SAPUNAR, MATT

Restaurant

 

An experienced caterer, who has helped to make Sacramento more popular with the ever-coming and ever-going strangers and other visitors, is Matt Sapunar, the genial proprietor of the Tourist Restaurant at 817 Second Street.  He was born on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia and grew up in that country, attending the well-conducted Dalmatian schools; and when sixteen years of age, he crossed the wide ocean; rather an undertaking for a lad of his years, and after inspecting the great American metropolis, he pushed on to the more promising West, and hailed Sacramento as his own.

Matt Sapunar worked hard for several years, in order to get a modest start in business.  In 1920, he established with his present place and took into partnership with him Matt Rakela and Marko Sapunar, and the trio have been successful, the experienced and observing public in the capital city not being slow to appreciate their efforts to furnish a better restaurant service for the traveler than anyone had provided before.

In 1913, Matt Sapunar was married to Miss Hazel Ellers, of Portland.  Mr. Sapunar shares her husbands liking for athletics, and also for outdoor life and pleasures.  

 

SAPUNOR, JOHN M. Judge

Judge Sapunor was appointed by Governor Ronald Reagan to the Superior Court in December 1974. He was re-elected Superior Court Judge two more times by the citizens of Sacramento County. Judge Sapunor retired in 1988. Judge Sapunor was elected by his fellow Judges to serve as Presiding Judge for two years, in 1984 and again in 1985.

Judge Sapunor was born in Sacramento. He obtained his Bachelor's degree from the University of Santa Clara in 1941. After service during World War II he obtained his LL.B. degree from the University of Santa Clara Law School in 1948. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1949.

In 1983 Judge Sapunor was specially honored when he was named "Trial Judge of the Year" by the California Trial Lawyers Association.

Judge Sapunor was married twice. His first wife died in 1965. From his first wife he had three children, two of which died during their respective childhoods, and one of which also became a Superior Court Judge (see Hon. John Van Dyke Sapunor.) Judge Sapunor is survived by his wife, Treva, whom he married in 1967 and by his son, John.

 

SAPUNOR, JOHN V. Judge

Judge Sapunor was appointed by Governor Deukmajian to the Municiple Court in March 1985. In 1988 Judge Sapunor ran for and was elected to the Superior Court seat vacated by the retirement of his father  however, he was temporarily appointed to the Superior Court by Governor Deukmajian to fill his father's seat until he was to commence the term of his elected office. He was re-elected in 1994.

Judge Sapunor is the grandson of Thomas Sapunor Sr., who emigrated to the United States from the island of Brac at the turn of the century. Judge Sapunor believes his grandfather's family name was Krstulovich, but changed the name to Sapunor upon entry into this country. First joining the National Guard, and then working as a milkman, Judge Sapunor's grandfather eventually became a locomotive engineer with Southem Pacific. Thomas Sapunor Sr. holds the record for the fastest and slowest times for crossing the Sierra Nevadas. The fastest time was made when he operated a rescue train to a mine disaster. The slowest time was made in 1953 when he brought the "City of San Francisco" across the Sierra Nevadas during a winter snow storm, after the train had been stalled at Emigrant Gap for three days.

Judge Sapunor is a native of Sacramento. After graduation from Christian Brothers High School in 1966, Judge Sapunor attended the University of Santa Clara where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in 1970. He entered the University of Santa Clara Law School and obtained his J.D. degree in 1973. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1973.

Judge Sapunor resides in Sacramento with his wife, Vicki, who is also an attorney with the Superior Court in Sacramento. He has one adult child.

 

SAPUNOR, THOMAS Locomotive Engineer

Thomas Sapunor Sr.,  emigrated to the United States from the island of Brac at the turn of the century. Judge Sapunor believes his grandfather's family name was Krstulovich, but changed the name to Sapunor upon entry into this country. First joining the National Guard, and then working as a milkman, Judge Sapunor's grandfather eventually became a locomotive engineer with Southem Pacific. Thomas Sapunor Sr. holds the record for the fastest and slowest times for crossing the Sierra Nevadas. The fastest time was made when he operated a rescue train to a mine disaster. The slowest time was made in 1953 when he brought the "City of San Francisco" across the Sierra Nevadas during a winter snow storm, after the train had been stalled at Emigrant Gap for three days.

 

SAPUNAR, NICHOLAS  Real Estate-Contractor-Insurance Co.-Finance Co.

Passed away on October 11, 2002. Age 83. Husband of Anne C. Sapunar deceased in April 1983; mother of Marilyn K. Christen deceased in March of 2000, Kathleen M. Marini. of Santa Cruz, father-in-law to John A. Christen and Joel E. Marini; grandfather of Jenniferand Scot Emigh of Rio Vista, John and Lizanne Christen of Philadelphia, Anthony and Lora Christen, Paul and Maureen Christen and Matthew Christen all of San Francisco, Nicholas and Heidi Marini and Gino Marini of Santa Cruz; beloved son of Walter and Margaret Sapunar and beloved stepson of Mary Sapunar all deceased: beloved son-in-law of Mike and Katie Vidovich both deceased; brother-in-law of George Vidovich and Steve and Dolores Vidovich; loving great grandfather of Will, Elena, Katherine, Luke and Ben Christen. Survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graduated from Commerce High in San Francisco In 1936. He worked at the New Process Laundry as a truck driver in the early 40's while working for his father-in-law at night at the Acme Grill on 14th and Market. At his wife Anne's urging, he attended Golden Gate business school in the early 50's where he got his real estate license. He was partners with Carl Christensen at Christensen /Sapunar Realty. Opened his own Real, estate office in the Sunset at 30th and Judah and also on 19th and Taraval. It was known as N.A. Sapunar Realty and at its height he had over 60 agents working for him. He received the Realtor of the Year award in 1987. He was also a partner in a construction business, an insurance company and a finance company. He was one of the last independently owned realtors In San Francisco, having just recently sold to Coldwell Banker after suffering a stroke In January of 1997.

He was  loved by many San Franciscans who he helped set up In their first homes. He was a member of Holy Name Parish; Past President of the Holy Name Father's Club; the; SMBS (Slavonian Mutual Benevolent Society) in fact he helped start and build the Slavonic Cultural Center that now stands on Alemany and Onondaga; Member of the Residential Builders Assoclation; Past board member of Self Help for the Elderly, where he received an award in1998; Past board member- of the Recreation Center for the Handicapped; the Saint Ignatius College Prep Board of Regents.

He was always willing to donate to a cause to help someone else. He was active with donations to Catholic Charities, Little Sisters of the Poor, the St. Vincent De Paul Society, Little Children's Aide and many more. He received an award for his charitable contributions from Little Children's Aide in the 90's. He also sponsored many youth related activities throughout SF including the PAL baseball teams in the  Di-Maggio League. He also sponsored many activities for his grandchildren in both SanFrancisico and Santa Cruz. He was a member of the Olympic Club where he had a standing foursome every Saturday until his stroke. He loved to play golf and received 2 holes in one durinq his lifetime.

His family was first and foremost to him and he loved his six grandsons and one granddaughter Immensely. He was also a proud great grandfather to five. He is also survived by his many loving careworkers and therapists who helped him through the past 6 years: Magdalena, Susan, Omar, Julietta, Julie. Sue, Lizanne and Marcella. He had a great passion for life and loved traveling and visiting many places. He especially enloyed his last trips to Las Vegas where he would treat everyone to shows and dinner and fun. SF Chronicle October 13, 2002

 

SAPUNAR, A                 1877   Waiter               San Francisco     Brac       Dir

SAPUNAR, ANN C.        1982   Society              San Francisco     Brac       Sls

SAPUNAR, ANTON        1911   Resident           Sacramento         Brac       Jut

SAPUNAR, GEORGE     1991   Railroad            Sacramento         Brac       Sls

SAPUNAR, HAZEL         1913   Wife                   Sacramento         Oregon   Red

SAPUNAR, JERRY         1994   Chef                  Sacramento         Brac       Sls

SAPUNAR, JOHN          1885   Waiter               San Francisco     Brac       Dir

SAPUNAR, JOHN          1880   Goldminer         Amador               Brac       Vot

SAPUNAR, MANDINA    1911   Society              Sacramento         Brac       Cfu

SAPUNAR, MARCO       1920   Restaurant        Sacramento         Brac       Red

SAPUNAR, MARE          1911   Resident           Sacramento         Brac       Jut

SAPUNAR, MARGARET 1930   Society              Sacramento         Brac       Cfu

SAPUNAR, MARKO       1911   Resident           Sacramento         Brac       Jut

SAPUNAR, MATT          1913   Husband           Sacramento         Brac       Red

SAPUNAR, MATT          1920   Restaurant        Sacramento         Brac       Red

SAPUNAR, NICHOLAS  1995   Real Estate        San Francisco     Brac       Dir

SAPUNAR, NICHOLAS  1976   Society              San Francisco     Brac       Sls

SAPUNAR, PAUL           1911   Resident           Sacramento         Brac       Jut

SAPUNAR, SAMUEL     1910   Wood Coal         San Francisco     Brac       Dir

SAPUNAR, SAMUEL     1912   Restaurant        San Francisco     Brac       Dir

SAPUNAR, STEPHAN    1911   Society              Sacramento         Brac       Cfu

SAPUNAR, TOM            1911   Resident           Sacramento         Brac       Jut

SAPUNAR, WALTER      1920   Restaurant        Sacramento         Brac       Dir

SAPUNOR, GEORGE     1985   Judge                Sacramento         Brac       Ccc

SAPUNOR, JACK          1989   Judge                Sacramento         Brac       Ccc

SAPUNOR, JOHN          1989   Judge                Sacramento         Brac       Ccc

SAPUNOR, MRS            1919   Wife                   Sacramento         Brac       Bio

SAPUNOR, PETER        1992   Attorney            Sacramento         Brac       Ccc

SAPUNOR, PHIL           1995   Doctor               Walnut Creek      Brac       Dir

SAPUNOR, THOMAS     1919   Husband           Sacramento         Brac       Bio

 

 

Adam S Eterovich

Amerikonac-Bracanin

croatians@aol.com

www.croatians.com

 

SF Chronicle (October 13, 2002). Nicholas A. Sapunar Obituary. San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco.

           Very successful  and generous businesman, people from the Island of Brac, Croatia.

 

Reed, G. W. (1923). John Jurach, George Lucich, Marco Lucich, N.N. Matcovich, Mat Sapunar, Thomas Rudech. History of Sacramento County, Historical Rec. Co.

          Biography Sacramento.

 

The Sapunor articles came out of a Croatian Extravaganza booklet.