splendid producing orchard in the Moreland school district, is Frank Millich, a native of Dalmatia, born at Krucica, October 13, 1886, the oldest of a family of nine children born to Miho and Mary (Dragove) Millich, also natives of Dalmatia, who are farmers and are still living on their home place. Two of their children died from the influenza, one of them, a son who served in the world war, contracted it while serving under the colors and died from it s effect., When sixteen years of age he left the old home arriving at Rosendale, Ulster County, New York, March 25, 1903, where he was employed in the cement works until 1904 when he made his way to San Jose, California, reaching here on June 1, of that year. He immediately went to work in the orchards and thouroughly learned fruit growing and the fruit business. He saved his money so that in three years time he was enabled to lease and orchard and engaged as a fruit grower as well as a fruit buyer, in which he was very successful, so that in 1913 he purchases a ten-acre orchard on Prospect Road, where he made a success, and in 1919 he sold the orchard at a profit. He then purchased his present place of twenty-five acres located on Phelps Avenue in the Moreland school district, his orchard being full bearing and devoted to raising apricots and peaches. The marriage of Mr. Millich occurred in Santa Clara County in 1912, when he was united with Miss Mary Lobrovich, who was born in the same vicinity as her husband and came to San Jose in 1910, and estimable woman of splendid attributes who has been an able helpmate to her husband.

MILOS, ANTON P. Fisherman

Before settling in San Pedro, Anton fished off Tacoma, Washington. He was a native of Starigrad, Island of Hvar, Dalmatia. Following in the footsteps of many of his countrymen, Anton could be seen in the beginning of the last century swinging a salmon net in the treacherous Bering Sea. He was the co-owner of two fishing boats, the Oregon City and Valencia, besides having other property and interests in different enterprises.

MILOSLAVICH, CHARLES Restaurant

A popular restaurateur of Stockton, Charles Miloslavich is the owner and proprietor of a restaurant located at 328 East ad Weber Street.  he is a native of Dalmatia, Croatia, born December 18, 1885, a son of Charles and Catherine Miloslavich. Nicholas Miloslavich, a brother of our subject, was a soldier in the army of Austria and was severly wounded and has been disabled, so remained in the old home with his mother; a brother, Antone, left home for America and arrived in California in 1900; he secured employment and sent money home for the passage of Charles, and in 1901 he arrived in New York and came dirrect to Stockton, where he joined his brother. He soon found employment in a restaurant at fifteen dollars per month, and in 1912 he had saved enough money to buy an interest in a Weber Street cafe, and within three years time he had purchased the interests of the other partner in the business, and today is the owner of what is known as Charlie’s Popular Restaurant, and has built up a prosperous business. At Stockton in 1910 Mr. Miloslavich was married to Miss Mary L. Capitanich, a daughter of N. Capitanich, a pioneer fruit and vineyard rancher of San Joaquin County; she was born in Lead City, South Dakota, and was five years old when her parents moved to Stockton, California. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miloslavich; Charles, Jr., Kathryn and Robert. Mr. Miloslavich owns a residence in North Crest at 647 North Baker Street; also another residence at 847 West Park Street, and desirable real estate on East Street; in 1921 he sold his Yosemite Lake property to the city of Stockton.  Mr. Miloslavich belongs to the Stockton Merchants’ Association and the Chamber of Commerce, and fraternally is a member of the B. P. O. Elks, No. 218, the Stockton Eagles and the Red Men.

MILOSLAVIC, EDUARD Forensic Medicine

(1884-1952) was a descendant of Dubrovnik emmigrants to the USA, born in Oakland, California. His family returned to Dubrovnik in 1889. Eduard studied medicine in Vienna, where he became a professor of pathology. In 1920 an invitation came from the Marquette University in Wisconsin, USA, to take the chair of the full professor of pathology, bacteriology and forensic medicine. In subsequent years "Doc Milo", as colleagues called him, inaugurated criminal pathology in the USA. As an outstanding specialist he was also involved in investigations of crimes perpetrated by the Capone gang. He was one of the founders of the International Academy for Forensic Medicine, member of many American and European scientific societies and academies. He was active in the Croatian Fraternal Union and also vice president of the CFU in the USA. In 1932 he moved to Zagreb, where he was a full professor at the Faculty of medicine. He was lecturing also pastoral medicine at the Faculty of Theology in Zagreb, and was known as ardent adversary of abortion and euthanasia. In 1940 he was elected member of the prestigeous "Medico-Legal Society" in London in 1941 and promoted the full member of the Tzarist Leopoldine Carolingue Academy of Natural Sciences in Germany, and doctor "honoris causa" at the University of Vienna, where he started his scientific career. He again moved to the USA (St.Louis, Missouri), where he was working until his death.

MILOSLAVICH, NICK Restaurant

Nick Miloslavich a native of Orasac, Dalmatia, Croatia died on March 17, 1979 in Oakland, California at the age of 81. His wife was the late Florence Miloslavich and children Vic Miloslavich and Ann Adams. Nick was active in the Knights of Columbus, Eagles Oakland Aerie and a member of the Bartenders Union. He was a long time owner and proprietor of the San Pablo Cafe in Oakland.

MILOVICH, NIKOLA Goldminer-Restaurant

Nikola Milovich, a Dalmatian, was associated in the restaurant business in Los Angeles in 1879. He married a native Californian and had a daughter. He was a goldminer in Amador County in 1871 and in 1874 had a restaurant in San Jose. He also was an American citizen.

MILOVINA, IVAN J. Ranch-Vineyard

Ivan was a longtime rancher in the Santa Clara Valley of California. He grew prunes, apricots and cherries in the local area until Silicon Valley blossomed and then he started farming in the Mendocino County area, first with pears, and then went into planting vineyards. The vineyards are still operated by two of his sons. On June 22, 2001, 61 year Croatian Fraternal Union member Ivan J. Milovina passed away. Ivan is survived by his wife Eva, son James and his wife Lyle of Hopland, California, son Tom and his wife Wendy of Maui, Hawaii, son John and his wife Patricia of Ukiah, California, grandchildren Michael, David, Adam, Kelly and Halley Milovina, Heather Mancini and Dr. Michelle Milovina. He was great grandfather of Taliah and Oliver Mancini. Ivan was a 50 year member of the Elks, and the Amslavs Mens Club, a charter member of the Valleons, a 65 year member of the Slavonian American Benevolent Society, Napredak Club, Native Sons of the Golden West and a 30 year member of the Los Altos Country Club.

MILOVINA, JOHN J. Ranch

John J. Milovina, who at one time owned about 200 acres of prune orchards in the Mountain View- Sunnyvale- Cupertino area, died in Mountain View, on Saturday at the age of 77 in 1977 For the last four years he and his wife, Anna, had resided at 1326 Samedra St., Sunnyvale. Before that, however, they had lived for more that half a century in Mountain View. John Milovina was a native of Dalmatia, Croatia. He came to the Mid Peninsula when he was 17. Most of the prune orchards he owned have been taken over by subdivisions. He was a member of the American Dalmatian Society and the Croatian Fraternal Union. In addition to his wife, Milovina is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Jack Mariani, of 20040 Homestead Road, Cupertino; a son, Ivan Milovina, who operates a ranch in the Ukiah area, but who lives in Los Altos; a brother, Matt Milovina of Los Altos; two sisters, Nellie Janovich of Cupertino and Kate Perrieca of Croatia; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

MINERICH, ROBERT Football-Hotel-Olympics

Robert Minerich is the Vice President and Managing Director of the Arizona Inn. A hotel veteran of 43 years, he has been at the Arizona Inn for the past 13 years. After a period of several years in industrial relations at General Motors, Bob Minerich made a career change to Hotel and Resort Management, a change which has benefited us all. In 1944, he affiliated with Yosemite Park and Curry Company. As a trainee in Hotel and Restaurant Management, he spent two years in the "back of the house," learning the business from the bottom up. He trained as a butcher's helper, cook's helper, pantry service and an apprentice in pastry. From here he went on to the purchasing department of the Ahwahnee Hotel. Bob then moved into the management of several of Yosemite Park and Curry Co.'s properties. He spent approximately one year as the Assistant Manager of the Ahwahnee Hotel, one and one half years as the manager of the Yosemite Lodge and three years as the Manager of Badger Pass Ski Lodge. 1952 saw Bob Minerich as one of the instrumental forces in opening the Statler Hotel in Los Angeles, California, where he was the Assistant Manager for two and one half years. When the Statler Corporation merged with the Hilton chain, Bob then took over the management of the Richardson Springs Hotel near Chico, one of the oldest hotels in California. In 1958, he was asked by the United States Olympic Committee, to become Director of Olympic Village and Public Facilities for the VIII Winter Olympics to be held at Squaw Valley, California in 1960. Bob, Minerich was in charge of designing and directing the housing and feeding arrangements for the athletes, National and International Olympic Committee Members and heads of the many corporations involved in the Olympics. After the Olympics,, as a management consultant, he helped plan, organize and staff a new ski facility, Alpine Meadows in the Squaw Valley, California area. In 1963, Bob Minerich came to Tucson as a management consultant to evaluate ana solve the problems confronting the Pioneer Hotel. Six months later, he became the managing partner and one fourth owner. In 1970, he sold his interest in the Pioneer and joined MuCulloch as their Director of Resort Operations in four states. Bob Minerich took over the reins of the Arizona Inn in 1975 as Vice President - and Managing Director where he has remained since except for a brief period in 1979-80, when the United States Olympic Committee again called upon his expertise. He took a three month leave of absence to become the liaison of the USA Olympic Committee and International Olympic Committee to help solve the problems confronting the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. These resolved, Bob Minerich returned to Tucson where he lives with his wife Emily. They are the parents of two adult daughters, Meredith and Melissa Minerich.

Bob Minerich received a football scholarship from Northwestern University of Evanston, Illinois of the Big Ten. Opening game of the 1930 season saw the two arch rivals of Green Bay Packers coached by Curly Lambeau and the Chicago Bears coached by George Halas. The battle ground was Soldiers Field. "If Nagurski starts," Coach Lambeau said pre-game, "then Minerich you start." It so happened Nagurski was a rookie also but too good not to start so a couple of rookies from Nothern Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range became rivals that day.

After the opening kick off and first play of the game, the legendary Bronko Nagurski hit the line and was met head on by Bob Minerich. The collision cost Bob Minerich a broken nose, a broken collar bone, a broken right shoulder pad, and split his football pants at the crotch, and, loss of his rookie season. In his visit to the hospital, Johnny BIood (another football legend) and a Packer veteran, had this bit of advice for his roommate, "Minerich, you don't hit Nagurski head on, you hit him from the side, or you hit him from behind." Then Bob told Jim and me how on a vacation trip to Northern Minnesota he stopped in International Falls where Bronko Nagurski owned a gas station. They had a grand reunion. The Bronk's first words were, "Minerich, are you alive? I thought you were dead!"

MIRKOVICH, JAKOV Fish Cannery

A merchant of much experience Jakov was one of the organizers of the French Sardine Company, and the Dalmatian Club in San Pedro. For eight years he was president of Zvonimir a Croatian society. Jack was born in Trpanj, Dalmatia in 1871, on the 9th of September. He came to the United States in 1886 and to San Pedro in 1917. In 1904 he married Madeline Bizaca. The influenza in 1925 claimed their first born, Raymond. They had two other children, James Francis and Ciril Eugen.

MIRTH, KARLO J. Librarian-Publisher

Research company executive, librarian, writer, publisher and editor, Mirth was born on July 15, 1917 in Otocac, district of Lika in Croatia. After completing gymnasium in Otocac and Senj he studied at the Forestry Department of the School of Agriculture and Forestry at the Croatian University where he received a Master's degree in engineering in 1942. As a young man he witnessed historic events in Croatia from 1939 until May 1945 when he managed to reach Italy with thousands of other refugees. In 1946--1947 he studied journalism at the University of Rome. In 1951 he continued his studies at the University of Barcelona, Spain and shortly afterward immigrated to the United States. In 1962 he obtained his M.S. in Library Science at Columbia University, New York. Mirth is the founder, publisher and editor-in-chief of Croatia Press, Review and News Bulletin. He started the publication in Rome in June 1947. Here it was published until the end of 1947. He continued its publication in Madrid from 1948 to 1951. In Cleveland, Ohio Croatia Press was published during 1952-1956 and has been published until the present time in New York City. Despite all odds Croatia Press appeared in a very modest form in its early years as a "Bulletin and News Service" for distribution to various Croatian newspapers in the Americas and in Western Europe. Defying all difficulties Croatia Press survived, always maintaining its objectivity, reliability and accuracy. The publication has become a reliable source of information. Its frequency, format and language have been modified as it has become addressed to different audiences. In the United States the publication introduced an English section. As demanded by circumstances during the past dozen years Croatia Press has been published in English only. In recent years many issues in offset printing and with illustrations were dedicated to timely problems of Croatians in diaspora and at home. Mirth himself and numerous Croatian and foreign authors have contributed in the issues of Croatia Press innumerable articles, reports, analyses and news items dealing with Croatia and Yugoslavia.

In its thirty-five years and, especially during the last two decades, it has managed to earn a very good reputation among English language scholars. As such it has been quoted and used as an important source of information. Karlo Mirth and Croatia Press have both played an important role in spreading objective truth about Croatia and the Croatians. Mirth has also been very active in the Croatian Academy of America founded in 1953. He served as its president from 1958 to 1968. He was one of the founders of the Academy's Journal of Croatian Studies, an annual review. Twenty-two issues of the Journal have been published to date with Mirth and Jerome Jareb as co-editors. Mirth has also published articles and studies in Hrvatska Revija, the leading Croatian quarterly in exile, and in other Croatian periodicals and newspapers. He is presently the manager of the Research Information Center of Foster Wheeler Corp. at its world headquarters in Livingston, New Jersey. He is an active member of the American Society for Information Science and other professional societies.

MISETICH, ANTON Fisherman

Captain Anton Misetich-San Pedro’s Largest Tuna Seiner

Score another “first” for the Anthony M., San Pedro’s largest tuna seiner, and for the Misetich family, owners, who long have pioneered new gear and new methods to increase fishing efficiency. This time it’s all-nylon tuna seine, all-nylon- wed and selvage, twines and lines. The netting was manufactured by A. M. Starr Net Company, using 100% DuPont nylon twine produced by Brownell & Co., Moodus, Conn., under its “Brownie” trade mark. The web alone required approximately 10,000 lbs. of DuPont filament nylon. The Anthony M. siene is the first all-nylon tuna seine, and is believed to be the largest- possibly also the first- all nylon net of this kind in American fisheries. How big? Length, 410 fathoms: depth, 34 fathoms. What does such a net cost? Around $38,000. How can a fisherman afford such a net? Anton Misetich, who customarily skippers Anthony M., credits his crew of efficent, highly -skilled fishermen whose willingness and ability to catch fish and make productive trips year after year has made it possible to finance an investment of such proportions. The net proved successful in its first use on the first 1956 trip of the Athony M. to the high seas off South America, a trip that took 39 days, ending with docking of the boat at Star Kist, Terminal Island, February 28. Only six sets were necessary to give the 120’ vessel enought tuna, largely Skipjack, to return too her home port. Bad weather slowed the voyage home. Figuring heavily in the effficency of the new net, with its advantages of light-weight and great strength, is the swift and easily handling by the Puretic power block. On the trial of the net and power block in the San Pedro harbor, only about 45 minutes were required for the set and until the net was again stacked on the turntable. It was a water haul, merely to test the gear. Skipper Misetich says he believes the nylon tuna net working with the power block is the “salvation of the tuna purse seine industry”; and he highlights the fact that the lightness of the net and its quick handling by the power block make even a skunk set pardonable, since the time of hauling-in the net is cut in more-than-half, giving the crew time to find a more productive fishing ground. The seiner was the first boat to try the first experimental Puretic Block, and its operation on salmon vessels was reported in Pacific Fisherman’s News, May, 1955. To add to the perfection of the equipment, Anthony M.’s owners recently equipped the boat with a Raytheon Model 1500 Mariner’s Pathfinder radar. Perhaps on her next trip Anthony M. will have a new 28-foot planked hull skiff aboard, unique because of the Hanley Hydrojet, working from a gasoline engine.  The skiff was been completed by Elite Boat Works of San Pedro and was origionally carrying a Chrysler Crown, but it was found by F4ellows & Stewart, the yard provinding the “jet,” that the power must be increased to properly work the Hydrojet nozzle which propels and steers and eliminates wheel, shaft and rudder. It is believed that this new propulsion on a purse seine skiff will prove most effective since it eliminates much of the underwater equipment on conventially powered skiffs, thus avoiding fouling of the net.

MISETICH, JAKOV Fisherman

Jakov was born on July 24, 1880 in Selca, Brac, Damatia. He married in 1906, came to America in 1907 and chose San Pedro as his permanent residence in 1919. He was one of the organizers of the Jugoslav Club in Tacoma, Washington and was for many years a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union. His fishing boats included the Lucky Star and the Georga. Jakov’s sons Ivan, Dominik and Anton followed in his fisherman’s life.

MISKO, GEORGE King of Shrimp-Fisherman

In June of 1964 at Biloxi, Mississippi, captain George Misko was crowned the King of Shimp at the annual festival. He received the well earned title due to many years of fishing of shrimp, crabs and fish. He was crowned at the ceremony which is given to the most deserving member of this organization. George Misko was born in Split, Dalmatia, Croatia 86 years ago. He traveled with nine of his friends and arrived to Biloxi, Mississippi, where fishing of shrimp and crab was booming. He started working for Julia H. Lupez-Dumbars Company and was very good worker. Some times later he bought a small fishing boat and transported the oysters, shrimp and crabs to the market. Captain George Misko retired 1949. His last job was with Blue Plate Company. He spent 45 years as a fisherman. In 1908 he met Mandelina Pitalo. They were married and had four sons and five daughters and 26 grandchildren.

MISKULIN, MARY Business-Attorney

Mary Miskulin was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 27, 1912. She resided in Peotone, Illinois for the past 33 years. Mary Miskulin was a graduate of DePaul Law School and she was a licensed Illinois funeral director. A member of St. Paul the Apostle Church, she was also a member and past president of the CCW. She formedy owned and operated the Tasty Treat Ice Cream Shop in Peotone. Mary Miskulin died on January 13, 1989. Sister Miskulin is survived by one brother, John of Peotone. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vincent and Johanna Miskulin and five brothers.

MITCHELL, GUY (CERNICK) Actor-Singer

Born Al Cernick on February 27, 1927 in Detroit, Guy Mitchell became a successful singer and actor. He served in the United States Navy for a year and a half in 1945-46 and married Else Sorenson (of Danish origin). As a singer, Guy was paired up with the famous pop music A&R chief at Columbia records, Mitch Miller, and had almost 40 certified hits on that record label, including “Singing the Blues” which became an all time hall of fame hit that reached #1 for 26 weeks and sold a million copies. Guy sang country and rockabilly, folk tunes, and pop novelty songs during the 1940s and 1950s. Some of his other songs include “My Heart Cries for You”, “The Roving Kind”, “Sparrow in the Treetop”, “My Truly Truly Fair”, “Belle, Belle, My Liberty Belle”, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania”, “Feet Up”, “Pat Him on the Po-Po”, “Rock-a-Billy”, and “Heartaches by the Number” which became #1. He appeared on Dude Martin’s radio shows during the early 1940s and was a vocalist with Carmen Cavallero’s Orchestra where he made his first recordings with Decca Records Company. In 1949 Guy won “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts” as a soloist. As an actor guy was a guest host, a star of several specials, had his own variety series (“The Guy Mitchell Show” on ABC), and acted in various TV shows, the most famous of which was “Whispering Smith”. He also acted in several movies, including “Those Redheads from Seattle” (1953), “Red Garters” (1954), and “The Wild Westerners” (1962). Guy was succeeded by his second wife, Betty Mitchell, his two sons, Joseph Stanzak and David Stanzak, and five grandchildren. He died in July of 1999 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

MITCHELL, MITCHEL L. Millionaire

Unlike most self-made men who have cornered a million dollars in their life-time, Mitchel L. Michell, one of San Francisco's little-known millionaires, is as shy as a monk. But un-monklike, Mitchell is about to step out of his cloistered existence and change his character of one of San Francisco's downtown streets-a fact that has stirred some interest in the community. He lives quietly in a great stone house. The difference is that Mitchell's sanctuary has a private tennis court and an elevator. From the front room of the house, the windows look out on San Francisco Bay, a panorama from the Golden Gate Bridge, across Yerba Buena and Alcatraz to hazy San Leandro in the south. It is a rich man's view of the Bay Area. And Mitchell, a very rich man, takes pleasure in it. He earned it by his own labor. A man of medium height, still trim at 52, Mitchell is always impeccably dressed in conservative black. His hair is very black, graying at the temples, and his quiet manner, even the features of his face, remind you vaguely of Edward R. Murrow. But there is an air of iron-cool confidence about him; not cocky, but solid, like an old champion. His holdings in real estate and ranches, subdivision land and stores and shopping centers range over Northern California. Although he has been known in the business community of California for more than two decades, few people, including his business associates, know much about him. As to himself, he lives with his wife, Emma, and they have four grown children. His current business interest is directed to two projects, a newly built shopping center in Healdsburg and a chunk of Powell street, down from Union square, He bought the Powell street property, comprising the upper half of the block between Ellis and O'Farrell on the east side of the street, a few months ago and is hard at work planning what to do with it. A few years ago, Mitchell drove into Healdsburg, in Sonoma County, and found the pleasant, old town dying commercially because of the shopping colossus in nearby Santa Rosa. He decided to do something about it. He bought an old section of the downtown, dilapidated buildings and bankrupt stores. The townsmen thought he was touched. But he went to work and had the old buildings torn down. In their place he created a sprawling new shopping center, glitteringly modern, with broad parking areas surrounding it. In Healdsburg, he said, it worked. Business has been thriving ever since. His mysterious past? "Well, there is nothing really very mysterious about it." He was born in Fresno in California's great Central Valley, the son of poor immigrant parents, who came to the United States from Dalmatia on the Adriatic Sea in Croatia. From the day he was 12 years old, he worked to support his family. At times, as a boy in Fresno, he held three jobs at once and still managed to keep up his studies at school, and, at the same time, study the art of pharmacy. Before he had finished high school he passed the state examination to become a registered pharmacist. By 1927, when he moved to San Francisco, Mitchell had expanded in the drug business. He owned a chain of drug stores, known as Sontag Drug Co., which he later sold. "Then I went in to real estate," he said. "From there everything happened.” The jewel on his crown of financial success is a shiny Rolls-Royce automobile which he drives only out of town.

MITROVICH, JOHN Saloon

One of the most interesting pioneers was John Mitrovich, who instigated the first Fourth of July celebration in Downey, California. Downey and El Monte were settled by Southern sympathizers. who did not favor the Stars and Stripes. It was the approaching the Fourth in the 1870s and John made several suggestions to hold a real celebration. Of course, he was met with many scowls, unpleasant remarks and grunts of dissension. However, the morning of the Fourth arrived and Mitrovich grabbed the flag halyards and yanked “Old Glory” to full staff. The story says that all day long the belligerent “Slavonian” marched up and down before the flag pole with a loaded musket on his shoulder waiting for someone to pull down his banner. At sunset he let the flag float down, folded it up and went back to his saloon to resume the business for the evening. The records reveal that Mitrovich ran a saloon in Downey for many years and his place was decent and lawful. He was an honorable, upright man, according to those who knew him, and steeped in American loyalty. He passed away in 1910.

MITROVICH, STEPHEN N. Vineyard-Figs

Prominent among those Californians by adoption, who worked hard to usher in the horticultural and viticultural era of Fresno County which first assumed importance in the eighties and which since then has become the principal industry of the county, bringing millions annually to the producers, is Stephen N. Mitrovich, who came to Fresno from his native Dalmatia, when he was twenty-one years old, and since then toiled to improve conditions here and to build up the export trade. He was born in Dalmatia, on January 7, 1859. Arriving just before the great "boom" in California, Mr. Mitrovich was employed as assistant superintendent by George W. Mead, father of a raisin industry in this State-for it was Mr. Mead who induced the importation of vine-cuttings from Smyrna and the planting of the first vineyards. Later Mr. Mitrovich suggested that fig-cuttings be imported from Dalmatia are planted as borders around the vineyards, and also that mulberry trees be so brought in and distributed, and soon a few vineyards were enriched by the ever productive White Adriatic Figs. In 1889 a new departure was made when Mr. Mitrovich, in response to his home-folks in Dalmatia, received an ounce and a half of silk-worm eggs, and Mr. Mead allowed him to use of the packing-house for the purpose of raising silk and introducing sericulture-for the first time-into this State... As soon as the worms began to spin themselves into cocoons, the event was heralded by the newspapers, and thousands of visitors, from throughout the Valley and even from Los Angeles and San Francisco, came to see the wonderful sight. Mr. Mitrovich produced six hundred pounds of very best raw silk in 1889.

In the course of time, the young fig trees already mentioned were ready to bear, however small the crops, and naturally Mr. Mitrovich turned his attention to the fig industry, then in its infancy. "...And here may be related a special chapter of the vicissitudes of the early fig industry in California. Martin Denikey refused to negotiate for his crop of figs on the Del Monte vineyard, stating that he had a man who would harvest, cure and pack them for him, working on salary. This man, Prof. V. Vlahusich, gathered in Del Monte figs at a cost of 6 cents a pound, cured them at cost of 2 1/2 cents a pound, and then packed them at cost of 5 cents a pound, making a total cost to pick, cure and pack of 13 1/2 cents a pound. They were picked when mature enough to be eaten green, and each picker was furnished with a step-ladder and a specially made basket, and special trays were made for sulphuring them and drying them. The figs were picked up with difficulty and caution, often under the personal direction of Professor Vlahusich, who even pointed out the figs to the pickers who brought them into the yard, spread them out, one by one, in symmatrical fashion, with the mouth sky-ward, and the trays were left in the sulphur for twelve hours. While these figs were drying, men went over the trays twice daily, and turned each one over; but as they never had not been mature enough when picked, the figs turned pink and dark-a good deal like liver-and they become rocky-dry. The Del Monte production of that year had been consigned by Denikey to John Demartini &Co., commission merchants in San Francisco, at limited price of 25 cents a pound; while the famous silky Smyrna figs, imported from Asia, were being sold at only 10 cents a pound. A few months after these figs were on the market, and unsold, they fermented and the dark syrup of the figs ran out everywhere; on which account Martin Denikey lost the entire crop, as well as the money spent in picking, curing and packing in a way that no one ever heard of before.

On the other hand, Mr. Mitrovich harvested and packed his figs at a cost of 3 1/4 cents a pound, and he shipped them to Jonas Erlanger & Co., of San Francisco, unconditionally consigned; and they were all promptly sold at the price of the imported Smyrnas-10 cents a pound. The Fresno papers boomed the enterprise, and Mr. Mitrovich was proclaimed the "FIG KING", which title he maintained for many years. Farmers, instead of uprooting their trees, planted more White Adriatic. Especially during four years, when he had no competition, Mr. Mitrovich packed the figs on each farm where they grew, and in the way in which the celebrated figs from abroad are treated, using no grader, steam or any kind of machinery, and quite unlike the steaming method of the big-packing houses, where the fruit is spoiled both in looks and taste. Such was his success, in fact, that when he exibited his Adriatic figs at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the AA Gold Medal was awarded to him for the best cured and packed White Adriatic figs, in competition with the world, and later he was awarded the AA Premium Gold Medal by the Midwinter Exposition in San Francisco. For a good while Mr. Mitrovich held seventy per cent of the total fig products hereabouts, and had bought land and planted his own fig orchard; and by hard work in and out the Chambers of Commerce, he alone saved and developed the California fig industry, and introduced and cured figs into eastern markets by systemizing the harvesting and packing methods, thereby diminishing the expense. We believe that this summary is enough to introduce an Immigrant who came to America from the Adriatic shores-of Dalmatia.

MLADINEO, PAUL Fisherman

Paul Madineo was another one of the men that jumped ship in the 1920’s. He was Dominic Zuanich's (Sr.) Nephew. Pete Zuanich remembers when his father received a wire from Paul asking for $50.00. That was a very large sum of money back then and they held a family conference to decide whether to send it or not. They sent the $50, even though they never expected to have it returned. Paul jumped ship in Halifax, Canada and needed the money to get him out West. Paul was very fortunate because when he came to Vancouver, B.C., a Croatian benefactor (who owned several theaters there) hired Paul to work for him. Over the span of several years, he went from clean-up man to stage manager for the live dancing shows. He even ran the cameras for awhile. Although Paul never learned to drive, he always had a fancy car with no shortage of girls for chauffeurs. He always wanted to go fishing, but due to his illegal entry, he never could get a license. When Pete's God Father, Peter Pecarich, passed away, he used his license and got away with it. One day the patrol boat came alongside and the inspector boarded the boat he was on, checking licenses., and although Mr. Pecarich was at least 20 years older than Paul, Paul got by because he had an older swarthy look. The inspector told him,, "I won't bother you, you're an old-timer." Paul was finally able to acquire a visa and legally enter the U. S . He was a very good web man and was able to get a job with Peter Xitco. Now that he was financially secure, he sent for his child-hood sweetheart, Katica Kordich from the island of Vis. After 30 years, she apparently was still waiting for him, she came to Bellingham, Washington and they were married. (Sleasman 1999)

MLADINICH, IVAN Strongman

Ivan Mladinich, who performed under the name “Sullivan the Strong Man”, left his native Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia for San Francisco at the turn of the century. A member of the Slavonic Illyric Mutual Benevolent Society of San Francisco, Mladinich performed many feats of strength (including the bending of horses hoes) at various social gatherings, such as the celebration of the newly founded Dalmatian Club of San Francisco in 1905. A year later Toma Muzinic wrote a poem “Junaku Mladinich” (to the hero Mladinich) which included the stanza “Mladinich nas cestiti Snage jesi ti od lava, A u srcu plemitom tor je veca tvuja slava”, (Mladinich our brave, with the strength of a lion, but in your noble heart is even more of your glory.

MLADINICH, JAKE Sea-Sirloin Restaurant.

John and A. Jake Mladinich, proprietors of a Biloxi, Mississippi restaurant and tavern, Fiesta Night Club and Sea-Sirloin Restaurant. The tavern is owned by John Mladinich and A. Jake Mladinich, who are brothers and business partners. The brothers also own the neighboring Sea-N-Sirloin Restaurant. The two establishments share the parking lot. 1991.

MLADINICH, JOHN Sea Captain-Pilot

You would think he had given birth to her. Actually, all he did was deliver her. She’s the G.T. (for Gas Turbine) San Francisco, the last of three ferryboats, costing $12.6 million for the triplets, built to haul commuters between San Francisco and Larkspur, Sausalito on occasion. He’s Captain John Mladinich, when wearing diamonds on his heavy gold watch chain minus watch, on the points of his yellow watch, on the points of his yellow silk shirt, and on an enormous ring, opened the Golden Gate Bridge district meeting yesterday bragging about the delivery and previous deliveries. “I mastered 1,639 different ships and boats of all kinds and never had an insurance claim on any, thank the Lord,” he said. “I love San Francisco and all its people and this harbor- the most beautiful harbor in the world.” Actually, he lives in an apartment in San Diego, the birthplace of the bridge districts GT trio in San Francisco, Marin and Sonoma. His business car, complete with a color drawing of a tugboat, says: “CAPT. JOHN B. MLADINICH, Licensed Master, Boats moved anywhere, Known as Johnny the Sheik, yacht and ship broker, notary public.” Where did he get the title, Johnny the Sheik? “In 1924, just because I was dressed well, walking down the street in San Francisco, someone said, “That guy looks like a sheik, all dressed up and beautiful.’ And that name stuck with me,” Mladinich explains. His difficult-to-spell name comes from his native Dalmatia in Croatia. His father was a master, and in 1911, at the age of 11, he went to sea with his father and eventually became a captain. “No, I never married. You can’t get married and support your father and mother and two sisters, and watch over your brother who had both legs severed in an accident working in a shipyard during the Korean War.”

MLADINOV, JOSEPH Attorney

Joseph Mladinov was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 7,1918. He was the oldest son of the late Ivan and Tonka Radman Mladinov. By profession he was an attomey. By avocation he was the champion of all mankind. He was highly. respected by his colleagues who thought of him as a lawyer's, lawyer. A renowned law scholar, he was a kind and gentle man who could always be counted on to give of himself and his time. Joseph Mladinov, 63, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of St. John's University, had served with the U.S. Department of Labor before entering private practice and then moving to the Pierce County, Washington prosecutor's office in the late 1960s. Joseph Duje Mladinov died on November 16, 1981.

MLIKOTIN, ANTHONY M Professor

Professor Mlikotin was born October 25, 1925 in Zagreb, Croatia. His field is Slavic Languages, and is a graduate of the University of Zagreb, Croatia. He received a Ph.D. in 1960 from Indiana University, Bloomington. He is the chairman of the Department of Slavic Languages at the University of Southern California. He has published in the fields of literature and politics. He presently resides in Los Angeles.

MORGIN, NED B. Ranch-Packing Plant

A highly respected and successful orchardist is Ned B. Morgin, who came to the Santa Clara Valley May 18, 1902, and has succeeded even beyond his expectations. He was born at Smokovaljane, near Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, November 12, 1877, a son of Ned and Nellie Morgin. Both parents passed away in the old country. When Ned B. was twenty-five years of age, he concluded to try his fortunes in the New World, so embarked for the United States coming direct to Santa Clara County, first settling in Cupertino, but was compelled to leave there within six months to find work. He went to Stanford University and worked as gardener for six years; and while there he studied evenings and learned to read and speak English, which has since become so valuable to him in business. In 1908 he purchased an orchard of two and a half acres on Stevens Creek Road at Cupertino, which he still owns. Here he made his headquarters for twelve years, being engaged in buying, curing, and selling fruit, in which he met with deserving success. In 1919 he purchased fifty acres on Mountain View and Saratoga avenues, which is devoted to prunes and apricots. He has continued to improve this property from the time he took possession, has a complete and modern drying and packing plant, and is well equipped to care for all the fruit raised on his ranch. he also engages in buying and selling green and dry fruit. He counts his success not only from a monetary standpoint, but he has also used his best efforts to advance his community. The marriage of Mr. Morgin at Cupertino, January 44, 1912, united him with miss Annie Kalafatovich, who was also born in Dalmatia and came to San Jose in 1911, and they are the parents of four children: Ned B., Jr., Martin M., Nellie, and Mary.

MOROVICH, JOHN Music-Croatian Folklore

It is with particular pride that Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 439 (Sinovi Hrvatske Domovine) announces that brother John Morovich has received the prestigious Folk Arts Fellowship--a $5,000 award granted by the Washington State Arts Commission in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Fellowship recognizes outstanding contributions to the mosaic of ethnic communities comprising Washington State. Since 1973 John has studied, performed and taught traditional Croatian song and dance--primarily via the tamburitza. Originally taught by Northwest tamburitza legend, Tom Krmpotich, he was a member of the Seattle Junior Tamburitzans from 1973-87 and currently serves as the group's director. John has also been a featured performer with the Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble of Anacortes, and the Ruze Dalmatinke and Sinovi Orchestras, both of Seattle, since 1980. He is proficient in all five instruments of the tambutitza family, the piano and Slovene chromatic accordions and the nearly extinct stringed instruments, the samica and dangubica. He has researched and written musical and vocal arrangements and choreographies that preserve traditional, but sometimes neglected, Croatian folklore. John is involved in many peripheral activities as well. He frequently performs with his mother, Cathryn Morovich, and his sister, Joanne Abdo, at ethnic, religious and civic events. Through these activities he has been able to share Croatian folk traditions with thousands of people across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Croatia itself.

In addition to these conventional activities, John has somehow found time over the past five years to play with immigrants from Bosnia, Croatia and Bulgaria in a fusion/rock band called Kultur Shock. Our award winner is frequently involved with groups outside the Croatian community--having taught or performed at the Eastern European Folklife Center, the Seattle Folkdance Festival, the Northwest Folklife Festival and events sponsored by the Ethnic Heritage Council of the Pacific Northwest. John serves on the executive board of the Tamburitza Association of America and edits its quarterly newsletter, the Tamburitza Times. He has been active in Croatian American political action and humanitarian aid issues, having volunteered time to the Croatian American Association and its local chapter, the Croatian American Foundation. A sincere fraternalist as well, John has served 16 years as the recording secretary of Lodge 439 and seemingly has an important hand in most lodge activities--contributions that earned him the honor of delegate to the Society's 1999 convention. As a particularly rewarding side project, brother Morovich directs the seasonal Croatian Community Choir and Tamburitza Orchestra whidh provides Croatian liturgical music at the Epiphany (Tri Kralia) Mass at Holy Rosary Church in Seattle every January. Special collection and luncheon proceeds from the Tri Kralja event have netted some $40,000 for orphanages in Zagreb and Hrvatski Leskovac, Croatia.

John has absorbed Croatian folklore from many of Washington State's Croatian elders beginning with his paternal grandmother, Ana (nee Branica) Morovich (1902-99). She taught him and other young family members the dialect and songs of her native island, Zlarin, in the Adriatic Sea. John is obviously a true student of all things Croatian and has-- accordingly amassed a huge collection of recordings, books and other material which he readily makes available to interested parties. For all of this John has not only won ,he prestigious award described at the beginning of this resume, but has gained the reputation as a "Croatian Treasure" in our midst. Obviously, members of the broad Croatian community, particularly members of CFU Lodge 439 are grateful for his immense contributions.

MOROVICH, JOE Cultural Activities

Joe Morovich joined the Slavonic Society on November 14, 1961. Joe served in various offices during his 21 years as a member. Besides serving as an elected officer (2 years as president), Joe was appointed Holy Cross Cemetery Manager in 1971 and has held this position up to the present. Joe is also responsible for valuable contributions to the Building and Cemetery Committees assisting in the work of the key committees. Joe was born in Zman, Dugi Otok, Dalmatia on August 14, 1933 and immigrated to San Francisco. Joe's fond memories of the cultural activities of his homeland are alive in this society and a strong reason for his active role in the society. Brother Joe is committed to the social objectives of the society and has volunteered in many ways to support the growth of the cultural attainments and safeguard the ethnic songs and dances, especially for todays youth and future generations. Joe, with his wife Angie, have four children and one granddaughter. Angie, along with one son and daughter, are members of the Slavonic Society. Angie is the spark in many of the social activities of the society.

MORRIS, ANTON Businessman

Born in Sutivan, Island of Brac, Dalmatia in 1858. Anton immigrated to New York in 1884. He left New York to make his home in Seattle, Washington, being one of the early pioneers of the city where he engaged in business up to the time of his retirement in 1919, then he moved to South Pasadena, California and finally to San Pedro, where in 1931 he passed away, leaving his widow, Perina Morris and his son, John V. Morris, a prominent attorney in San Pedro.

MORRIS, JOHN V. District Attorney

John, an attorney in San Pedro, was born in Portland, Oregon, June 13, 1895, the son of Anton Morris and Perina Morris. He acquired his early education at the Denny School in Seattle, Washington, and the Queen Anne high school of that city, while his higher education was received at the University of Washington in Seattle. In 1918 he attended the United States Shipping Board School of Navigation and the following year was a student at Marshalls Academy of Navigation in Seattle. In preparation for the practice of law he entered the School of Law at the University of Southern California, from which he graduated with the degree of LLB in 1920. He was admitted to practice in California in March, 1928. Mr. Morris acted as attorney for the United States Bureau of Prohibition in 1926 and in 1927 was special prosecutor for the federal government in Arizona. Later he was made deputy city attorney in charge of the prosecutor’s office for San Pedro and Wilmington.

MORTIGIA, MATIAS P. Cultural Activities

Matias Mortigia has been a member of Slavonic Mutual and Benevolent Society of San Francisco since July 1935. He became an active member immediately, serving as Chairman of the Sick Committee in 1936. Also held the office of Financial Secretary and was a member of the Board of Directors. Elected President in 1951. Brother Matias was born in San Francisco on May 17, 1907. His parents were from Dubrovnik, Croatia. This 47 year member, now retired, has served well in carrying out the objectives of the Society.

MOSICH, NICK Fisherman

Among the early day fishermen, one who was always respected by his peers was Nick Mosich. The year was 1909 when Nick Mosich arrived in Tacoma, Washington. He was an independent nineteen-year-old who had already shouldered years of responsibility. He was seven when his father died and twelve when his mother passed away. Mosich had two younger brothers, and he cared for them, and in turn they cared for one another. He placed a lien on his share of the family home in Selca, Island of Brac, Croatia and bought a steamer ticket. Mosich came eager and willing to work. He was young and felt he had to make money. Fishing jobs were scarce because the boats were few in number, so he sought work with the lumber mills and earned the wage of $1.50 for laboring a ten-hour day. He began fishing the following spring. In less than a year, he had sent money back home and, after two or three years, he was able to bring his brothers over. Compatibility with the sea is essential in the fishing industry, and Mosich knew where he belonged after his first chance to fish with his cousin Anton Mosich. They fished on the thirty-eight-foot, twelve horsepower gas boat, the Burdash, in the San Juan Islands. Camping on the beach, there were sixty to seventy men on shore at night. They all slept in big canvas tents at Kanaka Bay. Each crew had its own cook. An American, who had a farm, let the fishermen live there. He had a store and when something was needed, it was bought from him. Time was spent visiting, swapping stories, and making plans. If the weather was bad, only the foolhardy went out in the small boats which had no deck, just a small cabin with an engine inside. Mosich remembered: "The first time I went fishing I made $150 for three or four months work. After the season, we would go home, live in a cabin, and work in the sawmill for the rest of the year, if we could get a job. During the years of 1912-1914, it seemed as if they were building boats like popcorn. After 1914, we fished in the San Juans, Rosario Strait, and Point Richardson."

California beckoned in 1918, but that which lured so many Selcani, who later made fortunes in the tuna industry, did not interest Mosich. The promises of riches led him to Alaska. In 1918, he traveled there as a member of a crew; later, in 1926, 1934, and 1936, he fished there as the captain of his own boat. In 1917, Mosich owned the boat Putnick with Jack and George Nizetich, fellow Selcani. He said, "We more or less always went into partnership with the people from our own town, that's in you." The boat was sold that same year when Mosich attempted to join the U.S. Navy, only to find that they had no room for him. After the Putnick, he fished with Tony Kordich and John Martinis, but he was eager to get his own boat. He formed a partnership with Pete Marinkovich in a sixty-foot, forty-five horsepower boat, the Point Defiance, in 1921. By 1926, another boat was purchased. In 1928, the partnership was dissolved. Marinkovich took the St. Andrew and Mosich the Point Defiance. A great number of Dalmatians had nicknames. Nick Mosich had always been known as "Mikulich'. It means "Little Nick". Many are not known by names other than these nicknames, so that when Mosich married Louise Simicich in 1924, she became Mrs. "Mikulich".

Navigation was learned by going to school or by diligently watching others. "At first, we didn't know much about navigation, we guessed-you learned where the rocks were, you had to. You watched those fellows who knew and you learned from them. In time, machinery improved. The boats had a winch to purse seine and a boom to pull the rings up. The price of fish had increased. Mosich stated, "It was good business to fish for yourself rather than someone else. Lee Makovich helped organize the cannery operation. He had very little schooling, but he spoke English well. He had been in the navy and could talk English from morning'til night." With the building of the Success in 1928, Mosich found the boat that he would captain and own until his retirement in 1964. "By 1964, there weren't any more fish than there were years earlier, but there were more boats: They closed Cape Flattery, there were fewer fishing grounds. In my younger days, the fishermen didn't know the tides or how to go from one place to another. Equipment and men improved throughout the years. At first, only Dalmatians, Swedes, and Norwegians were interested in fishing. We hired not only Dalmatians, but the best people available. Naturally, we were only interested in the fact that they were good fishermen. Although there were some serious accidents within the Croatian fishing fleet, the Croatians, on the whole, were cautious. "Mikulic” recalled the fate of one unlucky man. "At one time, when I was a young crewman, the boat I was fishing on was preparing to make a set. As the net went away from the stern, and the skiff went away from the boat, this man's foot became entangled in the rope. It pulled him overboard with the net, and he drowned. We had very few of those unfortunate accidents."

All fishermen dream of the big catch and the fish that got away. Mosich loved to recall his favorite story: Once we went fishing and it was getting near the Sunday Law (a period of time when you were not allowed to fish). There were several boats patrolling the area to fish, but you couldn't hear a fish jump; there seemed to be no fish anywhere. One fellow, from Gig Harbor, was about a thousand yards from me. He let go of his net and set. I went toward him and turned my boat around. The fish were jumping on his net. I had to go in on his net line. I went down past him about one hundred and fifty yards. I saw a blue rip tide. I was convinced that there were fish there. Time was short, so I only let go one-half of the net. When the fish hit the net, more than a thousand jumped in the air! They sank the corks and everything-the thickest fish I ever saw in my life. We caught seventy-five hundred fish. There were humpy and sockeye; the sockeye were sort of floating on top, the humpies were down at the bottom.

Every Croatian helped to develop the fishing industry. Each man, each boat, added in his own way. The outstanding fishermen had more brains and caught more fish. They knew the tides, they worked harder, and they had speedy boats. If this combination didn't work-it's not in them. Many of the top fishermen thought nothing of working a twenty hour day. Often the frequent "high boaters" were followed by others. Mosich recalled, "Sometimes they set right in front of you (corked you). We didn't get mad at each other except momentarily- that's business" Although where one set was determined by the tide, sometimes those who set in front of another would be pulled by the tide onto the rocks and the nets would be snagged. Torn nets are thorns in the fisherman's side, but someone always helped out or the crew waited for the slack tide to pick the net up with the boom. Sometimes this took one-half a day and other times it took only two or three hours to replace. Fishermen faced daily competition. "We're all after the same thing. The fish aren't in one spot, they are all over. You've got to watch for the fish to jump and know how to set in this business. Nick Mosich, who died in 1982, could clearly relive the eventful years of the fishing industry. He always made the game seem easy, and yet he was one of the hardest workers in the fleet. He was generous with his time, knowledge, and money with his fellow fishermen. This witty and genial Dalmatian was one of the outstanding fishermen of his time. As he remembered the good times and the bad, he had much to be proud of: proud of his part in the fishing industry, proud of his Slavonian people, and pride in himself. Because of men like Nick Mosich, the fishing industry in Washington State has grown to mammoth proportions. But, as Mosich said, "The fish are there, they will always be there if we are careful, but in order to survive, a fisherman must be allowed to fish."

MOSUNIC, DON Bank Manager

Don, a native of San Francisco, graduated from Sacred Heart High School, worked in his family’s grocery store at the corner of Grove and Octavia Streets. He switched to banking and became a successful Branch Manager with Crocker in various offices along the Peninsula. Don was active in the Croatian Fraternal Union social activities, especially bowling; the Croatian Church of Nativity Dramatic Club in 1950 acted in the stage play "You Can't Take It With You"; was a past Lion Member and participated and supported the objectives and goals of Slavonic Society; and was a member of the Rotary Club of Mountain View. Don was born on January 1, 1933 and died on July 10, 1990. Survivors include his wife Ruth Mosunic of Palo Alto; mother, Rose Mosunic of Petaluma and brother, James Mosunic of Hillsborough.

MOSUNIC, JOHN Businessman

Son of Mate from the Island of Olib, Croatia, was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, now lives in Walnut Creek in the Bay Area of San Francisco, California. He has a degree in Accounting and FInance and all his children have one or more degrees. John has been president for over twenty years of a company called Plant Maintenance Co. in Martinez,California. The company provides general contracting and maintenance services to the oil refineries in that area.1990

MOSUNIC, SAM Bank President-Cultural Activities

Sam was born on December 31, 1930 in San Francisco. His parents, Sam Mosunic and Mary Barulich, were born on the Island of Olib, Dalmatia, Croatia. His father came to America in 1912 and returned to Olib in 1929 to marry. Sam has a brother John and sister Agnes, both born in 1932. Sam attended Sacred Heart high school and graduated from San Francisco State University in 1956 with a degree in Business Administration. He was vice president at First Interstate Bank and was president, CEO, and director of Liberty Bank in South San Francisco. Sam is a Korean War Veteran, naving served in the Coast Guard.He has been active in the Slavonic Society of San Francisco for many years. He held the office of treasurer and then president for 15 years. He led the society through the completion and debt reduction of its new Slavonic Cultural Center in San Francisco. This is the oldest Croatian Society in America having organized in 1857. Sam married Rose Zuvich, born on the Island of Veli Iz, and his first daughter, Gloria, was born in 1960 and daughter Susan born in 1962.

MRAK, EMIL Professor-Educator-Chancellor

Emil R. Mrak, was chancellor emeritus of the University of California at Davis. Mr. Mrak, who resided in Davis, was an authority on the biology of yeast and the preservation of foods. He was born in San Francisco in 1901, the son of Croatian immigrant parents, and brought up on a prune ranch in Santa Clara Valley. Mr. Mrak got his bachelor of science degree, master’s and Ph.D. at the University of California at Berkeley. He became a food technology instructor at Berkeley in 1937. He was made a full professor in 1948, when he was named chairman of the department of food science and technology. He was chancellor of the Davis Campus from 1959 to 1969, when he retired. Mrak Hall, the campus administration building, was named after him. In addition to his wife and son, he is survived by a daughter, Annette Hodapp of Davis.

MRGUDIC, EVELYN Teacher-Cultural Activities

Daughter of George and Katie Kriste, and sister of Mary and Vide, Evelyn was a life long resident of Los Angeles, California. A graduate of Manual Arts High School, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California Los Angeles in 1935 and her Master of Arts in education from USC in 1957. Evelyn began her teaching career in 1937 in Gorman and taught until 1963 when she became a vice principal, retiring in 1974. Evelyn had a lifelong commitment to volunteering her time and energy to assist others. She helped so many over the years with funeral arrangements, hospital and rest home visits, bringing food to homes, tutoring children and being a supportive friend. She nearly wore out the telephone making daily and weekly calls to family and friends while at the same time managing a full house with lots of visitors around the family table. Evelyn was a Croatian Fraternal Union member since 1940 and President of Lodge 677 from 1984 until her death. She managed the CFU Junior Nest since 1945. She also was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa and Catholic Daughters of America. For the past 12 years, she volunteered with the St. Francis de Sales Nursing Home Outreach and also provided tax assistance to seniors at the local Senior Citizens Center. Evelyn Kriste Mrgudic died on November 13, 2000 at home surrounded by her family and in the light of God. She is survived by her beloved husband, Ante, her children, Mary Kathryn and Anthony; her grandchildren, Nathan, Katherine and Michael; her cousin, Maria Ruvo and many cousins and friends.

MRVICA-AIELLO, ELIZABETH TV News Editor-Radio-Military

Elizabeth Mrvica Aiello is the Managing Editor of Eyewitness News at WABC-TV in New York. She is third in command of a staff of about 165 people and is responsible for the editorial content and production of five daily broadcasts. Elizabeth is also involved in the long-term programming and news strategy of the department. She was promoted to Managing Editor in September of this year after serving as Executive Producer for six years. Elizabeth is a first generation American. Her parents Steve and Anna Mrvica came to the United States in 1958 from Croatia and Hungary. Elizabeth was born in New York City, as was her brother Stephan. The family then moved to Altoona, Pennsylvania in 1967. Her parents still reside there today. Elizabeth joined Disney/ABC, Inc., in October, 1988 as a show producer at WTVD, the owned and operated station in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. There she was involved in the production of many news broadcasts in all day-parts and in special news events including traveling to Saudi Arabia to cover Operation Desert Shield. It was an assignment very familiar to her and an opportunity to use some of her life experiences. Prior to joining Disney/ABC, Elizabeth served four years in the United States Air Force as a broadcast journalist for the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service. She entered the service in February, 1985, and was stationed in Misawa, Japan, shortly thereafter. "Sgt. Mrvica" was involved in all facets of radio and television production: from shooting and editing video tape to anchoring a morning-drive radio show. Her work there garnered several military broadcast awards. In March, 1987, Elizabeth was transferred to Comiso, Sicily. There she helped create a television news department from the ground up: from developing programs to training new personnel. She also continued her work in radio. After that, Elizabeth's journalism experience shifted to print. She was transferred to Dover, Delaware, where she worked on a military newspaper as a writer and editor. Elizabeth started her "world" journey in 1980; leaving Altoona to attend Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There, she studied accounting. But a few years later Elizabeth discovered she didn't want to spend her life in an office, punching numbers, A family friend who was a retired Colonel from the Air Force sparked an interest in the military and the rest, as they say, is history. She continued her education in the Air Force through the University of Maryland. Elizabeth married Tony Aiello, a reporter with WNBC-TV, in April, 1999. The couple resides in Eastchester, New York with a cat named Chloe and a dog named Baci.

MUICH, PATRICK Tamburitza

Patrick Muich at the age of 47 has made a major impact on tamburitza music in the St. Louis, Missouri, area. Pat has played with many fine musicians and continues to play with the Croatian Sons which began playing in 1954. In the 60's he helped his friend, Bob Medich, in the restaurant business and says those restaurant walls have many, many years of tamburitza stored up in them! Pat played In the first extravaganza and has played in many ever since they originated. Today he is actively helping the TAA with its membership. To this date he has mailed out more than 9,000 postcards to Slavic people all over the U.S. asking them to join the Tamburitza Association of America. Hundreds of members are now on Pat's updated computerized lists.

MUICK, NICHOLAS A. Radio-Structural Engineer

Nicholas (Nick) Muick was born on September 25, 1909, in the village of Mostanje, near Karlovac, in Croatia. His family immigrated to Millvale, PA in 1919. Nick graduated from Millvale High School in 1929. While in high school, Nick played football, was a champion pole-vaulter, and was President of the Student Athletic Association. His father Anthony, a successful butcher and restaurateur, died suddenly in 1930. After the death of his father, and the dark days of the depression, Nick returned to Croatia with his mother Barbara, and younger brother James. Muick entered the University of Zagreb in 1931 and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Structural and Civil Engineering. He married Ana Vranesic on November 24, 1934. Nick returned with Ana to Huntington Park, a Los Angeles suburb in 1938. In 1942 Muick established and was the director of the “All Slavic Radio Program” as well as being the program’s host; which emanated from Pasadena, CA (then KPAS-later KXLA), every Sunday morning at 10:00 am. The program lasted six years. In 1943 Muick was elected by the United States Bond Drive Committee as Chairman of The United Slavic Bond Drive Group, and was instrumental in organizing one of the largest and most successful bond drives in Los Angeles, which was held at Pershing Square. At this time, over one million bonds were sold to Americans of Slavic descent. From 1944 to 1948, he was President of the Slavic Council of Los Angeles, which was comprised of 30 national groups and was delegated, with three other members of this group, to present a Resolution to the United Nations at its first meeting in San Francisco. The resolution demanded the self determination of all nationalities through the democratic process of “popular vote”. In 1951, he was Secretary of the D.A.R. Relief for Yugoslavia, which raised funds to assist drought stricken sections of Yugoslavia. Over $15,000 was raised and thousands of pounds of flour and sugar were shipped to the needy through the C.A.R.E. Organization. At the time of Nick’s death on July 23, 1988, he was a 49-year member of the Croatian Fraternal Union—in which he held offices, particularly in work with the youth of the organization), a 50-year member of S.N.P.J. (Slovene National Benefit Society), the Yugoslav-American Club of San Pedro, and the Huntington Park Rotary Club. Muick was employed for many year by Bethlehem Steel. In 1952 he started his own business, Grano Steel Corporation, which grew to become one of the largest independent steel fabrication companies on the West Coast. Nick and Ana had two children: Anna Marie and Nicholas, Jr., and grand-daughter, Nicolette. Nicholas, Jr., is a Civil engineer with the City of Morrow Bay, California. He graduated from California State Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo with a B.S. degree in Architectural Engineering.

MULJAT, VINCE Fishdealer-Fisherman

Vince was well-known and loved by all. He was very supportive to a sporting events and loved to travel. He belonged to many of the lodges and clubs in Bellingham, Washington. He was a partner with his brother, Frank, in the Muljat Brothers Fishing Company. They fished the entire West coast from Alaska to Mexico and after 50 years of fishing, he retired. Vince died on September 22, 2003. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Mark & Nick. He is survived by his loving wife, Katherine; son Mark (Linda) MuIjat and his grandson, Zachary. His brother, Frank (Mary) Mu1jat and sister-in-law Grace Repanich. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends who will miss him greatly. (Sleasman 2003)

MUNIVRANA, MISO, Phychologist-Consul General-Military

Miso Munivrana is a psychologist and head of the Education Board of the Croatian Army General Staff. Born August 8, 1948 in Gala-Sinj, Croatia. Parents are Simun M. and Bozica M. nee Akrap; married to Ivanka M. with two sons. Education includes Faculty of Philosophy, post-graduate study, University of Zagreb MA. Published Traffic psychology and culture 1979. Member of Croatian Society of Psychologists; Croatian Society of Ergonomy; Croatian Anthropological Society. Experience: deputy secretary of Executive Council of Health Care and Social Welfare of Zagreb 1990; deputy chief of -the Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia; adviser to the President of the Republic of Croatia; deputy chief inspector of defense of the Republic of Croatia 1991; Chief of Staff of Personnel at the Ministry of Defense, head of the Education Board of the Croatian Army Supreme Headquarters 1992; leader of the project: The social integration of Croatian soldiers. Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Los Angeles, California.

MURSKA, ILMA Opera Singer-The Croatian Canary

1875 San Francisco: Then there was the eccentric Ilma de Murska, who when she came to town in the 1870’s was hailed as the Croatian Canary. This cookie traveled with a veritable menagerie, including parrots, cockatoos and magpies (to which she gave singing lessons) plus a monkey or two and Pluto, a mannerly, if mammoth, Newfoundland. The latter always dined with his mistress-at the table!

Ilma De Murska, maiden name Ema Puksec, was born in Ogulin, Croatia in 1834. She studied singing in Zagreb under Ruzicka who was the member of the orchestra, and afterwards at the music institute under Lichtenegger. She married Eder in 1851, but she left him with two children and went to the Music Academy in Vienna. In 1861 she went with Matilda Marchesi in Paris and by 1862 she had triumphs in Florence, Sicily and Spain. She never came back to her husband. In 1863 she had a tremendous success singing in the Royal Opera in Vienna, then in Budapest, Prague, Paris, Hamburg, London, Dublin, Berlin. She was nicknamed the "Croatian Nightingale". In St. Petersburg she was singing at the Court and the Russian Czarina crowned her with a brilliant diadem. In 1874 she had a guest performance in New York and other cities in America.

Platts Hall,1875, San Francisco: Mlle. Ilma de Murska’s first concert of the series may be pronounced a perfect success. The attendance represented the beauty and fashion of the city, and the hall was crowded in every part. At the first glimpse the programme did not seem to promise much; but the execution of the different numbers was sufficient to stir the audience to the wildest enthusiasm. The prima donna of the night was, of course, the centre of attraction. On her every eye was bent and when she opened her mouth in Benedict’s “Carnival of Venice,” the cast assembly became like Louchard, “all ears.” It was a magnificent rendering, and the applause that followed was of such an impressive and significant character as to show that the qualifications of the cantatrice had not been overrated but her usually sanguine entrepreneur. She was compelled to an encore, when she gave a Hungarian (Croatian!) melody, exquisitely sweet and at the same time powerful. Mlle. de Murska’s great strength lies in her superb trills of variations, showing the great compass and extreme flexibility of her voice.

In 1875 she performed in thirteen well attended concerts in the Melbourne, Australia Town Hall". In the following year she gave eleven performances at the Melbourne Opera House"'. Her tours were a great success, though they were also surrounded by scandle. She apparently married twice during the tour (once in Sydney and once in New Zealand"') while still being married in Europe. In 1876 the Argus described her performance in the opera "Faust" as this: "she is exceptionally gifted as a singer, we find in Mademoiselle Ilma de Murska such a grand union of powers, both natural and acquired, that their application to the interpretation of this famous part is an event in a lifetime to have witnessed, and having been once seen is never to be forgotten". The Australasian Sketcher's complements on De Murska's performances were even greater, "Of her success since she has been in Victoria there is but one opinion, namely, that great as it may be, it is only the recognition of her talents which is her just due, and no more, and that she is the greatest singer who has ever visited us, so ought her success here be the greatest on record" . "De Murska" Street, in Prahran, was named in her honour. In 1889 she was invited in America again, to take the professorship at the conservatoire. There she became very ill and never healed again. She returned to Germany and died in poverty in Munich, 1889.

MUSELIN, ANTHONY Tamburitza Hall of Fame-Engineer

Anthony (Tony) Muselin, a popular and well known Tamburas, arranger, music teacher and director was born to parents of Slovak, German and Croatian decent on September 25, 1926, in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. Tony is the Musical Director of the Sloboda Junior Tamburitzans. A graduate of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans, he also directs the "Muselin Continentals" Tamburitza Orchestra and has appeared with various tamburitza troupes across the United States and Canada. He has enjoyed his musical "hobby" while carving out an exciting and gratifying career in the communications industry with the Western Electric Company, now AT&T Technologies, Inc., where he has held various supervisory engineering positions for the past 33 years. Active in the Croatian Fraternal Union, Tony serves as Vice President of Sloboda Lodge 32 in Chicago and has held various Lodge Offices over the past several years - Since he became director of the Sloboda Junior Tamburitzans in 1971, the troupe has appeared in all of the CFU Tamburitza Festivals. At almost all of the CFU events he attends, Tony is a familiar figure with tambura in hand and entertaining with his Muselin Continentals or other orchestras. He took his first tamburitza lesson on November 2, 1934 with a junior group called "Sjajna Zvijezda" (Bright Stars) in Ambridge, PA. His first teacher was Prof. John Rosguy who started him playing on the Farkas system. He was followed by the famous Djoko Dokich who switched young Tony to the "Sremish" instruments.Dokich was soon to move away and Mr. Paul A. Perman became his instructor. Tony still plays the Perman brac which his instructor built for him In 1947. In 1938, Matt L. Gouze became Tony's director and teacher. He had a tremendous influence on Tony who soon adapted to his style of picking, fingering and love of international music. Probably the occurrence which most affected his entire life happened in 1942. Because of World War 11, most men aged 18 and older were called to the service and this left most university organizations short-handed. In October 1942 when prim player Ed Sambol got called up, Matt L. Gouze, then the Director of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans, chose Tony as the first high school student to join the Tammies. He officially started as a student at Duquesne in the fall of 1944. Shortly thereafter, he, too, was called upon and reported for duty with the U.S. Navy until his discharge in 1946 when he returned to Duquesne University to continue his education and perform with the Tammies . After graduation, he returned to serve sixteen more months In the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. After his discharge from the Navy he settled in Chicago where in August 1956 he organized the "Muselin Continentals" with whom he still entertains today. Throughout the years, he played with such Tamburitza Orchestras as the J Jorgovan Tamburitza Orchestra of McKeesport, PA; Charles Elias Jr.'s Tamburitza Orchestra of Kenosha, Wisconsin; John Pavkovich Tamburitza Orchestra of N.S. Pittsburgh, PA; Marty Videvic Tamburitza Orchestra of Chicago; Zora Tamburitza Orchestra of Chicago; Fran Seminic, Nick Skertich and their Cavaliers of Chicago; and many others. In 1971 he was contracted to become the director of the Sloboda Junior Tamburitzans, a position he proudly holds and considers one of the most satisfying ongoing experiences of his life. While Tony is still a young man, it is somewhat startling to realize he has been playing the tambura for more than a half-century. We recognize the fact that he is deserving of this honor and are proud to welcome him as a member of the TAA Tamburitza Hall of Fame. Our support and good wishes will allow this talent to continue his life work in perpetrating the music of the worldly tamburitza.

MUSIC, LORENZO Hollywood Writer-Editor-Actor

Lorenzo Music, the distinctive' voice of "Garfield" the cartoon cat and Carlton the unseen and drunken doorman on TV’s “Rhoda," died. He was 64. Music won an Emmy as a writer for the "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" in 1969 and went on to become a story editor for "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." He co-wrote with his wife the theme song for "The Bob Newhart Show," which he created with his partner David Davis. Mr. Music and Davis created "Rhoda," a spin-off from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and Mr. Music became the voice of Carlton the doorman who communicated with the lead character through an intercom but was never seen. Mr. Music went on to work full time as a voice actor, portraying several cartoon characters and eventually did the voice for the popular and sardonic "Garfield" in prime-time animated specials and for a Saturday morning series that aired for seven years. Mr. Music was born as Gerald David Music on May 2, 1937, in Brooklyn and grew up in Duluth, Minnesota. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he met his wife. The pair formed a comedy act partnership that lasted eight years. Music, later took the first name Lorenzo for spiritual reasons, his wife said. Mr. Music died Saturday at his home from lung cancer that had, spread throughout his body. He worked until about a month ago, recording the voice of Garfield for a regional automobile ad from his home after returning from the hospital, said his wife, Henrietta. "The most compelling thing about him was the sort of relentless, easy, everyday humor,"she” said Tuesday. "He had a dry, sharp wit, and it was quick. He was cracking jokes on Thursday”. Mr. Music is survived by his wife and their four children, Roz, Fernando, Sam and Leilani.

MUSTANICH, BILL Restaurant-Teacher-Military-Longshoreman

This is the story of an Alice’s Restaurant in San Francisco that serves Chinese food and was built, in part, by a Croatian-Irishman who used to teach high school English and Russian but is very much not a product of the hippie generation. His name is Bill Mustanich and he just too early retirement, at 60, after 30 years at Mission High School. Three years ago, a student named Alice Toy asked the teacher how to build a restaurant. “At the time, Mustanich was “just helping out” Toy, he says.  But when we got the estimates on what the building and the equipment would cost, she saw it was too much for her. This did Toy and Mustancich become an Odd Couple of restaurateurs.  He’s an old-line San Fraciscan who graduated from Commerce High School, won a baseball scholarship to Santa Clara and might have been a professional catcher if World War II hadn’t come along and swept away his whole graduating class of 1943. Mustanich was a field artillery lieutenant assigned to Gen. Omar Bradley’s 1st Army, and he got to Europe just in time for Battle of the Bulge. He followed that with service in the battles of the Rhineland and of Central Germany. “I remember arriving at Remagen Bridge on March 8, 1945,” he says. “Ten days later, we got orders to move and as we went across the bridge, heading for a gun post, I told my driver to stop. I wanted to get a picture because it had been so weakened by bombs, shells and rockets- it was going to collapse and kill 30 American engineers.” “Like most GIs,” Mustanich says, “I was uncertain and confused about what I was going to do when I got back home.  But I’d worked as a longshoreman before the war and I received a letter while I was still in Germany saying I was being made a union member.  As I was readjusting after I got back.  I went to work on the waterfront.” Mustanich’s mind always has been curious.  On his way to getting a teaching credential at Stanford, he stopped off at USF and took all the history courses he could find “to learn more about the countries I’d been in.” In 1964, he culminated a study of Russian language with a National Defense Education Act-sponsorship trip to the Soviet Union. He went back three years later on his own. His San Francisco teaching and coaching career was much easier to take- at least in the early years.

MUSTAPHA, ANTON Fisherman

Fish traps were placed in different parts of the Sound, in strategic locations in line with the passages of the salmon to the rivers where they spawned. These traps were mounted on platforms where there would be a little hut which contained cots or bunks for two and cooking facilities. The traps caught enormous amounts of fish and were abolished in Washington in 1935. One of the many men who made his living by manning these traps was Anton Mustapha. From the latter part of every May until late in the fall, this would be home. He would have a day off every week or so to bring his laundry home. Since he did not have a car on the beach, he would hitch a ride home or to the Bellingham cannery with a fish tender. After reaching the cannery, he would proceed home by way of the railroad tracks. It was a rugged life, and in the fall months he would literally hang on to anything that would withstand the gale force winds that are so common. Many times his little hut would be blown away and a passing seiner or tender would rescue him. After the fishing season closed for the winter, he would seek work at one of the numerous sawmills located in Bellingham, as there was plenty of timber and much need for cheap labor. Mustapha, who came from the island of Vis, entered the United States in 1906. He arrived in the usual immigrant fashion, by steerage, and landed at Ellis Island. He had very little money left after he had paid for his ticket, so he went to New York City where his first job was cutting ice on the Hudson River. He harvested apples during the summer months and then, though he had no relatives in America, decided to settle in Bellingham, Washington Although he fished commercially for many years, it was not to his liking. He preferred to work at a job that would pay him a steady income without the feast or famine that is associated with the fishing industry. Mustapha, who was blessed with a fine baritone voice and entertained many with the songs he remembered in his native tongue, managed to eke out a living, and in the winter months there was plenty of good red wine made by a recipe which was brought from the old country. Mustapha and his wife came from the same little island but met and married in Bellingham. He became a naturalized citizen in 1915.

MUSULIN, MIRO Sculptor-Professor

Miro Musulin is a sculptor at Scope Precision Casting Corporation, South Norwalk, Connecticut. Born October 13, 1930 in Podaca, Croatia. Educated at Gymnasium, Makarska, Croatia. Graduate, 1947; School of Art, Split, Croatia. Diploma, 1952; Academy of Fine Arts, Zagreb, Croatia. Diploma, 1954; Academy of Fine Arts, Belgrade, Serbia. Diploma, 1957 with a major field in Plastic Arts and Sculpture. Thesis completed 1957 Plastic Expression in Three-Dimensional Art. Member of Harbor Art Guild, Indiana; Silvermine Guild of Artists; Association of Croatian Artists, New York, N.Y. Stratford, Connecticut Art Show. lst Prize for General Exhibition, 1966; Connecticut Classic Art Annual Exhibition, Best in show, lst & 2nd prize for professional sculpture, 1967; Norwalk Branch Connecticut Classic Art, Fall 1967 Exhibit, lst prize. Creative works: Monument to War Heroes in Vodnjan, Istria, Croatia; Memorial Busts of V Croatian Partisan Heroes (Gojko Ujdurovic, Ivan Maslaric, Rade Koncar, etc.) in various places of Croatia; Marble figure "Rest" in Pula, Croatia; Wood Relief "Men in Action," Coclin Tobacco Corp., Bridgeport, Connecticut.

NAGLICH, WALTER Tamburitza-Engineer

Many qualities contribute to the making of a fine musician, but the marvelous sounds that eminate from his instrument are most important. In this, Walter Naglich is unsurpassed, for he has dedicated more than forty years to perfecting his style and technique of playing the tamburitza. He was born December 29,1932 to Mary Urich and Nick Naglich and began life in Chalfant Borough, East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father Nick, migrated to East Pittsburgh from Banska Selnica, Croatia (near Karlovac) prior to World War 1, and played with several orchestras in that area. In 1924, the Sloboda Tamburitza orchestra of East Pittsburgh had the distinct honor of presenting the first radio broadcast of Tamburitza music ever heard anywhere in the world, when they performed for the Westinghouse Electric Company of East Pittsburgh and the pioneer radio station of the world, KDKA. Walt's father Nick, played prim with this group of fine musicians who received mail from three continents: North America, South America and Europe, acclaiming their interpretations of classical and folk music played during more than three years of programs. Nick Naglich was honored posthumously in 1980 by the Tamburitza Association, making the Naglichs one of the few family combination of father and son to be honored to date. His training was not limited to one instrument or one part, but included all the tambura family, Prim, Brac, Cello, Bugariha and three Basses (Farkas, Sremski Four-tone, and Sremski Three-tone). His training also emphasized the fact that the tambura is an instrument with enormous potential, limited only by the player, and able to play any and all types of music, not restricted solely to Croatian folk songs and dances. Walt's greatest thrills came when he could sit in with the "old-timers" during rehearsals, or at dances, weddings, etc., when members of the orchestra wanted a break or had to rest after too much rakije or vino. It was in 1943, at the ripe age of 11, that Walter played his first professional job. The elder Naglich was playing with the Zora Orchestra of Large, Pennsylvania, featuring the noted singer and bass player, Jovo Radujkovich. With the steel mills working three shifts and seven days a week, Jovo could play only when working day shift or had to leave early when working third shift. It was decided that "Mali" Naglich would join the orchestra to fill in for Jovo when necessary. Walter remembers that the most important thing when coming to a playing job in those days, was to find a sturdy wooden beer case to stand on, so that he could reach the upper part of the bass neck. Then Pero Lamac, the bugarija player, began working odd shifts and "Mali" became stand-in bugarija player as well as bass player. What a training program for a teen-age Tamburas. When his father retired from playing in the late forties, Walter continued to play with the Zora Orchestra, which then consisted of Jovo Radujkovich (bass), Matt Shegina (bugarija), Matt Ahel (cello), Milan Shatlan (2nd brac) and Walter (1 st brac). In 1952, Walter was invited to join the Danny Kukich orchestra. The nineteen year old tamburas was honored and understandably overjoyed, to join the most popular Tamburitza orchestra in theTri-state area. The orchestra consisted of Danny Kukich (Ist brac), Matt Perichak (2nd brac), Teddy Kukich (cello), John "Gibby" Golock (bass) and Walter (bugarija). These were challenging times, with Danny laying out literally, tons of music for the young bugarijas to absorb, in order to learn the vast repertoire of this famous orchestra.

There are fond memories of the many years and thousands of jobs Walter played with Danny. He holds the highest respect for him, not only as one of the great tamburitza musicians of our time, but also as a fine leader and friend. His expertise, volumes of music and musical knowledge, intensified Walter's desire to perpetrate the music of the Tambura, making it a richer and more beautiful sound. In 1962, with the responsibility of raising a young family, Walter had to look realistically to the future, and accepted a position with the Washington, D.C. Highway Department as Construction Engineer. After years of playing three and four nights a week - and loving every minute of it - he had to say good-bye to one lifestyle and begin another. Shorlty after moving to Washington, Walter joined the Silver Strings Tamburitza Orchestra of Silver Springs, Maryland. This orchestra played more as a socail pastime and self-enjoyment group, rather than professionally, and it served to satisfy some of his need to play the tambura. Devoting most of his energy to the construction industry, he was recognized as a conscientious and aggressive Supervisor, and in 1967 he returned to Pennsylvania as Superintendent for one of the largest bridge construction companies in the country. In 1968, he became director of the Versailles Junior Tamburitzans and later the Greensburg Tamburitzans. His unique orchestral arrangements drew hearty applause from audiences, and presented a challenge to young musicians who respected his sincere and arduous efforts to improve their knowledge and performance. To this day, his former students appreciate his strong commitment to fine technique. After several years of resisting offers to resume playing, he organized the Balkan Four Tamburitza Orchestra, in 1972, with Bill Cvetnic (bugarija), Bob Baburich (bass), Nick Kisan (brac) and Walter taking on the new challenge of lead prim and manager. Audiences were quick to recognize his ability to make the prim emit beautiful (and to some people), new sounds. The so-called "new sound" was the middle-aged tamburas drawing on sounds of the many great musicians he had heard live, and on recordings, through the years - adapting these sounds to his style, and presenting them with a clean and unjumbled melody line. Under Walter's direction, the Balkan Four became an overnight success in the Tri-state area, receiving many more bookings than they could fulfill. Walter recalls playing five engagements in a three-day weekend, and four engagements in another two-day weekend. And you thought only baseball teams played double-headers. Another notable thing happened to Walter in 1972. He met Janika Balaz, famous primas of the Novi Sad Orchestra, during their tour of the USA. In 1974, Walter went to Novi Sad to spend some time with this great musician. After days of discussion and inspiration with the greatest of all prim players, and spending nights in the company of Janika, Sava VukosavIjev, Momcilo Nikolic and other great musicians, Walter returned home with an E prim and a'cowhorn pick - gifts of Janika Balaz. A new challenge to transpose from D prim to E prim and use the horn pick intensified the musician's desire to excel.

Once again, business responsibilities pressured Walter to curtail his tamburitza activities and relegate him back to where it all began in 1943 - as a fill-in musician for several local orchestras, notably Joe Grcevic's Sloboda orchestra and the Danny Kukich orchestra. In 1982, after several years of semi-retirement from the construction business, Walter accepted the offer to play cello with Mel Evanovich and the Balkan Serenaders orchestra. With Mel Evanovich (violin), Paul Milanovich (bugarija), Paul Adamovich (bass), and Walter (cello), the Balkan Serenaders have played extensively throughout the Tri-state area, Midwest and Canada. He lives with his wife Charlene and two sons, Nicholas and Daniel in Mt. Pleasant, PA. His wife is a former high school choral director and actively engaged for the past 32 years with her BALKAN GAIETIES Radio Program, many civic benefits, and acts as a tour escort for European Tours. Nicholas lives at home and works in construction with Walter while Daniel, a graduate of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans is presently working at O'Hare Airport in Chicago for American Airlines.

NARANCICH, MARKO Business-King of Potato Chips

Marko Narancic, who, as a young man, came to the United States from the depressed homeland of Croatia in the district of Lika, changed his name to make it more "Americanized". The name he chose, Marcus Nalley, has become famous in the food products business throughout the Northwest. The business he founded, though now part of a multi-national company, still bears his name. In 1903, when he was thirteen years old, Nalley followed his older brothers to the United States. "'I arrived in New York with fifteen cents in my pocket. I couldn't speak a word of English,' he once reminisced. Nalley traveled to Montana where his brothers worked in the copper mines. In Butte, he worked as a cook. He began frying potatoes and bagging and selling them for five cents. His companions laughed at him, but he said, "You wait and see, these potatoes are going to make me a lot of money," and they did. From Butte, he moved to Anaconda and worked as a meat packer. It was his first exposure to the world of business. "I learned to cut meat, but best of all, I learned how to figure. From cutting meat to preparing food was a natural step. In Chicago, he worked in a hotel as a dishwasher, bus boy, fry cook, pantryman, and chef. In 1913, he was made chef on the first "Olympian" on the Milwaukee Road, running between Chicago and Tacoma. He felt at home in the Pacific Northwest, so he left the railroad to follow his profession here. At the old Bonneville Hotel in Tacoma, as a master chef, he became a specialist in making a new potato delicacy: Saratoga Chips. Nalley borrowed money and bought hand-operated equipment for peeling, slicing, and frying the potato slices. In his apartment kitchen, he made and packaged them. He delivered them to grocery stores and door to door. As the demand increased, the business grew. He was a pioneer in the now multi-million dollar potato chip industry. The Boss', as we called him, worked the hardest and the longest hours. He would get up at four o'clock in the morning, start the factory running, load a delivery truck and spend the long day selling and delivering his products. He worried the most, too, as bills seemed to mount faster than revenues." Problems with keeping quality in the packaged food abounded, but Nalley' rose to the challenge, and thus his business grew. In 1941, the first plant was opened in "Nalley Valley". It had expanded to several plants and office headquarters, and eventually was sold to a national firm. Nalley's products became one of the largest food businesses in the state. "Uncle Mark", as he was best known to his many friends, was a warm and generous man. He loved life and he loved people. He was an avid conservationist and was state chairman for Ducks Unlimited, a fund raising organization devoted to the restoration of wildfowl breeding grounds in Canada. He served for many years as a state game commissioner. Marcus Nalley, who died in 1962, was a respected citizen who helped his fellow man. The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, in 1931, named him "First Citizen of Tacoma". The Pierce County Board of Commissioners, just a few months before his death, presented him with its "Outstanding Naturalized Citizen Award". The state of Washington has benefitted from the talent, ambition, and perseverance of this Croatian immigrant.

NEMCIC, JOZO Cultural Activities

Born at Makarska, Croatia on March 19, 1897 brother Jozo Nemcic was accepted as a member of the National Croatian Society on February 23, 1925. He made his home at Portland, Oregon and served as a member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 130 there. Brother Nemcic was 88 years old when he passed from fraternal ranks on February 3, 1986.

NESANOVICH, ANTON Oysterman-Restaurant

Anton A. Nesanovich was born in Trpanj, Dalmatia, Croatia in 1868. His father was a city councilman. He left his father Anton and mother Marija and came to New Orleans 1886 and started with oyster cultivation, which at that time were available jobs for Dalmatian emigrants. After two years working in the oyster beds, he bought a sail boat to sail on Mississippi River. He is one of our oldest fisherman that bought oysters from local fisherman and transported them to New Orleans markets. Nesanovic was in the oyster business for fifteen years. For several years he opened a restaurant , but decided to go back to the oyster business. His sales were from 12 to15 thousands sacks per year. He was married to Vojka nee Narsovic in 1900. They had three sons. His youngest son is helping in the business. Anton is the member of Slavonian Society and he was president and vice president for 10 years.

NIKOLAC, N. J. Ranch Croatian Activist

Brother Nikolac, a former member of the Croatian Fraternal Union Board of Trustees and High Trial Board, was hospitalized for pneumonia and succumbed on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 1982 He was 83. A CFU member since July 21, 1913, brother Nikolac was also active in the old Croatian Unity of the Pacific (Hrvatska Sveza na Pacifika), headquartered in San Francisco, which he led into a merger with CFU in 1938. He had served as secretary of the High Trial Board and Board of Trustees of the old Unity. Born March 12, 1898 in the village of Plina in Opuzen in the county of Metkovic, Croatia, he came to the United States at the age of 12, settling in Aberdeen, Washington. His father Jure had come to the U.S. twice, the first time in 1898 to Lead City, South Dakota, where he had joined Velebit Lodge 289 of the old Croatian National Society. He joined Lodge 418 of the National Croatian Society, a forerunner to the CFU, in Aberdeen in 1913 When he moved to Mountain View, CA in 1917, he continued to pay his dues to the Aberdeen Lodge as there was no lodge in the Santa Clara Valley at the time. In 1919, he joined the Croatian Unity. Brother Nikolac organized CFU Lodge 612 in San Jose, CA and represented the lodge at the first convention of the five Croatian societies that merged with the Croatian National Society into one great organization. He and his lovely wife, Elizabeth, had celebrated their 54th Wedding Anniversery last October. They had lived on their ranch in Mountain View until 1968 when they moved into town.

NIKOLIC, IGOR Controller

Igor was born March 18, 1929, in Sibenik, Dalmatia, Croatia. He came to America in 1963. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago in 1957 with a MBA in accounting and finance. He has been employed by the Brunswick Corporation in Chicago, Illinois as a financial analyist. He was a resident of Italy, Germany and Argentina. He speaks Italian, German, Spanish and his native Croatian.

NIKOLIC, IVAN Priest-Librarian

Ivan was born Feb. 9, 1910 in Donje Novo Selo, Srijem, Croatia. His education included The Minor Seminary at Travnik, Bosnia; Berchmand College at Pullach near Munich in Germany; University of Louvain in Belgium; and the Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. His major field has been theology. Father Ivan had been a priest at Saint Andrews in New York and at Saint Ignatious in Brooklyn, New York. He was a librarian at Brooklyn Prepatory School in Brooklyn. He also edited religious publications at Zagreb, Croatia and Buenos Aires, Argentina. He speaks Croatian, German, French, Spanish, Latin, Portuguese and English.

NIKSICH EUGENE J. Business

Marketing - Products Manager for U. S. Plywood -Champion Papers, Inc., New York, N.Y. Born November 8, 1942, Zagreb, Croatia. Education includes Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, B.S., June, 1965; Purdue University, LaFayette, Indiana 1965-1966 ; University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois 1966-1968; Master of Business Administration, August, 1968 with a major field of Product Design and Business Administration and a specialty in Marketing. New Product Development. Thesis: "Occupational Wage Differentials." Master's 1968 . Member of Independent Designers Society of America; Sigma Iota Epsilon Hon. Management Fraternity; Sales Executive Club in N.Y. Research: Developing an "insiders" computer model for investing in stock market. Writing a book on shadows in perspective, perspective and engineering design for designers, architects, artists and engineers. Patents: Design News Magazine, October 13, 1965 featured four of his inventions. U.S. Plywood Champion Papers is patenting one of his inventions.

NISETEO, ANTHONY Librarian-Editor

Anthony Niseteo is a librarian at Cornell University Libraries, Ithaca, New York. Born February 5, 1913 in Zadar, Croatia; married. Education includes Classical Gymnasium, Split, Croatia. Diploma, 1931; University of Zagreb, Croatia, LL.B., 1936; University of Rome, Post-grad. work, 1942-43; Fordham University, New York, N.Y., 1954-55, M.A. Columbia University, School Library Service, 1958, M.S. with a major field in Literature, Modern Languages, History and Bibliography. Member of the Croatian Academy of America, New York, N.Y.

Member of the Editorial Staff of the daily "Nova Doba," Split, Croatia 1931-1933; Civil Servant, Zagreb, Croatia 1937-1945; Literary Member Worker and then Literary Editor, Matica Hrvatska, Zagreb 1934-1945; Free lance writer and editor, Munich, Germany 1945-1950; Library Assistant, Fordham University Library 1952-1955; Sr. Library Searcher, Columbia University Library 1955-1958.

NISETICH, FRANK Gambler-Cardroom-Bar-Restaurant-Military

Nationally known California gambler Frank Nisetich, nicknamed Sacramento Butch, is dead. Nisetich, so nicknamed because he once worked in the meat business, died of a heart attack Saturday at his home in this beach town near Santa Cruz. He would have been 89 Friday. Nisetich retired 25 years ago after operating a Sacramento card room for many years. He is said to have become as widely known among gamblers as his New York friend and associate “Jack the Dancer.” The card room, which included a bar and restaurant, was patronized by top state officials and lobbyists. Nisetich didn’t always win. He once lost heavily at faro, a card game, to Nick the Greek. Another heavy loss involved a false tip that Seabiscuit, the famed San Francisco horse, was crippled and would not enter the 1940 Santa Anita Handicap. Nisetich also lost heavily one summer at Del Mar race track, after which he blamed a jockey ring for helping the favorite. A persistent card player while a soldier in France during World War I, Nisetich sent many bundles of money to his wife, Alma, just before the bloody Argonne Forest battle. Twice he was arrested and charged with bookmaking, but was acquitted. He gained national attention in the gambling fraternity by handling action from overloaded books in New York, Miami, Chicago and New Orleans. His people came from the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia.

NIZETICH CLAN

The three Nizetich families in San Pedro, California are descended from three immigrants from the Island of Brac. These men were Tom (or Baldo) and his cousins Toma and Tomic. Many of the immigrants from Brac went to Alaska first, to find work as miners or in the logging camps. They simply jumped ship when the ship docked. Tom (Baldo) was from Selca, on Brac, and joined his father who had already gone to Alaska. Eventually Baldo settled in San Pedro. Along with many other Croatians, all three of the Nizetichs became involved in fishing for sardines and tuna. Baldo had two children: a daughter Winifred, and a son, Anthony, who graduated from the University of Southern California, served as a ship’s navigator in the Pacific during WW II, and later became an attorney for the Star Kist Corporation. Antony Nizetich is now owner of the popular Nizetich’s Restaurant in San Pedro’s Port of Call. Toma Nizetich’s daughter Asja, was a Croatian Day princess in 1956.

NOVAK, PERO Industrial Machines

Pero Novak is the president and sole stockholder of Air Technical Industries located in Mentor, Ohio. He left Croatia when he was 17-years old, lived for a while in Hungary, and later in Austria, where he waited three years to get a visa for the United States. His first job in Cleveland was at a small machine shop. A year later, he was drafted into the Army; and after completing Army Aviation School, he was sent to Korea where he served thirteen months. His company, Air Technical Industries, is a leading manufacturer of material handling and automated equipment, which designs and manufactures over 1600 different standard models of hydraulic floor cranes, truck mounted cranes, jib cranes, gantries, scissors lift tables, portable stackers, elevators, handling manipulators, and specialty type handling equipment. He expanded his business after 1964. His products are used in hospitals, institutions, industrial plants, automotive, construction and food industries, petroleum refineries, building huge oil tankers, and the construction of the Alaska Pipe Line. The International Space Station Program used ATI products as did large companies, such as General Electric. The company continually develops new products and new markets. Novak pilots a private plane and flies often to Florida on golfing weekends. He owns a 220-acre farm in Ashtabula County, Ohio. Pero Novak is one of many wealthy Croatians who have proved that by hard work, ability, integrity and vision, this free country is still a land of opportunity for many new immigrants. Mr. Novak is but one of many who have gone from rags to riches. He and many of his countrymen contribute their skills and talents.

NOVAK, VLADIMIR Radio-Photography

Vladimir Novak was born in 1928 in Varazdin, Croatia. At the age of 14 he joined the Military Academy “Zastavnick Skola”, which was the most elite military unit during the Independent State of Croatia. He graduated from high school in Varazdin and in 1948 he studied the History of Arts at the University of Zagreb and later at the Motion Picture Academy in Belgrade. He left Yugoslavia in 1959 as a political refugee and lived three years in Belgium. He arrived in the USA in 1962 and received his citizenship five years later. While living in Los Angeles he organized the Croatian Radio Program in 1963 (it is still on the air). Novak promoted the first Croatian flag with the printed checkered emblem, and organized the first and only raising of the Croatian flag at the Los Angeles City Hall. During his 36 years of life in exile he was active in Croatian and American politic and received various special commendation awards and honors. He has been self-employed in commercial photography and advertising. His credits include photographs of some noted personalities such as President Ronald Reagan, General Omar Bradley, Admiral Ulysses Sharp Grant IV, hotelier-magnate Conrad Hilton, singer Elton John and many motion picture stars. However, his primary focus involved promoting the Croatian cause. Since 1970 Novak has collected, restored and photographed over 4000 valuable pictures dealing with Croatian immigrants in America. Fortunately he was able to bring it to Croatia in early 1994, when he retired and returned to his homeland.

NOVAKOVIC, JOSIP Author

Josip Novakovic, a Croatian emigre, read his short story, “Sheepskin,” Wednesday night at Cal Poly in a talk titled “The Plight of the Balkans,” part of the Lyceum Speaker Series. By blending personal experiences with fictional acounts, Novakovich relates the horrors of the Balkan wars with a touch of the wry humor that he said the people in the region cling to.

“There is a lot of black humor (in Croatia), it’s definitely their way. It’s amazing how they can keep joking,” Novakovich said.

“I hadn’t written war stories; I hated reading them, they were tedious and boring,” he said. “But it was the only way I could understand the situation, the events seemed beyond comprehencion.  Fiction was the best way to deal with it.”

Novakovich has won numerous literary prizes, including the 1998 O. Henry Award. His work was featured in both the 1998 compilations “Best Amercain Short Stories” and “Best American Essays.” He has also been a finalist for the Pen/Hemingway Award for fiction.  And just a few hours before he spoke, he found out he was awarded a 1999 John Simon Guggenheim Fellowsip.

Paula Huston, a Cal Poly English lecturer, said the Guggenheim grant is very prestigious, and only about 165 of 3,500 applicants with the $32,000 award. Novakovich said he plans on taking a year off from his job as an English professor at the University of Cincinnati to write a novel about Balkan immigrants in Cleveland, who like himself, live between two cultures.

Novakovich, who came to the United States in 1976 for college, was brought to Cal Poly in Part by Huston, who met him a a writers’ conference in 1997.

“I think he’s going to become one of the most important voices in American writing,” Huston said. “We’re really lucky to see him now, we may not be able to later.  People are beginning to really recognize his talent now.”

Novakovich said he collects ideas for his stories from the month long visits he makes to Croatia each year.  He said he uses fiction to tell people’s stories because he finds it difficult to press them to talk about the horrors they’ve experienced.

Novakevich’s work shows that, as he put it, “each war spawns its laments, which seek revenge.” The story, “Sheepskin” whos what happens when the logic of revenge gets twisted, makng the victim, who was once a sheep, into a victimizer- a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

NOVAKOVIC, TOMISLAV Film

Tomislav Novakovic is Master of Fine Arts Graduate Program at Columbia University and founder of the "Art from Zero Children Fund". He is recipient of a full scholarship from the Lafayette Montgomery Foundation. His first film "Are They Still Shooting?" was invited to Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival in the feature film competition in 1993. He was the first Croatian American film director invited to the competition. Subsequently, in 1994, Tomislav Novakovic was invited to the prestigious Sundance wnters and directors labs with mentors such as Sally Field, Morgan Freeman, Arthur Penn. He thanks the Sundance staff for their commitrnent to cultural diversity in cinema. He has written many screenplays and is set to direct a feature film he wrote in Buenos Aires in the beginning of 2002 in English titled "God's Fool" produced by a German film company. He has also written a screenplay about Croatia entitled "Samotna Milost." (The Lone Mercy) but promotion of this screenplay was limited. He has written for famed director David Lynch (Mulholland Drive). A screenplay based on the book "They Dont Dance -Much”. Along with his assistant, Takuro Miyoshi, Tomislav has created the Workhorse Gallery which introduces famous painters and artist to New York and also encourages emerging artist in their process: The Workhorse Gallery located at his residence of 20 Murray Street, New York. Tomislav has always been a New Yorker and has always participated in the creative process and has taught acting, directing and writing to students from all over the world, He is proud of his Croatian heritage and realizes that the fortitude he has learned from his culture and his people lies deep within his desire to create and to give while on this earth for a very short time.

NOVICK, WILLIAM M. Doctor-Croatian Activist

Memphis, Tennessee - President Stipe Mesic of Croatia awarded Dr. William M. Novick, pediatric cardiac surgeon, the Red Star of Croatia Medal of the Order of Katarine Zrinske at the Presidential residence in Zagreb, Croatia. President Mesic awarded the medal to Dr. Novick in appreciation for his dedication to the health and well being of Croatian children since 1993. Dr. Novick is only the third American to receive this award. Since 1993, Dr. Novick has been taking medical teams of doctors, nurses and technicians to Zagreb to operate on children with congenital heart defects. He currently makes four two-week trips to Zagreb per year. During this trip, Dr. Novick and the medical team will perform surgery on their 500th Croatian child. Dr. Novick is an associate professor of surgery and chairman of the Paul Nemir Jr. Endowed Chair of International Child Health at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, Tennessee. He is also the Founder and Medical Director of the International Children's Heart Foundation. Dr. Novick began traveling to Croatia in 1993 while the country was at war with Serbia and has continued a close relationship with the University Hospital in Zagreb for the past nine years. Each year, one percent of the world's children is born with heart defects. Most of these defects are not fatal, if treated. Unfortunately, millions of children have no access to advanced surgical procedures and medical technology. Their parents are helplessly forced to watch their withering children as they fall prey to a painfully slow, but all too early, demise. However, through the work of the International Children's Heart Foundation, these ailing children are given hope for life.

NOVOSEL, MICHAEL J. Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army, 82d Medical Detachment, 45th Medical Company, 68th Medical Group. Place and date: Kien Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 2 October 1969. Entered service at: Kenner, La. Born: 3 September 1922, Etna, Pa. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. CWO Novosel, 82d Medical Detachment, distinguished himself while serving as commander of a medical evacuation helicopter. He unhesitatingly maneuvered his helicopter into a heavily fortified and defended enemy training area where a group of wounded Vietnamese soldiers were pinned down by a large enemy force. Flying without gunship or other cover and exposed to intense machinegun fire, CWO Novosel was able to locate and rescue a wounded soldier. Since all communications with the beleaguered troops had been lost, he repeatedly circled the battle area, flying at low level under continuous heavy fire, to attract the attention of the scattered friendly troops. This display of courage visibly raised their morale, as they recognized this as a signal to assemble for evacuation. On 6 occasions he and his crew were forced out of the battle area by the intense enemy fire, only to circle and return from another direction to land and extract additional troops. Near the end of the mission, a wounded soldier was spotted close to an enemy bunker. Fully realizing that he would attract a hail of enemy fire, CWO Novosel nevertheless attempted the extraction by hovering the helicopter backward. As the man was pulled on aboard, enemy automatic weapons opened fire at close range, damaged the aircraft and wounded CWO Novosel. He momentarily lost control of the aircraft, but quickly recovered and departed under the withering enemy fire. In all, 15 extremely hazardous extractions were performed in order to remove wounded personnel. As a direct result of his selfless conduct, the lives of 29 soldiers were saved. The extraordinary heroism displayed by CWO Novosel was an inspiration to his comrades in arms and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

CWO Novosel’s people came from Ribnik in Croatia.

NOZICA, ZARKO Professor-Engineer-Business

Zarko Nozica is coowner and vice president of Valid Logic Systems , San Jose, California. He was born July 13, 1947 in Split, Croatia to B. E. Nozica and Paula nee Kesterecanek and is married to Dr. Sylvia Nozica and has two sons. Educated at the University of Zagreb, Croatia in computer sciences. Experience included Institute for Electronics of ETF 1971; assistant professor for group of subjects from computer engineering; from 1988 until 1992 leader of group for applied engineering in/Cadence Design Systems, San Jose; 1992 in Compaq computers; 1993 in Intergraph-Electronics. Published Computer-aided analysis (School Book, Zagreb 1982); Educational computer 2000 IR (textbook, coauthor, Liber, Zagreb 1984, 1990); more than 30 scientific and professional papers.

OBAD, NIKOLA Farm

Nicolaus Obad resides on his fine farming estate of twenty-six acres in the Banta district of San Joaquin County, fifteen miles southwest of Stockton on the Lincoln highway.  He was born near Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia August 29, 1883, a son of Peter and Mary Obad, who were both natives of the same province in Dalmatia. Paul Obad, a brother of our subject came to California and the San Joaquin Valley in 1887, but has since returned to his native county. Nicolaus Obad received a good grammar school education in the schools of his native province and was reared on his father’s farm until he was nineteen years old, when he decided to try his fortune in a new country. He embarked at Havre, France, and fourteen days later arrived in New York in 1902. Being a practical farmer, he soon obtained employment in a ranch, and in 1908 he purchased his present ranch of twenty-six acres, which is devoted to the raiseing of fruit and alfalfa, and he also conducts a dairy. Recently he erected a fine residence on his ranch where he resides with his family. The marriage of Mr. Obad occurred on March 22, 1910, and united him with Miss Ellen Durango, and they are the parents of two children, Peter and Mary. In 1907 Mr. Obad received his U. S. citzenship papers. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias of Tracy. 

OBLAK, JOHN B. Professor

The College of Notre Dame has announced on April 7, 2000 the appointment of John-B. (Jack) Oblak, Ph.D., as its 17th president. A senior administrator at Ithaca College in Upstate N.Y, Oblak will begin his duties at the Belmont college within the next few months, according to school officials. Oblak succeeds Margaret A. Huber, PhD. who will complete her second three year term in June. "Dr. Oblak is exceptionally well qualified to implement the visionary plans created by.Dr. Huber, and adopted by the board of trustees two years ago" said Cressy H. Nakagawa, trustees chair. For the past 12 years, Oblak has been vice president for "Student Affairs and Campus Life at Ithaca College. As associate professor of theater arts, he also served as director and associate director of summer sessions and continuing education and dean of the School of Humanities and Sciences. A native of New York State, Oblak earned an undergraduate degree in speech education at the State University of New York College at Geneseo, and a master's degree in speech/theater at the University of Nebraska. He holds a doctorate in theater history, criticism and, dramatic literature from the University of Kansas. Before joining Ithaca College, Oblak taught at Indiana State UnIversity in Terre Haute and was academic administrator for 10 years. Oblak said during the first few months as president of the College of Notre Dame, he wants to meet with the campus community as well as reach out and learn as much as he can about the Bay Area. He and his wife, Janiece Bacon Oblak, have four adult children.

OBRADOVICH, JIM Football

Jim Obradovich was a junior college football All-American at El Camino College in Los Angeles before enrolling at the University of Southern California were he played tight end for John McKay’s Trojans. Obradovich played for the New York Giants (1975), San Francisco 49ers (1976-77) and rejoined coach McKay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1978. He retired from football in 1983.

OLDANI, JOHN L. Professor

John Oldani is Director of the American Studies Program, Southern Illinois University, Department of Humanities, Edwardsville, Illinois. Born September 26, 1942 of Croatian parents in St. Louis, Missouri; married with two children. St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. A.B., June 1964. St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. Ph.D., June 1967. with a major field in American Studies and a minor in Women's Reform Movements. Doctoral Thesis: 1967 The Woman as Reformer: A Facet of the American Character. Member of the American Historical Association; American Studies Association; American Association of University Professors; Western Historical Association.

OMAS, GEORGE Postal Commission

President George W. Bush has named Croatian Fraternal Union member George Omas as Chairman of the Postal Rate Commission. The Postal Rate Commission is an independent agency of the Executive Branch created by the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 for the primary purpose of recommending postal rates. Commissioner Omas was confirmed by the Senate July 31, 1997 and sworn in as a Postal Rate Commissioner on August 8, 1997 for a term which expired on Oct. 14, 2000. He was then appointed for a term expiring, on October 14, 2006. The President's designation of Chairman became effective November 30, 2001. Brother Omas is a member of CFU Lodge 304 of Ambridge, Pennsylvania. Chairman Omas, a first generation Croatian-American, had been serving as vice chairman of the Postal Rate Commission since October 1, 1999. He has been fulfilling the responsibilities of the chairman, as the head of the agency, since the retirement of the former chairman on February 2, 2001. Prior to joining the Commission, brother Omas worked for more than 20 years in the US House of Representatives, nearly 18 years for the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. While on the Committee staff he analyzed issues, evaluated policy positions, and developed legislative initiatives involving the US Postal Service, the Bureau of the Census, and the Office of Personnel Management. Brother Omas, who resides in Washington, DC, is a native of Biloxi, Mississippi and a 1964 graduate of the University of Mississippi, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Active throughout his career in a variety of community and professional groups, brother Omas has served as Executive Director of the Rules Committee and Director of VIP Security at the last four Republican National Conventions. He is currently Chairman of the Pastoral Council of the Church of the Annunciation in Washington, DC and a member of the Board of Governors of the National Republican Club of Capitol Hill as well as a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America. The Postal Rate commission consists of five commissioners appointed by the President. The President designates one of the commissioners as chairman. Members are confirmed by the Senate for six-year terms. The Commission operates with a multi-disciplined staff trained in law, economics, statistics, and cost accounting. The Commission has jurisdiction over changes in postal rates, fees and mail classifications proposed by the Postal Service. It issues recommended decisions to the governors of the Postal Service. It also acts on postal patrons' appeals from Postal Service decisions to close or consolidate post offices. Further, the Commission investigates complaints of substantial national scope concerning postal rates, fees, mail classifications or services. It also responds to requests of the Postal Service for advisory opinions. Because of the Commissions' expertise, Congress occasionially asks it to undertake special studies on postal issues.

OMRCANIN, IVO Professor-Author-Attorney

Ivo Omrcanin is a Professor of Modern Languages at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, Pennsylvania. Born October 1, 1913 in Podgradje, Srijem, Croatia; married. Education includes Gregorian University, Rome, Italy, S.T.D., 1939; Catholic Institute, Paris, France, J.C.D., 1940; Law School, Paris, France, L.L.B., 1940; University of Trieste, Italy, J.S.D., 1944 with a specialty in Law, Political Science, Diplomacy, Religion. Published "La Zadruga Croata ossia la Communita di Famiglia in Croazia," Annuario di diritto Rrivato e comparato, Roma: Istituto de Studi Legislativi, 1952; "Croatian Economy," The Croatian Nation in Its Struggle For Freedom and Independence,, Chicago, "Croatia" Cultural Center, 1955. Member of Canon Law Society of America; Modern Language Association of America; Croatian Academy of America; Croatian Historical Institute; Catholic Renascence Society. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Assistant Secretary, Zagreb. 1945; Advocatus S.R. Rotae, Vatican City; Canon Law Adviser, U.S. Army-Chaplains Office, Kaiserslautern, Germany 1953-57.

OSGERBY, KATHY Business-Croatian Activities

Kathy took on the position of recording secretary in 1991 for the Croatian Cultural Center. Kathy is responsible for bringing the club into the 20th century when she began using her own computer for all club correspondence and meeting minutes. Kathy was born and raised in Sacramento and received a degree in business with a concentration in Managment Information Systems from California State University, Sacramento. Kathy works for the State of California, Dept. of Water Resources, has a son, Paul Michael, who is four.  With four partners, Kathy is in the process of launching a new software development company.  Kathy’s parents, Tomo and Anka Zupan were among the founding members of the club. Kathy and her husband Kevin enjoy traveling, sports and many outdoor activities.

OSTOJA, NICK J. Maintenance Engineer

His parents are Jerry and Pearl Ostoja. Both were from the Island of Brac. His father was from the city of Dol and his mom was from Postira. His mother's maiden name was Glavinic. They had two lovely girls, Antonette (Ann) and Pauline. After Pearl became a widow during the 1st World War, she along with her two daughters made the journey to America via Ellis Island. Pearl(Glavinic)Jelincich met Jerry Ostoja, a farmer by trade, in Hollister, California where they fell in love and soon married. They were blessed with the birth of their son, Nick J. Ostoja. Nick was born in Hollister, California on February 2, 1926. He lived there until he was six or seven years of age when they made the move to San Francisco. Two other children, Jacqueline and Pearl, blessed this marriage of Pearl and Jerry Ostoja. Unfortunately Nick's dad died when Nick was quite a young child. His Mother, Pearl, was a hard working woman, not only taking care of a household, but also working in the laundries in Hollister and then later in the San Francisco area. She had a severe accident on the job. Nick quit his formal education to provide for the family. Then came WW II, when Nick joined up with the Navy and was eventually sent to the South Pacific. After the war Nick landed a position at the United Parcel Service as an maintenance engineer. In 1988, Nick retired from the United Parcel Service. Nick met his wife Sally for the very first time through Nick's former employer. Shortly after this, Sally returned to England for 9 years to help out with an ill parent after which Sally came back to visit her friend Mary in California and was then reunited with Nick. They met this time with love in the air. Love bloomed and they were niarried on June 26, 1971. Sally was born in Windlesham, England, Surrey County. When Sally and Nick first got married they lived in San Francisco in the Potrero Hill District. Later, they moved to Hillcrest Drive in Millbrae, California and have been there even since. Sally and Nick have two handsome young sons, David, born Aug. 6, 1972, and Nicholas, born May 23, 1973. Nick is a member of the Slavonic Society of San Francisco.

OSTOJIC, ARSEN A Film Director-Producer

Arsen Anton Ostojic, a Croatian film director and producer living in New York, has started pre-production of a horror feature film "Carnyville" which he will shoot in Atlanta, Georgia in November and December. He is producing it and will direct it as well. The script has been written by young up-and-coming writer Coly Den Haan from Los Angeles. The project has already secured international distribution which will be handled by Quantum Entertainment from Hollywood. Casting director is Patricia Rose from Los Angeles. Finances for this film are being secured through equity investments, and the film is budgeted under a million. In addition, Arsen is in post-production of a 35mm short film "The Model" which he recently produced and directed in New York. This film has been produced through his New York based production company Cronus Films, Inc. and has even received support from the Croatian Ministry of Culture. Arsen is still fundraising and receiving donations to complete the sound design and lab printing work on the film. His previous short film "The Bird Lover", which was also shot in New York, has participated at 15 festival around the world, was awarded the Audience Award at the Hamburg Film Festival and has played at many TV stations around the world, including PBS nationally, Canal Plus in France and others.

OSTRIC, ANTHONY Professor

Anthony Ostric is a Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana. Born June 9, 1913 on the Island of Pag, Croatia; an American citizen since 1958. Education includes Geneva University, Switzerland, Sociology, 1946 and Ph.D., 1950; Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland, 1943-46; University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland, 1946-47; Columbia University, New York, New York, 1952-53; City College, New York, New York, 1954-55; University of California, Berkeley, California, 1963. Major field in Sociology and Anthropology and specialty in Sociological Theory and pre-historic anthropology. Member of Fellow of the American Sociological Association; Liaison Fellow of the American Anthropological Association; Active member of the A.A.U.P. Published: La Structure et les Moeurs de la Societe Croate (Structure, Mores, Folkways, and Usages of Croatian Society); Thonon, France: Imprimerie Du Chateau, 1950, 304 pp. "La Verite sur Msgr,. Stepinac, Archeveque de Zagreb" (The Truth About Msgr. Stepinac, Arch- bishop of Zagreb); Series of seven articles in La Liberte, (Fribourg, Switzerland), Feb. 6; Mar. 22, 29; April 4, 19; August 2, 1952 and.Jan. 10, 1953. "The Social Structure: Yugoslavia Before the Last War," Microfilmed Mss. No. 245, 1953 (in French); "The Change of Social Structure in Yugoslavia During the Communist Regime," Microfilmed Mss. No. 246, 1953 (in French); (Paper), "Characteristics of Rural Families, Occupational Adjustment and Level of Living in Relation to Rural Development in Mississippi," Report presented to the Sociological Department, Mississippi State University, June 15, 1958.

OTTULICH, JOHN Marketing-Politics

John Ottulich parents came to the United States from the island of Cres, Croatia. He was born and raised in Queens, where he graduated political science and. history at Cathedral and Queens colleges respectively. In "Istria S.C." in Astoria, New York a fundraising evening was held on June 7, 2002 for the republican candidate in the 26th district for New York State Assembly John Ottulich, of Croatian descent. Currently he is executive at Berk-Rauch Marketing in Brooklyn and is involved in a number social and community activities. Addressing the fundraising event in "Istria Club" Mr. Ottulich explained that under his campaign's logo "FIX NYC" he is going to fight for new programs to get New York's economy back on track and provide good job for families, as well as for more property tax relief, affordable prescription drugs for seniors, and to guarantee our schools get their fair share of state funding. John Ottulich's impact, has not gone unnoticed in out communities. He was personally appointed by former Mayor Giuliani to the Private Industry Council, where he worked to meet the needs of employers and job seekers alike.

PAICH, DAVID F Composer, Author, Arranger

Paich was born in Burbank, California. June 25, 1954 and educated at the University of Southern California. Pianist for "Ironsides." Forined Toto, 78; two gold albums to date. Recording artist, Columbia Records. Chief Collab: Marty Paich. Boz Scaggs & Cher. Songs: Lowdown; Lido Shuffle; Georgie Porgic; 99; Prisoner; Hold the Line; Houston (I'm Coining to See You); Hydra; Got to Be Real; The Way I Am; It"s Over; What Can I Say; Light the Way (Emmy Award); I'll Supply the Love; Rock Maker: Nlama; All Us Boys: White Sister; St George and the Dragon; Manuela Rum Child's Anthem.

PAICH, MARTIN L. Composer-Arranger-Pianist

Born in Oakland. California, January 23, 1925. Education: San Francisco State University; Cons of Art, Los Angeles, MA(music); University Southem California; Chapman College; Calif State College. He studied with Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. Pianist/conductor for Peggy Lee. Arranged for Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr, Ella Fitzgerald, Andy Williams, Ray Charles, Lena Horne, Andre Previn, Jack Jonm Bing Crosby, Anita O'Day, Al Hirt, Mel Torme, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, Mahalia Jackson, Astrud Gilberto, Glen Campbell, Antonio Carlos Jobim and others. USAAF band leader, WW 11. Chief Collaborators: David Paich, Paul Francis Webster. Songs: Money Girl; Music: Light the Way. Instrumenml Work, L-Gray Flannel; Suze Bluze; Color It Brass. Scores: Film /TV: Yogi Bear Motion Picture; The Swinger, Lady and the Tramp. 1953.

PALIHNICH, STIPO Coffee Shop Manager

Stipo I. Palihnich was born 1877 in Kuna, Dalmatia, Croatia He arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1892. Upon his arrival he was employed at the well known coffee shop "Morning Call" in the French Market area and stayed for forty years without a break. Today he is the manager of this coffee shop. He is a member of the Slavonian Society and was president two times, and secretary for fourteen years. He was a loyal member and the society gave him a gold chain as appreciation.

PALUNCICH, PETER Fisherman-Restaurant

Petar Paluncich, born 27. 11. 1896, lived in Monterey the longest, where he married Ana Basica in1930, soon after her arrival from Mljet to Monterey. Petar engaged in fishing and the selling of fish and later he owned his own restaurant. Petar and Ane Paluncich had a son Gaspar, born in 1931, and a daughter Helen,'born in 1932. Gaspar worked in the post office and Helen as a hair stylist. Both live in Monterey.

PANDAK, MICHAEL Doctor-Professor-Basketball

A former Staunton Military Academy basketball standout has turned his obstacles on the court into the inspiration for his success in the laboratory, Dr. Michael Pandak, 44, has been promoted to professor of internal medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. He is the son of William Pandak of Staunton and his wife, Violet, who is deceased. Pandak grew up in Staunton and played basketball for his father at Staunton Military Academy, where he led the Virginia Military School League in scoring for two consecutive years. He took an interest in medicine while at SMA after missing parts of three seasons due to an appendectomy, torn cartilage in a knee and a torn hamstring muscle. He was the second ranking military officer in the SMA Corps of Cadets and ranked No. 1 in his academic class when he graduated. He played basketball at Randolph Macon and was a member of the school's national championship team.

Pandak's work is primarily in the field of cholesterol. He travels all over the world seeking grants to continue his work. Among the grants he helped secure are: a $2.9 million, five-year grant to study liver-intestinal metabolism of bile acids and lipids; a $5.8 million, fiveyear grant to study liver-intestinal metabolism of bile acids-cholesterol; and a $559,100, five-year grant from the Veterans Administration for research in the regulation of cholic acid formation and its role in cholesterol homeostasis. Pandak has earned a number of awards, including Omicron Delta Kappa in 1977, Phi Beta Kappa in 1978, the American Liver Foundation Research Scholar Award in 1988, Who's Who Among Rising Young Americans in 1990, Who's Who in Science and Engineering in 1995, Fellow in the American Heart Association in 1997 and International Who's Who of Professionals in 1998.

His teaching experiences include time as director of biliary service at Veterans Affairs Medical Center and a fellowship training in therapeutic biliary endoscopy in 1990. He also has served. as clinical faculty preceptor for the nursing practitioner and the accelerated medical school acceptance programs at Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical College of Virginia. He received his doctor of medicine degree in 1983 from MCV.

Pandak and his wife, Jenni Sue, have three children, Phillip, 11, Nicole, 7 and Christopher, 5. Dr. Michael Pandak's father, William M. Pandak is a lifelong member of Croatian Fraternal Union lodges in McKees Rocks and Conway, Pennsylvania. He was D.H. at Pitt, Bethany and University of Virginia, teacher, coach and college official. In 1963 he was "Man of the Year -- Croatian Fraternal Union." The late Violet Karavanic Pandak was a lifelong member of the Weirton, West Virginia Croatian Fraternal Union lodge. She was a devoted teacher, gardener and mother who attended the University of Virginia and Bethany College. Dr. Pandak's grandfather, the late Stephen Pandak, was a lifelong member of the McKees Rocks and Conway, Pennsylvania Croatian Fraternal Union lodges. He was founder of May Rose Tamburitza Orchestra of McKees Rocks, PA. Dr. Pandak's other grandfather, the late Martin Karavanic was a lifelong president and delagate of the Weirton West Virginia Croatian Fraternal Union lodge. Dr. Pandak's wife, Jenni Pugh Pandak attended the University of Richmond and is a pharmeceutical computer advisor in Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Pandak's children, Phillip Michael, 10, Christopher Michael, 4 and Nicole Marie, 6, are all members of Conway, Pennsylvania Croatian Fraternal Union Nest 103.

PANDOL, JACK AND MATT King of Bananas

A long time Reagan backer whose company imports all of Nicaragua’s bananas said the trade embargo with that country will “shove the Nicaraguans more into the arms of Russians.” Jack Pandol, who with this brother, Matt, runs an import-export firm based in Delano, California said its contract with Nicaragua represents almost 25 per cent of the firms $100 million a year business. Bananas are Nicarauga’s biggest export to the United States, amounting to $23,5 million last year, accoridng to the State Department figures.  All of Nicaragua’s exported to bananas are shipped to Pandol Brothers Inc. “It’s hard for me to criticize my government and this may sound like sour grapes, but politics someitimes dosen’t make any sense,” Pandol said. “I’ve gone down (to Nicaragua) and never found any ill-feeling toward me. The people there are hungry and they’re suffering. Pandol said his firm does not pay for the bananas in dollars but with fertilizer. “It’s a barter arrangement,” he said. He said President Reagan’s plan to bar trade with Managua will mean layoffs for about 1000 workers who unload and truck 150 million pounds of Nucaraguan bananas a year. A blunt, outspoken man, Pandol is a longtime Republican financial supporter. When Reagan was governor of California, he appointed Pandol to the state Board of Food and Agriculture.  Pandol is now one of the Governor Deukmejian’s appointees to the state Export Finance Board. S.F. The Pandol’s people came from the island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia.

PANDOL, JACK AND MATT Food Agribusiness-Vineyard

If people met Jack Pandol for the first time on a street corner in Delano, California they probably never would guess that he's a world traveler or the head of a multimillion dollar business. Jack Pandol doesn't run any grocery stores. But he helps keep their produce bins full of fresh fruit the year around. Pandol, 60, along with his younger brother Matt, 56, runs what is undoubtedly one of the largest and most successful family agribusiness enterprises in the world. Sons of Croatian immigrants, the Pandols took a relatively small family farming operation and turned it into a virtual conglomerate of companies doing business around the globe. Jack Pandol estimates that the companies the family owns outright, or has a controlling interest in, have annual sales in excess of $200 million. The Pandols' holdings include the family farm, packing house and cold storage plant, and worldwide produce marketing business that have headquarters in Delano. They own one citrus packing house in Tulare County, and a substantial interest in another in McFarland. They also own agricultural chemical and irrigation supply business, a Tulare County hardware store, a fish processing firm, and a 20 percent interest in a Northern California company that will import $50 million in canned mushrooms from the People's Republic of China next year. Not a bad for a "poor farmer", as Pandol often describes himself with a bit of grin. While he enjoys his success, and seemingly everything else about life, Pandol is actually relatively modest for a man who advises governors and presidents on world agricultural trade. His wit is awesome although virtually impossible to appreciate except first hand. Speaking in public, Pandol will often leapfrog from one subject to three others all in one breath. He recently told a group of bankers that because of their ineptitude "I made $13,000," and left them roaring with laughter. While testifying during hearings on the navel orange marketing order in Bakersfield last April, Pandol charmed the female administrative law judge from the U. S. Department of Agriculture. At the same time he thoroughly befuddled the high-priced Washington lawyers attempting to discredit his testimony. Pandol also says he listens and respects the view of the foreign businessmen and officials he deals with. Too many Americans are arrogant and overbearing, he says. On one his visit to China, Pandol picked up an English translation of the "Quotations of Chairman Mao". The "little red book" contains some thoughts that are applicable to success in business, he said. Pandol can speak enough of several different languages to communicate in most corners of the world, "although English is the language of business". His Japanese borders on excellent, something he learned while serving in the Army under Gen. Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines in World War II, and later with the occupation force in Japan. It serves him well in selling citrus, grapes and kiwifruit in Japan. Pandol and Sons is a major grower and shipper of San Joaquin Valley table grapes, with approximately 2,700 acres in production in Kern and Tulare counties. The farm now headed by 29-year-old Jack Pandol Jr., also has about 1,000 acres of oranges and 80 acres of kiwi, as well as other crops. Pandol Brothers, Inc., the marketing arm, sells produce from the family farm as well as that other growers in both domestic and numerous foreign markets. The firm has done business in nearly 30 foreign nations this year, and may soon be shipping fruit into one or more nations in the Middle East.

PANDOL, STEVE Vineyard-Food Production

Steve Pandol was born in Brusje, Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia.  He came to Chicago in 1906 at the age of 17.  He was drafted into the US Army for nine months. In the army he served as a medic. A friend talked in into putting money into a pool hall, which had card games in the back room.   He didn’t like this, so he left the business, and came to California to Clovis. He had heard there were many of his countrymen living there.  Steve and a fellow townmate from Brusje (Mike Hure) joined together in partnership by leasing 160 acres south of Orange Cove.  He wrote to his family for a bride.  They chose Margaret Viskovich. Steve’s oldest brother was married to Margaret’s older sister. She arrived in Fresno in 1922. They were married within two weeks and the next day turned raisin trays together. Their share for the first years crop was $280. Their first son was born on that ranch in 1923. They had two more children that died in infancy.  A fourth child, a son Matt was born in 1927. Steve Jr was born in 1929. Another child was born after Steve, but also died in infancy.  Steve and Mike Hure bought 40 acres adjoining the leased property. That was the beginning of the American dream. In 1941 Steve and his family decided to move to Delano, and therefore desolved the partnership with Mike. In Delano, they bought their first 160 acres.  About 1948 he created a partnership with his three sons.  Thus was formed the “3 Bros” partnership. In 1948 Jack married Winifred Zaninovich.  They had four children, Stephen, Maria, Jack Jr. and James. In 1953 Steve Jr Married Antonette Zaninovich. (Sister of Winifred) They had no children. He later married Rosalie McDonald.  They had a son Steve lll. Matt married Lucy Tudor in 1957. They had five children, Louis, John, Matt Jr., Andrew and Margaret. Steve Sr. died in 1961. Margaret died in 1981. Steve Jr. died in 1981. Matt died in 1998.

PANIAN, MARTIN Brewery

In the Virginia City Business Directory Martin Panian was listed as the proprietor of the Nevada Brewery Depot on Main Street in Gold Hill, Nevada in 1869. This was one of the very few breweries in Nevada at the time. Martin was on the U.S. Census of Population for 1870 in Gold Hill listed as an Austrian as most Croatians were at the time. The name Panian is found in many parts of Croatia.

PAPAC, BOB Farm-Businessman

Mandica Tomicich Papac was born on June 6, 1901, to Nick and Vinka Zaninovich Tomicich. During her first year in the United States, Mandica met Bob Papac. He had immigated to Los Angeles from Hercegovina in 1908.  They were married December 4, 1921, at St. Anthony’s Croatian Church, in Los Angeles.  They lived in the area until 1923 when they moved to Del Rey, California. All of their married life was spent there, where five children, Stella, Vinka, Louis, Muriel, and Nick were born to them. Bob’s work was in the cement pipe business and farming. Mandica was a devoted wife and mother.  Mandica participated in the altar society of her church, St. Katherines of Del Rey.  She encouraged her children to take music lessons, and her sons to participate in sports. All of her children participated actively in all areas of school life. She placed a great emphasis on education, and, as a result, all of her children completed high school and attended college. Mandica was active in the local women’s club and Bob in the Lions CLub. As a result, thier sphere of friendships spread throughout the community.  Mandica Papac passed away on November 6, 1980, at the age of 79 and is buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Fresno, California.

PARADZIK. DAVID Tennis

David Paradzik, son of Croatian immigrants Luka and Maria Paradzik, was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1976. He was an outstanding tennis player at University School in Hunting Valley, Ohio, winning the state championship as a senior with a record of 38-1. Trained at an early age by his father Luka, himself a former soccer coach and player, David continued playing tennis at the University of Michigan, 1994-1998. He was Wolverines co-captain and played the No. 1 slot in the Big Ten Conference. David won many tournaments and was among the top ten junior players in the nation. Upon his college graduation (1998), David returned to Cleveland and is a tennis pro at the Cleveland Skating Club. He always rememberd the sacrifices his immigrant parents made to see him succeed. Anamaria Paradzik, David’s sister, also played tennis as No. 1 player at Euclid High and excelled in ice-skating.

PARIC, IVAN Photographer

The international photo magazine PDN (Photo District News) awarded Ivan Paric the winning entry in 2002 Photo Annual. On May 22nd, Paric was honored at the gala celebration in Manhattan at the exclusive Sky Club on top of Met Life building. Next year, Paric will graduate from the prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography located in Santa Barbara, California. Born in Zagreb, Croatia in 1980, Ivan is the eldest child of Danica and Ljubo Paric. When he was ten, his parents gave him a small, Kodak point-and-shoot camera using 110-size cassettes. Thrilled with his toy, Ivan brought the camera to school to photograph classmates, until his teacher confiscated the camera as a punishment for disrupting the class. "I still remember that day as my earliest photo session. I had to return to school with one of my parents to get the film and camera back." At age of 13 he became an active member of the Photo Club Zagreb. Pretty soon, photography was all he wanted to do in life. In 1996, Paric met third generation Croatian American photographer Don Wolf, who was visiting Zagreb at that time. Wolf, who changed his name from Vuk, went out of his way to mentor Paric. In 1998, Paric received the People's Choice award from University of California Santa Barbara Extension, International Programs. Than in 2000, Paric excel at the Brooks Institute of Photography by receiving an award from Faculty-Staff. Ivan focuses on fashion, portrait and product photography. He is currently defining his own style by experimenting with light and smoke in his latest series  "American Spirit".

PASETTA, MARTY Producer-Director

Marty, a TV producer and director, worked with almost every major star in show business. He directed the Academy Awards. He attended the University of Santa Clara and became a stage manager at KGO-TV, eventually becoming executive producer during his 16 years of employment there. He worked on the original Smothers Brothers series, “Steve ‘n Eydie”, and Sinatra’s “Ole Blue Eyes is Back”. Marty won a local Emmy for a nightly 2-hour variety show in Santa Clara. He donated his skills to Father Keiser Paulist Productions and Golden Circle Theatre at Santa Clara University. He was married to Elise and had three children, Debby, Marty, Jr., and Greg.

PASETTA, MATEO J. Farmer-Fruit Packing-Hotel-Goldminer

Among the business men of Santa Clara County who represent the country’s industrial and financial progress Mateo J. Pasetta occupies a prominent position in the fruit-drying industry. Enterprising, far-sighted, he is ever alive to the possible favorable opportunities for advancing his plans. A native of Dubrovnik, Dalmatia, Croatia, he was born January 20, 1865, a son of John and Madeline (Cusija) Pasetta.  When but a lad of five years he suffered the misfortune of losing father, mother, grandmother, brother and sister, all within the space of a year. He was then adopted by his uncle, Mr. Kijunach, a well-to-do merchant and trader, who owned a number of sailing vessels plying the Mediterranean Sea. Mateo J. Pasetta remained with his uncle until he was seventeen years of age; he then determined to start out for himself. Hearing the alluring tales of wealth and opportunity to be found in America, he embarked for the Mecca of his ambitions. After a voyage of forty-five days, he finally landed on the shores of America and made his way to California, arriving April 5, 1883, settling in Plumas County, where he was the first employed in the mines at a wage of fifteen dollars per month, working fourteen hours per day at placer mining for gold. When the Eureka Gold Mining Company began operations, Mr. Pasetta was employed and received forty dollars per month. here he remained for five years, and by thrift and economy was able to purchase the Eureka Hotel and livery stable in Johnsville. At the hotel Mr.. Samuel Webb, present attorney-general of California, boarded with him, and he also knew Judge Doonwin and Judge Clough, who were his friends. While residing in Plumas County, he received his naturalization papers and became a loyal citizen of the United States. The marriage of Mr. Pasetta in 1896 united him with Miss Annie Buhalov, also born in Dalmatia, Croatia, who was an old-time sweetheart. Coming to California, soon after her arrival here their marriage occurred, the happy culmination of the romance that begun on their native shores. Mr. and Mrs. Pasetta are parents of nine children. Madeline, the wife of John Simmons, a successful merchant of San Jose; Marian, John, Anna, Peter, Matthew, Elizabeth, Nicholas, and Daniel. About twenty-five years ago, Mr. Pasetta moved to San Jose and started, in a small way, in the dried fruit business, starting with 150 trays. From year to year the business has been steadily growing, and he now handles 5,000 drying trays, and during the busy fruit season cares for 400 tons of green fruit. His packing plant consists of seventeen acres, adjoining the property of the Pacific Manufacturing Company, adjacent to the city of Santa Clara, which is growing more valuable each day. His fruit drying business has not occupied his whole attention, as he found time to develop a fifty-acre orchard property, which he recently sold for a fine profit. The family reside in a commodious residence at 196 West St. James Street, San Jose, where many friends frequently enjoy their hospitality. Mr. Pasetta still owns the old homestead in Dalmatia, around which cling fond memories of days long past, and refuses to dispose of it. Fraternally he has been identified with the Odd Fellows for the past twenty-five years, and politically is a stanch Republican. He is an ardent member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He is 100 per cent American, ever ready to give of his time, influence, and means toward any advanced movement of the city and county which has been his home for so many years, and has won the respect and esteem of his business associates by his integrity and upright business methods. He is a stockholder in the Growers American Benefit Society, giving his best efforts to the upbuilding and advancement of this order.

PAUSINA, BALDO Oyster Dealer-Sea Captain

Captain Baldo, as he was affectionately called by his many friends, was born on February 22, 1904 in Vrucica on the Peljesac Penninsula. He came to Louisiana in 1908 with his mother and a sister when he was four years old. His father, Vincent, preceded them to Louisiana by a few years and once he had established his oyster fishing business, lie sent for his family (a typical procedure of Croatian immigrants to Louisiana practiced to this day). The elder Pausina died in 1911 and two years later, at the age of fifteen young Baldo quit schoolto go to work to help support the family. In 1934 he married Katherine Hihar. They had two children, a daughter Dominica and a son Ralph. Son Ralph has suceeded his father in the family's oyster business and runs it successfully.

An oysterman all his adult life, Baldo Pausina had acquired through practical experience and by keeping abreast of the latest developments through literature and personal contacts - such extensive knowledge about- the Louisiana oysters that he was considered an an authority on the subject. He was interviewed by the local press and national publications on this subject many times. In 1970 he delivered a paper entitled *Louisiana Oyster Culture at a meeting of the World Mariculture Society in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which was published in the 1970 proceedings of the society and thereby became a part of the Louisiana Oyster Literature.

During the early 1930’s he helped organize the Association of Louisiana Oystermen, composed mainly of fellow Croatians like himself, and served as its secretary- treasurer untli its dissolution. Although he was busy with his own oyster growing and cultivating business he always found time to advise and assist his fellow Croatians and to promote the oyster industry. In 1950 he became a member of the Shellfish Institute of North America and served on its Board of Directors, representing Louisiana oystermen, for many years. In 1952 he gathered his fellow Croatian oystermen and other oystermen and together they organized the Louisiana Oyster and Dealers Association He was elected its first president and served for several terms.

He joined the United Slavonian Benevolent Association of New Orleans while still a young man, on November 3, 1919. After serving as a member of the Board of Directors and as a member of various committees for several years, he was elected vice-president in January 1972 and on January 7, 1973 president of the Association. He served for two years. During his administration the Association celebrated its 103 th anniversary (organized May 1874). He ably organized and led the various activities marking the anniversary which culminated in a gala supper dance celebration attended by over 1200 persons. He was also a member of the Greater New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, the Slavonian Pleasure Club the Alhambra Carnival Club, Bayou St. John Improvement Association, Greater New Orleans Sportsman League, and a member of the Board of Directors of Foti Finance Company. After a lengthy illiness Captain Baldo Pausina died in New Orleans on September 23, 1977.

PAVELICH, MARK Hockey Olympic Gold Medal

The "Miracle on Ice" still ranks among the nation's greatest sporting moments and, in many ways, Pavelich was symbolic of  the American team. The conversation quickly moves to that night in Lake Placid, N.Y., against the Soviet Union, more than 20 years ago, when he collected the puck along the boards and slid it in front of the net. That puck ended up on the stick of teammate Mike Eruzione, who scored to give the U.S. squad an upset over the USSR on the way to a gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Pavelich was small for the game, never growing taller than 5 feet 8, but all those childhood days on outdoor rinks molded him into a clever skater and stickhandler. "A throwback player who could control the puck like he had it on a string," says Baker, who grew up nearby in Grand Rapids. He was born in nearby Eveleth, in rugged country known as the Iron Range, where boys learn to hunt and fish from an early age. The town claims to have the world's largest hockey stick at 107 feet long, so they also learn to play. In the late 1970s, those skills made Pavelich one of the greatest players in the history of the University of Minnesota Duluth. They subsequently earned him a spot on the Olympic team. He earned respect with his work ethic and a knack for passing the puck. Former goaltender Jim Craig recalls him as "an honest man, just a wonderful guy to be around." Little was expected of the Americans that winter, their coach reportedly telling them before the Olympics it would take some luck to win a bronze. But after an opening tie against Sweden, they rolled to four consecutive victories against the likes of Norway and Romania to reach the medal round against the powerhouse Soviets. Pavelich played an essential, supporting role that night, assisting on two of the four goals. Two days later, the U.S. defeated Finland to win the gold medal, and Pavelich wound up with six assists in the seven Lake Placid games. The players became overnight heroes, appearing on television, visiting the White House, attending promotional events across the nation. "A lot of commotion," Pavelich says. "I tried to avoid it as much as possible." Then he signed with the New York Rangers and moved to Manhattan. The team photo shows a young man with shaggy hair and heavy features, his lips pressed together in only the faintest semblance of a smile. He claims to have enjoyed his time in New York, taking in the sights of the city, but teammates recall he wasn't much for the nightlife. On the ice, Pavelich scored 76 points as a rookie—still a team record—and led the Rangers the following season with 37 goals, five of them in a memorable game against the Hartford Whalers. Though such numbers surely established him in the league, he retired after only five seasons because of differences with a new coach. There would be flickers of comebacks, a dozen or so games with the North Stars and San Jose Sharks, but his career was basically over. 

PAVELIC, RADOVAN A. Professor-Doctor

Radovan Pavelic is a professor of Otolaryngology (Ear - Nose- Throat) at New York University, New York, N.Y. Born July 9, 1911 in Zagreb, Croatia. Education completed Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia. Diploma, 1932; University of Zagreb Medical School, M.D., 1936; Residency, Ear Dept., N.Y. University Bellevue Medical Center, N.Y., 1954-57 with a major field in Otolaryngology (Ear - Nose- Throat). Published 28 scientific articles in the field of otolaryngology. Member of Austria Otolaryngology Society; American Medical Association; American Association of University Professors.

PAVICH, STEPHEN Organic Vineyard-Fisherman

Stephen Pavich was the patriarch of the firm, Stephen Pavich and Sons, a table-grape growing enterprise believed to be the largest organic (natural) farming operation in the United States. Stephen was born Dec. 28, 1914 in Helper, Utah, the son of Mary and Steve Pavich (originally Stjepan Pavicic from Lovinac, Lika, Croatia). With just $5 in his pocket, he heading for California during the Depression- going first to Modesto, then Marin County and finally to the Delano Area. He moved to Delano in 1953 on the recommendation of Steve Pandol Sr., who was head of the Pandol Bros, Farming operation. Earlier, at Tomales Bay, he had been in the commercial fishing business with his father-in-law, Anton Konatich, but it just wasn’t for Steve as he was prone to sea-sickness on small boats. The Pavich farm started modestly, with 130 acres, but grew rapidly. The move to organic farming was actually started 15 years ago by Stephen Pavich Jr., but was wholly endorsed by his father. “My father’s feeling was that down the road this is where we had to be,” says Tom Pavich, the other son. “He always gave us the freedom to be innovative.” Stephen Pavich joined the Croatian Fraternal Union in 1945 following service in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. He was president of CFU Lodge 730 in Dinuba, California. He also belonged to several other organizations including the American Slavonic Club, the Delano Area Youth Foundation and the California Grape and Tree Fruit League.

Travel was among brother Steve’s sources of enjoyment in his later years. Together with his wife, Helen, he visited China, Japan, and South America and on three occasions visited Croatia- traveling widely by always visiting Lovinac, Delnice and his wife’s birthplace, Veli Iz near Zadar. Stephen Pavich died Nov. 16, 1988. In addition to his wife, Helen, and his sons, Steve and Tom, brother Pavich is survived by his daughter, Frances Lucas, six grandchildren and brothers Tom, George, John, Gus, Mile, and sisters Jeanie Carbone and Ann Malekos.

PAVICH, STEVE Organic Vineyard

Stephen Pavich is carrying on the tradition of family farming started by his father and mother more than 40 years ago, while adding some innovative changes of his own. Stephen oversees the planting and growing of the organic grape vineyards at Pavich Family Farms in California and Arizona. The second-generation farmer returned to the family farm in 1971, after getting his degree in Viticulture (the study of grape growing) from Fresno State University. He questioned the limited use of chemicals on the land. A few months later, Stephen was overcome by pesticide fumes as he entered a washed vineyard spray tank. Stephen recalls, "I knew right then we were dealing with substances that were not of benefit. I questioned worker safety, the pollution of the ground water and the overall quality of the crops." What followed is described by Stephen as an act of fate. He awoke the next morning to find a headline story on organic farming in the Fresno Bee newspaper. Together with Mr. Wat McGugin, writer of the article, Stephen began the conversion to an organic farm, free of synthetic pesticides and chemicals. Concerning the future of the land he works, Stephen Pavich sums it up by saying, "When I leave, I want this spot on the planet to be clean. I don't want my child or any other child to worry about the side effects of the soil we work." Steve is currently a member of the national Organic Standards Boards, NOSB, for a five year term.

PAVICH, TOM Organic Vineyard

Tom Pavich grew up amongst the grapevines of his father and mother's Delano, California-based farm. Today he is president and partner of Pavich Family Farms, and is continuing the family farming tradition. His responsibilities, as president, encompass all of the financial and business management aspects for the California and Arizona operations. Tom also oversees the California farming operation jointly with brother, Stephen. Tom received a B. S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California in 1977, and continued at the school to obtain a MBA in 1980. During his graduate school days he gained on-the-job experience at the Xerox Corporation. After graduation Tom returned to the Delano farm, bringing his savvy for business management. Tom remembers early days of the farm when their chemical-based agriculture methods depleted the soil and diminished fruit production. He worked hard to help convert the farm to a natural, pesticide residue free and chemical residue free farming method. Tom shares the family vision to bring premium quality, certified organic table grapes to the marketplace. In addition to marketing table grapes, Tom has expanded the Pavich brand program to include over 30 produce items offered to the marketplace through out the year. Tom is currently serving as a president of the Organic Farming Research Foundation Board, and treasurer of the Organic Trade Organization.

PAVICH, TONYA Organic Vineyard

Tonya Pavich is at home with grape growing at Pavich- Family Farms. She grew up and worked on her family farm in Delano, California. Today, Tonya is back in her hometown helping to run the world's1argest organic grape growing and shipping operation. She is responsible for the farm's major sales accounts and oversees all marketing, advertising and promotions. Tonya received a B,.A. in Communications from the University of California at Irvine 'in 1978. Her background in produce attracted her to a job at Los Angeles based Friedas, Inc., the nation's leading marketer and distributor of exotic produce. During her time at Friedas,'Tonya gained extensive sales and marketing experience. She also was reacquainted with her old school friend, Tom Pavich. The two decided to marry in 1983, and Tanya returned with Tom to Delano to help operate Pavich Family Farms. Tonya’s time is well-managed between her entrepreneurial role as marketing manager, wife and mother to her two young children, Anthony 11 and Natalie 9. 'Tonya is a board of director for the Fresh Produce and Floral Council of Southern California aind, also The Produce for Better Health Foundation board for the 5 A Day Campaign.

PAVICICH, ANDREW Restaurants

With business booming int the Silicon Valley, San Jose has been ripe for a sophisticated restaurant with an urban feel.  Enter Andrew Pavicich Jr., who unveiled A.P. Stump’s in July. Pavicich, who opened the successfull Los Gatos Brewing Company in 1992, selected a space in the historic Lefranc-Masson Building just outside downtown’s San Pedro Square. He executive chef-owner Jim Stump hired Engstron Design Group to create the gorgeous decor. The restaurant is decked our in gold tones with lots of glossy wood. The bar area is furnished with high, small-topped tables and a couple of plush, curved booths. The long, curved wooden bar runs the length of the wall. He bills his menu as “new American cuisine,” which is likely to become the culinary catchprase of the next decade for restaurants serving food with a variety of influences. Stump’s menu has some classic French, a touch of Asian and many ingredients that have crossd so many borders they’ve become universay. Almost every dish is presented dramatically, and when the flavors match the display, the results are stellar. Much of the menu is devoted to fish, and Stump is able to get varieties infrequenly seen on Northern California menus, like skate wing, opah and black bass.

PAVICICH, DOMENIC And ANTON Silverminer-Restaurant-Fisherman

Domenic and Anton Pavicich were born on the Island of Premuda, Dalmatia, Croatia. The brothers filed for American citizenship while silverminers in Lyon County, Nevada in 1877. They were naturalized in Los Angeles, California in 1881. Domenic and Anton had a restaurant in San Francisco in the 1880’s and then opened restaurants in Orange County, California. Domenic sent to Premuda for his future wife, Maria Sucich, and they married in Santa Ana on August 2, 1883. They had five children: John, Mary, Katie, Julia, and Rosie. Domenic and Anton also had a beach home at Newport beach and were pioneer fishermen in the 1880’s in southern California. Domenic died in 1914 and his wife in 1922. Anton Pavicich never married.

PAVKOVIC, STEPHEN F. Professor-Chemist

Stephen Pavkovic is a professor at Loyola University, Chemistry Department, Chicago, Illinois. Born October 29, 1932 to Croatian parents in Highland Park, Michigan; married with three children. Educated at Highland Park Jr.,College, Highland Park, Michigan; Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, 1957-61, M.S., 1961; Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 1961-64, Ph.D., 1964 with a major field in Inorganic Chemistry and a speciality of Co-ordination Chemistry of Transition Metal Ions. Member of American Chemical Society. Inorganic Division of ACS.

PAVLAKOVICH, VERA K. Professor

Dr. Vera K. Pavlakovich is the Program Director of the Borderlands Economic Development in the Office of Economic Development and an adjunct faculty in the Department of Geography and Regional Development at The University of Arizona. Educated as a geographer, she holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Zagreb, Croatia, and a Ph.D. degree from Kent State University (Ohio). She joined the University of Arizona in 1986. Her research includes a wide range of economic impact studies with a focus on border economy, the maquila industry, and free trade. Articles on various aspects of Arizona's economy and U.S.-Mexico border have been published in Arizona's Economy, Arizona's Review, Journal of Borderlands Studies, Revista de El Colegio de Sonora and Geografski glasnik.  More recent projects include an analysis of trade patterns between Arizona and Sonora and the study of transportation industry in the context of the Strategic Economic Vision for Arizona-Sonora Region, sponsored by the governors of the two states. 

PAVLICEVICH-PALICA, ERV Baseball

Erv Palica (Pavlicevich) from Lomita, California, pitched for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947-1950 and from 1953-1954. A highly touted prospect, his best year was 1950 when he compiled a record of 13-8. Two years of military service (1952-53) were followed by a sore arm which cut short a promising career. Palica died in 1982 in Huntington Beach, California.

PAVLICEVICH, JOHN Ranch

An orchardist, who from a small beginning, is now enjoying the reward of his hard labor, is John Pavlicevich, a native of Dalmatia, born on December 23, 1888, a son of Vincent and Mary Pavlicevich, both natives of Dalmatia. The father came to California during the year of 1894, settled in San Jose, worked for others for about three years, then began for himself. His family followed in 1902; then he settled on a little place and engaged in buying fruit and operated a dryer. He is now retired from active business life, living on Lincoln Avenue with his wife and daughter Annie. The youngest daughter Draga, Mrs. Givich, lives on Prune Ridge. John began his education in the schools of Dalmatia and after coming to California finished the grammar school course in Santa Clara County. He worked for his father until 1913, then purchased a tract of twenty-six acres on Union Avenue, and in 1922 he bought eight acres just opposite his home place. By the purchase of these properties he assumed a considerable indebtedness, but with his courage and determination to succeed, he set to work and at this time his property is bringing him a substantial income each year. He has kept adding improvements from time to time and bringing the orchards up to a high state of productivity. The marriage of Mr. Pavlicevich in April, 1916, united him with Miss Mary Kavaleto, born in Dalmatia, and they are the parents of two children, Mary and Vincent. In 1911 Mr. Pavlicevich became a citizen of the United States, and selected as his politics the platform of the Republican party, and is a loyal and faithful citizen of his adopted country. He is a member of the Austrian Benevolent Society. He has a very thorough knowledge of the fruit business in every branch, from preparing the land for planting to marketing the product. His is the practical information, bringing to bear his personal experience in the carrying our of his business and giving his personal attention to overseeing his business. At all times he is interested in the welfare of the country and state, and endorses all measures looking toward the progress and prosperity of the community in which he lives.

PAVLICH, ANNE L. Nurse

Anne Pavlich is a Public Health Advisor and Nursing Consultant at the Department of HEW, PHS Injury Control Program, Cincinnati, Ohio. Born March 31, 1924 to Croatian parents in So. St. Paul, Minnesota, single. Education includes Public Health Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, B.S., 1957; Nursing Administration, University of Minnesota, M.N.A., 1962 with a sprcialty in nursing. Member of American Nurses Association; National League for Nursing. Experience: Assistant Director, Nursing Services, American Red Cross, Minneapolis Chapter 1957-60; Maternal and Child Health Nursing Consultant 1960-66; Minneapolis Department of Health: Nurse Consultant and Public Health Advisor 1966-67.

PAVLICH, BILL Tamburitza

Bill is a native of Trail, British Columbia with both of his parents hailing from Lic, Croatia. At an early age Bill went to work in the huge smelter in Trail but also embarked on bricklayer training program. Upon obtaining his apprenticeship he went to work for Wisconsin Steel in Chicago. Following U.S. Army service in Germany he moved to Seattle at which time he transferred his Croatian Fraternal Union membership to Lodge 439. For a 4 year period during mid 1990s Bill devoted great effort in assisting Bosnian refugees who were relocated in Seattle -- delivering food, furniture etc. to the needy families. Bill is a tamburas currently playing with Zive Zice. Bill is a 50 year member of Croatian Fraternal Union 439 in Seattle, Washington.

PAVLIC, MILTON USS Destroyer Pavlic

Milton Frank Pavlic, born in Trieste, Italy, 27 December 1909, was appointed Midshipman 25 June 1928, and commissioned Ensign 2 June 1932, and Lieutenant Commander 15 June 1942. He served in battleships New York and Mississippi, minelayer Tracy, destroyer tender Mellville, and destroyer Barney . From 17 June 1940 to 9 March 1942, he served at the Naval Academy; then helped fit out South Dakota and was on board the battleship when she commissioned 20 March 1942. South Dakota sailed to the Pacific and fought in the Santa Cruz Islands, and at Guadalcanal. In the fierce Naval Battle off Guadalcanal early on 15 November, South Dakota’s Task Force engaged a force of Japanese warships. She was badly damaged in the action. Lt. Comdr. Pavlic died in the battle and posthumously was awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

USS PAVLIC was laid down as DE-669 21 September 1943 by the Dravo Corp., Neville Island, Pittsburgh, Penn.; launched 18 December 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Milton F. Pavlic; completed by the Consolidated Steel Corp. of Orange, Tex.; redesignated high-speed transport, APD-70, on 27 June 1944; and commissioned 29 December 1944, Lt. Comdr. C. V. Allen, USNR, in command.After shakedown out of Bermuda and amphibious training at Portsmouth, Va., PAVLIC departed Norfolk 22 February 1945 for Hawaii via the Panama Canal and San Diego arriving Pearl Harbor 21 March. Following training exercises, she departed Pearl Harbor 13 April and steamed via Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands and Ulithi, Caroline Islands for the Ryukyus. From 3 May to 9 May she was stationed on the picket line off Okinawa fighting off several raids and performing rescue work. On the 10th, she escorted hospital ship RELIEF to Guam, returning to Hagushi Anchorage two days later to resume patrol work. On 18 May, PAVLIC was designated as a special rescue vessel and continued her rescue work while undergoing several heavy enemy raids. On 27 May, she repelled her first direct suicide attack. On 28 May, she opened fire on a low flying "Betty," a Japanese torpedo bomber, which veered away. Then the fast transport and sister ship YOKES picked up survivors from destroyer DREXLER sunk by two suicide planes, and took them to Hagushi Anchorage. On 29 May, she picked up survivors from destroyer SHUBRICK (DD-639), also damaged by a suicide plane. For the remainder of the war she continued to serve in the Pacific war zone, primarily in the Ryukyus. On 14 August, she got underway to join the 3rd Fleet off Tokyo. Four days later she made rendezvous with the British Pacific Fleet, and took on board a Royal Navy and Royal Marine landing force from light cruisers HMS NEWFOUNDLAND and HMNZS GAMBIA. On 27 August, PAVLIC arrived Honshu, Japan, entering Sagami Wan, in the shadow of Mount Fujiyama, and on the 30th she steamed into Tokyo Bay with high-speed transports SIMS (APD-50) and BARR (APD-39) and debarked landing forces to demilitarize Forts No. 2 and 4, guarding the entrance to Tokyo Bay and to raise the colors. The landing forces returned, and PAVLIC proceeded to Yokosuka Ko.

On 31 August, with L Company of the 4th Marines embarked, PAVLIC made the short run to Tateyama Wan to secure the large Japanese naval air station and remained there until 3 September supporting the Marines. On that day, after an Army Occupation Regiment relieved them, she reembarked the Marines and returned to Yokosuka Ko. On 9 September, PAVLIC was designated as a barracks ship. On 15 April 1946, PAVLIC sailed for the United States and after overhaul at the Philadelphia and Charleston naval shipyards, was towed to Green Cove Springs, Fla., where she decommissioned 15 November 1946. She was struck from the Navy List 1 April 1967 and was sold for scrapping to North American Smelting Co. 1 July 1968. PAVLIC received one battle star for World War II service.

PAVLICH, WALTER Poet-Author

Maybe Walter Pavlich is a "family Poet." There are such people, those who make quiet metaphorical music by pounding on family roots; poets who avoid the dim alleys of public despair to sit quietly at the kitchen table with fathers and grandfathers and disembodied ghosts whose collective legacy pours from their pens. Pavlich, 31, a sly and cheerful man, might smile at all of this. His somewhat das and honest eyes have avoided the scoreboard of his own literature too long, perhaps to endure presumptuous autopsies by insensitive hacks. But sometimes writers and critics arrive at the same cultural crossroads, and there are moments of sympathy and delight, as in this case, when ethnicity forms an immediate bond. After all, both of our names and in "ich" we have common Croatian Heritage; our fathers are old Portlanders fond of staying up late and washing down rich, warm memories with good, black-red wine. Pavlich's grandfather was a butcher in our old farmer's market, mine was a tailor who shopped there, seeking out breast of veal, with a shopping bag and a streetcar ticket. In "Old Stories, New Lies" Pavlich writes: "...Near the end he drank Cribari/ evenings at six thirty/ watched the fights on Fridays/ I tried his

hat on once. It fit/ like a bowl on the stick..."This is from Pavlich's first collection, "Ongoing Portraits" (The Barnwood Press), the cover of which features the poet's father and two other young men, caught in a handstand act of the early 40s, forming a muscular geometry. Though diminutive in stature, Pavlich is a muscular poet who, in his quiet way, has elbowed himself to national recognition through individual poems published in an impressive list of magazines. He is graduate of the creative writing program at the University of Montana, that buckskin Athens in Missoula, and has been taught and appreciated by such fine poets an the late Richard Hugo, a mentor; Jim Welch; Fred Chappell; and our own Sandra McPherson. He also roams a lot, reading, teaching and writing, and has received a scholarship from The Ragsdale Foundation, and recently, a fellowship from the Oregon Arts Commission. He has twice been a winner in the Willamette Week Poetry Contest, and his early work was published in a pamphlet, "Loadstones," by Mesilla Press. Like many local poets, he comes into the office a bit distressed. Pavlich has a strong voice, and he would rather be heard by many more people, and be known by them, than merely to languish beneath his own unlighted scoreboard. But he is not alone, Pavlich is told as he fixes his tweed hat and contemplated California. We are rich in poets and those who would read them, and we can only hope that someday many more people will understand that unfiltered truth can provide the most valuable metaphors in our lives. Pavlich eulogy to Hugo, "A Recommendation for the Dead, "expresses his personal concern: "He could gut our hearts,/ leave us pulsating on any shore.? Some died there. Some found enough light/ in midnight water and found home.../ Right now, I am more alive/ than I care to be ,/ I can live with that."

PAVLINA, LOUIS P. Ranch-Shopping Centers

Louis P. Pavlina a prominent orchardist here, died recently at the age of 80 in 1977. Mr. Pavlina, a native of Banici, Dalmatia, Croatia, immigrated to the United States when he was 17 years old, arriving in San Francisco by boat in 1913. He moved to the Santa Clara Valley in 1915 and began purchasing orchard land primarily in the Sunnyvale and Mountain View Areas. He also held farming interests elsewhere in the state. With the heavy influx of people into the valley during the last decade, Mr. Pavlina found it uneconomical to continue in the fruit growing business and converting property over to other uses. Forty-two acres near El Camino Real and Remington Drive in Sunnyvale became the Pavlina Plaza and now accomodates a medical facility and housing. Pavlina ceased active farming in 1968. Before his retirement he was a member of the Napredak Club, a group founded primarily for the cultural and social activities for members of the Croatian community. He was also a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union of American, Mt. Hamilton Lodge and the American Dalmatian Society. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Anna K. Pavlina, 860 E. El Camino Real; three sons, Peter L. Pavlina of Los Altos Hills, Stephen J. Pavlina of Cupertino and Milton N. Pavlina of Morgan Hill; two brothers, John Pavlina of Saratoga and Peter Pavlina of Croatia; eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

PAVLOVICH, ANTHONY Croatian Activities-Carpenter

Anthony, a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union in San Francisco for 57 years, was born in Watsonville, California, on November 16, 1925. He was the son of the late Lawrence and Kate Pavlovich, both originally from the Dubrovnik area in Croatia. Anthony was the brother of active member, Ann Cicibrk, also of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 900. One of his employment endeavors was working at a local pasta-making factory in his neighborhood. Following that he worked for the United States Postal Service. Eventually, he entered the field of carpentry. He was a member of Carpenter's Union Local 22 in San Francisco, where he was employed by Morris Company as a shop superintendent and then for Columbia Company as a foreman until he retired in 1987. Many of his jobs included the remodeling the interiors of local banks, department stores and areas within the San Francisco Airport. Brother Anthony encouraged his nephew, Nick Cicibrk, of Lodge 900 to enter into the carpentry trade. Early in his nephew's career, both were often seen working side-by-side. In his younger years, Anthony enjoyed bowling with his fellow lodge members in local and state tornaments. He also enjoyed socializing with friends, playing poker, dining and dancing, traveling to Reno, Nevada, CFU picnics, fishing, gardening and cooking. He also enjoyed the company of family, his sister Ann and brother-in-law Pete Cicibrk, his nephew Nick Cicibrk and his wife Maureen and great-nephew Ryan, niece Deborah Lamp and her husband Charles and their sons Alex and Erik. It is with great sadness that Anthony Lawrence Pavlovich, of San Francisco Lodge 900, died on December 5, 2000.

PAVLOVICH, MIKE Restaurant

Pera was born August 5, 1907, in Velo Grablje, on the island of Hvar, Croatia.  Her parents were Nick and Vinka (Zaninovich) Tomicich. Pera left Hvar on September 4, 1936, and traveled by boat to New York, via Trieste and Venice. She arrived in New York on October 1, 1936. From New York, Pera traveled by train to Fresno, California.  Pera arrived in Fresno on October 6, 1936.    She settled with her sister, Mandica, and brother-in-law, Bob Papac, and their five children in Del Rey.  She helped with house cleaning in the Papac household. She was also courted by eligible Croatian bachelors living in the Fresno area. On April 4, 1937, Pera married Mato (Mike) Pavlovich in Fresno.  Mike was a partner in the Alaska Drive-In Restaurant; they settled in Fresno. Mike and Pera were married for 27 years, before his passing in February, 1965. Mike and Pera have two sons, Nick and Anthony, and five grandchildren. Over the years, Pera has been a housewife and loving wife, mother and grandmother, very proud of her family esecially her grandchildren. Pera studied very hard to learn the ways of her new country and became a United States citizen in the “40s”. She owns a small apartment complex in which she continues to actively manage. She remains very close to God, praying daily with the prayer books she brought with her from Hvar and attending Mass regularly.  

PAVLOVICH, SPIRO Orange Groves-Oysterbeds

Spiro Pavlovich who passed away at his home in Buras. on the twelfth of July, 1936, for many years was a leading figure in the lower Mississippi River oyster industry. He started in this business soon after coming to the United States at the age of thirteen years, his beds and principal headquarters being at Olga, Louisiana. Mr. Pavlovich planted his oysters by sailing luggers. and had associated with him his two brothers, Milos and Gus Pavlovich. He was very successful in this enterprise and in 1910 expanded his operations to include the growing of oranges and other citrus fruits. Mr. Pavlovich developed an extensive grove of some sitxy-five acres, carefully planted and well-developed and cared for. Bearing trees in the Pavlovich orchard include several varieties of oranges, satsumas, sweets, navels, tangerines. and mandarins, and also a number of full, bearing grapefruit trees. The most successful seasons came during the period from 1916 until, 1928 during which time they gathered and shipped many thousands of boxes of delicious fruit. Spiro Pavlovich was born in Croatia on the twenty fourth of December, 1876, and arrived in the United States to begin his life anew in this country in 1890. Mr. Pavlovich worked hard and in a relatively short time was well-established in the new world and had made a substantial start toward the business and financial success which he achieved in later years. On the first of September, 1900, ten years after his landing in the United States, Mr. Pavlovieh was married to Miss Mary Evasovich, member of a prominent Slavonian family of Plaquemines, Parish and the daughter of Steve Evasovich. Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Pavlovich -two survive, a daughter and a son. The daughter, Mrs. William H. Rolling, resides in New Orleans and has three children, William Milos, Mary Mattie and Gerald Henry Rolling. A son, Spiro M. Pavlovich, manages the orange groves owned by the family and makes his home with his mother at Buras. Mr. Pavlovich who was a devoted husband and father, was a kindly and considerate man and universally beloved by all with whom he came in contact. He was charitable and aided many less fortunate persons and in his generosity made no distinction as to race or creed. The orange business which he established and developed so successtully is now managed and operated by the surviving members of his family in a highly competent manner. Membership is maintained in the Buras Co, operative Association and the family religious affiliation is with the Catholic Church.

PEAR, JOHN Farmer

Martin J. Pear came to the United States at the turn of the century. He first arrived in New York and then proceeded to Buffalo, New York, where he worked for a year at a cement plant, then he came to Watsonville, California. Approximately six months later he came to the San Francisco peninsula, first location was the area above Menlo Park where he worked on a hay farm and grain combine. Next place he chose to work was at the place which is now Kline Elementry School in Mountain View , here he leased a parcel of land where he g;ew fruit and also worked out on vineyards, hay and grain fields in the area that is west of the El Camino in Los Altos, near Ortega Ave. A few years later he bought the land across the street on Ortega Ave, at that time it was called Calderon Road, the year was around 1906 or so. He remained there the rest of his life raising prunes, appricots, cherries berries and some row crops. The exact location of the place is the area bounded by Ortega, Latham, Showers, and California Streets in Mountain View. In 1966 we built a building which today is leased to Gemco. John’s wife Melica came to Oakland via Canada to live with a sister who was already here. She went to work at Alberts Brothers Milling Co. About a year later met my father and lived the rest of her life on Ortega Ave.

PECARICH, ANTONE Fisherman

The Pecarich family came to Fairhaven, Washington in 1911 as man and wife, Antone and Maria (Mariani). He came to Fairhaven in 1903 at the age of 21. We are not sure if he came in at Ellis Island, New York or Halifax, Canada but we know he took a train across Canada, getting off in Vancouver, BC. He walked all the way to South Bellingham (then known as Fairhaven) on the railroad tracks. Once he got there, he got a job and worked for $0.50 a day at the Lumber Mill on Lake Whatcom. He stayed in a rooming house and walked to and from work every day (about 8 miles). Soon he saved enough money to go back to the "old country" to get his promised bride. They were married in Komiza on the Island of Vis, Croatia in the fall of 1911.

They came back to the United States and back to Fairhaven. They began to have, their children, Peter Joseph (named after both their fathers), born September 1, 1912. Then Margaret Mary (named after both their mothers), born August 11, 1914. Then came Frances, born November 12, 1915 and finally, Matilda, born September 14, 1918.

By 1915 or so, Antone was making a dollar a day and Mary, without fail, saved 10% of this money for their future needs. They built their home on the corner of 12th and Knox in 1929 or 1930 at the cost of $2,500.00. Mary, also, had saved enough for all new furniture and enough to live on for a year at the time the home was built. The home stayed in the family until 1991. The children grew and, first, Peter started school. Well, they had never had a need to speak the English language, so all the children spoke in their native, Croatian tongue. Peter's teacher would have none of this.... she sent Peter home and told him not to come back until he could talk English. When he was in the eight grade someone had told him he couldn't graduate until he recited Julius Caesar by heart. In Pete's mind, that sounded pretty impossible, so he figured... "Well, I am done now, because I will never be able to do that! " So he went to the cloak room, got his coat and lunch pail, came out, waved "Bye class, Bye teacher." left and never went back.

In 1917, Nick Pecarich, Antone's brother and Andrew Mardesich built the "Calendar" at the Barbare Shipyard. It was a 60' vessel with a 40 hp Frisco Standard gas engine. The total cost was $6,000. (A very large sum of money in that day.) When Pete was only eight years old, his uncle Nick died, leaving Antone his interest in the purse seiner. Antone was fishing as a crew member at the time and with the money he made, he purchased Andrew's interest in the boat that same year. Antone was an excellent fisherman especially in Alaska and Pete's first fishing venture was to South East Alaska on the Calendar with his father when he was very young (probably shortly after he left the eighth grade). He went along for the ride and did not get a "share", but by the time Pete was 17 (1929), he was fishing on the boat with his father, during dragging season, learning all there was to know. He did not go back to Alaska until 1956. Not only did Pete learn the fishing trade, he became one of the best fishermen in the county. The best fishermen were known as the "high liners" - they always had a good year fishing.

Mitch Evich and his family lived across the street from Pete and his family and was four years younger than Pete. He said that he was amazed at Pete's ability to build small skiffs and boats using the crude tools belonging to his relatives when Pete was only 13 or 14 years old.

Pete had a vivid imagination and sought ways to improve fishing and anything else that he did. Inventing things to make work easier and better was just as easy for him as breathing is for the rest of us. He took over the Calendar at age 19 during drag seasons and was running the boat during both drag and salmon seasons by the age of 22 or 23. Antone continued to fish with his son until he retired sometime in the late 50’s. In 1954, Pete and Antone had a steel seiner built called the "Secure" which was a "drum" seiner. The drum, which Pete and several friends "perfected" after observing the "drum operation" on purse seine boats when they were in Canada is now used on almost all fishing vessels in the U.S. and Canada (except Alaska). Antone and Pete sold the Calendar to Frank Scott in 1959 who then sold it to James Costanti in 1961.

He married Vivian Lewis and had a son and a daughter. By this time, one of his sisters, Margaret, was married and had three children (the youngest was me). When his sister, Margaret, came down with turbuculosis in 1952 or 1953, Pete moved his family into Margaret's house and took care of her children for a year while Margaret was recuperating in a hospital in Seattle. This was probably very hard on him and his family, but that was the way Pete was, he helped when help was needed even if it meant disrupting his own family life. He thought that us kids had been through enough with our father dying just two years before and now our mother was sick, so rather than disrupt our lives further by moving us to Blaine, he moved his family to Bellingham. He was always wheeling and dealing, buying machinery of some sort, improving it, and then reselling it for a profit. He was the kind of a person that could take anything apart and rebuild it into something that would work better and/or faster. After he officially retired from fishing in 1988, he gardened in his back yard and invented his own particular brand of soil by mixing dirt with his own finely ground compost and working it until he had the perfect combination. His vegetables were the best in the area and he grew enough to feed his family and give away to friends and neighbors. (Sleasman 1999)

PECELI, ZLATKO Engineer

Zlatko Peceli was born February 12, 1931 in Vucitrin, Croatia. His field is Electrical Engineering, and is a graduate of the Faculty of Electrical engineering, State University, Zagreb, Croatia. He speaks Croatian and German. His specialty is power producing and distributing of electrical energy. He is an electrical engineer for the Bechtel Company. He presently lives in San Francisco, California.

PEHARDA, IRENA West Point Cadet

"Yes, I'm a paratrooper now. I've got the pin (a parachute with wings). I'm not a regular infantry soldier any more. There is a saying 'Once a paratrooper, always a paratrooper.' The training was grueling, temperatures reached 42 degrees Celsius, we were all wet with perspiration. We learned all about parachuting, and one exercise followed the other. The training was not as hard physically as it was mentally. I almost died before my first jump. Fear simply wouldn't let you jump but once you're out, in the air, it's very good. I had a night jump and two jumps with backpacks with full combat gear. I'm glad I finished this difficult training, and now I'm back at West Point. My next task is to successfully complete the senior year at the Academy." This is how Irena Peharda, the Croatian senior cadet at the renowned U. S. military academy West Point, described Airborne School in Fort Benning, Georgia, in an email message. Twenty-year old Irena decided on her own to go through this arduous airborne training, the same that the elite U. S. commandos known as the Green Berets also receive. "I could choose which military school to attend within the training program. I opted for jump school because it poses great challenge to any cadet," said Irena. She recalled that another Croatian, Mario Bogunovic, himself a West Point senior, successfully completed the training. "The most important thing was not to get injured because any serious injury would impede my further studies here." Except for one unpleasant parachute landing on her nose with no severe consequences, Irena completed all training tasks successfully so that everybody believes that she will complete her senior year at West Point among the best cadets.

PEICH, ANTHONY G. Real Estate Developer-Pilot

Anthony has been a general building contractor since 1961, building subdivisions, single family residences, commercial and light industrial projects and has developed numerous commercial real estate properties. He holds a Lifetime Teaching Credential, State of California, Real Estate Subjects. He is a graduate of Mt. San Antonio College and holds a Certificate of Real Estate from the University of California. His interests and public service include being a rated pilot, President of the Chino Chapter of the City of Hope, past commander of the American Legion and member of the San Bernadino County Aviation Commission. Anthony’s father was born in Hercegovina. His mother was a Tadin from the Island of Brac. They were farmers in Chino, California.

PEJIC, SLAVICA Croatian Activities

Slavica was born in “Seher”, Sarajevo, Bosnia. As a young woman she met and married Luka Pejic and bore him two children. Luka moved to the United States, found a job and an apartment, then sent for his family. Slavica was drawn to the preservation of her native language and culture which she dutifully maintained. She was such a hardworking member of the community the Croatian Cultural Committee of Los Angeles proclaimed her Croatian Woman of the Year for 1983.

PEKO, IVO A. Professor-Attorney

Ivo Peko is a professor at New York State University, Agricultural & Technical College, Cobleskill, New York. Born June 24, 1913 in Makarska, Croatia; Married with one child. Education includes Classical Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia, Diploma,1933; Univ. of Zagreb, Master of Law, 1938; University of Berne, Switzerland, L.L.D., 1947; Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, M.A. in Economics, 1958 with a major field in Law and Economics and a specialty in Money and Banking, Public Finance. Thesis 1947 "Die geschichtliche Entwicklung des genossen-schaftlichen Rechtsgedankens in der Schweiz seit der Mitte des 19. Jahrhunderts bis zum gesetz von 1936," University of Berne, L.L.D. Member of American Finance Association; Croatian Academy of America.

PENAVIC-MARSHALL, CAPRICIA Aide to Hillary Clinton-Attorney

Her responsibilities include the overview of all functions associated with the First Lady in the White House residence and on foreign travel. Marshall has accompanied the First Lady on her goodwill missions around the world, including to Bosnia, and on many other foreign trips. Capricia received her undergraduate degree in Political Science, with emphasis in International Policy, from Purdue University and her Law degree from Case Western University where she was President of the Student Bar Association. She and her husband, Dr. Robert Marshall, currently in his first year of his Cardiology fellowship at Georgetown University, reside in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Her paternal grandparents were born in Croatia and some 30 years ago her father, Frank Penavic, emigrated to America and settled in Ohio where he met and married his wife, Mary.

PENDO, MATHEW M. Attorney

Mathew was born in Butte, Montana, March 27, 1907, the son of Dalmatian parents, Mato Pendo and Ane (Begusich) Pendo. After attending Buttle High School he went to Los Angeles in 1924, attended the University of Southern California and then Southwestern University to study law. He was admitted to the bar in 1931. Matt was a member of Delta Kappa Law Fraternity; Lawyers Club; Junior Barristers; United Hercegovina Catholic Benevolent Society and the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 177.

PERAICA, ANTHONY J. Attorney-Croatian Activities

Anthony J Peraica of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 32, a practicing attorney of Riverside, Illinois, has announced his candidacy for the Cook County Board of Commissioners (16th 11 District) in the March Primary Election of 2001. He was born in Croatia in 1957 in a home with a dirt floor without plumbing or electricity. He arrived in the U.S. in 1970 at age 13, unable to read or write a word of English. In 1980, at age 26, he graduated from University of Illinois at Chicago, with a bachelor's degree. In 1983, he graduated with a J.D. from the John Marshall Law School, Chicago, and was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1984. Brother Peraica is a member of many community organizations, including Director of the South Loop Chamber of Commerce, Vice President for International Scouting and President Emeritus of the Croatian American Association. Brother Peraica is a longtime Croatian activist through the Croatian American Association as one of its founders and as a lobbyist with the traditional "Days on the Hill" in Washington, D.C.

PERASICH, NIKOLA Saloon

Nikola Perasich, a Dalmatian, was a pioneer of the 1870's in the grocery and liquor business with Petrovich in Los Angeles. He was killed in a gunfight in the pioneer mining town of Darwin. Killed by a hired gun. His brothers were also involved in a stage coach holdup at Carson City, Nevada.

PERATROVICH, ALVA W. Military-Millman

Alva W. Peratrovich born April 3, 1926 in Klawock, Alaska, enlisted in Ketchikan, Alaska, December 17, 1943 and went to PSC, Bremerton, Washington, Dec. 20, 1943. He was sent to Farragut, ID for six weeks training and on February 1943 was assigned to USS Washington (BB-56), 8th Div. Participated in bombardment of Nauru; Kavieng raids: bombardment of Kwajalein, Saipan and battle of Philippine Sea: battle for Leyte Gulf; bombardment of Iwo Jima; Okinawa; occupation of Gilbert and Marshall Islands. His most memorable experiences were Iwo Jima; the collision with Indiana; bombardment of Saipan; passing through the Panama Canal enroute to Philadelphia for Navy Day, October 27, 1945; assignment to USS Nantahala, USS Vulcan; passing through Panama Canal the second and last time. He was honorably discharged April 23, 1946 with WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal and six Bronze Stars. Peratrovich is a retired lumber mill trimsaw operator. He married Janet Nix of Hydaburg, Alaska and they had two sons and one daughter. He remarried his high school friend Clara George on August 9, 1975 in Klawock, Alaska and has five stepchildren.

PERATROVICH, ELIZABETH Equal Rights Activist

Elizabeth Wanamaker Peratrovich was born July 4, 1911, in Petersburg, Alaska. Her Tlingit name was Kaaxgalaat. She was of the Lukaaxadi clan of the Raven Moiety. Her parents died when she was young and she was adopted. She attended Petersburg Elementary School, Sheldon Jackson School, and graduated from Ketchikan High School. She continued her studies at Western College of Education in Bellingham, Washington. Elizabeth married Roy Peratrovich of Klawock on December 15, 1931, in Bellingham, Washington. They moved back to Alaska to raise their family in 1941. On moving from Klawock to Juneau, they were astonished to discover signs in business establishments revealing blatant discrimination against Alaska's Native people. With the help of then Governor Ernest Gruening and Congressional Representative Anthony J. Dimond, legislation was sponsored and introduced in the Legislature in 1943. However, the "Equal Rights" Bill did not pass until the next legislative session in 1945. As Grand Camp President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood, Elizabeth provided the crucial testimony that cultivated passage of the Anti Discrimination Bill. It was her response when questioned by the Senate -- Will the equal rights bill eliminate discrimination in Alaska? -- that split the opposition and allowed the bill to pass. Elizabeth answered, "Have you eliminated larceny or murder by passing a law against it? No law will eliminate crimes but, at least you as legislators, can assert to the world that you recognize the evil of the present situation and speak your intent to help us overcome discrimination." As Elizabeth stepped down from the Senate platform, the galleries and some of the senators gave her a rousing acclaim. The Senate passed the bill 11 to 5. A new era in Alaska's racial relations had begun. Elizabeth Peratrovich died on December 1, 1958, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Jeneau. It was not until many years later that Elizabeth's efforts to secure equality for all Alaskans won recognition. In 1988, the Alaska Legislature established February 16 as "The Annual Elizabeth Peratrovich Day," the anniversary of the signing of the Anti-Discrimination Act. Every year since that day, Alaskans pause to remember her, dedicating themselves to the continuation of her efforts to achieve equality and justice for all Alaskans of every race, creed, and ethnic background.

PERATROVICH, JOHN Fisherman-Peratrovich Island

John-Giovanni Peratrovich, Petovich, Petricevich, Paretovich, Patovich, Petrovich came to California in the 1860’s from Dalmatia. He married an Indian Princess in Alaska and became wealthy fishing. Added, at a later date, to his Death Certificate is “Sein” Austria. This could be Sinj, Senj or Lesina (Hvar). Being an expert net maker and fisherman, he would have been from an island or the coast of Dalmatia, not inland. On the Island of Hvar, the name of Paretovich is found. He was associated with Barhanovich, Markovich, Petrovich and Valensolo (a Clan name?) These names can be found on the Island of Brac. He has over 525 direct descendants. It is believed he had 29 children and three wives. He was born December 26, 1851 or 1861. December 13, 1915 is given as his date of death. He is buried in Klawock cemetery on Peratrovich Island. I have been in contact with Indian descendants and they would like to know his exact birthplace. Can anyone out there help? We would like a birth certificate. Can someone ask the priests in Sinj, Senj, Hvar or Brac to look for this man. A few American-Alaskan Indians would like to know.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. John Peratrovich was born in Dalmatia, Croatia along the shores of the Adriatic Sea. There is a record in early San Francisco annals that indicates many fishermen came to the San Francisco Bay area; indeed there was a Croatian Society listed in the 1857 City Directory. With consideration of this background, it is not surprising that John Peratrovich ended up in the United States.

In the "Urban News" August 1, 1972 (a publication in Anchorage Alaska) written in recognition of his son, Robert J. Peratrovich, Sr. notes the following:

John Peratrovich, as a 16 year old Croatian, ran away to sea and eventually landed in San Francisco at a time when there was a great demand for crews for whaling and sealing ships. He was shipwrecked off the Seal Islands, rescued by Eskimos, spent 4 months there, then came by Russian Revenue Cutter south to Sitka, Alaska. Then a canoe trip to Victoria, Canada, stopping at native village of Klawock. There he decided to stay and make it his home, working as a skilled net maker in the only salmon cannery operating. He married a very beautiful Tlingit Indian Princess.

Another story told by Tony Markovich of Ketchikan to Ruby Peratrovich (grandaughter-in-law of John) was that John left Dalmatia, at age 14 to escape the cruel treatment he received at the hands of his stepfather. He was left beaten on the dock at Dubrovnik and was taken aboard a windjammer as a stowaway. When eventually he landed in California, he worked as net hanger in a cannery. He was sent up to the first cannery in Klawock because of his expertise. He was supposed to have a brother Tony who lived in SeattIe but they had no communication with each other.

His daughter, Josie Smith, recalled her father telling of a sailing accident which claimed the lives of his parents before he left for his adventures, while another granddaughter was told by her mother that he came with his parents to San Francisco in a fishing vessel, where later his mother died and he ran away from his step-mother by hopping a ship north. He was able to use his net making skills aboard this boat. It is also said he set out on his adventure from Croatia with Tony Valensolo. As to other immigrants at the same time: You will note names of Tony Markovich, Vincent Baronovich and there is one not mentioned in this story, Carl Valensolo. In fact this man lived in Craig, Alaska, a neighboring village and is said to have come with John Peratrovich. His son, Carl, attended Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Oregon along with Peratrovich children. Name spelling changes are referred to. According to Indian customs, the first 4 boys had the name and an Eagle tatooed on their arms. One was reportedly spelled "Petovitch". You will note the 1900 census has "Paratovich". By 1910, the spelling was "Peratrovich" and this appears, too, on the death certificate. One of the daughters, Agnes, is said to have put in the R after the first T .

John was married to a native woman much older than he was, but that was a typical custom amongst the Tlingit tribe. She had been married previously and had one son and two daughters that must have been teenagers. She bore him 4 sons. It is said that he was the principal person in the first salmon cannery in Klawock and a picture of him and his wife and two children appears on the label of "Family Brands" salmon; it must be noted, however, that this is during the early 1900's when his second family is started.

It is family legend that the two youngest boys of the first family were taken by their father south. One daughter said they were headed for the old country but he ran out of money in Seattle. Most stories indicate he took them to San Francisco. One daughter said she "sat on the trunk filled with money" that he took on one trip. 'On his first trip out, or an early one at least, his wife was given another husband during his absence which is the reason given for him "marrying" her older daughter with whom he had many more children. At the same time, he was producing two children with another daughter. This means there are almost 3 distinct families at one time. Everyone remembers that he was a good provider, bringing barges of foodstuffs and other goods for all his families ... plenty of "Dago Red Wine" and hefty cheese.

He trained his sons in fishing and net making. He was affiliated with North Pacific Packing and Trading Co. although in records at San Francisco Public Library, his name is not listed with the corporate officers.

We are not sure of the birthplace. Since John Peratrovich married a native Alaskan (Tlingit), I doubt any people really understood his language. The common belief is that he was from the Dalmatian coast. His death certificate lists Austria as his original country and this also appears on the 1900 and 1910 census records which I have for southeastern Alaska. Handwriting presents problems as usual. The birthplace given on the death certificate is "Sein, Austria". The name has been spelled a number of different ways. The early census has "Paratovich", the death certificate has "Peratovich"; one grandson tells me it should be "Giovani Pietrovich" meaning John, son of Peter. One son had "Petovich", tatooed on his arm. (This was common practice among Tlingit Indians ... along with the family totem crest). I have made inquiry for immigration records to no avail ... under any spelling and into California. As far as I have been able to determine, he never became a citizen, either. Since Alaska was a territory, and he died before efforts were made to get natives to take an oath, this, is not surprising.

One grandson remembers his grandfather telling tales of sailing many different places for a long time before he got to San Francisco. He also relates that his grandfather told of hunting seals in northern Alaska in the company of his brother "Willard". This grandson, David Willard Peratrovich, bears this name. The brother never came to Klawock but returned to the old country. When John settled in Klawock, he chose the best hunters in the village to go north on sealing expeditions and it appears these sealskins were sold along with the fish canned in Klawock in various San Francisco outlets. David remembers that his grandfather was affiliated with various business entities before the North Pacific Packing and Trading Company: starting with a venture with George Hamilton in the first salteries, located in the most abundant salmon producing creek areas.

Roy Peratrovich, a son, disputes the story of sealing and whaling experiences and believes his father was sent to Klawock by the canning companies. He says his father had stock in the canning company, apparently lost or stolen after his death.

Customs House records mention George Hamilton and Vincent Baronovich as being engaged in salmon fishing by 1867, but establishment of the first salmon cannery in Klawock has been documented as being 1868. (Bancroft 602). This became the property of Sisson, Wallace and Co. and then incorporated as the North Pacific Packing and Trading Co. in 1877. John Peratrovich could have been sent up by the canning company and engaged in fishing with the other early white settlers in Southeast Alaska. It is also possible for him to have gone sealing during that early period.

It is not known at what age John embarked on this portion of his life, there being no immigration records found in our research, but he was probably close to 20 years old or thereabouts when he took up life in the Alaskan village. He probably joined in the fishing venture with enthusiasm and adapted to the native communal life with a sense of adventure. There are four sons who bear the Peratrovich name with a native mother, descendant of the earliest settlers there. There are 3 sons and 11 daughters from two subsequent unions. It may be assumed that the mothers of these children were primarily responsible for their nurture but is the influence of John's culture is evident in their education and training. The history of the children's accomplishments is detailed in later pages of this document.

John brought his fishing and net-making skills to Alaska. As mentioned previously, there was quite a colony of Croatian fishermen in the San Francisco Bay Area so he was not without friends there. He made trips between the two localities on business, and at one time apparently took two of his sons with him. There is an interesting notation in the San Francisco City Directory of 1901 of a "Petrovich Canning Co." that was still listed in 1905. There was also a "Nick Petrovich" listed. So far it is not known if these listings were for this particular family or not, but it does tell us that there were others of his nationality active in fishing during that period. On the 1900 Census, his "Home Address"is given as San Francisco, California, this leads us to the conclusion that he perhaps felt as much at home there as in Klawock ... much as fishermen do today that live in Seattle or the Pacific Northwest and fish Alaska during the season.

In due time, he constructed a large house in which everyone lived until their own houses were built after marriage. And the houses were all close together. He became a charter member of the Order of Moose in Craig, Alaska. His name appears on their charter roll, spelled differently. In fact, the name spelling appears in many different forms in various records: Petovich, Paratovich, Peratovich, and ultimately Peratrovich.

John was a short man, with swarthy complexion and generally wore a mustache. His earliest picture still intact is that of him with his first two daughters and their mother which appeared on the "Family Brands Salmon" around 1900. When one of these girls died in 1901, the label was retired. We are grateful for the wonderful picture of John and most of his family taken before his untimely death in the winter of 1915. His boat had capsized going between the cannery and Klawock village, and although he was rescued succumbed to kidney disease as a result of exposure,

PERATROVICH, ROY Engineer-Artist

Roy Peratrovich Jr. is the elder son of the late Roy and Elizabeth Peratrovich, who were well known Tlingit Indian civil rights leaders in Alaska. The State of Alaska has designated February 16 as Elizabeth Peratrovich Day in honor of her work toward antidiscrirnination. Roy was born in 1934 in Klawock, Alaska and attended schools in Klawock and Juneau. He graduated from South High School in Denver, Colorado. Roy earned his BSCE degree from the University of Washington in 1957, where his fraternity was Tau Kappa Epsilon, He is a member of the Raven Clan. of' the Tlinglit Tribe of Southeast Alaska. In 1962, Roy became the first Alaska Native to be registered as professional civil engineer. He worked as a bridge designer for the City of Seattle, Washington and the State of Alaska, then as a structural engineer in the private sector. In 1979, he co-founded Peratrovich, Nottingham & Drage, Inc., a nationally recognized engineering firm with offices in Anchorage, Juneau and Seattle. In 1999 Roy retired from PN&D and turned full time to his life long love of creating art, a natural talent that had been put on hold for many years. Often drawing on tribal legends, he loves telling a story through his art. His studio is at his home on Bainbridge Island, Washington where he wecomes visitors. Although he works in other media, sculpture is his favorite form of expression.

PERATROVICH, ROY Indian Affairs

Roy Peratrovich died in Alaska but left his mark indelibly carved in history. Of Croatian father and an Indian mother, Peratrovich was fighting discrimnation before most of us knew the meaning of the word. Living in Juneau, Alaska in the forties, he and his wife saw signs banning natives in Juneau. They went to work. They helped to win passage of an antidiscrimination bill by Alaska's Territorial Legislature in 1945. He died in February of this year. Mr. Peratrovich later joined the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs, becoming superintendent of Anchorage offices. His wife Elizabeth was grand president of the Alaska Native Sisterhood. A remarkable couple. This information comes from an obituary in the New York Times via our anonymous Bureau Chief who keeps us apprised of happenings the world over.1989.

PERATROVICH, SELINA Native Arts

"I am from a family of weavers. My sisters, April Churchill and Holly Churchill Burns, weave cedar bark and spruce root basketry. My grandmother, Selina Adams Peratrovich, was the first Native to teach the traditional art of basket weaving at the University of Alaska. Before she passed on in 1984, she was honored with the Alaska State Governor’s Award for her contribution in preserving this traditional art. My mother, Delores Churchill, became a teacher of basketry to continue passing on this ancient tradition. She received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Alaska. I strive to attain and maintain the high quality and skill that my relatives and ancestors established. I feel privileged to be part of the revival of these techniques. To ensure that this tradition isn’t lost I am passing on the knowledge to my own children."

PERENCEVICH, NICK and ELI Doctors

Two brothers, lifetime members of Zumberak Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 859 of Cleveland, Ohio, have distinguished themselves in the medical field. General Surgeon Nick Perencevich, MD, at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, dedicates most of his practice to the surgical diagnosis and treatment of cancer. His older brother, Dr. Eli Perencevich, now retired from private practice, continues to serve his community as the Medical Director of Hospice of Columbus, Ohio and as a consultant at the Board of Disability Determination.

Dr. Nick Perencevich is heavily involved in the planning and development of the Center for Cancer Care at Concord Hospital where he serves as Medical Staff President. He emphasized that the construction of a full service cancer center, with all methods of treatment and support services located in one place will provide better patient care and allow physicians to communicate more easily. "Improving communication in an expanding medical staff and medical community is a real challenge, especially, as the population of Concord and the surrounding communities continues to grow," Dr. Nick said. "It doesn't mean that we are not doing a good job now, but with everything under one roof, we are going to take even better care of our patients."' Dr. Nick left Cleveland for his undergraduate degree and medical training at Dartmouth College. After graduating from Dartmouth, he attended Harvard Medical School and received all of his surgical training at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. But in many ways, he feels he never left New Hampshire which is one of the reasons he returned there 13 years ago. I am very lucky to be part of the medical staff at Concord Hospital," Dr. Nick stated. "I think the people in this town believe in the hospital. They tend to stay in Concord for their care because they realize the care is quite good here. And the hospital administration understands that, making sure that we have a qualified medical staff." Dr. Nick resides in Concord with his wife and three children, two daughters, 22 and 17 and a son, 20.

Dr. Eli and Ilona Perencevich were married in 1963 after Eli's first year of medical school at the Des Moines College of Osteopathic Medicine. They moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1966 when Dr. Eli began his internship at Doctors Hospital where he became involved in cancer care. Following his internship, Dr. Eli completed is residency in Internal Medicine at Doctors Hospital. He is certified with the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He devoted 27 years to his community in his practice with Victorian Village Internal Medicine, specializing in Medical, Oncology. He was clinical associate professor of medicine at the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and Hematology/Oncology course director there from 1980-1995, receiving the Master Teacher Award in 1987. In addition, Dr. Eli was clinical assistant professor of medicine in the Ohio State University College of Medicine. He continues his active membership in the American Osteopathic Association, the Ohio Osteopathic Association and the Sixth District Academy of Osteopathic Medicine. Eli is also a diplomat on the National Board of Examiners with the AOA. His service to the central, Ohio community is exemplary. His wife, Ilona, a member of St. Nicholas Lodge 47 in Cleveland, has been a well respected educator in the Columbus area, having taught English and History at Bexley Junior High School and public speaking at the Wellington School'where she also served as first chairperson of the English Department and a sponsor of the Cum Laude Society. Dr. Eli and Ilona are the proud parents of two married children, Dr. Eli Jr., and Ilka. They served as honorary chairpersons of one of Columbus' premier social events, the 2002 Snowflake Charity Ball. Drs. Eli and Nick Perencevich have distinguished themselves in the field of cancer care.

PERIC, TOM Consulting

Tom Peric is the president of Galileo Communications, Inc., a communications consulting firm, that specializes in creating editorial products, and initiating public relations campaigns for its clients. Tom Peric attended The American University in Washington, D.C., where he also worked as a newspaper reporter.

PERICA-MOFFORD, ROSE Governor

Rose Perica Mofford, governor of Arizona, was born in Globe, Arizona June 10, 1922 as one of six children of John and Frances Perica. Both parents were born in Croatia. Father, John, was born in Makarska on August 23, 1889. As a young man of 17 John left his beautiful Makarska to seek opportunity in America. He arrived in Globe Azizona in 1915, where many Croatians lived at that time and worked in copper mines. There was a large Croatian community in this booming Arizona town. John was a member of Catholic Church and Croatian Fraternal Union, Lodge 884. Mother Frances was born in Struga on May 4, 1892. She and John were married in 1912 and had six children: Eva, Ann, John Jr., Steve, Mary, and Rose. Mary and Rose are only children still alive. John died in August 1954 and Frances in October 1970. From her early age Rose was recognized for her personal qualities and her leadership. In her senior year she was chosen "most outstanding" student and class valedictorian in 1940. She was also an excellent athlete earning an All-American status in her softball team and has been introduced twice into Arizona Softball Hall of Fame. She was also an excellent basketball player. Rose left Globe and moved to Phoenix to begin a career in state government, starting as a secretary in Arizona's Treasurer's office. From there she moved to work in the Tax Commission, to business manager of Arizona Highways magazine and then she became Assistant Secretary of State. During this time she continued her education attending Phoenix College and then the US Defense Industrial College. She also learned the sign language to be able to communicate with the deaf. Her husband, policeman, T. R. "Lefty" Mofford died in 1982. She never remarried. In 1975 Rose became Assistant director in the Department of Revenue, in charge of administration. Governor Vesly Bohn appointed her Secretary of State in 1977. A year later she was elected the Secretary of State, continuing to be re-elected and served as Secretary of State for more than 10 years. Rose was regarded as a model of efficiency with a special "Mofford" touch. Rose became governor of Arizona after resignation of Evan Mecham. As the Secretary of state, according to Arizona Constitution, she became governor of the state to complete term of departing governor. As governor of Arizona Rose issued a Proclamation with which she declared May 30th 1990 as Croatian Day for the State of Arizona in response to the historical happenings in Croatia. As Arizona governor Rose greeted Cardinal Kuharic on his visit to Croatian Community in Phoenix, November 25, 1988 addressing Cardinal and the Croatian Community at the reception following Cardinal's Mass which she attended.

PERICAK, MATT T. Tamburitza Hall of Fame

"My entire life has. been devoted to propagating the Tamburitza. not only among Croatian people, but among all peoples". With these humble words, Matt T. Pericak paints a beautiful mosaic of his 81 years on this earth in a manner far more meaningful than any poet or artist could do. Mr. Pericak's entire life has been one of undying love and dedication to the music of his forefathers. He has performed in Tamburicza groups throughout the United States, was a radio personality and has toured in Croatia. Mr. Pericak has been honored for his extraordinary career in Tamburitza by being chosen as one of six 1995 inductees to the TAA Hall of Fame. Mr. Pericak's musical career began as a mere lad of five years old. He played the violin, piano .and Tamburitza. He said he pursued Tamburicza because it was important to him, as it was to the Croatian people. He attended Duquesne University in 1937, and toured West as far as Denver with the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. The Tamburitzans also performed radio engagements in such midwestern states as Illinois, Wisconsin and Nebraska. He also toured through Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and in Washington, D.C., performing at churches, clubs, weddings and picnics. For a number of years, Mr. Pericak played with the Danny Kukich Orchestra and the Kosova Orchestra for many years. During that time, he recorded four albums featuring, the Tamburitza. He moved to California in 1979, and continued to play engagements on the West Coast from California to Washington State.

PERICICH, PETER King of Kapusa

Recent article in the San Francisco Examiner sent to us by Frank Forencich tells of Peter Pericich who brought a 6-inch cabbage plant from Split, Croatia and planted it in his yard in the Excelsior district of San Francisco, California.

That's a lot of cabbage. From 6 inches to 19 1/2 feet! Peter's secret is he gives it a glass of homemade wine each week, buries cabbage leaves near the roots and plants garlic around the stalk. Result--- family, friends, and neighbors will be enjoying cabbage dishes for months and months to come. He was pictured on a 16-foot ladder, supported by his wife, picking cabbage leaves. That's a lot of "Kupus".

PERKOV, ANTE Restaurant

A new street sign will be unveiled July 31, 2003 in the Los Angeles suburb of San Pedro. Renaming streets in Los Angeles is a matter not taken lightly by the City Council. A few weeks ago, after much heated debate, the Council tabled a proposal to rename a Bradley, a long time mayor of Los Angeles. But the Los Angeles City Council, without hesitation, unanimously voted to rename a portion of Palos Verdes Street to Ante Perkov Way. Ante Perkov, a Croatian immigrant, was a renowned restaurateur, philanthropist, and one of San Pedro's most outstanding citizens. While The Los Angeles Times devoted a great deal of space to the Councils decision making process, it only touched briefly upon Perkov's reputation as a community leader and his generosity in feeding the needy. His story could very well epitomize the American story. In 1940, working as a galley boy on a Croatian freighter, he jumped ship in Charleston, South Carolina. Following a series of tragic comic adventures Perkov arrived in San Pedro with two quarters in his pocket. Starting as a dishwasher in a greasy spoon dive, Perkov eventually created a little empire with his restaurant and catering business. Ante's Restaurant put Croatian cuisine in the vocabulary of Los Angeles' diverse gourmand landscape.

His first eating establishment was Tony’s cafe in 1945 with eight stools in the heart of San Pedro's rough and tumble waterfront that was epitomized by notorious Beacon Street. An area filled with watering holes like Shahghai Red's, Tommy's Goodfellows and White Swan were renowned to seamen throughout the world, his cafe soon became a oases for those who indulged in Beacon Street's temptations and politicians from City Hall up the street.

When reform minded dogooders instituted so called urban renewal the ever colorful historic Beacon Street establishments were razed and irreversibly altered the town's character. The resilient Perkov then opened Ante’s, a restaurant across from the Court House. He often jokingly said that the judges and lawyers that frequented his restaurant were shadier than the ones from old Beacon Street. His restaurant flourished to an extent that he soon outgrew the location. He finally settled in a huge complex on Palos Verdes Street. In the process of assimilating in America, Perkovs Croatian heritage took a back seat since he wholeheartedly embraced all that is good about his adapted country. Perkov's proudest day was when he became an American citizen. He made certain that the largest American flag in San Pedro flies over his restaurant.

Perkov never forgot the generosity strangers extended to him in his trek across America. With his ever present trademark of wearing a fresh carnation over his right ear, he never turned down a plea from those down on their luck either in form of cash or a meal. A tradition he carried out until his death. Perkov became involved with just about every civic service Club and charitable organization of the harbor. area. America has reciprocated his love and generosity. Aside from being elected Honorary Mayor of San Pedro, recipient of an honorary degree from Pepperdine University for humanitarism during his illustrious career he was honored Man of the Year by: the Salvation Army, Boys Club, Boy Scouts, Toberman Settlement House, and Lions Club. Numerous religious and other civic organizations also honored him. I believe there is no Croatian-American that has been more philanthropic than Perkov. And he has done so without fanfare, strings attached or for tax purposes

In the process he never lost his bearings. He remained the same Ante that he was when he had the little cafe on 7th Street. Ante was born in Tribunj on the Adriatic coast of Dalmatia, Croatia. (Blaskovich 2003)

Lunch at Ante’s

Plates heaped with cabbage rolls in sweet-sour sauce, spareribs and sausage nestled in sauerkraut and pot roast with mostaccioli emerge from the kitchen of Ante's Restaurant in San Pedro. Salads that mix iceberg lettuce, cucumber, red cabbage and onion with octopus appear on some tables. And dessert is flaky apple strudel that sends up clouds of powdered sugar at the touch of a fork. It's probably not surprising that there's a Croatian restaurant in San Pedro--by one estimate, there are roughly 15,000 Croatians living in this small city, probably the largest community in Southern California and possibly the West. What might be surprising is that Croatians aren't the main customers at Ante's. "They're good cooks. They don't eat out," explains Ante "Tony" Perkov, who took over the restaurant from his immigrant father, also named Ante. In Ante's kitchen, cooks are at work on stewed tripe, stuffed peppers, veal risotto and other Croatian favorites. Among the cooks is Vinka Popov, a blond Dalmatian woman who has worked for the Perkovs for 30 years. Popov, who makes the strudel, is from Komiza on the island of Vis, and a seaside scene of Vis decorates a wall at the front of the restaurant. Perkov's father came from Tribunj, another of the many places that line the Dalmatian coast.

PEROVICH, HELEN C. Music Teacher

Helen Milicic-Perovich was born August 11, 1921 in Lorain, Ohio. Her field is voice and soprano, and she is a graduate of the Detroit Institute of Arts. She can speak both Croatian and Italian. She is currently a director at Mike’s School of Music. She is a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, Legion of Mary, Daughters of Isabella, Croatian Fraternal Union, American Guild of Organists and assistant director of St. Patrick’s, Northfield, Michigan. She presently resides in San Pedro, California.

PERPICH CLAN

I am Joe Perpich, the youngest of the four sons of Anton Russ Perpich. This morning, speaking on behalf of my brothers, I want to recall the life of a remarkable man, our father. Our father's voyage through life, which was long and full of adventure and knowledge, began at his birth on November 22,1899, in a village of Croatia. That mountain village, which overlooked the beautiful Adriatic Sea, was known as Kriviput. There were several crooked paths through the mountain to my Dad's home, and hence the name of the village, which means "'Crooked Path."" With six brothers and two sisters, Dad was the youngest of nine children. His parents had a hard life trying to live off the family farm. Dad had to quit school after the fourth grade to work on the farm in the summer and at lumber camps in the winter to help support his family. At the age of 16, he went to fight in the first World War. He fought under the Austrians and was on the Russian front. Because there was so little food, soldiers often went 5-to-10 days without eating. Dad lost many relatives and friends on the front. He told us about a friend who was hit in the head from a rifle shot. His brains splattered on Dad. The horrors of that war were forever etched on Dad's soul.

When he went home at the end of the war, his parents told him he had no future there. As the youngest in the family, he must go to America and build a new fife. And so, in 1920, he struck out for America. After a train from Zagreb, through Paris, to LeHavre and then by boat to Southampton, Dad boarded the Empress of France and landed six days later in St. John’s, Canada. From there he took a train and arrived in Hibbing, Minnesota, on Christmas day. He came to Join his older brother Rudy and work in the mines. His goal was to earn $2,000 and then return to his home above the sea. However, it was on the Iron Range that Dad was to spend the rest of his life. It was in Minnesota that Dad met our mother, Mary Vukelich. Her parents had come to America around 1900 from the same seacoast village as my father. He knew our mother's family well. Our mother and father were married on August 14,1927. They had five children - one girl, Bunny, who died at the age of one, and four boys. We lived in Carson Lake, a mining town about five miles from Hibbing. The house was small, so the four sons shared a bedroom. We all remember the cold winters of our childhoods. Like the other miners, Dad walked to work - often 10 miles a day - and in the winter, he walked in 40o temperatures! He would come home from work and fall asleep eating dinner from the edge of the coal-and-wood stove m our kitchen. My father worked in the mines 10 hours a day for $3 - 30 cents an hour. It was hard for our parents, but what sustained them were the friendships and the spirit of life in Carson Lake, and the dream for a better life for their kids. Our house was always full of good company. I especially enjoyed the weekly visits of John and Zora Pavelich, who were like a second set of parents to my brothers and me. We loved to listen to their funny stories of the revenuers in the"20s coming to confiscate the moonshine, the nostalgic stories of their early lives in the old country, and the sober stories of the harsh life in the mines, with countless strikes as the miners were being recruited into the union movement.

In discussions around the kitchen table in those years, we also learned how much of our father's perspective on life came from his experience in the first World War and the ethnic conflicts in the Balkans, which dominate the news again today. In our household, there was zero tolerance for any expression of racial, religious, or ethnic prejudice. My father was adamant in his determination that the hatreds and prejudices in the old country would not gain root and flourish in American soil - or at least not in his household. He made sure that we had the friendships of Slovenians, Serbians, and Bosnians. In our home we often celebrated Christmas with our Serbian friends. He also went out of his way to befriend Scandinavians, Italians, and others he met at work. Our father also knew full well the scourge of anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe, and he would have none of it. He often expressed his admiration for Jews who overcame historic barriers of discrimination, which he keenly felt as an Eastern European immigrant to this country. He believed many of the problems in the Balkans could be solved through economic development and a commitment to education, and he believed the same remedies could be applied in America to deal with economic, racial, and social inequities.

Life as we knew it in Carson Lake ended in June 1951. The mining companies needed the land to mine the ore beneath it. All of the houses had to be moved, and we went to Ryan Addition in Hibbing. Dad had bought a lot from Mike and Frances Perpich which adjoined their property, and they became a second family to us. It was there that our parents made their home for the next 45 years. We felt the prosperity of postwar America, but soon after the move from Carson Lake, tough times were ahead personally for our parents. Our mother suffered a series of major depressions, and Dad was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1953. He was sent to the Nopeming Sanitarium on a hill outside Duluth, where he remained for one and a half years. Even though he disliked the confinement intensely, he turned it into an opportunity. Dad's indomitable spirit led him to teach himself to read English fluently. How did he do it? He read all of the Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour novels he could get his hands on. For the rest of his life, Dad loved westerns on radio and later on TV, and he was addicted to the likes of Jim Arness and John Wayne.

In the 1950s my brother Rudy began his career in public life with his campaigns for the Hibbing school board. Life was never the same for the Perpich household after Rudy's victory in 1956. The lives of our parents and our family have been documented in Minnesota newspapers, radio, and television for the past 40 years. The Minneapolis Star in 1975 did a profile of our father, and it said "Anton Perpich -Work was God." The article described how our brother Rudy didn't speak English when he began school. But our parents had taught us that if you worked hard enough, you would succeed at anything you did. Dad often reminded us that our last name was Perpich, not Rockefeller, which he pronounced "Rowking-feller." Trained as dentists, all three brothers put their energies into state politics. Rudy progressed from school board member to state senator, and ultimately Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Minnesota. Tony became a state senator and rose through the ranks to become chair of the powerful Senate committee on taxes. He went on to become Commissioner of the Department of Public Service for the state of Minnesota. George became a state senator, and eventually chaired the committee on health and welfare, another powerful position in the state legislature. Now a lobbyist, he is involved with state legislators, a group with whom he has always enjoyed working. As for me, I took my parents' desire for education really to heart, graduated from schools of medicine and law, and was also trained as a psychiatrist. My mother told me she never in her wildest dreams thought one of her sons would go to school until he was in his early thirties! In both our private and public lives, my brothers and I have been sustained by the values and strengths of our parents. An article in the Minneapolis Tribune captured it well. "'Anton and Mary were strong people who overcame great odds, stubborn people determined to educate their sons so they could leave the tiny mining community in which they were born." Our father was quoted as saying, "You get nothing for nothing. But money is not that important; I've got no money. [Our children] got no money, but we're rich."

Our father would instinctively have understood the closing lines of Cavafy's poem "'Ithaca." Cavafy wrote that we should ""always keep Ithaca fixed in your mind./ To arrive there is your ultimate goal./ ... rich with all that you have gained on the way,/ not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches./ Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage. With the great wisdom you have gained, with so much experience,/ you must surely have understood by then what Ithacas mean." For our parents and for other immigrants, America was their Ithaca. Our parents often told us that despite the poverty and hardship for the immigrants, America offered the dream of a good life for their children. Our parents regarded with amazement and satisfaction their sons influence on public life in Minnesota and especially on the Iron Range. How fitting that their son Rudy would build Iron World, with its Interpretative Center devoted to the lives of the immigrants, to the Iron Range in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The center is a living and breathing monument that honors the lives of those immigrants who did so much to make America the great country it is today. As our parents always told us, "Only in America could this happen!"

Dad retired in the early 1960s and, for the past 35 years, had been the helpmate and soul mate of our mother, who suffered a great deal from her recurrent bouts of depression. He sustained her and she sustained him. We were fortunate to have all four sons celebrate with Mom and Dad their 60th wedding anniversary in August 1987. Five years ago Mom broke her hip in a fall and had to move to a nursing home.

My daughter Sarah, who was then 11, wrote a poem for Grandma. It includes the following lines: "Grandma is like a glass vase that keeps on breaking;/ But Grandpa keeps putting it together again, by gluing the pieces on, one by one." For those five years Dad was at her side daily, attending to her needs. He helped her with breakfast and lunch. And he kept her company throughout her slow decline into a dementia where, for the most part, she did not recognize her Tona, with whom she had lived for 69 years. And then, a year ago, Dad faced the untimely death of his oldest son, our brother Rudy. In the nursing home last Thursday, Dad fainted. He was taken to Hibbing General Hospital, where he died four days later from a heart attack. Like Edmund Wilson, one of America's greatest essayists, Dad understood the "dark defile" of old age. Although he was ready for his "Appointment in Samarra," he was determined to live independently as long as he could in his house, and he so did. We shall all miss this remarkable man and remember him for his passions, his spirit, and, yes, his cantankerousness and hectoring throughout our lives to have us make something of ourselves. Living in this family carried an awesome responsibility, given our parents' origins and what they achieved. God bless you, Dad, and may God give you the well-deserved peace you sought in your last years for you and our mother, your beloved Marica. Sa Bogom bite, Tata moye! (Be with God, my Dad!)

PERPICH, ANTONIO Saloon

Antonio Perpich had a saloon and lodging house in Los Angeles in 1884. He married a Spanish girl in the Oregon Territory in 1857 and had three children. Prior to coming to Los Angeles, he had a restaurant and hotel in San Francisco. He was an American citizen and voted in the Oregon Territory.

PERPICH, JOE Deputy Sheriff

“Little Joe” Perpich came from Dalmatia. For many years “Little Joe” served as interpreter and Deputy Counselor in Los Angeles, which office is today termed Deputy Sheriff. He was a well known and liked figure around the Plaza and lived with other Los Angeles figures north of the Plaza on a lane, which is today one of Los Angeles’ outstanding landmarks, Olivera Street. “Little Joe” passed away about 1900.

PERPICH, RUDY Governor-State Senate-Dentist

Governor Rudy Perpich is living proof of the value of a good education. He could not speak a word of English when he began school at the age of five. Dedicated teachers taught him the language and prepared him for leadership. (governor Perpich was born in the sinall Minnesota mining town of Carson Lake. He graduated from Hibbing High School and immediately enlisted in the army. Following his discharge, he attended Hibbing Junior College, where he earned an Associate of Arts degree. He received a Dootor of Dental Surgery degree from Marquette University. Rudy and Lola Simic of Keewatin, Minn. were married on Sept. 4, 1954. They have two children, Rudy and Mary Sue. Rudy Perpich served on the Hibbing Board of Education for 6 years. He served two terms in the Minnesota State Senate. He was elected lieutenant governor of Minnesota in 1970 and re-elected to that position in 1974. He succeeded Wendell Anderson as governor in 1976, when Anderson assumed a U.S. Senate seat vacated by Vice President Walter Mondale. Rudy Perpich served as the 34th governor of Minnesota from December 1976 to January 1979. After being defeated in the 1978 gubernatorial election, he served in Vienna, Austria, as vice president of World Tech Inc., a subsidiary of Control Data Corp., from January 1979 until May 1982. He was elected governor in the November 1982 general election. He was re-elected in November 1986, and served as governor until 07 January 1991. Rudy Perpich served as governer of Minnesota longer than any other governor in Minnesota history. Governor Perpich received national recognition for his education programs. President Reagan and President Bush both praised Governor Perpich's education reform program as "model for the nation". National publications including Fortune, the Christian Science Monitor and the New York Times all identified Governor Perpich's education programs as national leaders. Governor Perpich served as Chairman of the Education Commission of the States. Governor Perpich is also recognized for his work in economic development. USA Today called Governor Perpich "the best governor in the U.S. for hi-tech industry". Financial World said Minnesota state government under Rudy Perpich is one of the best managed in the United States. Minnesota's export promotion program, developed by Governor Perpich, was rated the best state export promotion program in America. Rudy Perpich was one of the first governors to travel abroad to encourage international trade. He brought a World Trade Center to Minnesota, one of the first in the Midwest.

PERSHE, FRANK F. Librarian-Professor

Frank Pershe is a Librarian, Head of Technical Services, University of Missouri, Thomas Jefferson Library, St. Louis, Missouri. Born November 20, 1914 in Lepoglava, Croatia; married with three children. Education includes State Boys' Real Gymnasium, Zagreb. Graduate, 1933; University of Zagreb. Master's in Forestry 1933-38; Univ. of Zagreb. Certificate, First State Examination in Anthropogeography, 1943; University of Munich, Doctorate in Economics, 1949; Western Reserve University, Cleveland, M.L.S. 1965 with a major field in Library Technical Services, Forest Ecology, Anthropogeography. Thesis completed in 1949 Adriatic-Danubian Region. Its Economic Recuperation. Ph.D., University of Munich; Library of Qumran, M.L.S.1965; Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. Member Special Library Association, New York.

PERSICH, JOHN N. Druggist-Military

John N. Persich, druggist and outstanding civic leader, is the proprietor of the leading retail drug establishment at Buras, a business enterprise established by Mr. Persich in 1934 and which is thoroughly modern and up-to-date in every respect. Mr. Persich, a registered pharmacist, before the establishment of his own drug store in Buras, had been associated for some years with a brother, Nicholas Persich, Jr., in the operation of a drug store in New Orleans. The Buras store has modern equipment and carries a complete line of drugs, toiletries and sundries.

John N. Persich was born at Empire, Louisiana, on the twenty-fourth of January, 1897, a son of the late Nicholas J. Persich and Anna (Carevich) Persich, both natives of Croatia, and who were married in this country on the twentysixth of June, 1893. The elder Persich was born at Dalmatia, Croatia, in 1864, and came to the United States, settling at Empire, Louisiana, when he was twentytwo years of age. He became a naturalized American citizen in 1912 and followed the ship carpenter's trade until -shortly before his death which occurred on the sixth of May, 1931. The motber passed away on the fifth of August, 1932.

Mr. Persich attended the local Parish schools until he had finished the sixth grade. and then went to Soule College in New Orleans where he was graduated in 1915. For four years after graduating at Soule he did accounting work and served a brief enlistment' in the infantry corps of the United States army in1918, when he received. an honorable discharge following signing of the armistice which terminated the first World War. Following the. conclusion of his period of military service Mr. Persich took up pharmacy while working for his brother, completed a pharmaceutical course at Tulane and was licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy in 1925.

On the fifteenth of June, 1921, Mr. Persich was married to Miss Anna Kern, a native of New. Orleans, and daughter of C. B. Kern a well known engineer. Mr. and Mrs. Persich are the parents of two children, Anna Eloise, born the first of April, 1922, graduate of Dominican College and now attending Loyola University, and Adelia Rose Persich, born the thirteenth of February, 1925, a student in the Buras High School.

An active leader in the civic affairs of Buras, Mr. Persich is a member of the American Legion, Forty and Eight, the Knights of Columbus and Parent-Teachers Association, and is on the transportation and communications committees. of the local Red Cross Chapter. He is very prominent in the social and civic activities of the local Slavonian colony and has been a member of the United Slavonian Benefit Association for a quarter of a century.

PERSICH, NICHOLAS J. Ship Carpenter

Nicholas J. Persich and Anna (Carevich) Persich, both natives of Croatia, and who were married in this country on the twenty sixth of June, 1893 came to the United States, settling at Empire, Louisiana, when he was twenty two years of age. The elder Persich was born at Dalmatia, Croatia, in 1864, and he became a naturalized American citizen in 1912 and followed the ship carpenter's trade until shortly before his death which occurred on the sixth of May, 1931. Anna passed away on the fifth of August, 1932. He is very prominent in the social and civic activities of the local Slavonian colony and has been a member of the United Slavonian Benefit Association for a quarter of a century. They have sons John and Nicholas.

PERUSINA CLAN Farm-Sheriff

For nearly sixty years now I’ve had a love affair with a place called Cupertino. This is where my father settled seventy-one years ago. This is where my brothers, sisters and I were raised, and his is where I’ve raised my family. The Perusina family originated in Croatia on the Dalmatian Coast. It was here that my grandparents, Miho and Katherine Perusina farmed their land with the help of their eight children. Five of their children eventually migrated to the United States. The first to do so was their eldest son John. He came to the States in 1902. Upon his arrival, John settled in the Cupertino area. He was attracted to this particular spot because so many of his countrymen had already settled here. John found employment here as a ranch hand for one dollar a day plus room and board.

In 1904 my father, the second eldest son, Nick Perusina, migrated to this country and, like his brother John, Nick chose to settle in the Cupertino area. He found employment on the Nick Carevich ranch on Stevens Creek Road. In 1906, shortly after the San Francisco earthquake, John left California and traveled to Butte, Montana, where he found work in the copper mines. He returned to Croatia in 1908 where he resided until his death.

My father continued on in the Cupertino area and after the 1906 earthquake, he became a teamster for the McGuinis firm in Sunnyvale. The firm was hauling gravel from the gravel pits which are still located at Butcher’s Corners between Sunnyvale and Santa Clara. The gravel was hauled by horse and wagon to the Sunnyvale railroad depot where it was loaded onto railroad cars and transported to San Francisco for the reconstruction of the city. After a few more years as a teamster and ranch hand, my father then became ranch foreman on the Frank J. Murphy ranch located on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road at the Azule railroad crossing.

In the spring of 1910, Karle Stepcevic, a young lady from Croatia, came to California and settled with her brother on Prospect Road in Cupertino. Nick Perusina fell in love with Karle and romance developed. They were married that same year in St. Joseph of Cupertino Church. The couple was blessed with their first child, Mitchell, in 1911. In 1912 they purchased a five acre ranch on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road, just south of Prospect Road. For the next few years they continued living on the Murphy ranch. My father maintained his job as foreman while farming his own five acres at the same time. In 1913 my parents had their second son, Walter. I was born in 1915, and my brother Carl arrived in 1917. It wasn’t until 1919 that Nick and Karle were blessed with their only daughter, Catherine. By this time, they had a home built on their small ranch and were living on their own land. A carpenter built the home for them charging five dollars for a ten hour day. My parents purchased their first automobile, a Model T Ford, in 1918.

It was in the summer of that year during the prune harvest, that heavy rains came and ruined the crops for all the growers in the valley. Prunes were sun dried at that time; one summer storm could wipe out an entire years crop. Transporting the harvested crops in those days was quite a bit different than we know it today. Boxes of fruit were stacked onto large wagons and were then pulled by horses to the fruit companies. I remember my father taking his prunes to a buyer by the name of Russell. He was located in Saratoga on Highway 9 south of Pierce road. I believe the price of prunes was something like one and a half cents per pound. Dried apricots sold for five cents a pound. We later sold our fruit to the Rosenberg Brothers in Santa Clara and after that to the Sunsweet Co-op.

One memory I have of living on Saratoga-Sunnyvale road is sitting under a prune tree watching the army march by. They were coming from the presidio in San Francisco and marching to Monterey. After camping one night on the Stanford campus, they were now continuing on their way. The cook wagons were the first to go by; they were followed by the infantry. These foot soldiers wanted to be sure to precede the calvary which followed on horses. The caissons were he last to come by. This military parade would last all day and made it difficult for a yound boy to keep his mind on his chores.

In 1920 my parents purchased a 25 acre ranch on Johnson Avenue and moved the family there in 1921. The new ranch was planted in prunes, apricots and peaches. The children attended the Lincoln School at Saratoga-Sunnyvale and Prospect Roads and then later the Cupertino Union Grammar School and Fremont High School. To feed the family, my parents worked long, hard hours raising and preserving vegetables and fruits. Chickens were raised the year round, and hogs were butchered every fall. Ham, bacon and sausage was home cured. Home made bread was baked twice a week.

For other needs, such as groceries, implements, fertilizers, and such, articles were purchased at the Cupertino General store operated by Mr. Arch Wilson and Mr. Harold Dixon. Credit was always extended to the local ranchers until after their fruit harvested.

When there was a little extra money I remember the special times we had as kids when we took the streetcar into San Jose. We’d get on the car at Saratoga and Prospect road. For ten cents we could ride to First Street in San Jose. There, we spent fifteen cents each to see the latest movie. If times were good, we could afford another fifteen cents to splurge at the creamery. We had to have another ten cents for our return trip home. Our night on the town could cost us a total of fifty cents each. that was big money to us, and those excursions were not too frequent but always very special.

Both of my parents became citizens of the United States and were very proud of this fact. They were kind, understanding people who were always ready to help their friends and neighbors in any way they could. As busy as my father was, working in the orchards all day, he still found time to sit down and write poetry in the evenings. A number of his poems, written in Croatian, were published in a Croatian book circulated throughout the States.

As the years went by, my brothers, Mitchell and Walter turned to ranching in the area. I entered the Santa Clara County Sheriffs office as a deputy in 1939. Carl became an auto and tractor mechanic under the guidance of Louis Paviso in Cupertino and later operated his own shop on the home ranch. My sister Catherine found employment with the Bank of America in Santa Clara.

At the outbreak of World War 11, Walter and I entered the army and both served three years in the South Pacific. My father passed away at O’Connors Hospital in San Jose in 1955 at the age of 69. My mother died of a heart attack while on a trip to Nevada in 1961. She was 70 years old. Walter passed away while fishing at a beach in Santa Cruz County in 1956; he was 45 years old.

Mitchell is retired now and lives with his wife Kathryn. They have a home in San Jose. Their eldest son, Miton Jr. passed away in 1967. Their youngest son, Richard, also resides in San Jose. He and his wife Sue have two children. Richard inherited a love for the land. Besides being employed by the Paul Mariani Fruit Company, he is also a walnut grower. Since his father’s retirement, Richard has found an extra pair of hands to help with the tractor work and such.

I retired from the Sheriffs Department as a Captain after 35 years of service. My wife Clara and I reside on Stolling Road in Cupertino. Our property was originally the old Stalling ranch and some of the original buildings are still intact and fairly well preserved. I keep busy on the few acres we have left by caring for the family orchard. Our oldest daughter, Carla resides in Illinois with her husband Jerry Argenti. Prior to moving out there, Carla was a fourth grade teacher at Nimitz School in the Cupertino Union School District. Anne, our second daughter, is an English teacher at Monta Vista High School. Her husband, Earl Eubacks is a deputy with the Sheriffs Department. They reside in Saratoga. Nick, our only son, is also a deputy sheriff and presently resides with us on Stolling. He won’t be living there very much longer as he plans on marrying in the fall of this year. Mary, our youngest daughter, is a freshman at the University of Southern California. She hopes to make a career in journalsim.

My brother Carl lives in Saratoga with his wife Jean and their son Carl Junior. Carl operates a repair shop in Saratoga and also farms fruit orchards in that area.

My sister Catherine lives in San Jose with her husband Richard Scanlan. He is affiliated with a home appliance firm in San Jose. Their son Ed is an engineer with the Chemlex Corporation in Redwood City. He and his wife Linda live in San Jose. Catherine’s daughter Pat is employed by the Bank of America in San Jose. She and her husband, Ken Massa, also live in San Jose.

This does not complete the Perusina family picture. As I mentioned earlier, five of Miho and Katherine’s children migrated to the United States. Another one to do so is my uncle Mike. He arrived in Cupertino in 1911. The last stage of his voyage from Croatia was an electric trolley car ride to Cupertino from San Jose. He disembarked the trolley at Blaney Avenue. He stood there on a lonely country road in a new land, not knowing how to speak the language and found there was no one to greet him. Mr. Nick Bagar, a local Croatian rancher, happened by with his horse and buggy and rescued Mike and drove him to his brothers home. Mike soon found employment on a local ranch where he was paid $1.50 for a days work. He later settled on Miller Avenue in Cupertino and farmed property which is now part of Cupertino High School. He also purchased additional property and married Anne Knezevich. They have been married for fifty years now and presently reside in the Los Gatos-Almaden area.

Mike and Anne have two sons and a daughter. Sona Raymond and Danford farm fruit orchards and raise vegetables in the Almaden-Morgan Hill area. They have enlisted the help of their own sons to aid them in their work. At harvest times, Raymond’s wife Shirley and Danford’s wife Arlene, as well as their daughters, are doing their share in helping with the crops. Mike and Anne’s daughter Katherine lives with her husband Al Farnisaro and their four children in Millbrae, California.

There is also a sister, Nellie Perusina Zao, that migrated from Croatia. She settled in Chicago in 1910 and soon after was married. She and her husband moved to Cupertino in 1911 where they purchased a small ranch on Saratoga Avenue. Part of their ranch is now a section of the 280 freeway. Nellie is now 85, a widow, and resides in San Jose.

Antone, the youngest brother to migrate to the States, came to Cupertino in 1923. After several years in the area, he then moved to Lodi, California. he married and he and his wife settled down on a large vineyard. They had one daughter Katherine who passed away in 1945. Antone raised grapes in Lodi until his death in 1967. his widow still resides in the Lodi area.

There have been a lot of changes in the this valley since my family first settled here. A lot of its original, natural beauty has been altered by freeways and homes and other buildings. The orchards that once dominated the land are rapidly diminishing, The heritage and pride in this area, however, still live in the people that have grown and changed with it.

PESELJ, BRANKO M. Attorney-Professor

Branko Peselj is an Attorney at Law and Professor of Law at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Born Feb. 5, 1909 in Zagreb, Croatia. Education included Universite de Nancy, France; Ecole Libre des Sciences Politiques, Paris, France; University of Exeter, England; Univ.'of George Washington University, Washington, D.C. LLL.B., J.D.; Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., Ph.D.

PESUT, GEORGE Music-Sports

George was born July 7, 1931, in South Chicago, Illinois, the son of Croatian immigrants, Helen and George "Galama" Pesut. He graduated from Bowen High School in 1949. After working in the steel mills, George played football at Compton Junior College in California. He was then recruited to play football for the College of Idaho, where he was an All-Conference defensive halfback. George graduated from the College of Idaho, in 1954. He then coached the Fruitland High School football team to a championship season before being drafted into the United States Army. While stationed in Germany, "Coach" Pesut was assigned to special services as Athletic and Recreation Coach of the 3rd Armored Division. Upon his return from duty, George continued to coach in the Chicago area and resumed his courtship with Ruthe Iverson of Boise, whom he met while attending the College of Idaho. George and Ruthe were married at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Boise, August 16, 1958. After living a year in Chicago, they moved to California, where George attended Stanford University and received his Masters Degree in Physical Education. For the next 30 years he coached football and taught for the Campbell Union High School District. In addition to his love for football and his family, George was proud of his Croatian heritage and culture. He has played in a Croatian Tamburitza band for the past 30 years. He was a 50-year member of the Croatian Fraternal Union and Vice President/ Treasurer of the Tamburitza Association of America, and a member of AM-SLAV men's club. He was also a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge. George M. Pesut, 69, of San Jose, California formerly of South Chicago, died Saturday, July 22, 2000, at Boise, Idaho. George is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ruthe; a daughter, Michelle Pesut Otterness and her husband, Scott of Moorpark, CA; a daughter, Sheila Pesut Vince and her husband, Nate of San Jose, CA; his sister, Mary Taporis of Chicago, Ill.; his brother, Rudy and his wife, Mary of Manteno, Ill.; five grandchildren: Chelsea, Rachel, Claire, Nicole, Nathan George; and numerous nieces and nephews. George was instrumental in the recruiting of a number of student athletes from Chicago and California, to attend the College of Idaho. The Pesut family has set up a scholarship fund at the College of Idaho for future athletes in George's memory.

PETKOVICH, IVAN Farm

Ivan Petkovich, born on the Island of Korcula, Dalmatia, Croatia owned a large farm in the Sacramento area. He named this farm "Novo Kosovo", so the place could be found in the railroad booklets as "Novo Kosovo Station". At the entrance to the farm, there are names of Kosancich, Toplica...

PETRAS, JOHN W. Professor

John Petras is a Professor of Sociology at the Department of Sociology, Central Michigan University. Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Born February 17, 1940 in Ashland, Wiscosin; married with two children. Educated at University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, B.A., 1962; University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, Ph.D., 1966 with a major field in Sociology and Social Theory and Social Psychology. Thesis completed 1966 "The Genesis and Development of Symbolic Interactionism in American Sociology".

PETRASICH, VINCENT Fisherman-Fish Distributor

Founder of Star Fisheries,, Inc. in San Pedro, California. Vincent was born on March 17, 1887, Komiza, Island of Vis, Croatia. As a wholesale fish and lobster broker from 1924 to 1954, he distributed seafood throughout the Southern California area, as well as Nevada and Utah. His proficiency in languages (Croatian, English, Spanish, Portuguese, German and Italian) helped him to forge strong business relationships as well as personal friendships with the many ethnic groups that fished the waters of California and Mexico. In addition to providing quality seafood for consumers, he also provided bait to sport fishermen, among whom were many radio and motion picture celebrities of the day, such as Al Pearce and Clark Gable. Often at the end of a day's fishing, these men would enjoy a meal of lobster or "brodet", a traditional Croatian fish stew, prepared by Vincent in the upstairs kitchen of Star Fisheries. Ironically, three powerful forces of Croatian origin came together when Vincent's daughter Antoinette Petrasich married John Bez-Bezmalinovich in San Diego following a dinner party hosted by Louis Ursich, longtime friend of Nick Bez, in San Pedro, California.

PETRICH, MARTIN A. King of Ship Builders-Boarding House-Fisherman

One of the deans of the boat building industry was Martin Anthony Petrich, Sr. He was a man who was loved, feared, and respected throughout his ninety years. As it might often be said, it could not happen anywhere but in America. There were the elements of luck and breaks that come at the right time, but the success of Martin Petrich stemmed from hardship, privation, and determination against odds that seemed overwhelming. Born in 1880 in the port city of Starigrad, on the island of Hvar in Dalmatia, Croatia, he got his first view of America when he was seven-and-one-half years old. Martin, his mother, and his brother Jerry came to San Bernadino, California, where his father had preceeded them. At the untimely age of thirty-three, Martin's father died. He told him from his deathbed, "Martin, you are the man of the family now." He had a younger brother George and a sister Clara, who was born three months after his father was buried. Martin worked at odd jobs to help his family. In 1891, his mother moved the family to Tacoma where she had friends. She opened a boarding house and baked bread which Martin peddled wherever he could. At the age of eleven, he went to work in the Cushing and Young Shingle Company mill. He was a shingle weaver. Here he found that he was handy with tools.

Wages were very low, I received fifty cents a day for a ten hour day. During the last month I was employed by the firm, I received ten dollars for twenty days work and the check bounced. I went to other shingle mills and then decided to go fishing. We went gill netting at Point Roberts where I made between twenty and thirty dollars a season. After about a year, I went seining on a larger scale. We had twelve seine boats and scows with hand winches, which were towed by the tug Majestic to Port Townsend and to Kanaka Bay up the San Juan Islands. The net profit was less than $100.47 Fishing was a desperate battle of men against the sea. Heavy storms were encountered and boats were swamped. Petrich had become acquainted with machinery in the shingle mills, and when fishermen abandoned the oar-propelled boats in favor of larger ones with gasoline engines, they took him as a member of the crew to look after their unfamiliar machinery. He and associates purchased a boat called Elida, which was equipped with a ten horsepower engine. They operated this for two years.

After these experiences, he turned his attention to boats and building. Petrich had an opportunity to build a new house for Stephen Babare, and from that start, he became a contractor building houses, store buildings, and other structures. Next were waterfront projects, including a concrete dock that still stands in Gig Harbor. Martin was returning by ferry from his final inspection of the dock and talked with a friend, Joe Martinac. They looked at the Skansie Shipbuilding Company where Joe worked on the Gig Harbor waterfront. "If it weren't for the Babare Brothers (Tacoma Boatbuilders), I'd be in the boatbuilding business myself," said Martin. "They're friends of mine." Joe glanced again at the Skansie plant. "If it weren't for the Skansies, I'd do the same thing," he said. By the time the ferry docked in Tacoma, the two had formed a shipbuilding company. By the first of the year, they were driving piles. It was 1916, and the Western Boat Building Company was formed in a building in Old Town. William Vickart, a boat builder who had contracts for four or five vessels, joined with them and they began building seine. boats. Their first orders were for eight twenty-five footers, equipped with fifty horsepower Standard gas engines. The average cost was $2800 each. Eight seine boats were built within a period of eight months from December 27, 1916, to July 4, 1917. Shipbuilders, at that time, received but four dollars a day and helpers two dollars a day. Each of the three owners made two dollars and forty-seven cents a day. Joe Martinac left the partnership and obtained a position with the First World War plant of the Tacoma Shipbuilding Company, and later started his own company. Vickart was killed in an accident in 1921, and Petrich became bookkeeper, buyer, contractor, and superintendent. From that time on, he ran, his own plant. For some years when the going was rough, he was able to keep his crew of workmen ' together by building houses during the slack season. Then came the Depression year of 1933, and there was no demand for either boats or houses. Petrich decided to build a boat on speculation. He designed the largest boat he had ever built, the Western Pilot, eighty-six feet long. It was the only new boat registered in the United States that year. He credited his workmen with fifty cents an hour if they wanted to work. They were to be paid when the boat was sold. He approached lumbermen and supply houses with the same proposal, and all agreed to provide materials against the sale of the boat. In 1938, Petrich gained national repute through the Western Explorer, a 105-foot purse seiner which his son Hervey took through the Panama Canal and up to New England to show how fishing was done on the Pacific Coast.

Until World War II, the Western Boat Building Company had built only commercial vessels. At the start of the war, American military authorities began to crowd the Petrich plant with boats bought from fishermen which needed to be converted into mine sweepers and for other uses. The war had found the Petrich plant one of the few on the coast ready for work, and it had all it could do. In 1942, Petrich built a new plant in Tacoma. It comprised two-and-onehalf acres. Here many small craft for the government were built. This plant was destroyed in one of Tacoma's largest fires. It was known as the Petrich Shipbuilding Company's D Street yards. Other companies organized by Petrich include the Marine Iron Works of Tacoma and Western Lumber Manufacturing Company.

Throughout his career, Martin Petrich was active in civic and religious affairs.

Martin Petrich was tall, lean, and had a twinkle in his eye. He worked alongside his men and moved faster than most of them. He became a legend in his own time. He died in 1971.

PETRICH, MICHAEL Sheriff

Michael Petrich, an Alameda County sheriff’s deputy and amateur football player died during a game Saturday. Mr. Petrich, 38, a defensive tackle for the Sheriff’s Department team, suffered a heart attack as he walked to the locker room at halftime of a game against the Oakland Police Department team on the Alameda College campus. A member of the department for eight years, he played the past seven seasons with the Sheriff’s Department team. He worked as a jailer and was last assigned to planning the North County Detention Center, scheduled to open in May. Mr. Petrich, a lifelong resident of Concord, is survived by his wife, Sharon; a son, Michael Jr.; a daughter, Cathleen, all of Concord; his mother, Mildred Fagundes of Lafayette, and a brother, Donald of Troy, Montana.

PETRICH, VINCE Golf-Hotel

Vince Petrich received a trophy from golfing great Bobby Jones after winning the First Bobby Jones Golf Tournament held on Catalina Island, California, in April 1931. Petrich was born in Komiza, Island of Vis, off the Dalmatian coast and after arriving on Catalina became the owner of the Edgewater Hotel in Avalon. Petrich was a well-knwon and popular figure in the beautiful tourist resort.

PETRINOVICH, JAMES Restaurant-CPA-Military-Regent

Jim, a veteran of World War 11, was the founder of a prominent local CPA firm, and the owner of three restaurants and a nightclub. He was also active on Santa Clara University's Board of Fellows, serving as a past president. Jim was a former member of La Rinconada and Almaden Country Clubs. He enjoyed golf and traveling with family and friends. He knew how to celebrate life, and invited others to join him with his infectious smile and gentle presence. He had a gift for finding the best in people and helping everyone get a little more out of life. His love and devotion for his family was his greatest joy. Jim was respected and admired by many especially by his family. Jim was a devoted husband, father, brother and grandfather whose family values always came first. His wife, Evelyn, put the sparkle in his eye for 51 years. His children Ron Petrinovich and Linda Parkinson will carry on Jim's legacy of generosity and passionate enthusiasm for life. Jim was a great brother and friend to his sister Barbara Pelster and her husband Bill. His grandchildren Elizabeth, Jamie, Jennifer, Lindsay, Jon and Jessica will always remember their Grandfather's special love and affection for them. James Joseph Petrinovich died on October 30. 2001 in Los Gatos, California. His parents came to California from the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia at the turn of the century. He was a lifetime member of the Slavonic Mutual and Benevolent Society of San Francisco.

PETRINOVICH, JOSEPH Chef

Joseph and Margaret Forense-Petrinovich from the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia were married by Father Turk at the Croatian Church of The Nativity in San Francisco. Joseph was employed as a chef at the Del Monte Restaurant in San Jose where Joe and Margaret made their first home. Walt and Jim, their two sons soon came along. In the mid twenties the young family moved to Watsonville where Joe joined Margaret's brothers as a chef at Jim's Restaurant on Main Street. Barbara, their daughter, and youngest soon arrived. Watsonville was real country and the family enjoyed socializing at the many picnics that were held at the different ranches and parks. There was always songs, tons of food, good homemade wine and friendship. In 1936 the Petrinovich family moved to the Mission District of San Francisco where their neighbors were the Puizina family. They became very close friends of the Matulich and Eterovich families who introduced Joseph and his brothers to the Slavonic Society.

PETROVICH, DRAZEN Basketball-Olympics

There are not many great sportsmen of our times who have succeeded in bringing their country and its national colors onto the international scene, by accomplishing the best results in sports. Drazen Petrovic, a magician of the basketball game, was one of them. The Croatian Post and Telecommunications is issuing a commemorative stamp on the first anniversary of Drazen Petrovic’s death in the tragic car accident on 7 June 1993. In 1988 Drazen joined “Real”, a club from Madrid and after three years of successful playing he accomplished the dream of the dreams of all basketball players, when he scored his first goal for the colors of the best World League-the American NBA. At first he played for Portland Trail Blazers and from 1991 to his death he was wearing the colors of New Jersey Nets. During the nine years of his brilliant carrier he was the number one player on all basketball levels, in Spain, even in the USA where he was scorer number one of the NETS and the scorer number eleven of the NBA League. An effort to relieve the tragedy of his country struck by the Serbian aggression was Drazen’s gesture of courage when he hoisted the Croatian flag in front of the United Nations’ building asking the International Community to recognize his country and to accept it as a full member. Less than a year later, under the same flag, he led the Croatian team to the Olympic Final against the American Dream Team and won the “golden silver” in Barcelona. He was a born genius, a sportsman who played a subtle, intelligent kind of basketball game, a wizard of a ball, a true team leader.

PETROVICH, GEORGE Confederate Army-Killed in Action

At 8 a.m. on July 2, 1863, practically the whole of both armies were upon the field at Gettysburg. The Confederate Army lost 28,063 men as killed, wounded and missing; the Federals 23,049. Some were Croatian. Corporal George Petrovich volunteered on July 22, 1861, at Camp Moore, Louisiana, for Company D, 10th Louisiana Infantry. (The New Orleans Business Directory for 1860 lists George Petrovich at 111 Chartres Street, with a fruit store.) His enlistment papers state his residence at New Orleans. His service record was impressive, and I would like to pay this valiant young Croatian belated respect by stating the major historical battles he participated in as a Confederate soldier: Manassas, Williamsburg, Savage Station, Malvern Hill, Cedar Run, Chantilly, Harpers Ferry, Fredericksburg, Chancelorville, Winchester and Gettysburg. Corporal George Petrovich was wounded at Williamsburg on May 4, 1862. He paid the highest respect toward his adopted country at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. He died in battle far from his beloved Croatia. Could he be buried at Gettysburg? It would be interesting to know.

PETROVIC, VLADIMIR Tennis

Born in Koprivnica, Croatia, Petrovic was former National Champion of Croatia and a member of its Davis Cup Team.  He established residency in Southern California in 1959 and went on to capture the Southern California Tennis Championship eleven times.  In 1976, Petrovic was ranked number one in the USA Senior Vets.

PETRUCELA, KONRAD Croatian Activities

Born on the Island Vis, Dalmatia, Croatia in 1887. Moved in America in 1911; settled at first in New York and then in San Francisco. Member of Croatian Benevolent Society Zvonimir-Dalmatia and its president for several years. Member of Croatian Sokol in San Francisco. and a former Trustee of the Croatian Sokol of Pacific. Member and a former president of Croatian Union of the Pacific. Father of Albina and Pearl, both members of the Croatian Sokol and Society Zvonimir-Dalmatia.

PETRUSIC, ANTHONY A. Priest

Pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Croatian Church Omaha, Nebraska. Born December 10, 1930 to Croatian parents in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Education includes Johnstown High School, Graduate, 1949; Immaculate Conception College Seminary, Conception, Missouri, B.A., 1953; Mt. St. Bernard Seminary for Theological Studies, 1953-57; Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, M.A. in Education Administration, 1962; Diocesan Priests Advisory Board for the Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska; Board of Regents, Notre Dame Academy, Omaha; Associate Board of Regents, College of St. Mary; Archdiocesan Senate of Priests. Assistant Pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Croatian Church, Omaha, Nebraska, 1957-58; Archbishop Ryan High School, Omaha, Nebraska, Director of Guidance and Studies of Religion, 1958-1964; Professor of Philosophy and Theology, College of St. Mary, Omaha, Nebraska, 1961-63; Since 1962 - Director of Religious Vocations, Archdiocese of Omaha; Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Archdiocese of Omaha; Vice President, Nebraska Catholic Education Association; Chairman of the Archdiocese and Seminary Board, St. John Vianney Seminary, Elkhorn, Nebraska; Pastor of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, January, 1969.

PETRUSICH, JOHN Food Service

Born and raised in the Crocker Amazon district of San Francisco.. Worked at Cordova Market on Ralph & Naples Streets while going to Balboa High. Served in US Navy and married Louise in 1946 after his discharge. He also worked at various wholesale meat packers until he founded Merritt Food Service with a partner in 1970. Pete and George Biocini, life-long friends, introduced John to the Slavonic Society and sponsored him to membership in 1946. John died November 28, 1990. John leaves his loving wife, two daughters and four grandchildren.

PETRUSICH, STEPHEN Dentist

Born in San Francisco on July 31, 1903. Son of Chris and Rada Petrusich, natives of Zupa Dubrovacka, Dalmatia, Croatia. Has graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of San Francisco with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1926. Practicing dentistry in his native city since his graduation. In March, 1932, he was appointed as an assistant Dental Surgeon in the United States Navy Reserve.

PICKARD, MARY (MILAKOVICH) Actress

Mary, a Hollywood actress who played the ‘platinum blonde” and appeared with Bing Crosby, Mae West, and Buck Jones, was born August 15, 1903 in Columbus, Ohio to Eli and Barbara Milakovich. Along with acting, Mary modeled furs and fine clothes, performed live theater, taught dance, and wrote for Croatian publications. In 1928 after winning first place in the Ohio Ballroom Exhibition, Mary married her dance partner. She was named “Miss Lastex Bathing Suit” and “Miss Personality” by representatives of the Ziegfeld Organization. Some of the movies in which she appeared include “Law for Tombstone” with Buck Jones, “Smoking the Rackets” with Chester Morris, “Every Day’s a Holiday” with Mae West, and “Dr. Rhythm” with Bing Crosby. In 1938 Mary quit her career after entering her third marriage to Charles Pickard. Although her only daughter died in infancy she was surrounded during her life by her brother, Eli Milakovich, her sister Ann Stipatich, and her nephew Dr. M.E. Tucci. She was a member in the Van Nuys Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 865 (and treasurer), a member of the Croatian Chorus “Slavulj”, and an active member of the St. Anthony Croatian Church. In addition, she was a charter member of Hollywood Stuntmens Association, became the west coast representative for “America’s Polka King” Frank Yankovic, and donated many hours to charity telethons, including an appearance with Monte Hall on the Variety Club Telethon and one with Danny Thomas on the St. Jude Telethon. Mary died July 21, 1984 after a long illness.

PIEROVICH, ANDREW Goldmine-Hotel

Andrew was a seafaring man, who came around the Horn to California and in the early 1870’s came to Jackson, Amador County. Andrew married Kate (Glavich) Pierovich For a number of years he engaged in mining and then turned his attention to the hotel business, which he followed successfuly until his death, in 1919. They became the parents of two sons and three daughters, but one daughter is deceased. His son became the first Croatian to serve in the California State Senate in 1933. He served four terms, leaving the senate in 1941, and more recently a Superior Court Judge, Andy Pierovich stands as a shining example of the contributions Croatians have made to American life. Andrew was born in Dalmatia, Croatia.

PIEROVICH, ANDREW L. State Senator-Judge

Andrew L. Pierovich, one of the able and successful members of the Amador country bar, is the present city attorney of Jackson, and is honoring his county by his splendid professional service. He was born in Jackson, June 22, 1895, a son of Andrew and Kate (Glavich) Pierovich. The father was a seafaring man, who came around the Horn to California and in the early ‘70s came to Jackson, Amador County. For a number of years he engaged in mining and then turned his attention to the hotel business, which he followed successful until his death, in 1919. His widow is still living in Jackson. They became the parents of two sons and three daughters.

Andrew L. Pierovich attended the public and high schools of his native community and then entered St. Mary’s College, at San Francisco, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1917. During the World War the joined the United States Navy, in which he served for eighteen months. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged and returned home, and for a while had charge of his father’s business after the latter’s death. he then entered the law school of the University of California and won the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1922. Admitted to the bar, he practiced his profession in San Francisco until 1926, when he returned to Jackson and has since been engaged in practice here, though still maintaining his office connections in San Francisco. He became the first Croatian to serve in the California State Senate in 1933. He served four terms, leaving the senate in 1941, and more recently a Superior Court Judge, Andy Pierovich stands as a shining example of the contributions Croatians have made to American life. He has never refused to do what he can for his own people. He belongs to he Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Knights of Columbus (third degree), the American Legion and the Native Sons of the Golden West. He is very fond of the mountains, and fishing and hunting are his favorite forms of recreation. He has prospered in his individual affairs and he and a partner own the Jackson theater, a modern and well equipped motion picture house, in which are presented the latest talking pictures.

PIGNIOLO, JOHN B. Grocer-Fishing

Jean Baptiste Pigniolo was born c. 1812/3 in Perasto, Dalmatia and immigrated to America about 1835, married in-the early 1850’s and died on 31 May 1893 at the age of 81. He moved to Plaquemines, Louisiana in the late 1860's and was a grocer in the Nairn community.

Louise Hochstrasse was born c. 1836/8 in Prussia. Exactly when she arrived in America is still uncertain. She moved to New Orleans after 1900, because she was in Plaquemines that year. Her obituary has her living with her oldest daughter when she died 24 November 1906. Both she and her husband were buried in St. Louis No, 1 Cemetery, along the Conti Street side.

There were at least fourteen (14) children born to this couple, Maybe fifteen (15): Anqeziine 1854, Marie 1857, Laurent 1858, Jean Pignolo 1860, Louis 1861, Catherine 1863, Thomas 1865, Andrew 1867, Louisa 1870, Joseph 1870, Miguilla 1874, Charles 1877, Marco 1878, Catherine 1879. If there were another child, it was a son named Carl, although that could be another form of Charles.

Of the above children, it appears that eight (8) may have had families. The obituary for John B. Pigniolo, Sr. said something about him being a resident of New Orleans for 58 years. While he did live there until about 1869, he was almost definitely in Plaquemines, about Nairn, until, his death in 1893. The 58 year reference is probably his life in Louisiana, probably America too, placing his immigration about 1835. The 1870 and 1880 census place him in Plaquemines, about Nairn. His children who remained in Plaquemines Parish were found in Nairn in 1900 and 1910, as was his widow in 1900. One obituary source had John B. Sr. dying in Plaquemines also.

Many of these family members are buried in the Samue] Troyani tomb on Conti Alley of St. Louis No. 1 Cemetery in New Orleans. if not, they are close by in the vaults which back Conti Streei. The 1906 obituary for Louisa Hotchstrasse Pigniolo gives her daughter's home as her last residence and death place. This was Angeline the wife of Samuel Troyani.

PILCOVICH, ANTONE Banker

Antone Pilcovich, for many years connected with the Bank of America as the Manager of the Slavonic Department, will retire from active duty on February 28, 1938. Joining the bank in 1921 Mr. Pilcovich’s record has been an envious one. The Slavonic Department was always been ready to advise Croatians on all financial matters. Antone Pilcovich was always been active in all our social and fraternal activities. In 1915 he was the chairman of the Slavonic Day festivities at the Panama Pacific International Exposition in the San Francisco. It was on that day that the most colorful of all parades passed through the exposition gates as the Slavic contribution to the fair. Mr. Pilcovich has been Grand president of the Jugoslav Sokols of the Pacific, and officer in many other smaller organizations, and for years active in the affairs of the Slavonic Alliance of California. With Mr. Pilcovich’s retirement we do not want to see a retirement from active participation in our social and fraternal life. He has become a permanent attachment of our activities here. We wish for Mr. Pilcovich many years of future activity.

PINCETICH, DAN Fisherman

He was born in June of 1885 on the island of Vis in the Adriatic, in Dalmatia. He was an only child. The island was the ancestral home to many of the Astoria and upriver Croatians who emigrated from there. His father was a skilled craftsman, a boiler-maker who came to America and worked in the San Francisco area. He'd return to Vis between jobs, as far as I knew. He died of a brain tumor at a young age, but whether in San Francisco or Vis is uncertain. His records, if any, were destroyed in the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906. The facts are blurred as to when my father came to America. Probably about the turn of the century, as a 11 or 12 year old or maybe just into his teens. He had completed the equivalent of grade and intermediate school. He first lived in San Francisco. His arrival in Astoria, Oregon and under what circumstances is lost in the past. His mother, Lucretia, however, had married again, to Andrew Marincovich of Astoria. She had a daughter by him, who died in infancy, and a son, my uncle Vincent. He was much younger than my father, grew up in Astoria, went to Mt. Angel college. He became a pharmacist, and lived in Portland all his life. Andrew Marincovich was a fisherman, a perennial high boater. Lucretia ran a boarding house. The property overlooked the railroad tracks along the river about 15th and Commercial. It was across from the Hoefler Candy Store, famous for "Hoeflers Centennials " chocolate treat created for the Astoria Centennial. My mother worked in the store at one time. Her marriage to my father was reported in the Astoria Budget on April 15, 1912: " The Wedding of Miss Mary Dragolich and Mr. D.B. Pincetich was solemnized at St. Mary's Church this 'forenoon at I I o'clock. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Dragolich of this town and is a well known and popular young lady. The groom is in the employ of Judd Bros. The young people will leave for a short honeymoon trip, and will then return to this city to make their home." (Pincetich 1999)

PINTAR, MICHAEL Veterinarian

Michael Pintar is a veterinarian at Associated Animal Hospital, Detroit, Michigan. Born September 8, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Education includes Univ. of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1961-62, 1964-65; Purdue University, W. Lafayette, Indiana 1962-63, 1965-66; Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 1966-68, B.S., 1968; Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 1968-69, D.V.M. 1969 with a major in Veterinary Medicine and a specialty inSmall Animals. Member American Veterinary Medical Association; Croatian Fraternal Union.

PIRINCIN, JOSEPH Politics

Joseph Pirincin, a socialist politician, came here in 1919 as a fourteen year old boy who soon thereafter started to work in Pittsburgh’s steel mills with thousands of his countrymen. He learned the English language despite lacking a formal education. He became a voracious reader and self educated man. He turned to Socialism; and in 1936, when he left the steel mills, he campaigned for the Socialist Labor Party. He called himself a Dalmatian Yugoslav. A powerful speaker, he tried his skills among the dissatisfied workers in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Ohio. After he moved his family to Cleveland, Ohio he became well known for his debates in the City Club. In his later years, he made a comfortable life for himself as a lecturer, debater, and writer. During some forty years of political activity, he was candidate for mayor of Cleveland five times. He ran for governor of Pennsylvania and Ohio. In more than twenty elections, the most votes he ever received was about 15,000 when he ran for the governor of Ohio in 1970. However, as a socialist he had no chance to win. Joseph Pirincin, born in Dalmatia, was a long time member of the Socialist Labor Party. He also was an unsuccessful Socialist candidate for various offices on many occasions.

PIVCEVICH, EDWIN Publisher-Engineer

Edwin Pivcevich’s father, George, came from the village of Gata, near Omis, Croatia in his teens and joined with a cousin to build a prosperous distributorship of beer. Edwin was a top student at Rhodes High, received a scholarship at Yale University and received his degree in business and engineering. For five years he drove the beer truck for his family’s business until he finally moved into the publishing and journalism profession. He was the publisher and editor of West Life, a weekly with a circulation of some 14,000 copies that were distributed in several western suburbs of Cleveland. He kept them buzzing with all the news that fits-no matter how embarrasing.

PIVOCH, GEORGE Orange Grove-Oysterman-Saloon-Dance Hall-Winery

George Pivoch, for several years a resident of Triumph in Plaquemines Parish, is an outstanding example of the success that may be achieved in the United States of America by a young, hard working immigrant boy entirely lacking in knowledge of the language and customs of his adopted country, with no capital other than an inborn determination to succeed and with very little educational advantages. After reaching the United States and locating in New Orleans nearly thirty years ago, Mr. Pivoch, then a youth of seventeen years, worked for fifty cents per day in the oyster fields of lower Louisiana. He mastered the language and by dint of hard work and thrifty habits, accumulated sufficient capital to engage in business for himself and today owns a large and well-developed orange grove and also has a mercantile establishment, a tavern and dance hall and a large winery at Triumph where he located permanently in 1929. His mail address is Buras, Rural Route No. 1. George Pivoch was born in Podgora, Croatia, on the sixteenth of April, 1894, a son of Mitchell Pivoch, a farmer, veteran of the first World War and who died in 1917, and Madeline (Letica) Pivoch, now living in Podgora. Mr. Pivoch acquired a limited education in the schools of Croatia and came to America alone in 1911. In 1929 he came to Triumph and started development of his orange groves which now aggregate a total of thirty seven acres with over twenty acres planted in fully-matured and bearing trees and a number of younger trees that have not yet reached maturity. In 1934 he established a dance hall and tavern and has conducted these enterprises since, along with a good sized oyster business and his orange groves. In 1938 Mr. Pivoch started an orange winery and now has over eight thousand four hundred gallons of high grade orange wine. Average output of his orange groves equals around four thousand bushels annually and he also produces some grapefruit. In September, 1921, Mr. Pivoch became a naturalized American citizen and later returned for a visit to his native country where on the eighteenth of July, 1926, he was married to Miss Simica Simich, also a native of Podgora. Mr. and Mrs. Pivoch returned to the United States in 1927 and now are the parents of three children, Madeline, born July 27, 1928; George Louis, Jr., born the thirteenth of December, 1930, and Eleanor May Pivoch, born April 1, 1934. Mr. Pivoch is a recognized leader in the local Croatian colony and for many years has been one of the most active members of the Croatian Benefit Association. In religious life, he is a communicant of the Catholic faith.

PLANCICH, JERRY Fisherman 

A way of life disappears with the fish. Far fewer gill netters and purse seiners now ply the once-bounteous waters. Jerry Plancich's pursuit is the same. The fourth-generation fisherman began plying his trade in Puget Sound, Washington in 1945, netting pink and chum salmon. Plancich, 77, is able to put a little more money away and continue working with his sons. They have tied their adult lives to the Sound and its bounty. But today's catch isn't what it once was. More regulations, fewer fish and fewer catchable species have reduced one of the world's most plentiful fish habitats to, in some places, a watery wasteland. "Everyone talks about how much fish there used to be," Plancich said, fixing gill nets on his boat on Vashon Island. "I saw it. It's true." Plancich remembers when the catch was so large, the nets so laden, that it wasn't necessary to fish two boats -- one based in Seattle, one in Alaska -- as most local commercial fishermen now do. "If you depend just on Puget Sound, you'll be going backwards, financially," he said. "You've got to go to Alaska and do both if you're going to make it." A way of life on the Sound that predated European immigrants by thousands of years is changing. Certain species caught by the thousands of tons a decade ago now are found only in double digits. Twenty years ago, commercial fishermen caught 4 million pounds of Pacific cod and walleye pollock here, state records show. Last year, the catch weighed a scant 300,000 pounds. Those aren't the only species in peril. Rockfish are on the brink of local extinction in some areas. Herring stocks are depleted. And the Northwest's prized salmon catch fluctuates wildly. The number of local gill netters has plunged. At its peak, their organization was 2,700 members strong and politically potent. Today, they don't even have a Seattle office. Licenses for purse seining, in which fishing boats string out huge nets, have dropped from nearly 300 in the 1970s to 78. "It's odd," Plancich said, preparing this fall for his 50th chum season, "that it can look so good from the surface and be so unhealthy inside." And with that he sets out on his boat. He has fish to catch.

PLEICH, JOHN Nursery-Civic Activities

John Pleich has had many, many accomplishments since he arrived in Richmond, California some 66 years ago. His dad, Ivan Pleich, having had some good financial fortune in Australia and in California returned to the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia and together with his wife, three children, mother and two brothers came to California arriving on Christmas night in 1920. An interesting note ... on the very ship, a converted troop carrier, that brought the Pleich family to America, also were Slavonic Society members Ana Eterovich and the late Jim Vlahovich.Young John completed High School in 1929 and went on to California Polytechnic University majoring in agriculture with emphasis in landscape design and floriculture. In 1935, John was to marry Mary Santich, whose parents were also from the village of Postira on the Island of Brac. The wedding was at the Croatian Church of the Nativity. John worked for Ford Motor Company, Standard Oil and then returned to Ford during the war years. As soon as the war was over he began working at his first love, landscaping and it wasn't long before he originated Flowerland Nursery on Solano Avenue in Albany. John was area chairman of the United Crusade, on the Board of Directors of the local Y.M.C.A. and a delegate to the State Democratic Convention. He was honored on K.A.B.L. as Citizen of the day and as East Bay Immigrant of the Year. One of john's pleasures was meeting John F Kennedy in person while attending a National Chamber of Commerce Convention in Washington, D.C. John was an original member of the Brac Society founded by some 3 men from the Village of Postira. He also joined the Croatian Fraternal Union in the late twenties and subsequently became its president. His association with the Slavonic Society began at an early age his father and uncles were members. He is deeply proud to have all four of his daughters as Slavonic Society members.

PLENKOV1C, DINKO Doctor-Professor

Professor at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina; born May 8, 1949 in Zagreb, Croatia; parents Zlatko P. and Nada P.; Wife Diana P. (piano teacher). Education includes BSc in physics 1974, MSc , University of Zagreb 1979; MSc in medical radiological physics, Harvard University 1980; DSc, University of Utah 1986. Research assistant at Institute 'Ruder Boskovic, Zagreb 1974-1979; Harvard Medical School, Boston 1980-1981; University of Utah, Salt Lake City 1982-1986 and Tulane University, New Orleans 1986-1990; since 1990 associate professor of physics and radiation oncology at East Carolina University. Published Electronic Scanning-Slit Fluorography 1989. Member of American Association of Physicists in Medicine, American College of Radiology.

PLENKOVICH, GEORGE Manager

George retired as the Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of Fosters Lunches Inc. in 1966 the same year his spouse Adven Halvorsen Plenkovich passed on. George was born in the Village of Svirce on June 22, 1900, Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia and worked with his dad selling wines from Hvar at his shop in Zagreb. Later, his dad operated a small hotel and restaurant in Maribor where George gained the knowledge he was able to use to climb the ladder of success in America. George came to America in 1923 and worked his way from baker's helper to being offered the presidency of Fosters Lunches. After 43 years, he chose retirement rather than the presidency. In 1970 he met Mary Lou Mikacich whom he courted and married in 1971. They had a happy life traveling together to Europe often where George exhibited his linguistic skills as he spoke fluent German, Italian, Spanish as well as Croatian. George passed on April 23, 1987 the day commemorating the Feast of Saint George. He will be remembered as a vigorous, energetic man with a military-like posture who loved to sing his native songs. George was a member of the Slavonic Society of San Francisco.

PLUSCEC, JOSIP Chemist

Josip Pluscec is a Senior Research Scientist at the The Squibb Institute for Medical Research, New Brunswick, New hampshire. Born June 6, 1928 in Gorni Milanovac; married with one child. Education includes Real Gymnasium, Slavonska Pozega, Graduate,1947; The University of Zagreb, Zagreb. M.S., pharmaceutical chemistry, June, 1953; University of Zagreb, Zagreb. Ph.D. 1960 with a major field in Chemistry and synthesis of peptides, pyrroles and porphyrins. Thesis completed 1960 Synthetic Attempts in the Fields of Alkyl Malic and Alkyl Citric Acids. Member of Croatian Chemists Society; American Chemists Society; Sigma XI; American Association for the Advancement of Science; Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker.

POBRICA, ANDREW Orange Grove-Oyster Beds

Andrew Pobrica, a resident of Buras since 1924, is one of the leading orange growers of this section of Plaquemines, Parish, Louisiana and owns a well-improved farm of eighty acres near Buras, with twenty-five acres planted. in fully matured trees. Creole Sweets, Navels, Sat sumas, Mandarins and Tangerines all are successfully grown by Mr. Pobrica who also has some thirty acres of oyster beds at Olga across the Mississippi River from Boothville. He has had a number of years' experience in the oyster business and was the first man in the state to successfully operate dredges by sail boat. Mr. Pobrica produces each season approximately eight thousand sacks of oysters which are shipped to New Orleans and disposed of on the market there. Andrew Pobrica was born in Croatia on the sixteenth of November, 1880, and came to the United States when he was twenty-one years old to escape enforced military service. Landing in New Orleans Mr. Pobrica obtained employment on a river lugger engaged in hauling rice from the mouth of the Mississippi River to New Orleans and then for a while was employed as a butcher in Baltimore, Maryland, and also spent a brief period in Chicago before returning to Louisiana where he soon was firmly established in the oyster business. Mr. Pobrica owned his own boat, the "Daisy", which was lost in a storm on Lake Ponchartrain in 1909. Loss of his boat did not deter Mr. Pobrica in the least and he was soon back in business, dredging and hauling oysters and also cultivating in Mussel Bayou until fresh water from nearby rice fields rendered that area unfit for oyster propagation. It was then that Mr. Pobrica transferred his base of operations to Buras where he has remained for some sixteen years. On the second of June, 1920, Mr. Pobrica was married in New Olreans, to Miss Angeline Evasovich, a native. of Buras and member of, one of the town's leading families. He is a member of the Buras Citrus Growers Co-operative Association, Inc., and in religious life is a communicant of the Catholic faith. For some years Mr. Pobrica operated an extensive charcoal lumber business during the summer months when activity in the oyster industry was closed for the season. He is an industrious and highly progressive citizen and has a host of friends in Buras and Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.

PODRUG, DINKO Psychiatrist-Professor

Dr. Podrug earned his medical degree at the University of Zagreb. He is board certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry and has a private practice in Psychiatry in New York City. Dr. Podrug holds the position of Director of Outpatient Psychiatry at University Hospital of Brooklyn. He is also Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at SUNY-HSCB. Dr. Podrug is President of NGO American Initiative for Croatia, Inc. based in New York. Dr. Dinko Podrug has joined the United Nations team of the Croatian World Congress as Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights. Dr. Podrug was appointed to this position by the Main International Representative to the United Nations, Mr. Mario Viscovich. Dr. Podrug will also serve as a Member, representing the Croatian World Congress, on the United Nations NGO Committee on Human Rights.

POGORELICH, IVO Pianist

When Ivo Pogorelich first appeared here, at Hollywood Bowl in 1981, his name was scarcely known, even to piano buffs. Since then his name and fame have blossomed to an extent that the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion was sold out for his first recital there. In a program, definitely not oriented to popular taste, Pogorelich. confirmed his position among the most versatile and most comprehensive of contemporary pianists. He touches all the standard bases and constantly takes off in search of more or less unexplored directions. He is definitely his own man. He is a virtuoso of staggering accomplishment, but others command comparable techniques. Few of his contemporaries, however, exhibit such an exhaustive range of color, from Horowitzian thunder to sustained sounds that are perfectly clear but barely audible. His palette of expressive nuance seems infinite, yet now and then he strains the capacity of the piano to outer limits. He has both a giant's gentleness and a giant's power and endurance. He can charm. as easily as he can overwhelm.

POLITEO, FRANK Music-Architect

Frank Politeo was born in Tacoma, Washington in 1924 and lived there with his parents and sister until 1935. His parents were immigrants from the Island of Brac, Dalmatia. During the depression in the U.S.A. the family returned to Croatia and settled in Zagreb. Frank was schooled in architecture at the Croatian University of Zagreb. He also had musical training and studied classical singing in the music school of “Beethoven” with the well known voice teacher and composer, Ivo Lhotka Kalinski. It was at that school of music that he met Zdenka Gubec. They raised two children, Tom and Melinda, who are now adults with college degrees. Frank worked for various architectural firms before starting his own firm in 1954, and has given his talents as a professional building designer on such projects as the San Pedro Masonic Temple, Christ Lutheran Church, St. Anthony’s Croatian Church Rectory in Los Angeles, Harbor Canning Co. and Wilmington Savings & Loan in Wilmington, Union Medical Building in San Francisco, Pacific Reefer Cannery in Seattle and local custom homes, apartments, offices and condominiums throughout the Los Angeles Basin. He is also employed as a consultant for Star-Kist Foods, Inc. and designed its main office building on Terminal Island as well as many tuna canneries throughout the world. Frank furthered his voice training in Hollywood with the great voice teacher, the late Mario Chamlee. picking up his hobby, with the beautiful lyric tenor voice, he soon became the most popular singer and entertainer in his community and especially among Croatians throughout the Pacific Coast conveying the Croatian cultural heritage. He collaborated with St. Anthony’s Tamburitza Club, two records and recorded with the Tamburitza orchestra “Croatia” and with baritone, Ivan Mihaljevich, “Songs of Croatia” at R.C.A. Studios in Hollywood. Frank also sang with the L.A. Opera Company for five years, and is a longtime member of the “Versatile Voices”, a singing group concertising throughout the southland. Frank is a member of the Croatian Club, San Pedro Lions Club, Elks Lodge 966 and the Long Beach Opera Guild.

POLYAK, STEPHEN L. Doctor-Medical Research

Dr. Stephen L. Polyak was born in Zagreb, Croatia in 1889. In medical circles he is known as a great neuroanatomist of our time. After World War I, as a young medical doctor he became very interested in neurology. As a research fellow he was sent by the Rockefeller Foundation to London to work with G. Elliott Smith (1924-1925). In 1925 he worked in Madrid under Professor Dr. Santiago Ramon y Cajal, a famous neurohistologist and Nobel Prize winner. In 1926 he came to the University of Chicago's Medical School where he collaborated with C. Judson Herrick and K. S. Lashley. He returned for a short time to Zagreb where his position was given to somebody else. Invited by the University of California he joined their faculty as assistant professor of neuro anatomy. In 1930 he went to the University of Chicago where he taught neurology and anatomy until his death on March 9, 1955. He devoted many years of research to anatomy of the eye. His book, The Retina (published in 1941 by the University of California Press) is a classic in this field. His most important work is The Vertebrate Visual System a great scholarly study of some 1600 pages which was published after his death, in 1957. He contributed many papers to the histology of the brain. His two classic works, however, will remain for a long time a source of reference to those interested in the histology of the human eve and its, nerves.

POPICH BROTHERS Ships-Ship Yards

Popich Brothers Water Transport, Inc. was born in 1958; a child of the offshore oil industry. Back in those early days, Venice, Louisiana (located near the mouth of the Mississippi) was a natural place for the shipyard industry to boom. Venice was soon cluttered with numerous oilfield vessels moored next to the already large commercial fishing fleet. Joe and Tom Popich, from the neighboring town of Buras, saw the opportunity for a new shipyard and grabbed it. Joe's experience as a machinist and Tom's skills as a gas, steam and diesel engine mechanic were perfect for the job. They convinced orchard operator and friend John Vella to put up $10,000 to finance the operation, and bought themselves a second-hand gantry crane. They leased land for the shipyard at "The Jump" on Tiger Pass and set up shop. Success didn't take long, and the shop was soon operating around the clock. In 1962, Tom and Joe made an important move into the workboat business. They purchased several "Jo-Boats" and began leasing them to major oil companies. That same year, they also added two crew boats to the fleet - a 42-footer and a 52-footer. Breaux's Bay Craft, Inc. of Loreauville, Louisiana built both boats - and every crew boat since in the Popich fleet. For Popich Brothers, growth meant adding one to three new boats every year, and branching out into several separate companies. Each company would handle one area of what was now becoming a major operation. Service Tugs and Crewboats, Inc. is the operating company for the Popich fleet of tugs and crew boats. These boats can be seen working in every Louisiana port from Venice to Cameron. Popich Brothers Water Transport, Inc. owns the crew boats, and the Jo-Boats are owned by Venice Jo-Boats, Inc. The shipyard is owned and operated by Offshore Shipyard, Inc. The separate companies, all fully owned by Tom and Joe, offer diverse services to clients in the oil and fishing industries, plus others including yacht owners. When it comes to managing the businesses, Joe and Tom share all responsibilities equally. Their duties and even job titles are alternated on a regular basis in each of the 14 corporations they own and operate. This is true even in the companies not related to water transportation. If there is any one element that has made Popich Brothers Water Transportation, Inc. and all of the other companies successful, it is the continued commitment and devotion of Tom and Joe Popich to hard work and quality service.

POPICH, JOHN Oyster Dealer

John Popich, for some years a prominent and well-known factor in the oyster industry of New Orleans, Louisiana is a member of the firm of Popich and Joseph Jurisich with general offices and headquarters at 1039 Toulouse Street. This large wholesale oyster house was established in 1932 and has grown to large proportions with quantities of oysters being shipped throughout each season to all sections of the South. John Popich is the senior member of the firm and both men are thoroughly experienced and practical oyster men. The partners have a good sized oyster fleet, comprising one lugger and two smaller craft, together with a number of smaller boats used in gathering oysters from their beds in Grand Bayou, Plaquemines Parish. Mr. Popich is an active and aggressive young business man and is also well-known in the civic circles of New Orleans. He is a member of the Slavonian Benefit Society.

POPOVICH, GEORGE Newspaper Editor

Popovich was a member of the Fresno Bee staff which put out the first edition of the paper on Oct. 17, 1922. His 40-year career with the Bee started when he was hired as head copy boy at age 15. Six months later, he was promoted to reporter. He gave up his post as city editor after suffering a heart attack in 1958 and became a special writer, doing feature stories. Popovich left the newspaper business after a second heart attack in 1962 and became administrative assistant to former state Sen. Hugh M. Burns, D- Fresno, but a third heart attack in 1971 forced him into permanent retirement. Popovich is survived by his widow, Vera, a daughter, six brothers, a sister and four grandchildren. George E. Popovich, former city editor of the Fresno Bee died at the age of 71.

POPOVICH, JOHN Saloon-Businessman-Winery

The best known Croatian pioneer and businessman around the turn of the century in Cleveland, Ohio was Janko (John) Popovic} who came from the Zumberak region. He was popularly known as “Stric” or “Uncle”. For many years he operated a bar at East 26th Street and St. Clair Avenue. His tavern was one of many along the Croatian-Slovenian section of St. Clair Avenue. Janko’s tavern was the meeting place for Croatians who brought their troubles and who sought help, financial and advisory. Janko was a friend and a banker in the days when notes were not needed to acknowledge a debt. A handshake and a little notation in a book that Janko kept behind the bar was adequate record. Along with many others, he maintained a boardinghouse. His reputed fortune was made up of real estate including the building in which his tavern was located, a winery, an interest in a movie house and some other property. The Croatian Home on St. Clair was built on the land that was purchased from him. This happened in the late 1920s when Janko was known among the Croatians all over the country.

POPOVICH, ROBERT Manager-Croatian Activities

He was born in Mountain View, California on July 1, 1916, the first born of the late Steve and Mary Popovich who met in this country after leaving their native Dalmatia at the turn of the century. Bob was born on a fruit orchard in Mountain View and attended local schools and went to work for Libby-McNeill Libby in the late 30’s at their Sunnyvale plant. After serving in the South Pacific with the United States Air Force in WW 11, he returned to Libbys and worked there until his retirement in 1977. He worked a total of 42 years at the plant and at the time of retirement, had risen to be the superintendent at the plant. He was a 66-year member of the Croatian Fraternal Union. Uncle "Bob", as he was called by so many, was an ardent fisherman and spent many, many a day fishing throughout the West and also in New Zealand. He was at ease with a fishing rod in his hand. He passed away May 26, 2000 at his residence in Sunnyvale, California. Robert is survived by his loving wife Lou, sister Ruby Nicholas of Stockton, brother Milan Popovich of Saratoga, sister Olga Batey of Elk Grove, and brother Donald Popovich of Mountain View, California.

POPOVICH, STEVE and MARY Ranch

Steve and Mary, were longtime active Croatian Fraternal Union members, and were charter members of the old “Milan Glumac” Lodge 676 of Mountain View when it was organized in 1926.  Lodge 676 merged and became a part of Lodge 929 some years ago.

Mary was born on November 23, 1898 on the Island of Hvar, Dalmatia and came to his country as a small girl. In 1914 she married Steve Popovich and they settled in Mountain View, California and took up farming of the orchard variety, primarily in apricots, prunes and cherries. From this union came six children, five who survived, including Robert Popovich of Santa Nella, CA; Ruby Nichols of Mt. Aukum, CA; Milan Popovich of Saratoga, CA who currently serves as President of the CFY Board of Trustees; Olga Batey of Elk Grove, CA; and Donald Popovich of Mountain View, CA. She served as secretary of Lodge 676 prior to it s merger for many, many years and was delegate to the CFU National Convention held in Philadelphia in 1955. Mary was also served as secretary of the Napredak Club of Santa Clara Valley and was a charter member of that organization.

POPOVICH, VINCENT Ranch

In 1914 Vincent and Dora Popovich settled on 12 acres of orchards on Grant Road in Mountain View. They built a redwood house and later a barn out of lumber from Camp Fremont in Menlo Park, farmed the land, and raised four children. The old Popovich house, now covered with stucco, is set back a bit from busy Grant Road, which formerly was nothing but a dirt byway. The graceful deodora tree in the back, tall firs, and a rare tree the family calls a strawberry tree in the front shield it from the bustle of a nearby El Camino Real intersection. The Popoviches had lived in the house until their deaths in 1956 and 1957. Vincent Popovich, born in Dalmatia, had worked extracting gum from trees in New Zealand before moving to San Francisco, where he lived briefly before purchasing the Mountain View ranch in the Martens tract in 1913. Recently his four children gathered at the property to bid it farewell. Matt Popovich, 71, lives just next door in a newer house, and his sister, Anne Putnam, 64, lives next door to that. Theresa Radisich, 72, lives elsewhere in Mountain View and Anthony Popovich, 70, for years the owner of the Sunnyvale Furniture Store, lives in Los Altos. The brothers and sisters describe how the site used to be, with springtime blossoms, white-washed trees in neat rows, wildflowers, jack rabbits, woodpeckers, cows to milk and geese which doubled as watchdogs. And they recalled the long, harried hours in the orchards. “Especially when” our knees got some from picking prunes; I couldn’t even stand up,” Matt Popovich remembered. The prunes would be gathered from the ground then dried. Behind the main house is a deteriorating tank house, where the squeaky windmill used to be. It pumped well water through irrigation pipes Popovich laid himself. Prunes were sacked for delivery. Sunnyvale canneries would often send around their delivery men to pick up the peaches, but at other times the Popoviches needed to use their horse-drawn wagon for the haul to the canneries or to the packing houses on Baily Avenue. The wooden wagon still stands at Matt Popovich’s house, and it is stacked full of crates which bear the words: V Popovich, Mountain View. At the end of each harvest, there would be a celebration. Mrs. Putnam still has photographs of friends and relatives gathering around a lamb being barbecued. One year, to celebrate and especially large crop, the family bought a player piano. Music played an important part in the children’s lives. Matthew Popovich recalls “dances in the old farmhouses. I used to play the accordion for dances myself,” he said. “We have a lot of good memories of the old house,” he concluded, noting attempts to move and preserve it have proved fruitless because it would cost too much.

POROBIL, JACK Business Loans

Jack A. Porobil is a first generation son of Jozo Porobil, Dalmatian fisherman from Trpanj, in Dalmatia, Croatia. Jack was born in a small fishing village on the Mississippi River. The place was so small that it couldn't be found even on the biggest map of Louisiana. In 1915 the hurricane and flood destroyed his birthplace After graduating from business college, he obtained employment at Safety Service Co., in the Bank Building, where customers are mostly New Orleans Croatians. This firm has office space in the Audubon Palace on the main street Canal. Jack is Chaplain of the Slavonian Society of New Orleans.

PRCE, VIDO Contractor

Vido was born in Stolac, Hercegovina, in 1894 and came to America in 1911. He located in Los Angeles and became engaged in the contracting business. He was president of the Lodge177 of the Croatian Fraternal Union and a member of the United Hercegovina Catholic Benevolent Society.

PRCELA, BONO Priest

The Reverend Father Bona Prcela was born in Sinj, Croatia and has served faithfully in helping our Croatian people. Father Bona is highly respected as the parish priest at the Assumption of Mary Catholic Church in San Jose where he has served for the past nine years. Father Bona has also served in Vancouver, Canada, as well as in other Catholic communities since becoming ordained as a Franciscan priest. Most recently, Father Bona assumed a major leadership role by organizing Croatians in our area to help provide vital medical and humanitarian support for the many families that have suffered needlessly from the war in Croatia during the 1990’s. Father Bona is most deserving of this special honor. Father Bono passed away on July 13, 2002 while in Split, Croatia.

PRCELA, IVAN Teacher

Ivan Prcela is a Teacher of Latin and French at Charles F. Brush High School, Lyndhurst, Ohio. Born March 9, 1922 in Kosute-Trilj, Croatia; married with three children. Educated at Franciscan Classical Gymnasium, Sinj, Croatia, Graduate, 1944; Franciscan Theological School, Makarska, Croatia, 1944-45; University Antonianum, Rome, Italy, 1945-47; Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. 1951-53; John Carroll University, Cleveland, B.A., 1954; Western Reserve University Cleveland, M.A., 1957; Catholic Instructor, Paris, France, 1958 Summer; Amererican Academy in Rome, 1960 Summer. Major field in Latin, French, English. Member of American Classical League; Knights of Columbus; National Council of Catholic Men; American Federation of Teachers.

PRCELA, PAUL Teacher

Paul Prcela is a Teacher at Memorial High School, Cleveland, Ohio. Born July 27, 1925 in Kosute, Croatia; married with six children. Education includes Diocesan Classical Gymnasium, Split and Travnik, Croatia. Graduate, 1944; John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio, A.B., 1953; John Carroll University, Cleveland, Ohio 1959-1963; University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania 1963-1964 with a specialty in Latin, Spanish, Italian, English. Member of National Education Association; Modern Language Association; Association ofTeachers of Spanish and Portuguese of America.

PREPOLEC , JOHN Teacher-Business

Vice President of Engineering Contact Sales and Estimating, Northeastern Tool & Die Corporation, Warren, Michigan. Born December 8, 1921, Croatia. U.S. citizen since 1944; Married with three children. Education included Wayne University, Detroit, Michigan, B.S., 1948, M.A., 1952. in American Education. Experience: Teacher, Detroit 1948-52; Foreman 1952-53; Shop Superintendent 1954-56; Vice President 1956. Member of Croatian Fraternal Union; Croatian Catholic Union; Knights of Columbus; Charter Member, Croatian Board of Trade; National Director, Our Lady of Bistrica, Croatian Catholic Shrine.

PREVEDEN, FRANCIS Croatian Author-Professor

Preveden was born in Kamenica, Croatia.  In 1922, he immigrated to the United States and in 1927 received his PhD from the University of Chicago.  Preveden taught linguistics and classics at DePaul and Duquesne universities.  From 1942 to 1959, he served as a translator for various government agencies, including the Department of Defense.  Preveden's major work was his History of the Croatian People (1955-1962).

PRIBANIC, ZVONKO Croatian Activities

Mr. Pribanic was born in Croatia close to the small town of Ogulin. He came to the America in 1957 where he became an active member in many Croatian organizations-among them Hrvatski Dom in San Francisco and the Croatian Fraternal Union. He has given generously of his time and money to Croatian Organizations and Croatian causes. He is also an active member in the Captive Nations Committee in San Francisco. Mr. Pribanic has been an activist most of his life in the US. In 1976 during the bicentenial celebrations Mr. Pribanic was the organizor of a group of young Croatians, sponsored by Hrvatski Dom, to participate in the bicentenial celebration. They were one of the 114 participants, and they won the third place award amongst all the groups. Their colorful Croatian costumes and tamburica music won the hearts of people of San Francisco.

PRIMORAC, MAX International Relations

President of Croatian Democracy Project, Washington D C. Born June 25, 1962 in Marseille, France; parents Mirko P. and Michele (nee Laurent). Education Franklin Marshall College, MA in international relations, University of Chicago. Senior associate of Council for Inter-American Security Foundation; official monitor of elections in Honduras, Croatia and in Kosovo 1987-1992; publishes political analyses in Wall Street Journal, Economist, National Review, Christian Science Monitor, Washington Times etc; associate in projects for Pentagon, U.S. Institute of Peace and American Bar Association. Member of Republican Party, Croatian Fraternal Union.

PRIMORAC, NIKOLA Sea Captain-City of Ragusa

There are honored people in Croatian maritime history who contributed to the various fields of maritime affairs. One of them is Captain Nikola Primorac, born in Dubrovnik on July 27, 1840, who sailed in his small boat across the Atlantic from Liverpool to New York and back to Liverpool, England.

Nikola Primorac came from Dubrovnik to Liverpool in 1870 searching for a better living. He found himself in a bar where seamen from all over the world used to gather and talk about ships, navigation and their sea adventures There he made a bet with one Englishman for 100 pound sterling that he will cross the Atlantic in a small boat. It was sensational news in Britain which the London "Times" wrote: "It is an incredible brave and crazy adventure ever made that could turn into tragedy or triumph".

Captain Nikola Primorac started to look for a boat that would cross the frightening and huge sea. He found the boat that once belonged to the whaling ship "Breeze" which was sunk in November 1869 in the Irish sea. He bought the boat which was 6.09 meters long, 1.82 meters wide and 0.86 meters high. Primorac built two masts and a bowsprit on the stem and self made gaff sails for foremast, the boat had also one square sail. The windmill mounted on the reinforced mizzen mast was intended to propel the boat during quiet weather. He supplied himself with necessary navigation instruments and food. The boat was named "The City of Ragusa". Since the Austrian Consul did not approve the boat to sail under the Austrian flag, he sailed under the English flag, which was very welcome by English authorities. The problem was to find another crew member. Just before leaving the harbor, Primorac found a drunk sailor named Buckley and embarked him on the boat.

On June 2, 1870, the "City of Ragusa" sailed from the harbor of Liverpool. There were many people present, among them numerous representatives of government and journalists. The third member of the crew was a "newfoundland" dog called Boswain. The small boat would take the crew to uncertaint fate, while the astounded crowd on the pier was applauding the brave sailor Nikola Primorac. When "The City of Ragusa" reached the open sea, the drunk sailor sobered up and realized what happened to him. He was begging the captain to let him go and promised him to find a substitute crew member. Disembarked in the Irish port Queenstown, Buckley left the boat and a Dutch sailor E.R.W. Hayter joined Primorac.

Sailing across the Atlantic took 92 days. After two days of calm and nice weather, the sea ran high so the brave seaman from Dubrovnik had to strike the sails and to use the so called storm anchor. It was hanging on the rope 25-30 meters long and attached to the stem. It enabled the boat to cut the waves with the stem and to keep a straight direction to the wind. During stormy weather, they were in the cabin and when the storm calmed down, Captain and his helper were setting sails again and directing the stem to their destination. One stormy night, the dog Boswain went out on the deck and fell into the sea , so two sad adventurers had to go on alone.

Shipping authorities in England and America advised all ships sailing on the Atlantic at that time to help the boat "The City of Ragusa" if necessary. An American fishing schooner "Emma L. Rich" met the "nutshell" around New Foundland. The captain of the schooner offered them his help which Nikola Primorac kindly refused and sailed away. The captain of "Emma L. Rich" sent the information about "The City of Ragusa" successful crossing the Atlantic to Boston so the journalists reported the sensational news before September 8, 1870 when the boat entered port of Boston and New York afterwards.

The welcome in America was magnificent, especially when captain Nikola Primorac announced that he was going to sail the same way back. After twenty days of rest in New York City, the boat sailed to Liverpool. Due to the stream and favorable winds, "The City of Ragusa" arrived in 33 days safe and sound to Liverpool. Many ships and tugs went to meet the boat; thousands of people wanted to shake hands with the brave captain Nikola Primorac. Queen Victoria congratulated and awarded Nikola Primorac and E.R.W. Gayter.

The boat "The City of Ragusa" was exhibited in the Liverpool Museum until the end of the World War II, when the Museum was destroyed in bombing. Although a booklet about Nikola Primorac and his journey across the Atlantic has been published, it remained a rather unknown story. Splivalo. Bautovic.

PRIMORAC, VILIM Priest-Professor

Father Vilim Primorac, OFM was born in the Croatian village of Citluk in Herzegovina in 1907. He took his priestly vows in 1929 and was ordained a Franciscan priest in Lille, France in 1931. From 1932 until 1945, he was a professor at a well known high school in Siroki Brijeg, Herzegovina. "Father Bill" came to St. Mary's Croatian Roman Catholic Church in Steelton, Pennsylvania in 1953 after serving eight years as a priest in Chicago. His love of the Croatian culture and Croatian music led him to organize the youth of St. Mary's into the Kolo Club Marian in January of 1954. This group that he founded is still in existence today. After serving 15 years in Steelton, Father Bill spent the next 27 years serving parishes In Montreal, Detroit, Windsor, and Toronto, Canada. At age 89, he retired to his homeland and the parish where he was baptized. Before returning to Herzegovina, he visited Steelton on May 29, 1996 to celebrate his last Mass in America at St. Mary's, the church he loved so much. Father Bill never forgot the people of St. Mary's in Steelton. "Father Bill" passed away peacefully in his sleep during the night of January 30, 2000, after 68 years of priestly service. This beloved and humble man, who was a true priest, touched many lives here in the Steelton area.

PRKACIN, PETAR Croatian Activities

Petar was born in the village of Duzica, Lubinje, Hercegovina 18 May 1894. He settled in Los Angeles in 1912 to work as a cement mason. Petar married Anka Runje in 1924 and they raised one son, Peter John. Petar was a 60 year member of CFU Lodge 177, an active member of the United Hercegovina Catholic Benevolent Society and the St. Anthony’s Men’s Altar Society. He passed away 26 June 1977.

PROVIZZO, JOHN Goldminer-Ranch

John was born at Herceg Novi in Dalmatia. He has a large ranch in Contra Costa County in 1852. Prior to that he mined gold. He married into the pioneer Castro family of old California. He died in 1860 and was buried at the historic Mission Dolores Cemetary in San Francisco by the Slavonic Society. He was a pioneer member of the Slavonic Society of 1857 in San Francisco.

PRPIC, GEORGE Professor-Author

George Jure Prpic was born on November 16, 1920, in the Banat where his Croatian parents (Tomislav and Izabela Prpic) lived at the time. His father's family comes from the village of Ledenik above the city of Karlobag on the Adriatic Sea. His mother, nee Toldy, was born in Bedekovdina in the region of Hrvatsko Zagorje. Jure was the oldest of seven children (four brothers and three sisters). He attended elementary school in Nasice and Pozega, graduating from the Real Gymnasium in Pozega (founded in 1699 by Jesuits) in 1939. There he acquired knowledge of Latin, French and German, the last one he completely mastered during his seven-year stay in Austria. In 1939, the whole family moved to Zagreb to further the education of the children. At the Croatian University in Zagreb he received his diploma in Jurisprudence in 1944. The knowledge of foreign languages and the broad European education were of great help to him in his career. His literary and artistic talents were already evident in his teen years when he started to write and publish as well as paint and draw, all of which he has continued until today. His first pieces were published in Andeo cuvar and the children's Sunday supplement of Jutarnji List. As a high school and university student he published in Nezavisnost, Hrvatska Smotra, Hrvatska Revija, Hrvatski Narod, and several other publications.

He left his homeland in January of 1945 for Austria where he periodically stayed from November 1942. He studied history at the University of Graz from 1945 to 1948. History was more of his interest than law. In the spring of 1945, Jure Prpic, together with tens of thousands of his fellow Croatians, became a refugee in Austria. At the time he developed an interest in the history of Croatian emigration, especially to North and South America; the field he has continued to research till today. In May of 1950 he immigrated to the United States, settling in Cincinnati, Ohio where his sponsor Jure Saric from Sv. Rok in Lika lived. He worked as a painter’s helper. After three months he moved to Cleveland, Ohio where many earlier Croatian immigrants lived. In Cleveland he worked as a factory worker for six years (1951-1956) in the Cleveland Twist Drill Co. In one of his best poems, written in 1952, "Treca smena" (The Third Shift), he depicts the hard work of many Croatian immigrant workers in the early years of their life in America. His impressions from that time were described in the poems published in his book of poems, drawings and notes Ba1ja u luci (The Torch in the Harbor) in 1989.

In January 1951 he married Hilda Hermann (Slovenian-born) in Montreal, Canada whom he had met earlier in Graz, Austria. From 1953 to 1956 he studied part-time at John Carroll University while working full-time at his factory job. He and his wife became American citizens in 1956. In June of 1956 he received his M. A. in History from John Carroll University. The couple moved to Washington, D.C. where Jure obtained his Ph.D. at Georgetown University in June of 1959. During his Ph. D. studies his working wife supported him. His doctoral dissertation dealt with "The Croats in America." He taught History at John Carroll University in Cleveland from 1958 until 1989 and was a member of JCU's Institute for Soviet and East European Studies. His courses included: Historical Method, Modem Middle East, U. S. Immigration and the history of East-Central Europe. Dozens of graduate students received their degrees under his guidance. A number of his students (Ivan Miletic, C. Michael McAdams, Ante Cuvalo, Frances Babic, and others) chose themes from Croatian history during their course work and received expert direction and encouragement from Dr. Prpic, whose sound scholarship and objectivity made a lasting impression on his students and influenced some to continue research and publish in Croatian studies.

He was a co-founder of the Association for Croatian Studies (1978), lectured at various forums, panels, and conventions and was busy writing articles, essays, reviews, and books in English and Croatian. He realized that it was essential to write in English to spread the objective truth about Croatia and Croatians in the West where the official Yugoslav propaganda had been often taken as a reliable and the only source of information on Croatia and Croatians. In his native Croatian, he wrote poems, articles, essays, and critical reviews, contributing to the great corpus of Croatian literature in exile, which was hardly known, to the public in Croatia until the collapse of communism and democratic changes beginning in 1989. Three books of his poetry were published. As a refugee in Austria he contributed to newspapers Danica and Hrvatska. A number of his articles and essays were published in Hrvatska Revija, Hrvatski Glas, Danica and Nasa Nada. Some of his studies were printed in Spanish in Studia Croatica (Buenos Aires). His articles and reviews in English were published in the Zajednicar, the weekly organ of the Croatian Fraternal Union, Journal of Croatian Studies and in many respected American scientific periodicals. His books in English include: The Croatian Immigrants in America (1971); South Slavic Immigration in America (1978); Croatia and Croatians: A Selected and Annotated Bibliography in English (1982); with Hilda Prpic Croatian Books and Booklets Written in Exile (1973 and in Croatia in 1990); and A Century of World Communism (1973, 1975). His book of poetry Posljednji svibanj (1973 and in Croatia 1990) deals with the Croatian tragedy at Bleiburg and the subsequent refugee life. As he has often stated, the basic aim of his publications in English and Croatian was to help his Croatian homeland, which was not a free society and was subjugated under Yugoslav communist rule from 1945 to 1990.

Croatian immigrants gave unselfishly millions of dollars for sport activities and political struggle, which is commendable and important, but the promotion of books, periodicals, and literary works was at the bottom of their agenda. In part, because of this, misinformation, lies, half-truths, "black legends" about Croatia and Croatians were written in the West, especially in the United States and Canada, where even the basic sources on Croatian history, culture, and civilization were lacking. Some young Americans related to Professor Prpic that they had become interested in Croatia and Croatians as a result of reading numerous biased and slanderous books and articles on this subject! In spite of all these difficulties and lack of understanding, a number of Croatian intellectuals in America - among whom the name of Dr. George J. Prpic will be at the top - continued to write and publish books spreading the truth about Croatia. Dr. Prpic’s major work is his Croatian Immigrants in America (1971); four editions of this book in English were sold out by 1980. It covers the history of Croatians in America from their earliest contacts until 1970. It is the first concise scholarly history that has an excellent bibliography as noted by all who have done research on this topic. In 1969, Jure, Hilda and their two children, Frank and Maja, visited Croatia. In 1993 he and his wife visited liberated Croatia, which at that time was still struggling against the Serbian military aggression.

In 1997, Hrvatska Matica Ise1jenika (Croatian Emigrant Society) published his lifework Hrvati u Americi: njihova povijest i doprinos Americi i Hrvatskoj (Croatians in America: Their History and Contribution to America and Croatia).. The introduction of this book in the old city hall in Zagreb with Dr. Prpic as Matica's guest was followed by media interviews and warm welcome in several Croatian cities. Hrvati u Americi is more than a mere translation of his original English edition. An extensive last chapter on the work of American Croatians for a sovereign Croatia (Americki Hrvati i oslobodenje Hrvatske) was added covering the period from 1970 to 1996. The translation was corrected, updated and expanded by the author with additional bibliographical citations and the author's conclusions based on significant events during the past three decades, culminating in the establishment of the independent and sovereign Croatian state. It was edited by Dr. Ivan Cizmic. Many of Prpic’s conclusions on the causes of the centuries-long emigration of Croatians from their homeland due to tragedies in Croatian lands (summarized in his brief and insightful Tragedies and Migrations in Croatian History and other articles) were used by the scholars in Croatia (Ho1jevac) even when they could not cite his works in the former Yugoslavia. His thoughts that majority of Croatian emigrants should not sever their contacts with their homeland regardless of the political regime in the power at the time, though opposed by some, proved to be a correct way in the long run. His bibliographic works in English on Croatia and Croatians still remain one of the best sources one can find to start research on this topic. Indeed, his old dream was realized. His struggle was not in vain; the field of Croatian emigration is widely open for the younger generation of scholars to continue his work on the lives and contributions of known and unknown Croatians in America. He has left the scholarship, legacy and built the foundation without which we would all be poorer if it were not for this quiet and dignified scholar of the Croatian emigration.

PRUVICH, VLAHO Farm-Fisherman-100 years old

Vlaho was born on the Peljesac Peninsula on the Adriatic Coast of Croatia on January 21, 1901. He first migrated to New Orleans in 1926 and was a shrimp fisherman for a time. He then moved to New York for a short stay. He settled in California in 1936 and temporarily resided in Oakland. In 1936 he attended the Croatian Fraternal Union picnic at the old Napredak Hall in Cupertino with some friends and had in the car all his earthly possessions because he wanted to stay in the Santa Clara Valley. It was at the picnic that I first met Vlaho as he came to our home for dinner the first day that he was in our area. He started working on orchard farms and eventually leased some land and started to raise various row crops and continued farming for many years. He retired from farming in the 80’s and moved to Saratoga where he and his wife, Rena, lived until his passing. Here they reared their one daughter, Katica. He is also survived by brothers in Australia and by relatives in Croatia. Vlaho was always a farmer at heart. His backyard was filled with fruit trees, vegetables, and his kiwi plants. He supplied many of his friends and neighbors with an abundance of his products. He joined the Croatian Fraternal Union in 1936 and was a 65-year member at the time of his passing. He was active in the old Lodge 612 which merged with Lodge 929 many years ago. Vlaho always told me that he would live to be 100 and he did. May he now rest in Peace, a friend from the day he moved into our community. It's with sadness that we report that our Lodge 929 lost its oldest member, brother Vlaho Pruvich, 100, of Saratoga, California who succumbed two days after his 100th birthday on Tuesday, January 23, 2001.

PUIZINA, DOMINIC Freight and Traffic Management

Dinko Mathew Puizina was born in Split, Dalmatia on December 9th, 1922, the elder son of Duje and Marula Puizina. When Dominic was only a youngster, the family came to America. They settled in the Mission District of San Francisco, where the boys attended school. Dominic enjoyed playing tennis and basketball. At an early age he learned from his mother the culinary skills he used at the Slavonian Society Hall. Dominic graduated from Mission High School and commenced working for the Southern Pacific Railway. The great war was in progress, and Dominic joined the Army, serving in the Asian theater. He returned home to his employment at Southern Pacific, attending night school at Golden Gate College, where he specialized in freight and traffic management. His relationship with Southern Pacific lasted for 43 years until his recent retirement. In February 1946, he met the lady of his life, Gladys Ban, at her sister Helen and Frank Forencich's wedding. They dated until their marriage in September of 1951. Dominic, above all else, was a family man. In true Slavic tradition, the family unit was most important to him. He was very close to his parents, his brother, his wife and his daughters. Dominic, although large of stature, was a gentle person, a religious man, a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, and our Slavonic Society for 29 years where he and the Puizina family were and are the very core and heart of its operation and tradition. Dominic died on November 27, 1986. Dominic lives on in his daughters, Darlene and Donna, his loving spouse Gladys, his brother Milo, and in each of us whose life he so nobly touched. We knew Dominic as a quiet, unassuming man with a rare gift of making you feel special and important. He greeted you with his big ruddy smile, extending his large friendly hand, always a good word for everyone.

PUIZINA, MILO Attorney

Milo was born in Split, Dalmatia. Milo migrated to America with his parents and his late brother Dominic when he was just a youngster. He grew up in the Mission District of San Francisco and graduated from Mission High. Like his brother, he immediately was employed by Southern Pacific. He enlisted in the Army during WWII, and served in the Far East. He then returned to his employment with Southern Pacific, and commenced schooling at Golden Gate College in the evening, obtaining his BA and subsequently his Law School Degree. Milo continued his association with the legal department of Southern Pacific for 42 years. Milo was a member of the Slavonic Society for 34 years, and served as the chairman of the board of trustees. Milo's talents were his kindly manner, his preciseness and attention to detail. He was the overseer of our catering operation. Milo had the gift of making everyone he dealt with feel important and special. Milo died in May of 1991.

PULICH, NICK Nursery-Fruits-Goldminer

A native of Dalmatia, Croatia. Mr. Pulich was born at Dubrovnik on April 15, 1886. In this district flowers are grown in profusion and from the time he was a young lad he worked in the garden there, so that by the time he came to America, in 1903, although he was only seventeen years old, he had already acquired extensive experience in nursery work. After arriving here his first work was on a fruit and vineyard ranch on Copperopolis Road, and then for two years he worked in the gold mines in Calaveras County. For a time he was employed in Stockton and then went to Watsonville, where he was in the fruit business for two years.  In 1917, in partnership with C. R. Armstrong, Mr. Pulich started the City Park Nursery in City Park Terrace, and after a year and a half together Mr. Pulich bought his interest and has since been the sole owner.  Mr. Pulich raises all varieties of ornamental potted plants and has a large business in cut flowers. He experiments with all the new varieties of roses and has propegated forty new ones since 1913. On February 2, 1913, Mr. Pulich was married to Miss Stella Pulich, who was born and reared in the same place as her husband, going to school together when they were children; they have one son, Martin. Loyal to the interests of his adopted land, Mr. Pulich was made a citizen of the United States in 1913.

PULISEVICH, MARALEE Religious Sister

Sister Maralee (Conradine) Pulisevich of the Sisters of the Holy Family, beloved daughter of Mrs. Elna Pulisevich and the late Peter Pulisevich; a native of Santa Cruz. California. Sister died on December 27, 1971 and is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, California.

PULIZ, ANTON Health Inspector

Cy was born Aug. 12, 1895, in Runovic, Dalmatia, Croatia and came to Sacramento at a young age. For years, he had his own barber shop before becoming the city health inspector for 20 years before retiring. He was well known throughout the area for his sports acctivities and was president of various athletic clubs. We will all miss brother Cy’s familiar greeting of “Hi Yuh, Buddy.” He is survived by his wife, Zorka, daughter, Eva, granddaughter Betsy and six nephews here. He was preceded in death by four brothers and a sister in Croatia.

PULJIC, SMILJAN Doctor-Professor

Head, Radiology Department, Saint Joseph's Medical Center Yonkers, New York. Born March 1, 1941 in Osijek, Croatia; parents Vid P. and Franciska P; Wife Ankica P and one son and daughter. Education includes Zagreb School of Medicine; specialization in radiology and subspec. in neuroradiology at Albert Einstein School of Medicine, New York. Head, Department of Neuroradiology, New York School of Medicine, USA (1975-1982); head, Department of Radiology, Saint Joseph's Medical Center Yonkers, New York, USA since 1982; associate professor of radiology at New York School of Medicine (since 1980; president of the humanitarian organization Relief for Croatia, New York since the foundation in 1991. Published: Intermedullary Metastases (with others, 1976; Cerebellar Hemorrhage (with others, 1977. Member of Radiological Society of North America; The Association of University Radiologists; The American Society of Neuroradiology; Almae Matris Croaticae. Business Person of the Year, Croatian New Yorker Club.

PUPACIC, LEONARDO Engineer

Leonardo Pupacic earned his Bachelor of Science at Lehigh University, with a major in Computer Science. He is working for Corporate Technology Systems, Inc. in New Jersey as a Senior Systems Architect/Designer. Leonardo is an active member of the Croatian Community in Astoria, New York. Leonardo Pupacic has joined the United Nations team of the Croatian World Congress as Chairman of the Youth Committee. Mr. Pupacic was appointed to this position by the Main International Representative to the United Nations, Mr. Mario Viscovich. Mr. Pupacic will represent the Croatian World Congress on the United Nations ECOSOC - NGO - Youth Committee.

PURETICH, MARIO Invention of the Fish Power Block-King of Purse Seine Fishing

A Croatian who has done more than any other man to change the face of the fishing industry is Mario Puretich. In 1938, Puretic left his home on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia to seek a better life in the United States. He was just one more among those millions who had come to the New World looking for something more than the old country could offer.

Among those hordes, most of them did make it a bit better than they would have made it back home, but only a few of them, comparatively, made it big. Mario Puretich is one of them. To stretch a simile almost to the breakng point, Mario made a better mouse trap and the world beat that proverbial path to his door. The world is still treading that well-worn path and it will continue to do so as long as men continue to take fish with the net called the purse seine.

Puretich envisioned and designed a piece of fishing gear of essential simplicity that has remade the purse seine fisheries of the world. This tool, known since 1955 as the Power Block, hauls purse seines with their catch. The Power Block looks like a 1arge pulley with an aluminum shell, and a hard rubber sheave, the central rotating element, does the work.

Before Puretich and his Power Block, it took the work of eight to ten men to operate a salmon seine. It was work of the most difficult kind. Puretich's invention enabled the salmon seiner to do the same work with five or six men. Puretich, a hard-working fisherman, had become concerned about the difficulty of hauling nets. Where there were men content to complain about this task, Puretich, characteristically did something about it. He designed a work saver.

It took him several months in 1954 to come up with what eventually evolved into the Power Block. Success did not come quickly. The prototype tested out perfectly, but for a while no one seemed interested. Then, in Seattle, Marco, a marine construction and design company, recognized the potential of Puretich's design, and their engineers quickly developed Puretich's prototype into a production line practicality. Another phase of fishing history had begun.

The need for the Power Block was immediately recognized, and numbers had to be designed to impatient skippers on a first-come, first-served basis to keep things running smoothly. The year was 1955. By 1960, most vessels in the northern seine fleet had installed the Power Block.

From the Puget Sound and the salmon fleets, the Power Block swept around the world. It made possible the renaissance of the moribund United States distant water tuna fleet, an event that put the United States into the forefront of that world-girdling fishery and has kept it there, helped by the adoption of synthetic fibers for netting.

More than 12,000 Power Blocks in a dozen sizes and configurations are at work around the world. It hauls the nets that take most American and Canadian salmon; it takes herring and sardines in those global fisheries it takes tuna of the vast equatorial waters, and the anchovies of the northern and southern seas, the billions of menhaden of our East and Gulf Coast. These fish make up the better half of the world's annual catch. Since its invention, the Power Block has been adapted by more than eleven thousand vessels in every major purse seining fishery in the world. The Power Block has revolutionized the fishing industry by making the work more efficient and more profitable. Puretich, an inventor, has changed the seining industry and he wants to change it again.

As long as there have been purse seines, they have been hauled from either port or starboard side of the vessel. Now Mario wants to convert that method to hauling the net over the stern and wants to see seining made safer through stern hauling, while uppermost in his thoughts is the saving of some hundreds of thousands of lives of porpoises in the world tuna fishery. Puretich believes that porpoises can be saved by his method and would end the burning controversy between environmentalists and pragmatic tuna men.

This educational campaign, an effort to convince seine fishermen to change their method, depicts the manner of man this Croatian is. His creative energy has envisioned scores of projects, and some are in the patent stage, some are being built and used. Fishermen are a tough breed and hard to change, but Puretich understands them, he is one of them. He has brought honor to his fellow countrymen and an easier way of earning a livelihood to his fellow fishermen.

PURGLEY-PURGLEJVICH, HUGH Mariner-Military-Oysterman

Hugh purgley, 67, is a second generation American, and was born about six miles above Head of Passes, Louisiana. As a child he helped shuck oysters until he was sent to New Orleans and Bay St. Louis to school. During World War 1, he served in the Navy, after which he went to work for Freeport Sulphur Company in Angleton, Texas. He served on ships carrying sulphur from Texas to differrent ports of the United States. While in Angleton. he met and married a girl from Chicago. Later, he ws transferred to Port Sulphur where he remained until he retired. He has one daughter. Mr. Purgley speaks only English although his father could speak both English and Croatian. He said he could inderstand a few words of Croatian but could not follow a fast conversation in that language.

PUSKARICH-BAHR, CAROLINE Tamburitza Hall of Fame-Teacher-Nurse

Caroline Puskarich Bahr, one of six daughters of Thomas and Mildred Puskarich of Monroeville, Pennsylvania, was born on March 14, 1937. All of the girls learned to play the tamburitza while living and helping on the family farm. Caroline went on to college at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, and like two of her five sisters, Rose (Husnick) and Marilyn (Repasky), danced, sang, and played tamburitza in the Duquesne University Tamburitzans, during which time she also taught several children's tamburitza groups. She earned her teaching credential at Duquesne and in 1960 moved to teach in the Los Angeles Public School System. In 1962 she married Alfred Bahr and they established their home in Mountain View, near San Jose, where they live today. They have two children, Tom, age 19, and Anne, age 16, both of whom play tamburitza. Caroline earned a degree as a Registered Nurse at DeAnza College in Cupertino, and is currently engaged in her nursing career at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View. But once a tamburitzan. always a tamburitzan, and Caroline missed the playing, singing, and kolo dancing that she had enjoyed in Pennsylvania. In the early 1960’s, tamburitza groups in northern California were few and unstable, yet there are about 20,000 Croatians in the Bay Area. So in 1965 Caroline gathered a group of fifteen adults who began practicing on instruments imported from Croatia, meeting in various homes and then in a fruit-drying shed on the Sulaver ranch in Cupertino. The group progressed to instruments of a higher quality ordered from Pennsylvania. Shortly thereafter, Caroline organized and began teaching a group of junior tamburitzans and kolo dancers, and although she already had a strenuous schedule, she then organized and began teaching both tamburitza, and kolo to smaller children. These groups, the Veseli Seljaci Tamburitzans and the Santa Clara Valley Junior Tamburitzans, and the four smaller children's groups, now total nearly one hundred members. Rehearsals now have to take place on three nights of the week to accommodate all of the groups. For the past seventeen years, Caroline has dedicated her time, efforts, and enthusiasm to keep this sizeable undertaking going. Meanwhile, from Caroline's young people's groups, several new leaders and teachers have developed, both in tamburitza and in kolo, so that more teachers can help carry on the. work started by this pioneer woman among Croatian people of the Santa Clara Valley.. This development of new leaders is one of the most promising and satisfying outcomes of Caroline's seventeen years of work. The original Veseli Seljaci Tamburitzans has now grown to twenty-two members and has been presenting its annual concert for twelve years, in addition to playing many church, private, and lodge events, in many California cities. She has also extended the awareness of kolo and tamburitza to the neighboring state of Nevada. The Veseli Seliaci, under Caroline's leadership, has appeared at three Tamburitza Extravaganzas, and recently performed during the half-time ceremonies at the East-West Shrine football game, along with the Santa Clara Valley Junior Tamburitzans. The juniors performed at the National Junior Tamburitza Festival in Denver in 1980, the first time a West Coast junior group has ever participated in this festival. The Veseli Seljaci have recorded three successful records, and the Juniors have just recorded their first disc. None of this would have been possible without the years of selfless work and devoted enthusiasm of Caroline Puskarich Bahr. Caroline's greatest contribution has been to help create in the Santa Clara Valley a more cohesive body of Croatians whose cultural and ethnic awareness was scattered and occasional until she began her tireless work to spread the music of the tamburitza. She is the unifying force of a new sense of commitment and belonging among the Croatian people of the Santa Clara Valley.

PUSKARICH-HUSNICK, ROSE Tamburitza Hall of Fame-Teacher

Rose Puskarich Husnick was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Tom and Mildred Puskarich. She and her five sisters grew up on a farm in Plum Boro. Early in life they were encouraged to sing and learn to play the tambura. They were taught to play tambura by their father and Mr. John Valentich. At the age of 13, Rose, with sisters, Caroline and Anne, formed a family orchestra directed by their father. With the great talent and love they all had for tamburitza music and songs, they soon began to play for picnics, parties and dances, to the delight of their audiences. Rose attended Duquesne University on full scholarship with the internationally famous Duquesne Tamburitzans as vocalist, dancer and musician. There she met Fred Husnick, a fellow Tamburitzan, and her future. husband. With the Tammies, they travelled throughout the U.S. and Europe. In 1957, the same month she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Education, Rose and Fred were married. Fred Husnick was inducted into the T.A.A. Hall of Fame in 1989. Fred and Rose formed the Veseli Tamburitza Orchestra in 1958, with Rose as lead singer and brac player. She was greatly admired for her "Golden Voice". Joining the original Veseli were Bill Prezgay, a D.U. Tamburitzan graduate, John Krizancic, T.A.A. Hall of Famer, and Fred's brother, Jim Husnick. Others who joined Veseli were Peggy Namesnick Kunkle, Steve Namesnick, and David Egercic. The present Veseli Tamburitzans are Fred and Rose, their son, Mark, and Paul Hladio; all graduates of the D.U. Tamburitzans. Rose and Fred have performed with Veseli for the past 32 years throughout the United States and Canada. These include performances on radio and TV programs in Farrell and Sharon, Pa., and Cleveland, and with Libby Fill (T.A.A. Hall of Famer) in Struthers, Ohio. They nave also performed at 10 Extravaganzas. Rose, Fred, and the Veseli, whose performances and recordings are always in demand, have proudly released their 8th sound recording. In the early sixties, Rose taught the St. Anthony Jrs. of Sharon, Pa. For the past 25 years she has served first, as assistant director, and then as director of music and choreography for the Sloga Jr. Tamburitzans of Farrell, Pa. Having performed through 4 tours in Croatia, Rose is currently preparing the Sloga Jrs. for their 4th CFU Cultural Federation Festival and Tour in 1991. About 15 years ago, Rose organized a Kolo group which currently numbers 35-40 or more. Many adults owe their Kolo dancing skills to Rose who still continues to teach Kolo every Sunday afternoon at the Croatian Home in Farrell, Pa. to young and old. Rose arranges and assists with the music for the Farrell Veseljaci Adult Ensemble that was formed 4 years ago. Their appearances include performing for the past 3 years at the Croatian Fraternal Union Adult Tamburitza Federation Festival in Pittsburgh, Pa. Rose and Fred are proud of their two children, Diane and Mark, both of whom excel as Tamburitzans. After years of Tamburitza instruction and great dedication to the music taught by Fred and Rose, they both received scholarships with 'the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. Diane has a degree in Pharmacy, and Mark, a degree in Computers. In addition to her busy schedule of performances with Veseli and training the junior and adult tamburitza and Kolo groups, Rose also presently teaches at a parochial school in Farrell, Pa.

RABASA, MARCO Apple Buyer-King of Apples

Marco Rabassa, born in Dalmatia, Croatia, was the first apple dealer to come to the Pajaro Valley, Watsonville, California This was about 1876. L. G. Sresovich followed shortly afterwards. Up to this time he had no fruit pests.  Codling moth was brought into our valley in old boxes shipped in by these men in1877.  San Jose scale made its appearance in about 1880 and probably originated from nursery stock brought from San Jose. The continued decrease in the output from San Jose, with consequent increase in demand and prices, greatly stimulated the planting of trees, and yearly from that period up to 1901 there was a constantly increasing acreage planted.  That year witnessed the most extensive planting in the history of the district, 156,000 apple trees of 1,780 acres being planted, the varieties almost exclusively Newton Pippins and Bellflowers. These early dealers paid the orchardist from $100 to $150 per acre for the fruit on the tree, and in turn sold it at from $2.500 to $4 per box in San Francsico. It is said that one season in the late 1870’s, Rabasa secured the fruit on the Blackburn orchard for $1,800. After selling enough to pay for the fruit he sold the remainder to L. G. Sresovich for $8,000. The acreage planted to trees in 1880 did not exceed 500 acres.

RACICH, ANN Mayor’s Aide

Ann Racich, a one-time high-level aide to former San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto and other important California officeholders, died on Friday in San Francisco at age 70. Ms. Racich’s affiliation with politicians began when she served as secretary for California Governor Culbert Olson (1938-42). She subsequently was secretary to U.S. District Judge Oliver Carter, Congressman John Shelley and state Senator Eugene McAteer. She also worked as an administrator in the 1940’s for the United Nations Relief Administration. She served as Mayor Alioto’s appointments secretary, and later worked for the San Francisco Airports Commission. In recent years, she had stayed active, doing volunteer work for senior citizens organizations and the Democratic Party, working particularly hard lately on helping organize the upcoming Democratic National Convention in San Francisco. She was born in the Black Hills area of South Dakota. Survivors include two sisters, Mary Kulish of San Jose and Rose Baker of Soquel; and two brothers, Paul and John Racich of Lead, South Dakota.

RACICH, MATTHEW J. School Principal

Elementary School Principal at Kelly School, Joliet, Illinois. Born January 12, 1936 to Croatian parents in Joliet, Illinois. Education includes Joliet Jr. College, Joliet, Illinois, A.A., 1958; Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, B.S.E., 1960; Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois, M.A. Education Administration, June, 1964; Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, 1968-69. Doctoral candidate. Major field in Educational Administration. New Lenox Schools, Teacher, 1958-1959; Joliet Public Schools, Teacher, Jr. High, 1960-1964; Joliet Public Schools, Assistant Principal, Jr. High, 1964-1965; Joliet Public Schools, Principal Elementary, 1965-1968. Published "Why Teacher-Aides in the Inner-City Schools?" Illinois Elementary Principals Journal. December, 1967; Nominated for Outstanding Young Man of Year award in 1965; Distinguished Service award, Joliet Jr. Chamber of Commerce.

RADANOVICH, GEORGE Congressman-Vineyard-Winery

The 39-year-old native of Mariposa, California in the Sierra foothills has the dual distinction of being the first full-time wine maker ever to be elected to the U.S. Congress and-- as his colleagues call him-- “the Congressman from Yosemite.” Radanovich was elected to the 104th Congress on November 8, 1994 from the 19th District of California, comprising all of part of four central California counties (Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, and Tulare). The freshman Congressman serves on both the Budget Committee and the Resources Committee. He is a member of the Budget Committee’s working group on economic and regulatory reform. On the Resources Committee, his subcommittees are Water & Power Resources and National Parks, Forests & Lands. Significantly, Radanovich’s District includes three national parks (Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon). Additionally, he has been named to a Resources Committee task force dealing with the Endangered species Act. Before coming to Congress, Radonovich’s public service experience included elective office as a county supervisor. He also chaired his county’s planning commission. In the private sector, his observation of a micro climate in Mariposa led Radanovich to introduce grape growth to his native county in 1982. Four years later he opened the regions first winery. The Radonovich Wine label now goes on some 4,000 cases annually of sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, meriot, zinfandel, and cabernet sauvingnon. Including as it does principle parts of the San Joaquin Valley, the 19th District is one of the worlds premier agricultural regions. Radonovich considers himself first and foremost a farmer. He is a member of the California Agricultural Leadership Program Class XXI. His college degree from California State Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo is a bachelor of science in agriculture business management. Radanovich’s business background also includes banking and building. A Rotarian, he has been awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship, Rotary International’s highest award. The Congressman is one of eight children. His father, a Croatian immigrant from the Island of Brac, and his mother continue to live in Mariposa. Members of the Radanovich family are active citizens throughout the San Joaquin Valley.

RADANOVICH, PHILIP Shoe Business

Parents, Anton Radanovich and Mary Luich. Born, Cape Horn, Chili, January 17, 1911. Married, Barbara Montigel, Nov. 19, 1934. Children: Larry, George. Educated: Elementary School of Fresno; H.S. and J.C. of Taft; American School of Practicpedics. Occupation: Owner and manager, Shamrock Shoe Service, Taft, California. At the age of 2 he left Chile in S. A. and went to Croatia for a year, migrating with his folks to Canada, where he remained for 7 years until moving to Fresno, California. At the age of 14, in 1925, he came to Taft, where he attended school until he was 19 years of age. In 1930, he bought out his father’s business in Taft, the Shamrock Shoe Service. It started as a one man ship, however, it has moved and remodeled until now he operates a modern 3 man shop at 413 Chaster St. Member: West Kern Sportsman; B.P.O.E. No. 1527, Taft, Inner Guard, 1922; charter member: Antlers, No. 1527 Taft; Phi Chi Social Fraternity, (National); Kern County Democratic Central Committee. Recreation; Hunting, fishing.

RADICA, RATKO J. Engineer

Ratko Radica is a Resident Engineer, Virgin Islands Airport & Industrial Resources Agency Goverment of Virgin Islands of U.S., St. Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands. Born July 25, 1914 in Split, Croatia; married and a U.S. citizen since 1964. Education includes Builder and Contractors Technical School, Split, Croatia 1935; University of Civil Engineering, Prague, Czechoslovakia,1939; Polytechnic in Torino, Italy, Engineering D., 1942; Registered Engineer in U.S. Virgin Islands. Major field Civil Engineering. Specialty in prefabricated houses, apartment buildings, theaters, schools and new jetport.

RADICH, JOHN E. Operatic Star-Radio-Movies

John was born in Baskavoda, Dalmatia, Croatia in 1894 and came to America at the age of 18. During his youth, he became an accomplished wine-maker, sailor, and cabinetmaker. He traveled across the United States, working for two years in lumber camps in Washington and Oregon and later working in Los Angeles for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He began taking opera lessons and singing in cabarets on weekends which initiated his career as a operatic tenor singer. John went on to sing at the opening of the Hollywood Bowl and assisted in choosing artists for that arena for years to follow. He sang with the Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago Opera companies, was featured as a tenor on radio, and sang in more than 50 motion pictures. He contracted with MGM studios, which used dubs of Radic’s voice on numerous movie soundtracks. He sang with many famous opera stars, including Lily Pons in “Lucia”, and Mary McCormick in “La Traviata”, and appeared in all the Grace Moore pictures except the final one. During World War II, John continued to sing but also worked for Lockheed Aviation. After the war, he started his own general contracting business and prospered in that industry. The National Literary Guild published “America, My Dream”, a chronicle of John’s life in the United States.Opera, concert, motion picture, makes a busy career for John E. Radich. He sings with the Los Angeles and the San Francisco opera companies. He has sung in more than 50 motion pictures dividing his time among major studios. He has appeared in all of Grace Moore's pictures, except the last one, and has had his voice dubbed into countless movies. His favorite pictures? "Love Me Forever" and "One Night of Love", both Grace Moore opuses, and "Night at the Opera", the Marx brothers famous operatic screen piece. His favorite operatic roles? That, Mr. Radich hesitated to name, so many are favorites. But he is partial to "La Boheme". Singing for the pictures is different business from singing opera. "They make many takes for pictures," Mr. Radich said, "you repeat and repeat, and the best shot is selected. For opera you sing once, and-", he gestured, "you are judged on that." Nevertheless, he prefers opera and concert work to the pictures, admitting audience appeal and the importance of audience reaction. Of singing for the motion pictures, Mr. Radich explained that the recording is first made but in the picture "sometimes they use an actor who fits the role although not a singer. At other times, when a singer is in a character which can be used, he appears personally on the screen." Mr. Radich has sung with many famous operatic stars. He supported Lily Pons in "Lucia" in her first opera season in California. He sang the lead of La Traviata opposite Mary McCormic, who will appear here next week in concert, during her operatic season in San Diego and San Francisco. He has been nine years with the Los Angeles and San Francisco companies. He is tall, dark-haired, unassuming in appearance and speech. The Albuquerque Tribune 1936.

The magnificent "Million Dollar" theater had been built by Charlie Chaplin, the famous movie comedian, and was leased to Sid Grauman, noted impresario. It was the finest theater in Los Angeles and concerts were given there every Sunday, under the auspices of the Los Angeles Symphony association. Noted artists and conductors from all over the world participated in these concerts. My former teacher, Charles Henry de la Platte, was to perform one Sunday and invited me to participate. I sang two operatic numbers, and this was my first professional performance with pay. A large area in the Hollywood Hills had been selected as a perfect place to make a permanent amphitheater in which to stage operatic performances, symphonies and ballets. It was now ready to open, with a seating capacity of forty five hundred, and was to be called the "Hollywood Bowl." The first operatic performance to be given was "Robin Hood." I had auditioned for the Los Angeles Opera Company and been accepted to join, and I was engaged to sing in this first "Bowl" opera. It was my first participation in professional opera. This opera was sung in English. The rustic stage was small, with the hillside opposite the audience being used as "Sherwood Forest." At night the multi-colored lights illuminated this area, making it very effective and beautiful to see. The singers all had beautiful voices, with Marjorie Dodge singing the leading role. It was quite a spectacle to behold, in nature's garden on a warm summer evening, listening to beautiful music. The Hollywood Bowl was a huge success! I next sang there in the operas "Aida" and "Carmen", and a few years later, I had the position of "Steward" with the American guild of Musical Artists, referred to as AGMA. I chose the singers to perform in the operas to be given at the Hollywood Bowl, working with Mrs. Leland Atherton Irish, prominent society woman and wife of a prominent attorney. Mrs. Irish was the impresario of the "Bowl," and it was her responsibility to plan the programs and select the artists to perform there. She was well-liked and highly respected for her ability to recognize and engage the most outstanding artists to perform. She was fair and honest, never resorting to "political favors" to please anyone. All artists performing at the Bowl had to negotiate with Mrs. Irish, regardless of who their personal impresario was they were signed with. They were also required to belong to AGMA. I first met Mrs. Irish when I participated in a series of operas she was affiliated with that were being given at the Shrine Auditorium. These operas were presented in English for the benefit of school children, and sponsored by the board of education. They were given annually for a period of two weeks by the Opera Guild, a local organization. Mrs. Irish recognized that I dealt fairly with people, selecting the best singers for the parts to be performed. She needed an assistant and offered me the position of assisting her in obtaining talent for the Bowl productions, which I accepted. There was much friction and jealousy involved with this job, and some heated arguments arose. The chorus masters usually wanted to put their inexperienced students in the chorus, or sometimes the conductor wanted to put a personal friend in. I would not give in to any of them, insisting on making my own selections as steward of the Guild. Mrs. Irish and I worked harmoniously for twelve years, never giving in to those who tried to influence us. Every year, in the spring, the financial backers or "guarantors, " as they were known, met at a luncheon to select the programs to be given at the Bowl the following season. We collaborated with them, selecting artists from all over the world and also included some of our local artists. I continued singing in Los Angeles with the Los Angeles Opera Company. The same group, when performing- in San Francisco, was known as the San Francisco Opera Company, the years in this capacity, traveling back and forth from Los Angeles to San Francisco.

RADICH, KEVIN Radio Sportscaster

Kevin was born and raised in Oakland, California. His grandparents were Radic, Marinovich, Borich and Vilovich, all from Dalmatia in Croatia. He attended St. Paschal grammer school, Bishop O’Dowd high, and Cal State Hayward. He played basketball all through school, including college and was centerfielder and ended up playing 5 years of semi-pro ball in the city. He also coached baseball at O’Dowd when he was 18-20 years old. He was waiting tables in Oakland at a Jazz club when he heard from his brother’s and sister’s about a “Sportscasting contest” on KFOG FM. This was 1985. He ended up winning the contest and was hired full time 6 months later. He has been in radio for 11 years. He spent 3 and a half years on the morning show at KFOG; four and a half years at KROR FM; and the last three years at KNBR, working on the Frank Dill show in the morning. He had the number one morning show in the San Francisco Bay Area. At one time or another, at KFOG, KRQR, and KNBR, he used to do an interview shot with Joe Montana. and back in 1993 when he was working part-time on KCBS, he broke the Montana trade to Kansas city, then and now considered one of the bigget sports stories in the history of the Bay Area. He is a 4 handicap golfer and back in 1990, won the club championship at Lake Chabot, his home course growing up in Oakland. In 1994, he was part of the winning team at the Isuzu celebrity pro-am at Edgewood in Lake Tahoe, with playing partner, Jeremy Roenick, an all-star center in the NHL. He has 8 brothers and sisters. Diane, Barb, Tom, Bud, Bev, Sharon, Jeff, and Debbi. His wife , Mindy, is a make-up artist who has woked on several huge movies, like Tucker, Nixon, and the upcoming Everning Star, with Shirley Mclaine.

RADISH, PETE Farm-Croatian Activist

Mr. and Mrs. Pete S. Radish celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary April 25, 1987. A dinner/dance celebration was held at St. Peter’s Social Hall in Fresno, California which was hosted by their children, Mr. and Mrs. Pete D. Radish, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Radish, both of Visalia and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gates of Clovis. The couple remarried in St. John’s Cathedral where they were married 50 years ago. All members of the original wedding party were present at the anniversary celebration; Best man John J. Kovacevich of Bakersfeild, Tony and Albert Castello and Nick Kusalo, all of Fresno; Susie Posnessa Mattero, maid of honor; Margaret Calendra Golden, Ann Jura Bader, all of Fresno, Madeleine Sambuck Muzio of Burlingame and Pearl Barisich Zanovich of Fresno. His parents, Steve and Katherine (Milos), arrived in Fresno in 1898. They had five children, Pete, Marie (deceased), Pauline (Gospodnetich), Cornelia (Jarvis) and Narcissi (Lehman). Pete Married Fresno-born Rose Costello. The couple was married April 25, 1937 in Fresno, CA. The former Rose Pazaglianti Castello is a native of Fresno and Clovis and is a homemaker while Pete was raised in Fresno and is a retired farmer, working several farms in Clovis and Fresno area. in 1985 he was the Centennial King of Fresno. Rose Radish has been a member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 581 for 45 years and is a very active member, currently serving as the recording secretary of the lodge.

RADISICH, JOHN J Fisherman

The Uncle Sam, was owned by John J. (Smiling Jack) Radisich. He purchased the boat around 1941 and often bragged that he would have it paid for after the first season. No one believed him, but not only did he pay for the boat, he paid for his house at 515 - 12th Street in Bellingham, Washington the first season too! Nick Mustappa dubbed him with the name "Smiling Jack" because he was always smiling and happy. He was musically talented and could play any instrument by "ear". He would often entertain the patrons of the "South Side" bars with his one-man band. He only fished the boat for 8 years because he came down with pancreatic cancer in 1949. He sold the boat to an Indian family and died on May 21, 1950. He would always do pretty good during fishing season, but there was one particular Croatian who would “cork" him at almost every set. Jack was easy-going and never said anything or never corked back. George Shapely, who was Jack's skiffman at the time, finally got fed up with the whole situation. He was a very strong swimmer and he kept a razor-sharp knife in his pocket. He dove off the skiff, swam under water, and cut the net up in several places. The skipper knew what he was doing and tried to bring the net in, but George got some pretty good slashes in before they got the net up. Needless to say, that skipper never corked Jack again. When George first started fishing with Jack, the skiff was manned with oars. He wanted to know why the skIff didn't have an engine and Jack said that it was too expensive. George said, "No, we'll go to the junk yard and get one." George bought an old gas engine, fixed it up so it would work. It hardly cost anything, and George didn't have to row anymore. By the way, George is still alive and well and living in Eastern Washington in the Okanogan area. (Sleasman 1999)

RADISICH, MATT Saloon

Matt B. Radisich, died at his home on Friday, August 25, 1972. He was the first man to install a neon sign on El Camino in Mountain View. Born on the Island of Vis, Croatia on March 1, 1897, Matt Radisich came to Mountain View in January of 1921 and there meet the former Theresa Popovich. They were married on May 12, 1928. In 1941 he remodeled a former grocery store into Matt’s Tavern. After 1965 he worked part-time in the Anrad Hardware store of his nephew, Anthony Radisich, and was retired owner of Matt’s Club at 64 El Camino Real. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 2356 of Mountain View, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks 1471 in Palo Alto, the Slavonian American Benevolent Society, and the Napredak Club of San Jose. He is survived by his widow Theresa, daughters, Arlene Brazil and Maresa and Darene Leeder; two grandchildren; John and Jennifer Brazil; four brothers and sisters, Jerry Radisich and Sima Letunovic of Mountain View and Mladen Radisic and Lucija Kuljis, both of Croatia. All members of the immediate family are affiliated with the Croatian Fraternal Union.

RADISICH, PAUL Race Car Driver-Champion

Paul Radisich is now established as one of the world’s most acclaimed Touring Car drivers, most noteably for his pair of successive wins at the FIA World Cup in 1993 and 1994. However, Radisich’s early motorsport career was dominated by motorbikes and single seaters in his home country of New Zealand.

After eight years of punishing motocross competition and at the young age of 17 Radisich turned to more sophisticated machinery - single seaters. In 1983, he was awarded the Bruce McLaren Driver of the Year award after finishing runner-up in both the Formula Atlantic and International Formula Atlantic Series. A further award in 1994 in the New Zealand Driver to Europe prize, allowed him to pursue his dream in the UK - to race in the prestigious British Formula Three Championship. This opportunity was however, to be short-lived and Radisich was forced to abandon his Formula Three campaign when financial backing dried-up - most unfortunate for the young Kiwi, who had been successful in ranking highly in the championship after seven rounds and took pole position in only his second ever Formula Three race. Determined to return to the Formula Three scene, Radisich tried again in 1986, taking up a seat in the British championship alongside the future Formula One World Champion, Damon Hill. Despite campaigning the less state-of-the-art Ralt chassis Radisich had his best placing of third at Snetterton.

For the next two years, Radisich competed in the United States in the American Super Vee and Indy Lights Series’. In 1988 he won five of the Super Vee championship races and claimed a victory in the Australian Formula Two Grand Prix in Adelaide. This was also the year of his first visit to Bathurst, where he was runner-up in the class two Touring Car race, driving a BMW M3. This was to be the start of a new era in Radisich's career. In the masterful company of Peter Brock, Radisich won the Nissan Mobil Series in New Zealand in 1989, although maintained his single seater CV by racing in the New Zealand International Formula Atlantic series.  

  By 1990 the lure of high-powered saloon cars drew Radisich to the Bathurst 1000, where he partnered Britain’s Jeff Allam in a Ford Sierra Cosworth. The pairing crossed the line in second place and gave spectators the closest ever finish at Australia's "Great Race." Radisich returned to Mount Panorama in 1991 and finished sixth with Terry Sheil in their Ford Sierra. But it was in 1993 that Radisich decided to make a full-time move into saloon cars, joining the works Ford Team to compete in the Auto Trader RAC British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). This was to be the turning point, launching his Touring Car career in Europe when he claimed third place in the championship despite missing the first few rounds. His first season in the BTCC rewarded him with three race wins and Ford’s 200th British Touring Car victory. Hailed as the BTCC’s new star, the Kiwi stunned the Touring Car world by winning the highly competitive 1993 FIA Touring Car World Cup in Monza, Italy and again taking the title in 1994 at Donington, on the same day as he also won Britain’s oldest race, The Tourist Trophy and the thrilling TOCA Shoot-Out. Radisich again finished third in the 1994 BTCC. The following year saw one BTCC victory for the New Zealander, at Silverstone.

After a five year partnership with Ford, Radisich was lured to Peugeot's British Touring Car operation at the beginning of 1998. For Peugeot it offered the team the best chance of realising the potential of the 406, sadly for Radisich the season was dominated with engine-related problems and Peugeot took the unexpected decision to withdraw from the BTCC in October. However, as one door closed, another opened in the guise of Dick Johnson Racing in Australia. Radisich joined DJR for the 1999 Shell Aussie V8 Supercar Championship, racing alongside the legendary Dick Johnson in the new Ford AU  Falcon. By the 1999 season finale, the FAI Bathurst 1000, Radisich was the name on everyone's lips, regardless of their loyalty to the Ford or Holden camp. Following hot on the heels of his domination at the Gold Coast Indy race, where he won three out three sprints, Radisich led the field at Mount Panorama in what turned out to be an unforgettable performance. In his debut V8 Supercar season, Radisich had confirmed his mission and while the 2000 and 2001 seasons had some memorable highlights for the world champion, Radisich intends to make 2002 his series winning opportunity.

RADITSA, BOGDAN Professor-Diplomat-Author-Journalist

Journalist, writer, cultural and literary critic, former diplomat, and retired professor of history, Bogdan Raditsa was born in Split, Dalmatia, Croatia on August 26, 1904. The rich Roman, Mediterranean and ancient Croatian heritage of his native town along with the influence of Frano Bulic (a noted archaeologist and historian) and Dr. Ante Trumbic (the leading politician in Dalmatia) affected him profoundly. In his young age he was enthusiastic about Pan-Slavic and South Slavic ideas which were reflected in many of his writings.

After graduating from the Classical Gymnasium in Split he attended the Slovenian University in Ljubljana during 1923-1924. In the fall of 1924 he continued his studies at the University of Florence, Italy; in later years he attended the University of Rome, Institute des Hautes Etudes Internationales, Geneva, and Sorbonne. In Florence he met Guglielmo Ferrero, an eminent professor of history. As an anti-fascist Ferrero and family left Italy and settled in Geneva, Switzerland. Raditsa became a correspondent for the Zagreb daily Obzor, first in Rome and then in Paris where he stayed until 1929. By now he was contributing reports, articles, essays, and reviews to a variety of publications.

The assassination of Stjepan Radic in 1928 and the inauguration of royal dictatorship in 1929 made Raditsa change his romantic views on Croatian- Serbian relations. He returned to the homeland and was appointed as correspondent for the official news agency "Avala" in Athens, Greece. Here he served from 1929 until 1933. He became the press attache in the Yugoslav embassy. He also spent some time in Turkey. In 1933 he moved to Geneva where until 1939 he was a member of the Yugoslav delegation at the League of Nations. In 1935 he married Nina, the daughter of G. Ferrero. Besides Greek he was now also fluent in Italian and French. During the 1920's and 1930's he interviewed, met and became acquainted with many leading personalities in the cultural and political life of the Mediterranean and of Western European countries. He described his impressions, analyses and observations in many leading newspapers and periodicals in Yugoslavia and other countries. Some of these writings were printed in his two books: Colloquii con Guglielmo Ferrero (Florence Nuove Edizioni de Capolago, 1939) and Agonija Evrope (Belgrade, Geca Kon, 1940).

Following the Serbo-Croatian Agreement (Sporazum) of August 1939 Raditsa moved to Belgrade to work for the government as an aide for the foreign press. In October 1940 he was transferred to the embassy in Washington, D.C. where he moved with his family in October. After the fall of Yugoslavia in April 1941 and the conflict between Serbian and Croatian members of the Yugoslav government in exile Raditsa worked in the press office in New York. In 1943 Louis Adamic and Raditsa started a campaign in the American media against the royal Yugoslav government and for recognition of the Communist "'Liberation Movement" under Tito.

The final break between Raditsa and the royal embassy took place after he published an article in January of 1944 in The Nation, denouncing the anti-Croatian campaign by the embassy, attacking the royal government and advocating the American support for the establishment of a Communist federal Yugoslav republic under Tito. He continued writing articles for leading American magazines on the situation in wartime Yugoslavia. In October 1944 he went to London to join Subasic’s government which came to an agreement with Tito. He arrived in Belgrade in April 1945. He obtained a high position in the Ministry of Information but soon found out that the Communists made his work impossible. His visits to Split, Zagreb, and other parts of Croatia revealed to him all the horrors of the terror and destruction by the new masters. Realizing the true tragic situation of his people Raditsa became completely disenchanted with Tito's regime and his "Yugoslavism."

In October 1945 he received an exit visa for Bari, Italy. In June 1946 he returned to New York with his family. In its October 1946 issue Reader's Digest published Raditsa's article "Yugoslavia's Tragic Lesson to the World." It was folowed by his many articles in all the leading magazines, periodicals, and newspapers in America. In all these writings Raditsa denounced Communist Yugoslavia, described the tragedy of the Croatian people and appealed to the Americans to cease any aid to Tito and his government. His detailed reports on the tragedy of the Croatians he published in many issues of Croatian Voice, a weekly printed by the supporters of the Croatian Peasant Party in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Later he started to contribute to Hrvatska Revija (Croatian Review) and many other Croatian publications in exile. His regular columns "On the Record" were printed for years in hundreds of American newspapers.

He also testified at Congressional hearings in Wahington, used many occasions at various forums and organizations to speak up on what really happened in Yugoslavia. His book Sredozemni Povratak (Barcelona: Hrvatska Revija, 1971) reveals his rich experience and intimate knowledge of the Mediterranean peoples and cultures. In Hrvatska 1945 (Barcelona, 1974) he describes not only the horrors of "Great Fear" and the terrible tragedy of Croatia in 1945, but also his conversion from a Yugoslav and pro-Communist to a convinced Croatian patriot and anti-Communist. Raditsa's main thesis in all his writings after 1945 is that-in his opinion-the best solution for Yugoslavia is a peaceful separation of its nationalities, complete independence for Croatia. For these views, like Tomasic, he has been denounced by many in Yugoslavia and in this country.

His Risorgimento and the Croatian Question: Tommaseo and Kvaternik (142 pages) is a very good study based on original documents. It is a reprint from the Journal of Croatian Studies (1964-1965). After a brief job for the Free Europe Committee Raditsa became professor of modern European history at Fairleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey, where he., is now Professor Emeritus. He divides his time in retirement between living in New York City and at his estate near Florence, Italy. He still publishes articles in Croatian, writes his memoirs, entertains many American friends, and on all occasions (including Slavic conventions) he sheds light on the problems of Croatia and Croatians.

RADMAN, ANNA Croatian Activities-Goldmine

She was born on March 30, 1898 in Rosendale, New York, to Joseph Gilevich and Antonia Sapunar Gilevich. The family soon moved to Terry, South Dakota and then on to Leadville, Colorado where Anna’s father leased a Gold Mine. It was there that Anna met and married Paul Yankovich in 1914 who worked in the mine with her father. A few years later, Anna and her husband moved to Globe, Arizona and then settled in Sacramento, CA in 1920. In Sacramento, Anna worked for Zukors Dress Shop as a seamstress and assistant bookkeeper and also for Weintstok’s Department Store as a seamstress for 35 years. Paul and Anna were blessed by four lovely daughters before Anna became widowed in 1929. In 1942, Anna was remarried to her surviving spouse, Steve Radman and was blessed this time with a son. I would like to emphasize that this was truly a CFU family, beginning with Anna’s grandfather, Marion Sapunar. Anna first joined the Croatian Fraternal Union in 1914 and then helped institute the Camellia City English Speaking Lodge in 1937 of which she was a Charter Member and also a secretary until her death.

RADMAN, MIROSLAV Scientist

In his first public address, Science and Technology Minister Hrvoje Kraljevic said the new government intends to invite renowned molecular biologist Miroslav Radman from Paris in order to renew the idea of establishing an international center for molecular genetics. Radman was born in Split in 1944. He graduated with a degree in biology from Zagreb's Faculty of Natural Science and obtained his doctorate from Brussels University. After this he spent two years in Paris and three years at Harvard. From 1972 to 1982 he was a professor at the University of Brussels. He has been living in Paris since 1982, where he heads the Mutagenesis Laboratory at the Jacques Monod Institute. In autumn 1998 he became a lecturer at the Paris School of Medicine, which is a precedent since normally in France such posts are reserved for physicians. Radman became world famous in 1989 when he "tore down" the genetic wall. By cross-breeding two types of bacteria, which were not bred for a full 150 million years, Radman discovered a molecular model for the creation of a new species the manner in which two different species originate from one parent species. One other fascinating scientific discovery came three years ago from Prof. Radman's Laboratory: the discovery of the molecular basis of aging. Radman holds the Charles Leopold Mayer Award conferred by the French Academy of Science, the Leopold Griffuel Grand Prix awarded by the Association pour la Recherche sur le Cancer (ARC), the largest private foundation for cancer research in France, as well as the Antoine Lasagne Award from the French Anti-Cancer League. A few days ago the American and the French Academies of Science presented him with Richard Lounsbery Grand Prix as well.

RADMAN, STEPHAN Railroad-PGE-Croatian Activities

Born July 19, 1889 in Budimir, Croatia, brother Radman came to America in 1907 at the age of 18. He worked as a miner in Leadville, Colorado and South Dakota, then during WWI he moved to the state of Washington, always seeking to better himself. He finally settled in Sacramento, CA where he was employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad and then finally for the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. from which he retired after 32 years of service. Brother Stephan Radman, known to all as “Steve”, was a quiet and kind man and always had a smile and a handshake for everyone. Steve loved the game of baseball and never missed a game be it on radio or television, and sometimes both at the same time. Left to mourn his passing are his son, Stephen Joseph Radman of San Francisco, CA; four step-daughters, Antonette Morrison of Long Beach, CA, Ann Buletti of Sacramento, CA, Eva Sweeney of West Sacramento and Stella Scofield of Sacramento, CA; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Stella Lucich of Sacramento, CA, all members of the Croatian Fraternal Union. In addition to his membership in the Croatian Fraternal Union, he was a member of the Croatian Cultural Center and will be missed by all his many friends.

RADO, MARKO Saloon

In the Holy Cross cemetery of Colma, there is a section called the Slavonic plot where many from the Island of Olib in Croatia and other Croatians have been buried over the years since 1861. In this area which is now full there is a grave stone marked: MARKO RADO-LEG BURIED 1926.

When Marko was a young boy back in Olib he injured his leg and he developed an infection in his bone (Osteomyelitis) but his condition inproved and he was able to go to America. Shortly after his arrival in America about 1915, his old injury began to act up and continued until he was thiry-five years old. After going through many unsuccessful operations to correct this condition, Marko’s doctor decided to amputate his leg to save Marko’s life. Marko felt an attachment to his leg so he decided to give it a decent burial. Because this was so unusual, a San Francisco Newspapers wrote an article on Marko and showed a picture of him on his crutches standing over the grave. Marko was a longshoreman when he first arrived in America, but later he pruchased a bar at the corner of Third and Townsend Streets in San Francisco and called it The Old Corner. The bar was directly across from the old Southern Pacific Railroad Station.  Marko was never married.  

RADO, MARTIN Restaurant-Saloon

Martin was a partner in one of the most successful Italian style restaurants in San Francisco in the 1990’s. The restaurant was called, 622 Restorante, in the North Beach district. Martin, was greatly responsible for it’s success as the bartender who knew all his customers. Now he owns a bar in Danville. The Rado’s come from the Island of Olib, Croatia.

RADONICH, JACK Boxing-Tennis

Jack Radonich, tall, handsome, a debonair looking gentleman, a Slavonic Society member over 50 years just as his father and uncle before him. Jack, a athlete as a youngster was a tournament tennis champion in Oakland and ran in several marathons. He jogged the streets of Oakland before jogging reached its present day popularity. In the late 1930's Jack took up boxing and was the heavy-weight champion of the San Francisco Olympic Club (1939-41.) He spared with some boxing greats: Mellio Bettina, then light heavy-weight champ, young Corbett III, Fred Apostoli and Pat Valentino. Today in his early 70's Smiling Jack is at every Slavonian function. Jack’s people came from Dalmatia.

RADONICH, THOMAS Restaurant-Oysters-Goldmine

Thomas Radonich was born September 19, 1869 in Dalmatia, Croatia. He came to the U. S. as a young man and first came to Alaska about 1891, going to Juneau. He was in Skagway and Dawson, Y.T. in the days of the ‘98 gold rush.

In Dawson where he operated a cafe he was known as "Carnation Tom" because despite difficulties of transportation he had regular shipments of fresh carnations and always wore one in his lapel, a custom he followed until recent years. It was in his Dawson Cafe that "Swiftwater Bill" Gates bought up the entire fresh egg supply at $ 1 each to spite his lady fair, whose favorite food it was, an incident made legendary by Jack London. In the early 1900’s Mr. Radonich returned to Juneau and operated the Alaska Grill, for many years Alaska’s biggest restaurant. He was active in civic affairs through those years and was a president of the board of trade, forerunner of the chamber of commerce. He was mainly responsible for instigating league baseball series between Southeastern Alaskan towns and Whitehorse, Y.T. and for a number of years was manager of the Juneau team. Interested in mining, he had grubstaked prospectors in the Yukon and Southeastern Alaska and had a prospect on Gravina Island in which he was still interested. Radonich came to Ketchikan in 1921 and operated a fresh oyster business and cafe and other interests here until the early 30’s when he returned to Juneau to make his home. He returned here this past September for the winter with his stepdaughter, Dorothy Pegues of the Daily News staff and her son Bill. Mrs. Radonich whom he married in 1914 died in 1950. Radonich was a member of a landed family of Dalmatia. His brother is the mayor (governor) of a Dalmatian province. He was a member of the Catholic Church. Thomas Gerald Radonich, 87-year old Alaskan pioneer, died shortly after midnight Saturday from injuries received when he was struck by a car Friday night at the intersection of Main and Dock streets.   Survivors are a stepdaughter and her seven sons, including Don and Bill Pegues of Ketchikan, a sister and brother in Dalmatia and nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at the Catholic Church at 9 a.m. Wednesday and Radonich’s body will he taken to Juneau for burial.

RADOS, BOB Ship Design-Football

Bob Rados was like a ship out of water, one might say. The marine engineering company chairman was being interviewed for an article on himself, something to which he had agreed reluctantly. "Is it too late to get out of this” he, asked halfway through the interview. Once out of school he worked at his father's Terminal Island shipyard and quickly rose through the management ranks. Today, he is chairman of two companies - Rados International Corp, a medium-sized marine engineering firm, and Rados-Botich Intemational Corp., an architectural firm. He also is a Los Angeles city comissioner, having served on the Cornmunity Redevelopment Agency Commission for more than a year, and is board chairman at San Pedro Peninsula Hospital.

Botich estimates the volume of his business has more than doubled since the merger and Rados says the architectural work fills in the valleys of the up-and-down cycles of marine work in his business. The new venture also has made their business more personalized they say, because at least one Botich or Rados is always around to meet with a customer. Both the Rados and Rados-Botich companies are international - especially the former, which has maritime projects under way in Japan, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, Canada, Nicaragua and Indonesia. Rados himself has been a technical adviser to the governments of Mexico, Peru and Chile

Both firms also are active in projects locally. The latest of these is Rados ongoing design work for the battleship Missouri at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard and Rados-Botich's four-story, 152-unit senior citizen complex going up at Eighth and Mesa streets in San Pedro.

Both Rados and Botich were bom and raised in San Pedro, although Botich moved to Anaheim some 30 years ago. So while their conversations often are about business, they frequently reminisce about the old days as well. Rados was one of three children. He had a twin brother, the late Jack Rados, and has an older sister, Gloria Wall, wife of the late Andy Wall, who also was in the shipbuilding business and a city commissioner for the Community. The marriage was in New York, and on their honeymoon train ride back West, largely because of cramped conditions caused by the war, his parents slept on the lower bunk and they on the top one. Their first child, Bob Jr., was born while Rados was at sea. But all in all, the Radoses say, they've had a wonderful life together.

Rados also is board chairman for San Pedro Peninsula Hospital; former chairman and record fundraiser for the Boy Scouts harbor district; a former Eagle Scout himself; past president of the San Pedro Rotary Club; a director of the San Pedro Boys' Club; and, certainly not least, a member of San Pedro's very informal Eat and Drink Club. Their first home was right in their Harbor Boat Building Co. shipyard on Terminal Island, which, during World War 11, employed 2,800 workers.

John's son, Bob, started sweeping the yard about as soon as he could walk and by 12 or 13 was cleaning and painting the bottoms of boats. John Rados, who died in 1968, guided the business for more than 40 years before selling it for a once-in-a-lifetime offer to Ling-Vought Inc. in 1960. Bob Rados, now 63, founded the forerunner to Rados International in 1966, but he still wishes his dad never sold the shipyard. The men in the family (the women include Rados' wife, Marge, and their daughters, Sue and Vicki), have worked well together through the years, creating an enterprise that has been selected to design ships and engineer renovations in all types of vessels - from cruise ships like the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth to battleships such as the USS New Jersey and Missouri. Rados is chairman of the board; Bob Jr., president; Greg and Randy, vice presidents.

A year ago they joined another family business, the San Pedro architectural firm of Marko Botich and his son Mark Jr. With Rados as its chairman, the firm is called Rados-Botich International. Coincidentally, both Rados and Botich have three sons - one named after their respective fathers and another named Greg. Rados and Botich are second cousins. 'The underlying reasons for the formation was that the Botich firm was primarily architecture and the Rados firm, engineering. Putting the architectural and engineering together, we created a synergism that would be beneficial.

They played a lot of football on vacant lots, too. That paid off years later when Rados graduated from Mary Star of the Sea School and went to San Pedro High. During his senior year, in 1941, his football team won the league championship. Rados continued to run track and play football in college. At the University of Texas they called him "Bullet Bob." His speed helped the former halfback score more touchdowns than any other player in the Southwestern Conference during the 1943 football season. His team won the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day 1944. Both the Rams and the Redskins later asked Rados to play for them. He declined. While Rados now devotes much of his leisure to golf and his 66-foot yacht, he also still is an avid spectator of all sports, especially football. He rarely misses a Mary Star, USC, Rams or Raiders game. World War 11 forced Rados to change colleges several times. He started out at the University of Southern California, then as part of the Navy Reserve program, was sent to the University of Santa Clara. From there it was the University of Texas and the United States Naval Midshipman School at Columbia University In New York. He eventually became a U.S. Navy Reserve lieutenant junior grade. Rados had been on active duty in the Pacific for about nine months when his twin brother, Jack, started active duty. Jack's ship was loaded with ammuntion and ready to depart when it was struck and blown up by a Japanese kamikaze plane. (Simons, T. 1985)

RADOS, ROMOLO and JOHN ShipYard-Mariner

Romolo Rados, master ship wright, descends from a long line of maritime men. The early origin of his family is obscured by centuries of unrecorded time, but household legend recounts the participation of his forebears in all sorts of oceanic pursuits. His great-grandfather was a seafaring man; his grand-father a ship builder and structural engineer who took part in excavating the Suez Canal; his father was a master carpenter who had charge of a shipyard during all the vigorous years of his life. The Rados family seat was Losinj, Croatia not far from the famed seaport of Trieste. Losinj was a place where the townsfolk occupied themselves exclusively with shipbuilding, there being six construction yards in the village of only 1,209 people. Romolo was born on September 5, 1862, completed his brief schooling in 1874, and worked in the shipyard of Frane Rados, his father, until 18 years old. He had a part in fabricating many sailing vessels, for the sturdy construction of which the place had renown.

In 1879 Romolo signed articles aboard the Austrian bark Elpi, and sailed to New York as ship's carpenter. During his subsequent 3 years of service he gained promotion to second mate's berth, and might have continued had he not been seized by Austrian military authorities and impressed into naval service. During 4 years and 15 days of compulsory duty he made a 22-month circumnavigating cruise in a training ship, and gained much information about distant places in the world.

Discharged from the navy, young Rados migrated to South America in 1886, landing at Buenos Aires. There he became a specialist in railroad bridge construction, and in that capacity travelled all over the continent, meanwhile gaining a mastery of the Spanish language. At the expiration of 3 years he returned home, where for 12 years he was foreman in charge of iron ship construction in the royal navy yard at Trieste. There he gained experience in building battleships, and other fighting craft. In 1897 Rados again went to sea, this time as carpenter and second mate aboard a steamer whose master was a boyhood friend. After a 20 months' cruise he reentered the navy yard, where he continued working until 1903. At that point he suddenly determined to emigrate to the United States, so quit work on a Saturday and bought a ticket for New York on Monday. Arrived at Manhattan, he took train for San Francisco, and soon there after became employed on a bridge gang which then was building Harriman’s “Cut-Off” across Great Salt Lake, in Utah. At the end of that job he went to Seattle, Washington, and then to Vancouver, Canada where there were relatives. He found employment in a local shipyard which busied itself with building tugboats, tenders, fishing craft and yachts. He remained 16 years.

While on a vacation trip to Tacoma, Washington in 1916, Americans offered Rados $20.00 a day for his services as experienced shipwright if he would join the crew of the Seaborn yard. He accepted the offer, but a few months afterward was stricken with the epidemic of influenza, so he returned to Canada. In 1920 Romolo Rados decided to to follow the purse fleet south, so he moved to California. At Fish harbor, Port of San Pedro, he purchased a site then being used by a group of Japanese which had set up a make-shift yard, and founded the Harbor Boat Building Company. His oldest son, John L. Rados, was then 25 years old and already a competent and experienced vessel builder. John had served apprenticeship and had 12 years with Vancouver Shipyard; during the World War he was loftman, draughtsman and lay-out man for the Western Canada yard which built six freighters for the French government during that period.

Father and son planned and built the new institution on Fish Harbor, and immediately commenced handling a large volume of business. Yachtsmen were the first to come to them, but soon fishing people did likewise. "'Gloria R.", purse seiner, was the first fishboat made, but it was succeeded in rapid succession by a long list of others. During all this sequence of new hulls, improvements and innovations from unimaginative, previous practice were applied, purse-boat design being elevatcd until an acme of practical excellence was achieved in the instance of "Sea Ranger". At the same time that this was happening, attention ot yachtmen was attracted to the yard, which became deservedly renowned for its heavy construction of able sea-going pleasure craft. Harbor Boat was among the first to recognize the suitability of diesel-type engines for yachts, and the yard was one in which many early diesels were installed. When tunaship construction became the principle shipbuilding activity on the West Coast, the Rados yard signalized itself by quick participation in this business. It laid down the 115 foot keel of “Adventurer” the largest vessel to have been built on Fish harbor up to that time, and a ship that subsequently won fame as on of the best money-makers in all the tuna fleet. Highest achievement was reached when the 125 foot “Olympic” was built, this being the last vessel to be launched in the port.

Fire destroyed a considerable part of the plant during 1930. Ways, paint-shop, pattern-rooms, pulling rigs and band saws were destroyed. so that work was temporarily interrupted. But reconstruction was undertaken immediately, and at the same time that new structures were erected, the size of the yard was doubled. Additional ground was obtained, and facilities provided for multiplying the amount of work that could be accomplished. "Olympic" was built after these enlargements had been made.

Romolo Rados, founder of the Harbor Boat firm, now has retired from active participation in the business. Having brought to a successful stage of development the enterprise which he established in 1920, he has withdrawn to the quiet enjoyment of his mature years. John L. Rados, president of the yard, carries on the affairs of the firm, his managerial function being assisted by John L. Hamilton (secretary), Michael Rados (superintendent), James Rados and Alfred Rados. Thus it is that shipbuilding -the traditional Rados pursuit during unremembered generations-continues as the family business, the scene of the activity merely having been changed by Romolo Rados from Losinj, Croatia to the new address at Fish Harbor, Terminal Island, California. ( West Coast Fisheries 1932)

RADOVAN, FELIX S. Engineer

Felix Radovan was born April 9, 1927 in Sarajevo, Bosnia. His field is engineering and is a graduate of Marquette University, Wisconsin. He can speak Croatian, Spanish, and German. He is currently working as a Proposal Engineer for Paceco, a division of the Fruehauf Corp. He presently resides in Dublin, California.

RADOVICH, JACK Vineyard

Katie married Jack Radovich on April 25, 1924, in Fresno, California.  Jack was a widower with a three year old daughter, Barbara.  They lived in Fresno, Reedley, and Porterville before finally settling in Delano in 1929 where they bought 80 acres in the Comunbine area.  Jack and Katie had four children: Jack, Katherine, Lucille, and John who died in infancy. Katica Zaninovich was born on March 25, 1892, on the island of Hvar in the town of Velo Grblje, Croatia.  Katie was born to Ivan and Kate Tudor Zaninovich . Katie arrived in the United States in 1923 with her sister, Ljubica (Violet).  They were brought to the U.S. by their brothers, Marion and George. Katie loved her family, her many friends and she loved to have company. She was an excellent cook, especially noted for ther omelettes. Katie was well known for her generosity. After World War II, she sent many packages of clothing to relatives in Velo Grablje.  Katie was a hard worker and worked in the fields alongside her husband in the early 1930s, in their vineyards.  She always had a big vegetable garden and fruit orchard. In the early 1940’s, Jack and Katie bought 360 acres in the Richgrove area east of Delano, where they built their dream home in 1946. The house was her pride and joy.  She died in her home at the age of 56 on 10/29/49. Katherine Radovich Cesare.

RADOVICH, JOHN Marine Biologist

John Radovich was a nationally known marine biologist. Radovich, a native of Pennslyvania, was a U.S. Navy Seabee deep sea diver during World War II. He joined the California department of Fish and Game in 1949 after earning a zoology degree at the University of Southern California. He represented the United States in talks with the Soviet Union in 1967 on how to protect the Pacific Coast fishing industry from Soviet trawlers. He was chairman of the scientific and statistical committee advising the Pacific Fisheries Managment Council.

RADOVICH, PETER Saloon-Silverminer

Peter had a saloon at the corner of Commercial and Liedesdorff Streets in San Francisco in 1856. He owned the Alaska Saloon at Pacific and East Streets. Peter ventured into the silver boom of Nevada and owned several houses and six lots at Aurora, Nevada in 1864. He is listed as a pioneer silver locator of Lander County, Nevada in the early 1860’s.

RAGUSIN, MARKO Goldminer-Saloon

Marko Ragusin, the first pioneer in Sacramento, appeared in 1849, being 21 years of age and having voted that year. He listed himself as a “Slavonian” from Louisiana. He later moved to San Jose and opened a saloon, again being one of the first Croatians in that area. He married a native Californian and they had their first child, Perina, in 1857. He was from Losinj. In the last century, an opportunity came to the people of the Island of Silba to get rid of their colonial liabilities and to buy off their island. The noble Morosin family was the former owner of the island. At that time, they sold the island to Marko Ragusin, a native of Losinj and a rich emigrant who returned from America. Raguzin had no interest to keep the island for a cash annuity, so he decided to sell it. The people of Silba purchased the island for the amount of 5,025 Bavarian talirs. They collected money among them and the wealthier households gave money for the poor ones. In 1867 there were 94 households still in debt, some of them owing up to 180 forints.

RAKIC, PASKO Professor-Doctor

Professor Pasko Rakic of Yale University School of Medicine, is described as being "perhaps the foremost student of the primate brain in America." Pasko Rakic is sixty-seven years old, a nearly bald, dapper man with a wry sense of humor. Professor Rakic has been in America for years and his English is flawless, although he has retained the accent of his native Croatia. An excellent article in the July 23, 2001 issue of The New Yorker entitled "Rethinking the Brain," by Michael Specter, which concerns recent research into the workings of the brain includes the work of Rakic.

RANCICH, MARTIN Saloon

Martin Rancich had a soda works and saloon in Sacramento, first appearing in 1851. He was also an American citizen and in one instance listed himself as Italian and another as Austrian! He came to California from Pennsylvania.

RANDICH CLAN

John and Kuzma, after a stint in the sawmills, owned the Aberdeen Cigar Store, then My House Cigar Store. The Randich family, for many years owned the Commercial on the corner of Heron and G in Aberdeen, Washington. Nick worked at the Palace Café and later operated the Grays Harbor Fruit and Produce Co. supplying stores and restaurants. As a sideline he promoted prize-fights when the boxing game was at its height on the Harbor.

RANDICH, PAUL AND EMMA Restaurant

Sister Randich was born May 28, 1914, at Roslyn, Washington to John and Tereza (Stimic) Dragicevich. When she was four, she moved to Axford Prairie and to Aberdeen when she was 16. She attended Aberdeen's Weatherwax High School. On Jan. 5, 1935, she married Paul Randich in Aberdeen. He died in 1968. When she was young, sister Randich worked at Brennan's in Aberdeen. She owned and operated Commercial Cigar and Lunch in Aberdeen from 1944 until retiring in 1968. She was a member of American Legion, Eagles Auxiliary and Stints, Peter and Paul Catholic Church, and St. Catherine's Guild, all of Aberdeen.She enjoyed cooking, crossword puzzles, knitting and watching sports. It is with deep sadness that officers and members of Mirisna Ruza Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 271 report the passing of sister Emma Randich, 86, on Sunday, March 11, 2001, in Aberdeen, Washington. She was a 44-year member of our lodge. Surviving are her three daughters, Arlene Rikalo and Theresa Hartsoch, both of Aberdeen, and Marian Fitterer of Puyallup; a brother, John, Dragicevich, of Aberdeen; two sisters, Mary Milin of Aberdeen and Eva Cuculich of Tacoma; five granddaughters, Debra Cotter, Jody Gerber, Kimberly Skinner, and Frankie and Mary Fitterer; six great-grandchildren, Sam and William Cotter, Mary and John Gerber, and Emma and Jack Skinner. A brother, Charles Dragecevich, died before her.

RASICH, NIKOLA Restaurant

Rasich, a restaurateur, was born in Klobuk, Hercegovina. Obtaining one of the first liquor licenses issued in Los Angeles after prohibition, he opened a restaurant at 1076 Sunset Blvd. Nick later moved to 1449 Sunset Blvd to open “Nikola’s” a preferred gathering spot for politicians, business persons and fellow Croatians.

RASOL, JOHN Restaurant-Coffee Saloon

John operated a restaurant and coffee saloon at the corner of Clay and East for many years. He died at the age of 56 in 1881 and was buried in the Slavonic lot. John Rasol and his wife from Silba, Dalmatia, Croatia had two sons. The oldest son, John Rasol, better known as John Russell was a very active member of the Austrian Military Society and served in that organization as its President and Captain for many years. His son, M.J. Russell, was Assistant Superintendent of the Laguna Honda Relief Home of the City and County of San Francisco.

RASOL, ZAMARIA Fisherman

Zamaria Rasol and his wife, Luisa from Silba, Dalmatia, Croatia. After his death his widow married Martin Zibilich from Peljesac. She had two young brothers here, John and Anton Barbich. Anton Barbich became President of the Slavonic Society about the year 1893.

RAVLIC, CORNELIUS Priest

Msgr. Ravlic was born in 1913 in Drinovci, in the Croatian province of Hercegovina. He was ordained a priest in 1937 in Mostar. He moved to the United States where he served at the Croatian American Parishes in Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In early fifties he moved to California to serve in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. During his assignment as pastor in Filmore Msgr. Ravlic built a new St. Francis of Assisi church which was dedicated in 1976 by Cardinal Manning. Msgr. Cornelius Ravlic passed away January 23, 2002 in Los Angeles, California and the funeral took place at the St. Francis of Assisi Church, Filmore, California, Monday, January 28. Msgr. Felix Diomartic of St. Anthony Croatian Parish in Los Angeles said the homily. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles. On January 9, 1992 Pope John Paul 11 bestowed the title of Honorary Monsignor on Father Cornelius Ravlic. May he rest in peace.

RAYBURN, GENE (JELJENICH) TV Show

Rayburn, comedian, announcer and television host, was born in 1917 in Christopher, Illinois. His father, Petar Jeljenic, immigrated to the United States from Selo Topolo, about 40 miles from Dubrovnik. He died during the influenza epidemic in 1918 after working in the coal mines. Rayburn’s mother was one of twelve children born to the Hikec family in Susak, Dalmatia. After Petar Jeljenic died, Rayburn’s mother married Milan Rubesa, also from Susak. They added an additional “s” to the Rubesa name, which became Rubessa, accented on the second syllable. That was the name Rayburn took after his adoption by his stepfather. For professional reasons young Rubessa chose the name Gene Rayburn. Rayburn’s mother’s older sister married Ivan Mladineo, an editor and writer who published the Narodni Adresar in the 1930s in which he compiled the settlement patterns and occupations of South Slavs in the United States. Before his television career, Rayburn appeared on the daily radio program on New York’s WNEW, “The Rayburn and Finch Show”. Rayburn broke into television as a cast member of Steve Allen’s “Tonight” Show from 1954-59. He then hosted several well-known game shows including “Dough-Re-Mi” on NBC and “The Match Game” from 1962-1969 and two revivals of the same program on CBS, in 1973 and 1978. Rayburn died in 1999.

RAZMILOVIC, TOMO Business-Engineer

Symbol Technologies, Inc. announced that Tomo Razmilovic, President and Chief Operating Officer, will become - President and Chief Executive Officer- on July 1, 2000. He will succeed Jerome Swartz as CEO. Dr. Swartz, who founded Symbol in 1975, will continue as executive Chairman of the Board and serve as Chief Scientist. Swartz said, "Torno has been a great partner for me over the past 10 years -- and he has played a major role in building Symbol from a niche, player in bar-code scanning into a global leader in mobile data trans-action systems. Since he became President and COO in late 1995, Symbol has delivered compound annual revenue growth of over 20% and- profit growth of nearly 30%, driving our market'value from under $1 billion to nearly $7 billion. He is the right person Ao lead Symbol in.,the new millennium, and the Board and I want to recognize his accomplishments as part of our carefully planned long-term, succession. The time is right with the, Company celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2000 and Tomo completing five years as President and COO. I intend to continue playing a very active role for the foreseeable future focusing on longterm vision, new technology and product development, as well as key customer, partner, and investor relationships." Razmilovic said, "Symbol has enormous opportunities in the years ahead, and I look forward to continuing to work with Jerry Swartz to help the Company take full advantage of them. Today, we announced a record 1999 and have now met or exceeded analyst expectations for 27 consecutive quarters. With the help of the excellent management team we have in place, I look forward to building on Symbol's solid foundation to deliver strong growth and profitability for many. years to come." Razmilovic, 57, joined Symbol Technologies in 1989 as Senior Vice President of International Operations. He assumed responsibility for Symbol's Worldwide Sales and Service Organization in 1993 and was named President and Chief Operating , Officer and a Director in 1995. Earlier in his career, he was President of ICL Limited lnternational,a major UK computer manufacturer where he managed a $1.5'billion business, and President and CEO of Cominvest, a Swedish computer leasing and software company. A Swedish citizen since 1971, Razmilovic studied electrical - engineering in his native Croatia and data processing, management psychology and manufacturing at Hermods institute in Sweden. He is Chairman of the Automatic Identification Manufacturer's Association and serves on the Boards of the Long Island Association, the Long Island Forum for Technology, and the Long Island High Technology Incubatot at Stony Brook University. Symbol Technologies, Inc. is a global leader in wireless and Internet-based mobile data management systems and services. Symbol provides. its customers unique value with innovative solutions - utitizing application-specific information appliances, data and voice wireless; networks, and barcode and data-capture scanning.

RENDULIC, FRANK Meat Packing

Born in Pitcairn, Pennsylvania on September 9, 1916, he was a son of the late Daniel and Rose Narelic Rendulic and husband of the late Josephine, Frankovic Rendulic. He was the retired founder of Rendulic Meat packing in Port Vue, Pennsylvania. In 1941, Frank Rendulic, the son of Croatian immigrants, established the Rendulic Meat Packing Co. of Port Vue in a shed behind his home, a business that would eventually employ more than 100 people and supply meat products to almost every major supermarket in Western Pennsylvania, as well as customers in New York City, Ohio and Virginia. Upon his retirement, his sons, Frank Jr. and Fred, became the owners of the plant and ran it until two years ago, doing business mostly in New York. Frank's parents emigrated from Oglinsko-Zagorje, Croatia at the turn of the 19th century. His father, Daniel, supported his young family by selling real estate and operating a restaurant in the McKeesport area. During the dark days of the Great Depression, Frank, following graduation from McKeesport High School, helped support his family by selling cleaning rags to businesses in the Mon Valley. In 1942, Frank married his childhood sweetheart, Josephine Frankovic, who was also a child of Croatian parents. Although Josephine busied herself raising their four children, she could be found manning the customer counter at the plant. We wish to report to our Croatian Fraternal Union membership the passing of brother Frank D. Rendulic, 85, of McKeesport, Pennsylvania on December. 13, 2001. Brother Rendulic was a member of St. Martin de Porres Parish in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, CFU Lodge 146 of Versailles, Pennsylvania, the Penn Sembles Adult Tamburitza Ensemble and Club Dobrotvor in McKeesport. He enjoyed participating in all of our Croatian social activities and CFU cultural and fraternal events., and, on numerous occasions, could be found chopping and serving barbecued lambs at many of our Croatian picnics and celebrations. Brother Rendulic is survived by children Joan F. Vadas of Jupiter, Florida; Janet M. Bernardine and Frederic A. Rendulic of Port Vue, Pennsylvania and Frank D. Rendulic Jr. of White Oak, Pennsylvania; 10 grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine, who died in 1977. Interment was in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Port Vue, PA. CFU National President Bernard M. Luketich, longtime family friend, offered the eulogy at the gravesite.

RENDULIC, RONALD Tamburitza Hall of Fame-Music Teacher

Ronald F. Rendulic is the son of Edward and Pearl (Luketic) Rendulic of McKeesport, Pennsylvania. From an early age, Ron showed an aptitude for music and began to develop his skills with the McKeesport Junior Tamburitzans in 1955 under the guidance of Steve Kovacev. During these formative years, he was to learn to play all the instruments in the tamburitza family including the bass. While in high school, Ron played lead brac with the Zora Tamburitzans of Versailles Pennsylvania, and bass with the Kossovo, Orchestra of Pittsburgh, Pa. Further training was obtained with the Balkan Dance Ensemble and the Pittsburgh Tamburitza Philharmonic Orchestra. During these developmental years, the love of tamburitza became deeply rooted not only by his musical family, but also inspired by the legends of tamburitza including: the Skertich Brothers, Dave Zupkovich, the Popovich Brothers, Joe Grcevich, Marty Kapugi, Fred Husnick and all the great brac players of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. Ron Rendulic began a second phase of his career in 1962 when he began to develop his teaching skills as an assistant at several junior ensembles. 1966 was a pivotal year in Ron Rendulic's life, for it was then that he began his association with Fred and Rose Husnick and the Vesili Tamburitzans. Down through the years, Ron and Fred's brac playing has inspired and set a standard for brac players everywhere. 1966 also began a most remarkable teaching career that has lasted for twenty five years. During that time, Ron taught four and sometimes five groups a week. The number of students taught in that period and the effect on the Tamburitza Movement is amazing to comprehend. Only in retrospect can one realize the impact that one dedicated individual can make. His former students dot the country continuing to spread his legacy to countless other groups of players. In spite ofthe staggering workload, Ronald Rendulic found time to not only marry Kathy (Repic) Rendulic, but to continue other interests including performing with other orchestras such as Drina, The Ron Rendulic Orchestra, the Continentals ofPittsburgh, and Bekrije. Time was also found to perform with many of the greatest stars of Croatia including Nada Mamula, Ivica Serfezi, Dusan Dancuo, and Vera Svoboda. In 1974, after completing nine years as an elementary school music teacher, Ron began working full time for the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. This position created time to devote to music composition, arranging, developing instructional material, and instruction books for the tamburitza. Now Ronald Rendulic was in a position to mold members and future members of the Tamburitzans. Today Ronald Rendulic serves as the Assistant Managing Director of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans and Supervisor of its Community School Program. There is not much in the tamburitzan world that Ronald Rendulic has not accomplished. Teaching children, teaching adults, other musicians, writing, arranging, recording, performing, conducting the Tamburitza Philharmonic, and being guest conductor for the Junior Cultural Federation Festival of the Croatian Fraternal Union, are all part of the continuing tamburitza activities of this fine musician. Ronald F. Rendulic represents all that a true Tamburitza Association of America Hall of Fame member should be: a devoted, dedicated person who has given his time to his passion, tambura.

RESETAR, MIKE-MITCHELL-LOUIS Hotel Fruit Packer Produce Businessmen

The opening of Watsonville’s beautiful new Resetar Hotel on Saturday, June 4, 1927, was marked first by a public inspection and then by a banquet. Hosts at that banquet, at which about 15 of the city’s most prominent men were served, were Mike, Mitchell and Louis Resetar, the brothers who had combined to provide the city with its new hotel, at that time, and still, a showpiece for a community of this size. Mike also was instrumental in other new construction on Main St. He built the building at 543 Main St., now occupied by McMahan’s Furniture Store. He built the building at 433-435 Main Street where Jansen’s and Olander’s stores are now located. And at one time he might have bosted that he owned all four corner locations at Min St. and Lake Ave. Mike was the one who laid the foundation for the widespread farming interests of the Resetars. Their produce packing business, West Coast Farms, he believes, now empoyes the largest number of people of any firm in the valley. Mitch Resetar was known as the King of Lettuce. Not bad for a man who came to California penniless in 1901. When he first came to Watsonville he worked for the Scuriches picking apples for 10 cents and hour, working agian 6 to 6. Later he contracted for apple picking and was hireing others to work along with him. He started in the apple packing business for himself in 1909. His first location was at Rodriguez and Walker Sts. and the second on Walker St. between Second St. and Wall St. A later move was to Beach Road next to the Granite Construction Co. and the company’s present plant on the Beach Road. Mike is proud of the fact that he was able to bring his brothers over here from Croatia. First came Mitchell, then Louis and finally Antone. In Croatia, near Dubrovnik, he still owns property- the home which he and his brothers built for their parents.

RIBOLI, ANTON Restaurant

Anton Riboli from Split, Dalmatia, Croatia was partner in a restaurant with Anton Gerkovich in San Francisco. The restaurant was located north side of Clay Street below Montgomery Street. Later known as United States Restaurant. This was some time in 1880. The slogan was “three dishes for 25c, soup, entree, desert, and coffee.” Mr. Riboli married a San Francisco girl. They had a daughter who married Marko Tasovac, and is a resident of San Francisco.

RILOVICH, EDWARD B. Fruit Packing and Shipping

Edward B. Rilovich, a well known fruit shipper of 815 Main street, Watsonville, was born in Dalmatia, Croatia October 19, 1889, the son of Paul and Katerina Rilovich. Trained in the ordinary schools in Dalmatia, Edward B. Rilovich continued his studies on reaching California, attending night school in Watsonville. He crossed the ocean in 1907 and making his way west located at Los Angeles and from there he went to San Francisco and to San Mateo. In 1910 he came to Watsonville for a short time but later returned to San Mateo county where he remained until 1912 when the firm of Rilovich & Sresovich Company was formed. They carry on business of both packing and shipping fruits and make a specialty of handling apples. They are members of the Chamber of Commerce, the Western Fruit Jobbers, the International Apple Shippers, and are associated with the Fruit Produce Reporter. Mr. Rilovich married Miss Nina Helen Petrusich, and they have two children, Rita and Lucretia. He has attained to the third degree in the Knights of Columbus.

RODIN, FRANK Croatian Activities

Brother Rodin was born in Prvic Luka, Croatia on September 12, 1897. He had been a longtime member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 588 and, at the time of his death, had served on the lodge’s board of trustees and was very active in all lodge affairs. Frank D. Rodin passed away on December 14, 1978 at the age of 81.

RODIN, TONY Restaurant

It was still the dark days of the Great Depression when a young Dalmatian immigrant, Tony Rodin, opened Original Joe’s in August of 1937. He and partner, Lou Rocca, built the modest, 14-stool eatery with a sawdust floor at 144 Taylor St. into a San Francisco landmark. Nearly 50 years later, Rodin estimates the restaurant has served more than eight million customers. A second generation has now taken charge at Original Joe’s. Rodin’s daughter, Marie Rodin Dugan, and her stockbroker husband, John, bought out Rocca’s interest to keep the operation in the family and continue this San Francisco dining tradition into the next century. Her innovative and energetic restaurateur father still spends almost every day at the restaurant. “This is the oldest existing Joe’s in the country and I wanted to keep it in the family,” says Marie, who has worked there for more than eight years. “Fifty years in one family and in one location is quite a claim to fame for a restaurant.” While the restaurant has grown substantially in size (it now seats 140) and been modernized over the years, the food and the ambience have remained much the same. “We’ve always been famous for the quality and quantity of food we serve,” Marie says, “and there’s still no place that serves more or better food for the price.” Marie proudly points out that a visit to Joe’s is like a visit to “the old San Francisco of the 30s and 40s” and that even the staff resembles a scene from yesteryear. Some of the workers have been there for more than 40 years and Marie says the average tenure is 20 years. And the clientele gives Joe’s a very Damon Runyon flavor with everyone from elegantly-dressed theater goers, the cop on the beat, and old timers, as well as neighborhood “characters,” tourists, and an ever-curious collection of the young and adventurous. Giant portions of great food have always been Joe’s trademark and just strolling from the front door to the table and looking at diners’ plates tells that story. Joe’s giant hamburgers, hamburger steaks, and 18-ounce New York Steak and filet mignon are popular favorites. Even the hamburger steak on the diet plate is a whopping 12 ounces. It’s no wonder that Marie says Original Joe’s has the “biggest doggie bag service in San Francisco.” In addition to the friendly staff, we enjoyed the natural camaraderie and friendliness of our fellow diners, all obviously enjoying themselves and their meals, a big part of the atmosphere that makes Original Joe’s a legendary dining spot that even “Time” magazine singled our during the 1984 Democratic National Convention.

ROGAN, AUGUST Tamburitza Hall of Fame-Music Publisher

August Gus Rogan was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on February 5, 1920, to Zlata and August Rogan who came to Braddock, Pennsylvania, in 1914 and then moved to Youngstown, Ohio, in April of 1915. Gus was one of four boys. Two of his brothers, Steve and Frank, are deceased, and his remaining brother, John, has an accounting office in Youngstown, Ohio. Gus worked for the Jones & Laughlin Steel Company for 32 years. Although now retired from the company as a shipping clerk, he is still very much in touch with the retirees of that company and plays for their social get-togethers, trips, etc. Gus' father played a farkas brac for many years, so Gus was introduced at an early age to tambura music. His two brothers, Steve and Frank, played the sremski brac, but their musical careers were short lived. Gus had found a means of expressing his musical talents and could not let go of it. He is now in his fifty-fourth year of entertaining people of all nationalities and has traveled throughout the tri-state area delighting crowds in Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee. Gus and his Balkan Strings Orchestra have made many radio broadcasts, not only in the Youngstown area but also on WKST in New Castle, Pa., and WBVP in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. A few of the highlights of Gus' Balkan Strings was a Caribbean cruise, where they entertained, and three appearances at the Croatian Day celebrations at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh, Pa., sponsored by the Croatian Fraternal Union. While serving four years in the service of his country, Gus with his brac and guitar-playing buddies entertained in England, France, Belgium, and Germany. He has exposed many people of different origins to the lovely sounds of his tambura and our beautiful Croatian folk music. To date his Balkan Strings have played at three tamburitza extravaganzas, receiving a standing ovation at one of them. They have performed at countless weddings, picnics, parties, and played at many nursing, and rest homes for our elderly, whom he hasn't forgotten. He also plays his prim and brac with a harmonica orchestra and periodically plays with a country western group that entertains in our community public parks. Gus is also a member of the senior "Od Srca" tamburica group. His Balkan Strings have cut eight LP albums to date, and he is a member of Musicians Local 86-242. Ten song books were published with melody, harmony, chords and words. He has also put out a book of kolo music with melody and chords. To date he has published a total of 245 songs. In 1983 Gus and Pete Kunovich received the TAA "Presidential Award" at the extravaganza. On April 15 and 16 of 1983, the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 66 in Youngstown, Ohio, designated these two days as "Gus Rogan and Pete Kunovich Days". In the same year the "Steelton Tambura Lovers" club honored Gus and Pete with a surprise banquet for their 50 years of entertainment with their tambura music. At the 1985 Tamburitza Extravaganza in Dearborn, Michigan, Gus and his orchestra arrived a day early and welcomed all arriving guests and musicians by playing tambura music in the lobby of the hotel. Everyone was thrilled to be so warmly received and delighted to be entertained by the Balkan Strings. It was a memorable night for all, one that will remain in our memories for a long time.

Gus is still active with his friend, Pete Kunovich, and their "Balkan Strings" orchestra and are looking forward to many more years of tambura playing for the people they so love to entertain.

ROGEL, F. Goldminer-Tailor

In 1852 F. Rogel wrote a letter from Marysville, California to the Luna Newpaper in Zagreb, Croatia. Mr. Rogel was a tailor.  It is not known whether Mr. Rogel returned home to Croatia or settled in California. A Marty Rogel voted in Alameda, California in 1877 and listed his age as 31 and Austria as country of origin. Mr. Rogel could have sent for his family and children. F. Rogel worked in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for eight months as a tailor. One January 29, 1850 he traveled by steamship to Central America and landed at the Istmus of Panama at the town of Gorgana. He described the beauty of the flora and fauna including commentary on alligators and the exotic bird life. He waited until April 9th for another steamship to take him around Cape Horn to Mazatlan and landed in San Francisco on May 4, 1850. He traveled to Sacramento by river boat and went immediately to the goldfields and in four days found gold. He then worked as a waiter near Sutter’s Fort. In a short time he sent money home to his family. In January 1851 he decided to return to Sacramento and find work as a tailor.  He soon realized more money was to be made easily as a tailor than seeking gold. A very wealthy lady ordered a full wardrobe from him at a value of $10,000 Austrian Florints and he was able to send to his family a substantial sum of moeny. He described in detail the price of goods and services in Sacramento plus the overall cost of living. He opened a tailor shop in the gold boom town of Marysville and bought goldmine shares in the Boston Quartz Goldmine Company and shares in the Water Company on the Yuba RIver.

ROSANDICH, MARK Excursion Boats

Visitors to Islamorada and the Upper Keys in Florida have a new transportation option with the start of four-day-a-week shuttle jetboat service between Coconut Grove and Islamorada. Dubbed First Lady of the Keys Express, the 50-foot catamaran with jetliner-type seating for 49 passengers will depart Dinner Key Marina on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning and make the three-hour run down the Inland Waterway, docking at Holiday Isle. The jetboat will make the return trip over the same route each day. Mark Rosandich, a 15-year veteran of the excursion boat business who runs a 159-passenger shuttle boat operation in Cancun Mexico and a catamaran sailing excursion boat in Puerto Rico, has teamed up with Miami's Michael Dudek and the Floribean Hospitality Group to market and operate the Florida Keys trips. Rosandich said the startup operation is a pilot program that he hopes will lead to bringing in a larger boat and the initiation of runs to the lower Keys and Key West. "We're starting with one boat," said Rosandich. "But we have plans for a 350-passenger boat that's probably going to come in early next year and we'll expand the service to Key West." "We picked a route that will be the most scenic for our passengers," said Rosandich. "It's all down the Intercoastal Waterway, through parts of the Everglades and Biscayne Park. And, there's very little chance of people getting seasick because we'll stay so close to shore." Meantime, Dudek predicted the trips would be very popular with tourists and Miami daytrippers wanting a weekend Keys escape. "Holiday Isle is the hotspot for weekend escapes from Miami," said Dudek. "But coming back by car can take two-and-a-half to three hours because the traffic on U.S. 1 is so heavy. By taking the First Lady, people can lay back in the 727-type airline seats on the boat, relax, have a drink, watch a movie and enjoy a boat ride back to Coconut Grove." Rosandich says the boat will provide a complimentary continental breakfast on the trip down to Islamorada and that soft drinks and water are complimentary, with wine and beer also available. Bar snacks will be available on the return trip. 2002.

ROSS, JOHN and LUCA Fishermen

In 1909 John Ross, Sr. was brailing salmon aboard his 42-foot seiner Bogdan. John had the boat built at H.W. Lake Shipyard in Seattle, Washington. The Bogdan was a sleek and beautiful little vessel for her day, and John operated her until 1914. Then he had the 52-foot seiner Brooklyn built at the Strubstad yard in Tacoma. It is also believed that John, along with his brother Luca Ross, had an interest in the 1915 Barbare-built seiner Juno. John's sons Emmet, Adam, and Johnnie, became fully involved in the fishing business when, in 1924, they purchased the 62-foot Home II, built at Blind Slough, Oregon, in 1916. In 1928, the Ross brothers acquired the 63-foot seiner Westland, built at the Martinolich yard in Dockton, on Vashon Island, the year before. Now there were two boats but still three brothers. It is believed that the reason for not acquiring a third seiner was the fact that Johnnie wanted to have the option of pursuing his ferryboat career when he was not running a fishing boat. Johnnie, the eldest of the three brothers, was a ferry skipper for the Skansie Transportation Company for a number of years. It seems that Johnnie divided his time between ferry boats and the fishing business. It is known that he ran both the Providence and the Advocator for Lee Makovich, Sr. at different times and was the skipper of the Majestic for a number of years. It was also reported that early on Johnnie skippered the old Juno for one season for his uncle Luca Ross. Johnnie may best be remembered, however, at least by the younger generation, as being a familiar figure on the Salmon Banks, as skipper of Gerald Crosby's shiny, new Hansen-built senier Sea Comber. Adam ran the Home II exclusively until he became ill in 1966. Adam was a top skipper around the San Juan Islands and the old Home II proved to be a training ground of sorts for a number of future skippers. Several young men who fished with Adam later went on to own their own fishing boats. One of those young men is Adam's son, Adam Jr., who went on to own and operate the seiner Chinook. He later sold the Chinook and, in 1968, had the 58-foot seiner Adana R built at the Don Bishop yard in Richmond, California. He ran the Adana R in Southeast Alaska until his retirement in 1994. Emmett ran the Westland from the time the brothers purchased it until he became ill about 1967. However, Emmett's first year as the skipper of a seiner is believed to be 1923 when he ran the Providence for Lee Makovich, Sr.

RUDECH, THOMAS Railroad Engineer

A locomotive engineer of long and valuable experience, Thomas Rudech well merits the comfortable retirement he is now enjoying at 1706 K. Street, Sacramento. He was born on a farm in Guric near Orebic in Dalmatia, Croatia, on July 15, 1842, and when a mere boy began to follow the sea, visiting many interesting parts of the world. On July 12, 1862, he sailed through the Golden Gate into San Francisco harbor, on a voyage from Boston by way of Cape Horn; and having decided to stay in California, he tried fishing in San Francisco Bay for eight months, and then, in 1863 came to Sacramento. He worked for a while on Charles Eisen’s ranch, and for a while in a Sacramento restaurant; and in May, 1869, he entered the employ of the Central Pacific Railway, to work in the repair shops.  Later he was a fireman on a locomotive, and then, in 1874, he was promoted to be engineer.  he was fireman on the first train running out of Sacramento for Alameda, on September 18, 1869, and on that occasion, marking the completion of the road, prominent railroad officials and men who figured in the early histroy of the state, including Governor Leland Standford, Messrs. Mark Hopkins, Huntington, and Crocker, and others, rode on the train. He has driven locomotives burning wood, coal and oil, his first engine being the “Andrew Jackson”; and he drove the first coal-burning locomotive, the “No. 19,” over the mountains from Sacrametno to Truckee. At the end of forty-one years of devoted and successful serivce, he was retired on October 1, 1910. He has many interesting recollections, among them the driving of the golden spike, linking California with the East, which occurred while he was in the Sacramento shops. He joined the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers in 1877. Mr. Rudech was married in 1870, on the 3rd of February, when he took for his wife Miss Mary Brannan, a native of Ireland. She was a good and gifted woman, who proved most helpful as a wife, friend and neighbor; and when she died on November 30, 1918, she was mourned by many. Mr. Rudech is exceedingly active for his years, and still drives his own automobile.

RUJEVCAN, RUDY Tambura-Military

Rudy was a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union, Lodge 170 for 56 years. He was an active member of the Hoosier Hrvati Tamburitza Orchestra where he loved to play the bugarija and sing. Rudy was a retired electrician of U.S. Steel Gary Works, with 44 years of service. He was a decorated U.S. Army Sergeant serving with the Second Infantry Division in the Korean Conflict and he was also a member of the "9th Manchu Regiment. The Heroes of Bloody Ridge." He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with four bronze stars and one overseas bar, the Combat Infantry Badge, the United Nations Service Medal, the Distinguished Enlisted Unit Citation. Rudy was a member of the Veteran F.W. Post 1563. Rudy was an avid reader and frequented most of the libraries in Northwest Indiana on a routine basis. He always studied with his four children and encouraged them to be good readers and hard workers. His children, Bill, Bob, Adriane and Marla are all college graduates and are doing great in the business world today. Rudy also loved playing the game of chess and playing his bugarija and singing and taping songs with his beloved grandchildren. Rudy is preceded in death by his parents, Mike and Kata Rujevcan and his older brother, Jimmy.. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Angeline (nee Pujo), two sons, William (Holly) Rujevcan of Laguna Niguel, California, and Robert (Juliet) Rvievcan of Overland Park, Kansas; two daughters, Adriane (Richard) Rower of Hinsdale, Ilinois and Marla (Tom) Darman of Melrose Park, Ilinois. He was dear grandfather of Marielle, Madison, Colton, Anastasia, Steele and the late Sophia; sister Anne Wozniak of Calumet Township, cousin- Katherine Rujevcan of Hammond, Indiana, sister-in-law, Katie Rujevcan of Hobart, Indiana, in laws, Anne Marie Pujo, Radmila (Alex) Jackovich, Radomir Pujo, Ruth Radjen, Joann Ellison, Ned (Yolanda) Pujo, and Don Pujo; many nieces and nephews. Family and friends were received at funeral on April 29, 2001 at which time the Croatian Crest was placed on his bier. Rudy was very proud of his Croatian heritage. The president of the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 170, Betty Morgavan, gave a memorable tribute and Dennis Barunica directed the Hoosier Hrvati Tamburitzans and the Peradovic Glee Club with some unforgettable songs and music.

RUKAVINA CLAN

My name is Garrie Thompson and I'm Croatian by birth. I know my name doesn't sound Croatian and it isn't. my father changed his name legally for reasons which I will explain later. Both my father and mother are dead and therefore I can not go to them for a lot of details. As a result, my family background as written herein is from memory of stories that I have heard and events that I've experienced in my life. As I understand it my father was born in Petrinja, Croatia in the year of 1905. His fathers name was Antun Rukavina and his mothers name was Ana Altic. He was the second child and had older sister named Mary Rukavina. She is still alive and resides in Gary, Indiana but isn't a very good source of information at this time as she is quite old and very sick. My fathers father left Croatia around 1913 and came to United States with promise that he would earn his fortune and send for his family. He went to Gary, Indiana to work in the steel mills. For some reason that steel mill had gone to the part of Croatia (Petrinja) and recruited men for the steel mill. I don't know if this was because there were smelters in that area or if it was purely a matter of getting labor that was reliable and that worked for low wages. After approximately one year passed and my grandfather had not sent the money for his family to go to the United States. My grandmother got tired of waiting, and so she gathered her children together and got enough money some how to go on her own. She went by ship to the United States and arrived in New York. Friends form the old country in New York helped her get to Gary, Indiana to find my grandfather. It so happened that while she and the children were crossing the Atlantic my grandfather started back to Croatia to get his family. My grandmother, aunt and my father arrived in Gary, Indiana only to find that my grandfather has returned to Croatia. They had to stay with friends from the homeland until my grandfather made the return trip. This is hard to understand in our modern world of telephones, etc., but it was different in those days. Petrinja, Croatia probably didn't have a phone in the town or at least there were very few I'm quite sure. My grandfather who had been a policeman in his home land finally got back together with his family in Gary, Indiana and went to work in the steel mills with all his countryman. He raised my aunt, Mary, my father and two more sons and two more daughters in this area. My father, as did many boys in that area, went to work in the steel mills at the age of 13. The hours were long and work was very hard and the pay just supported existence. As a result my father became a professional fighter as soon as he was old enough to try to reach the big money of the Promised Land. He changed his name from Ivan Rukavina to Tommy Thompson which was a common type thing to do when you had a long complex Slavic name. He was quite successful as he had forty seven professional fights and was never defeated. He met my mother and wanted to marry her but she refused to marry a fighter. As a result, my father quit fighting but retained his name of Thompson. That is how I have a Croatian father and name of Thompson. I believe he some how took the name of Garrie from his home town but changed the spelling. The rest of his family still retained the name Rukavina. One exception is my Uncle George who became a very good jockey in the eastern part of the United States. He also changed his name by shortening it to Rukus. He was later killed over Germany as a gunner in a bomber during World War II. As much as I would like to know it seems impossible to fill in the many open holes in my families background. I might mention that even though I was born Garrie Thompson (on my birth certificate) my parents baptized me as John Rukavina. I guess in the eyes of God they felt this was necessary. My father then became a steeple jack and structural iron worker and settled in San Francisco Bay area. During World War II, he worked in the Richmond shipyards as a Hull Superintended and developed and patented many time saving inventions. He received several commendations for his efforts including one from President of United States. He was a super athlete and at the age of sixty five he was still climbing structural iron works for a living.

RUKAVINA, THOMAS F. Professor

Thomas Rukavina is a Professor of Philosophy at Gonzaga University, Spokane,

Washington. Born January 5, 1923 in Hrvatsko Polje (Lika), Croatia; married US citizen since 1956. Education includes University of Zagreb, Croatia 1941-42; Gregorian University, Rome, Licent., 1944; Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, Ph.D., 1958. Major field in Philosophy with a speciality of Existentialism. Thesis 1957 "Fundamental Ontology of M. Heidegger," Indiana University, M.A., 1959 "Heidegger as Critic of Western Thinking," Indiana University, Ph.D. Published: "Being and Things in Heidegger's Philosophy: A Rejoinder," The New Scholasticism, April, 1969; Review of Martin Heidegger, by Marjorie Greene, The New Scholasticism, July, 1959; Review of An Introduction to Metaphysic by Martin Heidegger, Trans. Ralph Manheim, The New Scholasticism, July, 1960.

RUNJE, PETAR and ANNA Croatian Activities

Anna was born in Lisac, near Ston, Hercegovina March 16, 1896 to Petar and Mare Bede. She followed her sister, Kate Skurla to New Jersey in 1920, where she met Pete Runje. Anna and Pete were married and raised three children: Zorka (Berridge), Mary (Jennings) and Peter. Pete and Anna were from the same region of Hercegovina and in 1977 took a large group of family members to visit their birthplace. Anna passed away January 11, 1985.

RUSCIC, BRANKO Chemist

Branko Ruscic is a senior research associate, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois. Born August 29, 1952; parents are Sime R. and Irena Valeri-Gradisnik; married LjiIjana nee Dubravica. Educated at University of Zagreb, Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematics 1975; DSc in chemistry at University of Zagreb1979; postdoctoral fellowship at Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne Illinois. Past experience included research associate 1984; senior research associate 1987 at Ruder Boskovic Institute, Zagreb; visiting researcher 1985-1987 and researcher since 1988 at Argonne National Laboratory. Published more than 60 original articles in international journals, 4 book chapters, many other papers, one patent. Member of Croatian Chemical Society, SIGMA XI, The Scientific Research Society.

RUSINOVIC, NIKOLA Doctor

Nikola Rusinovic is owner of Clinic Park Imaging Center, Wexford, Pennsylvania. Born February 2, 1940 in Zagreb, Croatia; parents are Nikola R. and Marija; married Vera nee Reis with a son and two daughters. Educated at School of Medicine Universidad Salamanca 1971; specialty in radiology at University of Alabama, Birmingham 1978. Head of intervention radiology at University of Alabama Medical Center 1981; at North Hills Passavant Hospital, Pittsburgh 1982-1987. Published Balloon dilatation of urethral strictures (with Lloyd LK, Griggs P, Jander HP), Urologic Radiology, Vol 2, No. 1:33-37; Balloon dilatation of the papilla of Vater for biliary stone removal with Centola CAP, Jander HP, Stauffer A. Member American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America; American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.

RUSTAN, ANDRO Farm

He was born in Dalmatia, Croatia August 15, 1863. His parents were John and Louisa (Buskovich) Rustan. He was pressed into the Austrian army, serving two years, and in 1881 went through the war as a corporal in the 37th Regiment, being wounded in action near Crevochia. He had heard much of free America and California, and on February 3, 1887, he went to Havre, France, where he embarked for New York; arriving in San Francisco. He did not stop long in San Francisco, however, but soon made his way to Stockton, where he went to work for the Southern Pacific Railway Company. His father died in Dalmatia, and he thereupon determined to have his mother, brother and three sisters join him in California. He bought out the stock, machinery, horses, mules and complete equipment of an island farmer and rented 2,600 acres on Union Island, in San Joaquin County, and was soon among the large grain farmers of the Valley and helped his family to get started in California. As a farmer on Union Island Mr. Rustan was very successful. In 1901 Mr. Rustan was married to Mary Deranja, born in Dalmatia, who was 17 years old when she came to America. In 1906 he rented another large piece of land of 1,200 acres near Banta, California, and farmed there until 1914. He operates his own mountain and foothill grazing ranch of 1,200 acres, 14 miles distant, which he runs to horses, cattle and mules. He maintains a blacksmith shop and a machine shop on his ranch, shoes his own horses, repairs his farm machinery, autos and tractors. He was naturalized in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Rustan have three children: Louise is a graduate of Heald’s Business College; Annie Pauline is in Tracy High School; John A. is also at Tracy High School. Mr. and Mrs. Rustan and family are members of the Catholic Church, while Mr. Rustan is active in the Farm Bureau of Tracy, Summer Lodge of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

RUYECHAN, MATTHEW Priest

Father Ruyechan, a Rankin, Pennsylvania boy, is the son of Mary Vichich Ruyechan of Rankin and the late William T. Ruyechan Sr. Father Matthew is the brother of Dr. William T. Ruyechan Jr. of Amherst, New York. Dr. Ruyechan earned his Ph.D. in chemistry. After attending Rankin Elementary Schools, Father Ruyechan graduated St. Fideles High School in Herman, Pennsylvania. He then attended Saint Paul Seminary in Crafton, Pennsylvania and Duquesne, University, class of 1975. Following Duquesne University, Father Matthew attended Saint Leonard's Franciscan Seminary in Dayton, Ohio and, Washington Theological Union Seminary in Washington, D.C. On May 21, 1980 in Rankin, Pennsylvania, Matthew Ruyechan was ordained at his home parish, Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He also was welcomed there by the pastor of "Saint Mary's" Father Myron Lasich, From 1980 to 1982, Father Ruyechan served at St. Augustine in West Allis, Wisconsin then from 1982 to 1985 at Sacred Heart in South Chicago, Illinois. In 1985 Father Matthew became pastor at Saint Jerome Croatian Parish in Chicago where he remained until 1995. He was, in 1995, appointed pastor of Saint Anthony Parish in Sharon, Pennsylvania where he currently presides.

RUZICH, GEORGE Tamburitza

Employed while in high school with Mechanical Engineering Service Co. in Detroit, Michigan. before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1944. Served almost two years in the military overseas duty in Italy. Graduated from the University of Detroit in 1953, College of Engineering, where major was structural and architectural engineering. From 1953 through 1960 was employed by a building products company as an architectural engineer, a product development engineer, and finally, a sales service engineer. About that time, was called in for an IRS audit, found out that he had an Engineering and Valuation section, and that they were looking for a bright, young engineering graduate with some diversity of experience. Was employed by the Internal Revenue Service in 1960 as a Valuation Engineer out of the Detroit District Office up until being transferred to San Francisco in 1970. Areas of activity out of Detroit included architectural construction and manufacturing, along with the valuation of commercial, industrial and residential property. Secondary discipline included the valuation of works of art. The primary areas of activity out of San Francisco included the valuation of tangible and intangible assets in gambling casino acquisitions, corporate liquidations, and sports franchise acquisitions. The salvage value of jet aircraft was also a prominent work activity along with the valuation of patents and research development expenses. Became active as a steward in 1978 in the San Francisco Chapter of the National Treasury Employees Union (along with the aforementioned duties) and in 1983 was selected as a union official. Remained a part-time union official until October of 1988 to become a full-time union official and representative. Cultural background: In 1957, was one of the active founders of what is now the Detroit Tamburitza Orchestra, and concurrently, a member of a popular Detroit tamburitza combo known as the "Crescendos". Along with the foregoing, taught several children's tambura classes at their Croatian Home before being transferred to San Francisco. Shortly after arriving in San Francisco, organized a tamburitza combo, "Tanac", which included sons, Randy and Bob, and entertained at many Slavic functions around the Bay Area along with serving music instructor to several tamburitza classes in San Francisco and the east Bay for many years. Currently, active as a director and musical arranger of a 14-member singing club, "Dalmacijo", meeting weekly at the Slavonic Cultural center in San Francisco, in addition to being Financial Secretary of the Slavonic Mutual Benevolent Society meeting at the same Center. Retired from the service (and the Union) in January of 1995 and enjoying writing articles to the "Zajednicar", as a 50-year member of the Croatian Fraternal Union. This is probably attributable to the fact that both parents were from the Primorski area of Croatia (near Rijeka) and being married to a very musically talented lady whose father was a Karlovcan and whose mother had roots in the Slavonia region of Croatia. In closing, it should perhaps be noted that I met my wife, Lillian, in Detroit over 50 years ago at a dance at (where else) Croatian home!