ABRAMOVIC, JOHN Basketball-Military-Business

John, or "Brooms" as everyone knew him, made a tremendous mark in the basketball world. As a junior and senior at Salem College in West Virginia (1942-1943), he led the entire nation in scoring. He averaged nearly 30 points per game, which was unheard of at that time. He made First Team All American in 1942 and 1943 and still holds the Salem College record of most points in a game (57), and in the season (777). He was the first player In college history to score 2,000 points in a career. After spending three years in the Navy during World War 11, he signed and went on to play professional basketball for several teams in the National Basketball League, and the Basketball Association of America. These two leagues formed the National Basketball Association (NBA) the year after "Brooms" retired. He was inducted into the West Virginia and the Pennsylvania Sports Halls of Fame. In addition to his basketball career, John played professionai baseball and also was an avid golfer and bowler during his lifetime. He was also a high school and college basketball referee. He was very involved in coaching, and raising his two children. He was a school board member for six years with the Mars, Pensylvania area school district, and he was a parttime scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball organization. John "Brooms" Abramovic, Jr., 81, died on June 9, 2000 at Memorial Hospital-Ormond, FL. He was a lifelong member of Guardian Angel Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 4, Etna, Pennsylvania. At the time of his death he had been a member for 63 years. John moved to Ormond Beach with his wife, Jessie, in 1981, after retiring from his family business, Etna Broom and Mop Mfg. Co., which he owned and operated with his brothers. He worked as a starter at Riverbend Golf Club for a number of years. He is survived by his loving wife, Bessie; son, John III and daughter-in-law, Cindy, Ormond Beach; daughter, Wendy and son-in-law, David McFadden, Ormond Beach; stepdaughter, Jeanne Russell, Boyton Beach; and four grandchildren, Andrew Ehrman, Ormond Beach, Christie and Jonathan IV Abramovic- Ormond Beach, and Anna Sultety of Boyton; three brothers, William of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Joseph and Albert, both of O'Hara Township, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy Frketic Abramovic.

ABRAMOVICH, ROKO Tamburitza Hall of Fame

Roko Abramovich, musician, technician, and arranger, was born in Eureka, Utah, on August 15, 1909. He spent the next 18 years of his life with relatives back in Croatia, and came to Chicago area around 1927. In Chicago, Roko mastered the farkash brac, and played with the "Selacka Stranka" orchestra, under the direction of Aloise Jaksa. All of the other tambura instruments were added to his credits in the next years to come, and for a time Roko played with the Rotkovich family, filling in on the bugaria. During the war, Roko filled in a number of times on bugaria, for Louie Kapugi also. For a few years he was a member of the old Yavor Orchestra, and played with the likes of the late Vaso Bukvich, and people like John Krilcich, Steve Vucinic, Tom Stefancic, and Elizabeth Plasay. Later in the forties and fifties, Roko played with the Dave Zupkovich Orchestra, where he featured on the prima. For those avid collectors of the old 78 records, it is Roko who plays the lead in unforgettables like Daniela, Cudo Jada, and the note perfect Caralama Kolo. In those years, Roko played with Ernie Maty, Carl Schutzman, Steve Paulich in the Neven Orchestra also. Later in the fifties and sixties we find him merging with Nick Skertich to form the ever popular Veseljaci Orchestra, whose members from time to time have been Mickey Kusecek, Ray Jankovich, Bucky Bukvich, and Ray Ratz. Roko was married to the late Mary Bertovic in May 1934, and from that marriage they were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Ann Marie and Marlene. Retired from the Steel Mills, but not from music, Roko continues to contribute to the tamburitza field by teaching two junior groups, the Chicago Juniors of the Croatian Fraternal Union, and the Sacred Heart Juniors of South Chicago. He continues to fill in with the Veseljaci Orchestra from time to time, and enjoys spending most of his time with his six grandchildren. Roko has and will always be known to Chicagoans as "Mr. Brac."

ABRANOVIC, ANTHONY Military-News

He was born November 4, 1909, in Croatia, to Anton and Mary (Yankovic) Abranovic. Tony was a U.S. Army veteran of WW 11. He started "Kittanning News" in 1949, and retired in 1980 when he turned the business over to his two sons, Mark and Anthony. Anthony "Tony" Abranovic, 79, of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, died on Saturday, November 19, 1988, at his home. He was a member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 29 of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Surviving are his wife, Mary (Stich) Abranovic; five sons, Wynn of Amhurst, Massachusettes, Alan and Mark of Kittaning, Anthony at home, and Paul of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey; one daughter, Ellie Abranovic, of Irving, Texas; one brother, Albert, of Scottsdale, Arizona; two sisters, Olga Lucas of Millvale, and Helen of McKees Rocks, and three grandchildren.

ACALIN, JERKO Fisherman

Jerko was born on August 29, 1869, on the island Zlarin, near Sibenik, Dalmatia. He came to this country in 1912. A fisherman, he followed this profession, first in the State of Washington, later moving to San Pedro. He married Milica, nee Lucev, and they had seven children. During his fishing career, Jerko was the owner of several fishing boats, and fished from Alaska to Mexico.

AGICH, PAVAO Tamburitza

Born in Djakovo, Croatia in 1873. He was a barber and founder of Croatian Singing Club "Preradovich" in Djakovo, Croatia. He had traveled with tamburitza orchestra’s all over Germany in the period from 1902-1903. He has worked for several years as a barber in London, British Columbia and in Portland, Oregon. He lived in San Francisco since 1914 and was a member and manager of the Croatian Tamburitza Orchestra in San Francisco. He is also an active member of Knights of Columbus organization.

ALAGA, GAJA Scientist

One of our best theoretical physicists was Prof. Gaja Alaga (1924-1988). He worked not only in Zagreb, Croatia, but also at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, University of California, Berkeley, and Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich.

ALAGA, NICHOLAS FBI Agent-Attorney

Nicholas Alaga was born May 21, 1912 in Watsonville, California. His field is Law, and is a graduate of the University of Santa Clara. He received his LL.B. in 1937 from Stanford University. He was a special agent in the FBI and currently practices law in San Francisco. He is presently residing in San Francisco, and is a member of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.

ALAGA, NICHOLAS N. Apple Grower and Packer

An extensive shipper of apples, who is also his own grower and packer, is Nicholas N. Alaga, of 114 Maple avenue, Watsonville. Like many others in this locality, he was born in Dalmatia, Croatia February 18, 1874, his parents being Nicholas and Mary Lettunich. Nicholas N. Alaga had rather a hard time acquiring his education after he had gone through the lower grades of the home schools, but has gained a good knowledge of affairs since coming to the United States at the age of seventeen years. After spending two years in San Francisco he went to Santa Clara valley, where he lived a similar length of time. On the 14th of July, 1894, Mr. Alaga came to Watsonville and went to work for his uncle, Mr. Lettunich, acting as his foreman for some time. Having saved a little money he then embarked in business for himself as a buyer and shipper of fruit in 1898. From this small start, Mr. Alaga has attained to his present prosperity. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and is a third degree Knight of Columbus and a member of the Austrian Benevolent Society. Mr. Alaga was married in 1911 to Miss Teresa Farlan, a native of Eureka, Humboldt county, California, and they have two sons, Nicholas Jr., and Lloyd.

ALUJEVICH, ANTON Boilermaker

Anton was born in Split, Dalmatia in 1887. He moved to America in 1907 and migrated to San Pedro in 1918. As a youth, Anton worked as a boilermaker in the shipyards of his native land and in America. His wife Franka, nee Poklepovich and Anton taught their daughters Bozica (Nathalie) and Madeline to be proactive in the Croatian-American community.

ANCHICKS, LOUISE Army Nurse-Prisoner of War

Louise M., Captain Army nurse Retired., WWI and II, died in Palo Alto on October 30, 1977; beloved wife of Eli S. Prud’Homme; loving sister of Dorothy Smith of Riverside, Illinois and Earl Anschichs of Dowers Grove, Illinois; also survived by neices and nephews; a 52 year member of American Legion, a member of Nurses Post No. 452; served at Bataan and Corregidor, Prisoner of War, P.O.W., Santa Tomas prison three years.

ANCICH, JOHN Fisherman

There aren’t many people left in Gig Harbor, Washington who can do what John Ancich Sr. can with thin knotted rope. Practitioners of the maritime art of net-mending — once found in nearly every harbor home — are now scarce. But when commercial fishing dominated the community, that skill was standard. Understanding the subtleties of sea nature was once a standard-issue skill for most locals. Now only a slim fraction of the Peninsula populace could have accomplished the specialized repair job the 87-year-old Ancich performed Monday on the Fishermen’s Memorial at Jerisich Park. Ancich, just out of the hospital following a serious fall, got wind of the damage through his community fishing contacts. He decided to mend the net on the memorial that bears the names of eight local fisherman lost at sea. The name at the top is that of his only child, John Ancich, Jr. The younger Ancich, like his dad, uncles, and grandfather, was a fisherman from the get go. They all started going out on voyages in their teens and kept at it through their lives. “That’s about all I did,” John Sr. said. John Sr. and his brothers Joe and Peter, both deceased, were well-known as the owner and operators of Voyager, a sardine seiner — considered one of the most productive local boats during its heyday in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, said local maritime historian Lee Makovich. John Sr. fished for nearly 60 years. His son, who skippered several of his own boats, put in about 20 years. He died from insulin shock aboard his ship, Heritage, in Hawk Inlet, Alaska, about 20 miles southwest of Juneau, two years ago yesterday, at age 36. “It’s been tough,” said John Sr., who has no other family locally. “It’s been hard to take.” In Gig Harbor, Ancich’s maritime spirit showed itself in several venues. He became a leader in the fishing community and publicly advocated the preservation of maritime culture through art. He was among a handful of long-haul backers who made the Fishermen’s Memorial a reality. While working on that project, Ancich likely had the name Scott Tyree on his mind. Tyree died in 1995 aboard Courageous, a boat skippered by John Jr. that capsized in Canadian waters. He brushed aside the potential peril as simply a regular part of being a fisherman, a matter of course — like knowing how to mend a net. “I patched it the best I could, “ he said. “I just did the best I could.” (Patrick 2003)

ANCICH, MARTIN AND ANNA Fishermen

Anna came to the United States when she was six years old in 1900. Her mother made the long journey from Croatia to her brother's home in Tacoma accompanied only by her three small daughters. She did not speak English at the time. When her husband Martin passed away, Anna Ancich had to find a way of supporting her large family. She inherited the boat, George A., which she chartered out for some years to local people. Then, in 1937, Anna took a most unexpected action. She ordered the construction of a commercial fishing boat! The vessel, a 75' sardine style purse seiner was built at the J. M. Martinac Shipyard in Tacoma. As an ongoing reminder of her initiative and enterprise, it was named the Anna A. Widows often retained ownership of a commercial fishing boat. Anna did more than that. She chartered her boat to fish processing interests in Seattle and to canneries in Alaska. She negotiated all leasing and charter contracts herself. Her skill in making these transactions was recognized and respected. At various times, her sons Antone and George operated the Anna A. for her. Under her management, the business continued to prosper. The Anna A. was sold in 1967. Anna died in 1968.

ANCIC, MARIO Tennis

Wimbledon, England: Centre Court observers were pleasantly surprised to see a 6-foot-4 Croatian, Mario Ancic, giving Roger Federer a spirited match Tuesday. Then they noticed that he actually was destroying Federer, to the tune of 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. And they realized how much the 18-year-old reminds them of Ivanisevic, last year's champion and a longtime Wimbledon favorite. Ancic is right-handed, and apparently without the eccentric sense of humor, but everything else speaks of a kid who grew up idolizing Ivanisevic. It helps that they have the same build and hail from the town of Split, Croatia and many of Ancic's mannerisms are vintage Goran. He came into the tournament as a qualifier, playing only his second tour-level match of the year. Now he's the kid who knocked off the eighth-seeded Federer, conqueror of Pete Sampras at last year's Wimbledon. In his press conference - and of course, he sounds like Ivanisevic, too - Ancic said he's been hanging around his idol for years. "We always hit, even when I was 10," he said. "We played some Davis Cup together, Olympic doubles; he has always been like my bigger brother. But Goran is Goran. I am me. I don't have the three personalities (laughter). Still one." 2002.

ANDRETTI, MARIO Wine Maker-Auto Racing

Mario Andretti is putting his celebrity marque on a wine bottle. Andretti, the four-time Indy 500 winner, owns 13 percent of AWG (short for Andretti Wine Group), which recently bought a bankrupt 53-acre vineyard and winery in Napa County, California and is looking for other properties. Like racing, Andretti said, “there’s a lot of romance to this business.” Since his boyhood, Andretti has been a wine fan and has made many visits to California’s wine country. In 1994, a San Diego promotions firm called Best Regards got Louis Martini Winery to produce 15,000 cases of specially labeled Andretti cabernet sauvignon to commemorate the Arrivederci Tour, Andretti’s final full season of racing. In 1995, Joseph Phelps produced 2,000 cases of Andretti chardonnay. “To continue, we saw that we needed our own base of supply,” said Andretti. Best Regards principals Phillip Dias and Sarla Perkins then got into the wine business. One of their plans was to convert auto-racing fans from beer to wine. Last January, Dias and Perkins merged their infant wine company with an inactive public company called American Arum Corp. Buying a “shell company” is a quick and easy way to go public without the other and disclosure of requirements of a full public offering. They changed the name of the company to AWG and its trading symbol to VINE. Andretti said from his office in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, that he has an eyeball on another property” and wants to establish a stronger supply base. The plan is to produce $12 to $19 premium wines and even get into tours and tastings. The family name in Istria is Andretic.

ANDRIJASEVICH, PETER Goldminer-Saloon-Grocery

Peter Andrijasevich, ( wife, Yela Mirko ) came via the Alaska goldmines. When he arrived in Aberdeen, Washington in 1904 he bought a saloon in the downtown but was unhappy there so he sold out and opened a grocery store at the corner of Curtis and West Boulevard. He was a man who believed in helping others and being active in community affairs. He played an important part in the organization of two Croatian lodges.

ANDRICH, LUKA Bartender-Cultural

Luka, as he was called by his friends, was a pleasant member around our Slavonic Cultural Center. He attended our meetings and socials regularly and was always a pleasant person to visit with. At our January meeting he served on the election committee. Prior to his retirement he worked at Maye's Oyster House and was in the culinary trade for over 40 years. It wasn't long ago that he prepared one of our quarterly dinners. He leaves his wife Iva, daughter Kathy, son Andrea, and daughter-in-law JoAnne. We will all miss this pleasant and kindly gentleman. Luka died on March 11, 1995 in San Francisco and was born in Dalmatia, Croatia.

ANGELICH, MATE Bridge Builder-Auto Dealership

Mate "Mike" Angelich, aged 97, of Fort Salonga, Long Island, New York, died recently in Huntington (N. Y) Hospital. He was born September 8, 1902 in the village of Medici, Sinj, Croatia to Ante and Ruzica Andjelic. Mate came to the United States in the 1920's. One of his earliest jobs was that of a high iron worker. He was part of the construction crew that built the George Washington Bridge in New York City. He strung the suspension cables 600 feet above the Hudson River. At age 97, he was probably the last surviving member of the bridge's construction crew. He went to school in New York City to learn auto mechanics, and opened Grand Central Motors in Jackson Heights, Queens. Before permanently settling on Long Island 50 years ago he lived in Tucson, Arizona and Miami, Florida. Later, he expanded his business activities by opening Three Star Auto in Huntington, N.Y - an auto dealership that sold imported cars such as Borgwards, Daimlers, Singers and Morgans. He also owned Mike's Service Station in Northport. When he "retired", he began a nursery and raised thousands of beautiful azaleas, and made his own wine. He also took a strong interest in cow breeding at the family farm in New Hampshire. He was an active member ofthe Croatian New Yorker Club - where every year at the annual picnic he was responsible for the Bar-B-Que. He was one of the first people interviewed for the Croatian Fraternal Union - Croatian New Yorker Club Oral Histories Project. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Keti Angelich - former proprietor of Halesite Real Estate, son Michael and daughter-in-law Gail of Huntington, son Anton of New York City and New Hampshire. He leaves behind brothers Silvestar, Jure, Filip and sister Luce in Europe, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He lived a very rich and full life, and was a very happy, caring and optimistic person. "He was unique, and one in a million!" He will be sadly missed. Services were conducted by the Rev. Daniel Bitsko, of the Holy Resurrection Byzantine Catholic Church, internment was at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Lloyd Harbor, NY.

ANTICEVICH, ANTE Fireman-Policeman-Wrestler

Ivan Anticevich-Vidoja, was born 1884 in Janjina, Dalmatia, Croatia. He arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1898. He started as fireman 1906 and stayed until 1912. From 1912 to 1923 took the job as city policeman, and from 1923 to the present, works as city worker for the water department. Ivan was a very strong man and participated in heavy weight wrestling. He was the winner in 28 matches in Texas and Louisiana. He visited Croatia in 1923 and 1928. In Janjina he doesn't have any close family. In America he has a brother and two sisters. He is the member of the Knights of Columbus and honorary member of Croatian Sokol in Janjina.

ANTICH, ROBERT C. Teacher-Public Servant

Robert Antich was a graduate of Lew Wallace High School. He graduated with bachelor and master of science degrees from Indiana State University. He was a member of the Gary Teacher's Union. His dedication to the region extended to Lake County and Gary, Indiana government as a public servant for over 30 years. He represented his precinct for twelve years as committeeman. For eight years he served on the Calumet Township Board of Trustees. He finished his political career after eight years as the Lake County Clerk. He was proud of his heritage and was a member of the Saint Joseph the Worker Croatian Church and was an active member of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America, Lodge 170, where he served on the Board of Trustees. Robert C. Antich, 60, passed away Tuesday, August 7, 2001. He was, preceded in death by his beloved parents, Petar and Anna, his brother Joseph, his nephews, John Antich Jr. and David M. Bade and his brother-in-law, Michael Bade. He leaves behind his sister Rosemary Bade of Hobart, his brother, John (Mary Jane) Antich of Grovertown, IN, his sister-in-law, Rose Ann Antich, Indiana State Senator of Merrillville, nephews, Dr. Daniel M. (Dr. Suzanne Stolarz) Bade of Munster, Douglas J. (Suzanne) Bade of Chicago, Marc (Stacy) Antich of Crown Point, his nieces, Violet Bade of Crown Point, Pat (Mark) Nieubruupt, Christine(David) Palmer, Carol (Ed) Bracich and Rachel Antich, all of Grovertown, IN; many great-nieces and nephews; uncles and aunts, Joe and Kay Olds of Crown Point, Tom and Evelyn Olovich of Noblesville, Indiana and Cecelia and George Olovich of Hobart.

ANTOLAK, SYLVESTER Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, 24 May 1944. Entered service at: St. Clairsville, Ohio, Birth: St. Clairsville, Ohio. G.O. No.: 89, 19 October 1945. Citation: Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, he charged 200 yards over flat, coverless terrain to destroy an enemy machinegun nest during the second day of the offensive which broke through the German cordon of steel around the Anzio beachhead. Fully 30 yards in advance of his squad, he ran into withering enemy machinegun, machine-pistol and rifle fire. Three times he was struck by bullets and knocked to the ground, but each time he struggled to his feet to continue his relentless advance. With one shoulder deeply gashed and his right arm shattered, he continued to rush directly into the enemy fire concentration with his submachinegun wedged under his uninjured arm until within 15 yards of the enemy strongpoint, where he opened fire at deadly close range, killing 2 Germans and forcing the remaining 10 to surrender. He reorganized his men and, refusing to seek medical attention so badly needed, chose to lead the way toward another strongpoint 100 yards distant. Utterly disregarding the hail of bullets concentrated upon him, he had stormed ahead nearly three-fourths of the space between strongpoints when he was instantly killed by hostile enemy fire. Antolak is probably Antoljak and many are found in Croatia.

ANTONOVICH, MICHAEL D. State Assemblyman

California’s youngest and best-known Croatian-American lawmaker is Assemblyman Michael D. Antonovich of Glendale. The name Antonovich (Antunovic) is hardly new to California. The family began immigrating from the Konvali region with Florio Antunovich during the 1850’s. Michael Antonovich’s grandfather came from Croatia to settle in Bisbee, Arizona as a goldminer. His uncles settled in Grass Valley, Fresno and Jackson. Of all the Croatian-American lawmakers in California, none is more aware of his Croatian heritage than Antonovich. His capitol office is graced with a large Croatian shield hand crafted by Luka Biondich and a map of Dalmatia. He stays abreast of Croatian politics and is a regular speaker at Croatian celebrations throughout the state. He has traced his family back to 1700 and can relate the story of his grandparents’ immigration in detail. He visited Croatia in 1970 and hopes to do so again in the future. Born in southern California in 1939, Antonovich attended Los Angeles City College and California State University at Los Angeles (M.A.). He served as a student body officer for four years and was president of his graduate class and his fraternity. While his academic study progressed, he also attended the Pasadena Police Academy, graduating as a reserve officer in 1967. Even with his legislative duties, he remains a reserve police officer today. From 1966 through 1972, he served the Los Angeles School District as a government and history insructor. His concern for quality education led him to seek a position on the Los Angeles City College District Board of Trustees in 1969. Out of and original field of 139 candidates, he won with a record 406,000 votes. He later served as president of that board which directs the affairs of the eight campus, 100,000 student, 100 million dollar-per-year system. Antonovich served the Goldwater campaign in 1964 and was a regional chairman for Reagan in 1970. In 1972 he easily won his own Assembly seat. He was reelected in 1974 and in 1976 no opponent could be found to challenge him. He quickly became known as the state leader in criminal justice and pro-life legislation. In 1976, at the age of thirty-six, he was named Minority Whip of the Assembly after having been chosen Outstanding Legislator of the Year, for both the 1973-1974 ad 1974-1975 sessions.

ANTONOVICH, RUZA Doctor-Radiology

Ruza Zupan was born in Barlete, Croatia. She graduated from medical school in Zagreb and married Dr. Ivica Antonovich.  She served as a staff radiologist at Oregon Health Sciences University until 1977, when she joined the Veterans Administration Medical center where she was chief of radiology until 1995, when she began concentrating on patient care and resident-eduction programs. Her research articles in angiography, interventional radionoly, intervetional radiology and chest radiology were published in medical journals, and she lectured and served as a visiting professor in Europe.  She is the daughter of Tomo and Anka Zupan, two charter members of the Croatian American Cultural Center.

ANTUNOVICH, FLORIO Goldminer-Coffee Saloon-Restaurant-Capitalist

Florio Antonovich, from Konavlje, Dalmatia, Croatia arrived in San Francisco in 1851 on the famous clipper ship, “The Flying Cloud,” the ship that made the record time from New York to San Francisco around Cape Horn. He was a member of the Tuolomne Society in 1853 and probably made a gold strike, as he returned to San Francisco and operated a coffee saloon and restaurant at the corner of Clay and East at 403 East Street. He listed as a capitalist in 1891 and voted in 1871. He was from Konavle. He was a Charter Member of the Slavonic Illyric Mutual Benevolent Society. He was President of the Society at one time. In 1868 he returned to his native country, and there he married a young lady from Bresecine, returned to San Francisco with his bride same year, and brought into the world a lovely family of children. He died in 1898 at the age of seventy-three. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Florio Antonovich, daughter Mrs. Annie Ashley, and two sons, William G. Antonovich, a well-known attorney in our colony, and Emile P Antonovich, Captain in the United States army. In 1882, Mrs. Nicholas Buja and Mrs. Florio Antonovich, were selected by the Slavonic Society to raise money for the Society’s new banner, Majika Slovinska (Mother Slavia). the presentation of the banner to the Society was made by two young girls, now married ladies, Mrs. Cora Maroevich and Mrs. Antionette Forrest, in old Platt’s Hall, located on the Montgomery Street where now stands the Mills Building.

ANZULOVIC, BRANIMIR Professor-Author

Born in Zagreb on April 26, 1926 he grew up surrounded by parents native from Jelsa, two sisters and a brother. He graduated from the University of Zagreb School of.Philosophy in 1952. As a young intellectual he left Croatia. From there he moved to the United States to continue his academic career. Branimir Anzulovic obtained his doctoral degree in comparative literature at the University of Indiana in 1972. During his teaching career he wrote and taught about literature, cultural history and literary theory at the University of Indiana and the University of Arizona. An experienced translator and interpreter, he worked in that capacity for various institutions in Washington, D.C., including the Voice of America, the U.S. Department of state and the International Monetary Fund. Among his early achievements, he published film and theatre reviews in Zagreb during 1950s, and throughout his life he authored numerous articles and book reviews for literary journals. He also worked as an assistant editor of Croatia: Land, People, Culture (University of Toronto) from 1964 to 1970. In 1999 he published an important book entitled Heavenly Serbia From Myth to Genocide (New York University Press). Branimir Anzulovic, recording secretary of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 1984 and a cultural historian and alumnus of Croatian University, died November 3, 2001, in Virginia. He is survived by his former wife Visnja and his two children, Maja and Radovan.

ARBUNICH, ANTHONY Cultural Activities

Anthony Arbunich joined the Slavonic Society some 58 years ago like his father Martin, and uncles Tony Bartul, Martin Mihovilovich and Tony Arbunich before him. “It was and has been a great place to meet friends and relatives that share the many customs, humor, and love of life.” Tony related. Anthony and his older sister Pearl, were the children of Martin and Marie Arbunich, who were from the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. Anthony’s dad owned and operated a very successful restaurant at 14th and Market street. hard work and long hours soon enabled him to purchase a little cottage situated on a knoll with a sweeping view overlooking Mission Street. This was in the year 1910 and young Tony was just a year old. three days after they moved into their new home, Martin, on his way to work and only 32 years of ago, was struck by a street car that flung him to the pavement resulting in a fatal head injury. There were relatives and new arrivals from the old country and she would rent rooms to help make ends meet. The first war came and went and in the early 1920’s, Marie’s sister died of the dreaded flu that took so many lives. Her husband owned and operated the California Grill in Santa Rosa and Marie chose to adopt her two nephews and niece. So it was that the little cottage on Gladys Street was the home of five youngsters, Marie, and a roomer or two. It was about this time that Marie had two large bedrooms added to the cottage. The home became known as the “Slavonian Depot” since so many people came and stayed until they became financially set. Anthony says it was always a happy place for everyone. After high school, Pearl began working for a furrier, a line for work she followed until her recent retirement. Tony went to Fremont School and Cogswell High until his junior year whe he quit school. His very first job at the age of 16 was an apprentice butcher at the old Spreckles Market. Life long friend, Jack, Radonich, several years younger than Tony, worked there also as a wrapper. In 1936, Tony went to work for the Southern Pacific Railway, working on the maintenance crews servicing the rail cars. he held this job until his recent retirement in 1975. Marie, Tony’s mother, who had cared for so many, would enjoy taking her family to Slav picnics and gatherings whenever possible. Sorrowfully, in her early 60’s, Marie passed on in 1938. Tony still loved seeing his old friends and attended all the picnics and gatherings...getting on the street car to the Ferry building and taking the Ferry to Oakland, then the train to Neptune beach, John Park or the various picnic grounds and gathering places. It was at an Irish picnic at Portola Park in 1947 that Tony met the lovely lady Margaret Harte, who was to become Mrs. Peggy Arbunich. So it was, and is, Tony and Peggy have lived at the happy cottage on Gladys street raising a wonderful family of three sons, Martin, Mitchel, Mark, and one daughter, Barbara. Tony has served our society for 30 years as a trustee and the passed 30 as the chairman of the board of Trustees.

ARKOVICH, TONY Restaurant-Saloon

Tony Arkovich entered the U.S.A. in 1911 at the age of 15 years. He experienced the normal reaction of most emigrants and would have returned immediately. His first job was working as a water boy in sewer construction.  After witnessing the way the men had to dig up the dirt and toss it from platform to platform, they would sweat and strain to do, so he quit. Next he went to a dairy where he wore hip boots and washed bottles all day. By the end of the day he was sopping wet, hip boots or no. He left and went to work in a restaurant.  In order to save his shoes he walked to work barefoot.  While sweeping the floors and cleaning the booths he often found money. This added to his income. Gradually he went up the line.  While he cleaned vegetables he would watch the cooks. One of them took him under his wing and he would stay 4 or 5 hours after his shift helping him. Next he was a fry cook then the chef.  In 1917 Tony Arkovich, Joe Dzaich, and Andy Leko opened Joe’s Cafe, 613 South Olive Street, Los Angeles. Changes come about-they moved to Bohemian Grill and Bar in 1936 at Eight and Grand. Next in 1940 they moved to Eight and Fedora.  During the first move Andy Leko dropped out.  Tony moved on to open the Larchmont Grill in 1948. The last move was to go into business at Nickodell Melrose with Jack Ban, Leonard Beidle, and Jack Vojkovich buying the business at Nick Slavich’s retirement. He retired in 1972.

ARNERICH, A. J. Baseball-Alameda City Council

Mr. Lil Arnerich was born and raised in West Oakland and now resides in Alameda with his wife, Norma. They have four children and twelve grandchildren. Mr. Arnerich attended St. Mary's College and completed additional studies at U.C. Berkeley and San Francisco State.

After playing six years of professional baseball with the old Oakland Oaks, Lil has had a very distinguished career in public service. He became Supervisor of Athletics for the City of Alameda Recreation and Park Department where he served 34 years until his retirement in 1986. Today, he still serves as a member of the Alameda City Council. Lil has received over fifty honors by many public and private sector groups and is truly deserving of this prestigious honor and award.

ARNERICH, FRANK Restaurant-Goldminer

Among the rising young men of San Jose, who have accomplished much, although young in years, is Frank N. Arnerich, who started in the restaurant business when only a lad of seventeen and now owns a place of business under the name of The Oyster Loaf Restaurant. He was born on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia on June 11, 1888, and was the son of Nicholas and and Antoinette (Chargin) Arnerich. His father came to California in the year 1875 and settled in Amador County in 1900, joining his brother, and there attended the public schools of Amador City and later went to night school in San Francisco. Having learned the business of restaurateur in San Francisco and in San Jose, at the early age of seventeen he engaged in this line in San Jose in the year of 1905, and has continued here ever since. He engaged in business for himself and with his experience in this line, he has built up a good trade, and he has since been very successful; his up-to-date restaurant, The Oyster Loaf, being both popular among the San Jose’s residents and increasingly profitable to himself. Mr. Arnerich’s marriage united him with Miss Lucy Chargin, who was also a native of Brac, and a sister of Joseph, Jerry, and Nicholas Chargin. They are the parents of three children-Antoinette Frances, Lawrence Nicholas, and Beverly Lucille, and the family reside at 137 North Sixth Street. Mr. Arnerich is a member of the Order of Red Men, and of the Slavonic-American Society, and San Jose and is past officer in both orders. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Elks, and is a charter member of the Commercial Club.

ARNERICH, JAMES Attorney

A graduate of the University of Santa Clara, where he was a star football player, Mr. Arnerich was appointed state director of professional and vocational standards by Governor Warren in 1946. He resigned his post in 1953 after Warren was appointed chief justice of the United States, and he went into private practice. When Mr. Arnerich retired in 1980 he was general counsel of Forest Lawn Corp. in Glendale. Mr. Arnerich was a native of Los Angeles and served for four years in the Navy in World War II. Mr. Arnerich, a retired attorney, died on Wednesday at St. Francis Memorial Hospital after suffering a heart attack. He was 73. He is survived by his wife, Rita; a daughter, Mrs. Kathleen Peck of Novato; a son, Robert Theobald of Northridge; two brothers, Paul of San Francisco and Frank of Santa Clara; a sister, Marie, of San Jose; and by five grandchildren.

ARNERICH, MATEO Vineyard-Farm-Goldminer

Mateo Arnerich was born on the island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia in the Adriatic Sea. In 1826, when fourteen years of age, he became a sailor boy. He followed a sea faring life for fourteen years, visiting every sea and ocean. He came from China to San Francisco in 1849, and never left the State of his adoption but once, when he went, in 1872, to visit the scenes and friends of his childhood days. From 1849 to 1852 Mateo mined for gold in the Calaveras. In 1852 Mr. Arnerich came to the Santa Clara Valley, and soon after became interested in agriculture. In May, 1856, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Elizabeth (Brown) Moylan, widow of Edward Moylan. They bought property in the Narvaze grant, and opened a farm, which they occupied for twelve years. They then found that no valid title to it could be obtained, and so left the place, and by pre-emption and purchase secured 160 acres of choice land, which constitute the present family homestead in the Union District. The ranch is located in an angle of the Santa Clara and Guadaloupe road, which bounds it on the north and east. Mr. and Mrs. Arnerich commenced life on the ranch in a comfortable house, which several years ago gave place to the substantial family residence of today. Mr. Arnerich was an active, energetic man, and carried forward the improvement of his property quite rapidly. The neighborhood lost in him a citizen actively interested in all movenents tending to the general good. His death, which occurred May 3, I883, was caused by injuries received in being thrown from a buggy, near his own home. His widow and her seven children, John, Catharine, Elizabeth, Mateo, Paul, Isabelle, and Margaret all yet making their home with their mother, are quite well provided for. Mrs. Arnerich was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1831. She was nine years of age when her parents, William and Catharine Brown, emigrated to Australia, whence, after a residence of ten years, they came to San Francisco. Later they becarne pioneers of Union District. Mr. Brown's death, resulting from an accidental fall, occurred in 1854. William D. Brown, the chief of police at San Jose, is a brother of Mrs. Arnerich. The first marriage of Mrs. Arnerich occurred at San Francisco in January, 1851. Her husband died of consumption ten months later. Quite a large portion of the family homestead is now devoted to the raising of grapes and fruit. A vineyard of sixty acres furnishes a general variety of wine and table grapes. In the orchard can be found olive, fig, pomegranate, orange, and lemon trees. Mrs. Arnerich and her children are members of the Catholic church.

ARNERICH, PAUL Weather Bureau

Paul was born in Los Angeles, California and his working career was with the United States Weather Bureau where he started in Burbank and subsequently was assigned to Oklahoma, Hawaii, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. His career was interrupted for a long time in World War Il when he was in the US Navy in the Armed Guard project - a branch of the service formed to protect American crews on Maritime vessels. In 1951, Paul and Juanita Snyder-Franchina were married in San Francisco. Paul was a quiet man but his worth and depth were known to many. Paul and Juanita enjoyed gardening and their lovely home was warm and friendly. They both loved animals and their patio hosted friendly "little critters" from the woodlands surrounding their home. Paul was also interested in geneology and sports. He had been a 49er fan from the time of Buck Shaw and Frankie Albert. Delving into geneology, he enjoyed many hours tracing the many Arnerichs from Brac. He was a member of the Slavonic Society of San Francisco. A true gentleman departed our midst last month just two weeks before his 84th birthday which would have been on the 20th of June. Paul died on June 1, 1996. Paul is survived by a brother, Frank and a sister, Marie. He was predeceased by a brother and his parents, as well as his beloved Juanita.

ARNERICH, PAUL J. State Senate-Sheriff

A man of especial gifts who easily impresses others with both his natural ability and his acquirements through experience is Paul J. Arnerich, a native son, having been born near San Jose on September 23, 1869. His father was Mathew Arnerich, and he married Mrs. Elizabeth (Brown) Moylan, the widow of Edward Moylan. When fourteen years of age, Mathew Arnerich shipped as a sailor, and in the historic year of ‘49, he voyaged from China to San Francisco. Three years later, he removed to Santa Clara Valley and here engaged in agriculture. In 1856 he married, and purchased 160 acres in the Union district. He died on May 3, 1883, from injuries received in a fall from a buggy. Mrs. Arnerich also came from an old pioneer family, she died here about 1910. As kind parents this worthy couple provided the best training for Paul in the public schools, and when he had finished with his studies, he worked with his father on the home farm until he was twenty-one. Then, for several years, he farmed for himself, and in 1905 he ran for the State Legislature, in which he served a term. He was then appointed to the United States Marshal’s office as deputy marshal and discharged that responsibility for ten years, he ran for the Legislature, was elected in 1915, and in 1917 he was reelected. Next he was deputy sheriff in Alameda County for a couple of years, and finally was engaged in the real estate business for a number of years until he became deputy sheriff, serving under Sheriff Lyle of Santa Clara County. At San Jose, on February 21, 1898, Mr. Arnerich was married to Miss Eva LaMontagne, a native of Santa Clara County and the representative of another pioneer family; and four children blessed their union. They are Bernice, Francis, Genevieve and Elizabeth. Mr. Arnerich belongs to the Republican party, and when he gets tired of politics he turns for recreation to hunting and other outdoor sports.

ARNERICH, VINCENT G. Attorney

Born in San Jose California in 1909- graduated from Loyola University Class 1930 “Magna Cum Lauda”, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree. He was chosen commencement speaker delivering the thesis in philosophy which he prepared for his degree. In 1932 he received his Bachelor of Laws degree “Cum Laude.” Within this time he was awarded six medals of honor, one for his thesis in philosophy, and another for general excellence in class work throughout the four years of his Law School Course. Admitted to the Bar in 1932 he practiced law in the firm of Arnerich and DeValle, and resides at 5880 south Flower street in Los Angeles.

ARTUKOVICH, JOHN A. Contractor

John A. Artukovich Jr., a Los Angeles-area contractor whose work included the Los Angeles aqueduct through the Mojave Desert, the Bunker Hill Redevelopment Project Tunnel and other projects across the United States, has died. He was 72. Born in Los Angeles to Croatian-immigrant parents, Artukovich lived most of his life in San Marino and Arcadia. His father founded the John A Artukovich Co. a construction firm, in 1909 and Artukovich had been president since 1952. Artukovich's sudden illness shocked his family who said he had never had to go to a hospital and was working seven days a week until he became sick. "He was the rock in our family, a role model and mentor," said Anita Artukovich, his daughter. Artukovich went to Loyola High School and Loyola University in Los Angeles. He also served in the Army during the Korean War until he was given an emergency discharge after his father died. In addition to his daughter Anita, Artukovich is survived by three sons: John A. Artukovich III, Matthew and Michael.

ARTUKOVICH, VIDO Construction

The late Vido was born on July 15, 1892 in the village Klobuk, district of Ljubuski, Herzegovina. As many hundreds of other Croatian young men from Herzegovina, he left his native land and came to America in 1912. He permanently settled in Los Angeles and lived there until his death. The late Vido Artukovich brought with himself all the values of a Herzegovinian village: the commitment to his religion, the true love for his Croatian people, the traditional Croatian honesty, the big heart and open mind, as well as entrepreneurial spirit and perseverance at work. His beginning was very hard as the livelihood was hard to all of our immigrants, but the late Vido didn't give up. During forty years of hard and persevere work, at the beginning together with other Croatian pioneers and then at his own, he succeeded to establish the construction firm he and all of the Croatians in California should be proud of. Vido Artukovich, a prominent member of our colony, died on Tuesday, July 16, 1964, the day after his 73rd birthday anniversary. He passed away of a short illness, comforted from his wife, children and numerous grandchildren.

AUSEZ, FRANK Contractor

One of the leading cement contractors in Richmond and vicinity is Frank Ausez of No. 2100 Burbeck Avenue, Richmond. He was born in Croatia on December 3, 1883, one of five children in the family of Frank and Catherine Ausez. His father was a builder and it was natural that Frank,Jr., should take to the building trade. After finishing his education in his native land, in 1905, Mr. Ausez landed in America and crossed the continent to Lafayette, Colorado, where he spent three years. After this he traveled through the northwest looking for a suitable place and in 1909 landed at Richmond, California. After some deliberation he concluded he would try his luck here and began work as a concrete and cement contractor, a business he had become competent to handle in every department. From the first he was successful and as the years have passed he has had his share of the cement and concrete work in this locality and has done considerable bridge and street work. As he has prospered he has invested in property and owns his home and is well satisfied that he cast in his lot with Contra Costa County. He became a full-fledged American citizen. In San Francisco in 1919. Mr. Ausez was married on November 9, 1913, to MIss Mary Yanezich, also a native of Croatia and a daughter of John and Annie Yanezich. She has one brother living in Richmond. Mr. and Mrs. Ausez have three children: Frankie, Annie and Frances. Mr. Ausez is a member of the Builders Exchange and takes an active interest in its meetings. He belongs to the Woodmen of the World, the Red Men and the Richmond Elks. To help boost the city of his choice he is a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

AVIANI, ERNEST Restaurant

One of the first good fish eating places upon approaching Fisherman’s wharf is the Neptune at 2737 Taylor Street. The proprietors are Robert Soljack and Ernest Aviani from the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. Robert Soljack claims five years of experience at Fisherman’s Wharf and he and Chef Aviani took over this historic location about one year ago in 1936. They renovated the building, made some changes and today have a comfortable eating house and surely a suggestion of good sea food with the open kitchen and charcoal broiler. When lunching or dining at the Neptune one may eat at the counter, or at open tables or in booths. About 140 persons can be accommodated at one time.  The place is famous for its cioppino, fried crab legs, abalone, deviled crabs, charcoal broiled fish of various types, and other seafood specialties. Fish is bought from the boats when they arrive from the sea at Fisherman’s Wharf, and is served the same day. Menus are made out according to fish available. Some 300 meals are served daily. With such food, with such panorama of hills and bay, with such a picture of fishing scenes, a net mending, of crab cooking, of displays of fish for sale, of the teeming life of those who make their living by the sea spread before one, it is indeed a treat of treats to enjoy a fish dinner prepared as the specialists of the Neptune know how to cook it, and thus enter into one of the typical phases of life in San Francisco.

BABAJKO, CHRIS Sailor

Chris “Ito” Babajko will be remembered not only by people on the Island of Olib but also by his fellow Olibljani in America as someone who did the almost impossible. Ito came to the US in 1960 when he was a 18 years old. He worked at various jobs in the Los Angeles area. In 1982, at age 40, he decided to return to Olib for a visit. Instead of flying like most people, he sailed to Olib in his 13 meter (about 40 feet long) sail boat. This was quite an undertaking. It would be quite a feat for a full crew of men to make this trip under the best of circumstances. As it turned out, Ito sailed much of the way single handed. First, a little background on Ito.  He was born on Olib in 1942. When Ito was three years old he was stricken with Polio and both his legs were effected. There was no doctors on Olib to help him. Although his legs were weak even as a child, his upper body was very well developed. Today his body resembles that of a “body builder.” Equally, he has always had a very strong will and once he decided to do something, he did it no matter how difficult it was. It was therefore no surprise to his classmates on Olib when they heard of his adventure. Accompanying Ito on the onset of the trip were two of his American friends, a man and a woman. They all left Los Angeles and sailed to Mexico where they encountered rough waters.  So they docked at the Mexican city of Puerto Vallarta where they celebrated New Years day, 1982. While in Puerto Vallarta the woman in his crew did not continue the journey. This left him with only his male crewman. The two men continued on until they reached Costa Rica. After arriving in Costa Rica, Ito’s remaining crewman decided against going on to Olib with him. In Costa Rica, Ito met Maria who decided to go with him to Olib.  It took them 36 days to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The engine of the boat broke down while they were in Panama and they had no alternative but to use the sails for the remainer of the trip. To add to this already difficult endeavor, Maria was so sea-sick most of the trip, Ito had to tie her to the mast of the boat to keep her from going overboard. Ito had to sail this very large boat by himself from Costa Rica to Olib. Ito not only accomplished this, but he and Maria arrived safe and unharmed at the port of Zadar. The Croatian newspapers in Zadar interviewed him on his arrival. Later, Ito and Maria were married together they have a daughter. One can only say this is something to be proud of and a great deal of praise should be given to Ito for this accomplishment.

BABAROVIC, JOHN Architect

John Babarovic was director of long-range planning at American Airlines in the late 1960's. He represented the airline in the design and engineering of the Super Bay Hangars in Los Angeles and San Francisco. These were the largest in the world at the time, designed to accommodate four of the new Boeing 747's and two DC-10's under one roof. He also designed the American Airlines terminal at San Francisco. While with the firm of Harrison & Abramowitz in New York, he worked on the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center and the Citibank headquarters. At the time of his death he was working on a double- decker docking system for the Airbus A380, a superjumbo jet that is planned to have two seating levels. Mr. Babarovic was born in Susak, Croatia, and was a graduate of St. George's College in Argentina and Syracuse University in New York. He served in the United States Army, in military intelligence, in the Korean War. John A. Babarovic died on November 2, 2001 in London, England where he lived. He was 69. He is survived by his wife, Anne Crawford Babarovic of London; a sister, Frances Baglantzis of New Rochelle, New York; two daughters from a previous marriage, Juliana Babarovic Jaynes of Newport News, Virginia, and Christina Maria Babarovic of London; and a grandson.

BABICH, JOHN Baseball

John Babich, the tall right hand pitcher whom Connie Mack grabbed off the Yankee farm at Kansas City, a year ago, might well be called: "Jack the Yankee Killer" for, despite the fact the Athletics finished last, Babich defeated new York five times out of six starts, and New York lost the pennant by only two games. John held the Yankees to thirty-six hits in the six contests. In the only game he lost to New York. Winning fourteen and loosing thirteen games for a team that had a percentage of only 351 at the end of the season was a great feat for Babich, especially when it is recalled that in 1936, John was believed to be through as a pitcher. In fact, that was what everyone thought except John, himself. He had developed an injury to his right elbow when with the Boston Bees and was forced to undergo an operation for the removal of a chipped bone. He went on the voluntary retired list and returned to his home in California.John had little to do but think about his future and when someone told him that George Uhle had been able to stage a comeback by reason of learning how to throw a "slider", John decided he would try to do likewise. He essayed to pitch for Boston again and also for Jersey City without success in '37 and was sent to the Mission team in California. Won twelve and lost eight. He became encouraged. In '38, he won nineteen and lost seventeen for Hollywood. The Bees recalled him but when the chance came to get Shortstop Miller from Kansas City, they tossed in Babich. He really staged a comeback with the Cowboys, winning nineteen and losing only six games. Despite that excellent record, the Yankees brought in Pitcher Breuer in preference to the veteran and this gave Connie Mack the chance to land the courageous Croatian in the draft, about the best bet Mr. Mack ever made in the annual selection. The training season in California was not a week old before the dean of managers knew that he secured a most dependable hurler, one who should be a regular starter. Johnny, who by the way, is a neighbor of Sam Chapman, also of the Athletics, was just eighteen when he reported to the San Francisco club for a trial. He was shipped to Globe, Arizona but recalled to win five and lose three games late in the season. The next year, 1932, he was free agent, he signed with the Missions and did so well in 1933, he was sold to Brooklyn. His trade to Boston, his injury and operation followed. Now at age of twenty-seven,Johnny finds himself really starting. More power to him.

BABICH, JOSEPH G. Judge

Judge Babich was first appointed to the bench as a Municiple Court Judge by Governor Goodwin Knight in 1957. He was elevated to Superior Court in February 1964, when he was appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Sr., and served until he retired from the bench in April 1984. During his tenure as Superior Court Judge he was reelected to that office three times. During his term as Judge, among other duties Judge Babich was elected by his fellow Judges to serve as Presiding Judge of the Municiple Court ( 1962) and also of the Superior Court (1975, 1977). Judge Babich's father, Josip was born in Runovici, Croatia and came to the United States in 1906. His mother, Helen (Skrmetta) was born in the village Bobovisca on the island Brac, Croatia and came to the United States in 1900, when she was two years old. Judge Babich was born and raised in Sacramento, California. After service during World War 11, Judge Babich received his Bachelor's degree from Stanford University in 1948, and his LL.B. degree from University of San Francisco Law School in 1951. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1952. Married with six grown children, Judge Babich resides in Sacramento with his wife of 45 years, Eleanor.

BABIC, NICHOLAS S. Guidance Counselor-Teacher

Nicholas Babic is a Guidance Counselor at Cleveland Heights High School Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Born October 31, 1929 of Croatian parents in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania; married with one child. Educated at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania B. Ed., 1952; Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 1955-64; John Carroll University Cleveland, Ohio 1965-66 with a major in Education and a specialty in Humanities and Guidance Counseling. Member of American Personnel and Guidance Association; National Educarion Association; American School Counselors' Association. U.S. Army Education and Information Supervisor, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma 1954-55 .

BABIN, TOMO Longshoreman-Military

Croatian-Americans have been a part of many different political movements in the United States. Communism was no exception. Indeed, Croatian Americans constituted in the early years of the history of the Communist Party of the United States of America one of the largest ethnic groups in the Party. Since the fall of Communism, documents have been released from various archives which shed some more interesting light on this often overlooked aspect of our history. One of the more incredible stories involves Torno Babin, born in 1901 in Preko - Poljane, near Zadar. We do not know too much about Babin's early life although after he arrived in New York he appears to have mostly worked, like many of our immigrants from the islands and Dalmatia at the time, along the docks of New York's West Side. By the early 1930s, Babin became active in Communist Party organizations and a member of the Party as well. The outbreak of the Spanish Civil War saw Babin volunteer for the International Brigades and he served as commissar of a battalion while there.

After his return to New York, Babin assisted in organizing the Yugoslav Seamen's Club. Primarily consisting of Croatian seamen and shipyard and dockworkers, the Club was a Communist-controlled front organization. It nevertheless achieved great importance in the Croatian-American community and, during World War 11, became one of the most vocal supporters- of Tito's Partisans. During this time, Babin came to the attention of the American Office of Strategic Services, the precursor of the CIA. The OSS, and its British counterpart, the SOE, recruited several dozen primarily Croatian-Americans and Croatian-Canadians who were to be parachuted to Tito's forces. At the time the Allies had yet to establish formal contacts with the Partisans. Apparently, the OSS and SOE believed that these immigrants, all of whom appear to have been Communists, would be perfect for such activities.

While Babin never made it to the Partisans, he engaged in surreptitious activity on behalf of Soviet Military Intelligence, known by its Russian initials as the GRU. Authors John Earl Haynes and Harvey Klehr, in their work Venona: Decoding Soviet Espionage in America (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1999), note that certain documents, recently released by the America's National Security Agency (and available on their website) show that Babin provided the GRU with information about his recruitment work for the OSS and SOE as well as providing it with "a steady stream of information ... about American shipping in New York harbor."

The Americans never caught Babin. After World War 11, he joined Yugoslavia’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs and served, at least publicly, as Yugoslavia's attache for relief work and for its merchant marine at Yugoslavia's embassy in Washington, D.C. He continued to remain a liason with the Croatian-American community and is known to have had contacts with various Croatian-American and other Communists.

In 1948, however, he left the embassy after having announced his support for Stalin following the Tito-Stalin split, Babin, who had married to an American-born Croatian, sought political asylum in the United States, claiming that he would be persecuted if forced to return to Yugoslavia. However, the United States had already instituted repressive measures against Communists and initiated deportation proceedings against him. American authorities finally succeeded in deporting Babin to Poland in 1950 and he died in Warsaw in March 1956; far from both his native Preko and his wife and children in the United States.

BACH, NENAD Recording Artist-Composer

Nenad is a recording artist, composer, and performer who has recorded for Sony, Polygram and many other labels. Two of his albums reached No. 1 in Europe, and to date he has sold over one million records. In addition, he has performed all over the world with a wide range of artists, including Luciano Pavarotti, Bono & The Edge (U2), Brian Eno, Indigo Girls, Richie Havens, Garth Hudson & Rick Danko (The Band), Vince Welnick (Grateful Dead), Martin Sheen, Michael York, John Malkovich, Ellen Burstyn, and many more. He performed at Woodstock '94, and in 1998 he made a compilation album with Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen and Allen Ginsberg. In March 1999, he opened the Miss Universe pageant in Europe with his new song "Miss Universe." Nenad also writes and records music for film and theater. He has scored many features and short films. One such project was "King of Cool," a biopic about the life of Steve McQueen, which premiered on American Movie Classics (AMC), to over 65 million households. Another was "Life beyond Timothy Leary". Subsequently, Nenad scored the Mladen Juran film "Transatlantic", which was the Croatian entry for consideration as Best Foreign Film in the 1999 Academy Awards. He just finished scoring a new film directed by Burt Young called "Murder on Mott Street".

Finally, Nenad is also a record producer with a special interest in documenting the fascinating but little-known musical traditions of his homeland, Croatia. His most recent work includes the production of three new acappella albums: "Fire on the Sea," by Klapa Fortunal; "Following the Cross," a collection of Lenten chants based on 600-year-old Gregorian Chants never previously recorded; and just released "Novaljo, Novaljo," by Klapa Navalia. Nenad's work and his life story have been featured on all the major US TV networks (CBS, ABC, NBC), on CNN, on Sky Channel, and on TV channels in Russia, France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Spain, Japan, and many other countries. Press coverage has been similarly widespread, ranging from The New York Times to Billboard, from The Washington Post to Corriere Della Sera, and from The Boston Globe to the New York Daily News. Nenad's most recent solo record is "Thousand Years of Peace" which will be released in 2001. The album was recorded in Nenad's own recording studio, which he also uses for his scoring and production work and which was designed to accommodate anything from acappella vocals to rock and roll to symphonic orchestras on a location.

He is currently in preproduction for a new solo album, which is due for release in Spring 2002. Nenad sang in the new recordings of "We Are Family" benefit for the Sept. 11th fund as well as scored the film "The Making and the Meaning of We Are Family". His label just signed a contract for the worldwide promotion and distribution of "The Pharos Cantors"(Glagolitic Chants based on Gregorian Chants). He also recently completed work as a language consultant for the literature and film project for all four of the Harry Potter books. Through his singing and songwriting Nenad's goal is to spread the message of joy and universal peace.

BACHAN, LUKE G. Fruit Packer

He came from Dalmatia, Croatia where he was born February 28, 1889, the son of Luke Bachan, a hardworking farmer whom he never knew, for he passed away when the son, L. G., was about three years old. His devoted mother is still living. On October 6, 1907, he landed in New York, eager to try his fortune under the more favoring Stars and Stripes; and soon after setting foot on American soil he boarded a train and started for California. On the 13th of October, 1907, Mr. Bachan reached the Pajaro valley in Watsonville and immediately went to work. Luckily, he had been able to save a little money from his dollar-a-day income, and, though his beginning was unpretentious enough, he has been, by hard work, foresight and thrift, very successful. This is evidenced by the fact that he has just bought the Dunbar & Hansen plant, with all the equipment -a very important adjunct. His success here has developed an intense interest on his part in all that pertains to the growth and future of Watsonville. Mr. Bachan has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Tresa De Lares, by whom he has had two children, Catherine Anna and Luke George, Jr. Mrs. Bachan, who was beloved by all who knew her, died November 1, 1922, and he had subsequently married Miss Maria P. Alaga, by whom he has one child, Alice Maria. He is a republican; has attended to the third degree in the Knights of Columbus; is a Forester of America; and belongs to the Austrian-American benevolent Association.

BACHMAN, JOSIP Tamburitza

Josip Bachmann was the organizer and director of the Tamburica orchestra "Croatia" in the Croatian parish of St. Anthony's in Los Angeles. As an expert of Croatian tamburica music which interested and occupied him since his early youth in his native Osijek in Croatia. He was born January 7, 1915. In his native Croatia he belonged to the Croatian eagle Club and the Croatian Krizarsko Bratstvo. He played for Radio Osijek. Music was always a great part of Josip Bachmann's life-especially after his musical education, which he finished at the Osijek Musical Academy. Josip arrived in the United States in 1957, where he continued to contribute to the artistic life of the Croatian community in Southern California. As a conductor of the "Croatia Orchestra" he held many a concert-not only in the parish halls of St. Anthony but also in many of the musical institutes of the United States. In this way, many thousands Americans first heard Croatian tamburica music. He also conducted for three phonograph albums: "Croatian melodies", "Croatian Sounds" and "Songs from Croatia." Many of these were difficult selections from very accomplished Croatian tamburica composers. Maestro Bachmann devoted much of his time-even as he worked regularly-to the Croatian children and young people to whom he taught the different tamburica instruments free of charge.

BACICH, STELLA Fashion Designer

Stella Bacich, or “Stella of Hollywood”, became a successful fashion designer of women’s sports clothes in the 1930s and was commissioned by various movie stars to design sport slacks. She was an American citizen, originally from Los Angeles. Stella was one of the youngest of California’s designers to be in business for herself. She also worked in such movie studios as Film Modes, Kay Dell Screen Modes and Dorothy Newman.

BADOVINAC, JOHN Editor-President CFU

John Badovinac, former president of the Croatian Fraternal Union, edited Bulletin (Vjesnik) of St. Nicholas Lodge No. 14 of the CFU in the late 1960s. He also edited The American Croatian Pioneer, which was issued monthly by the Lodge No. 663 of the CFU in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and is still a rich source of information on Croatian local history. For over ten years The American Croatian Pioneer was dedicated to the service of its members and to all CFU members in the greater Cleveland and northern Ohio areas. John Badovinac published many articles on Croatian history and ethnic history; these were published in the Zajednicar newspaper of the Croatian Fraternal Union. John’s family came from Zumberak, Croatia.

BADURINA-JUSTIS, LORRAINE M Reference Librarian

Lorraine Badurina is a Librarian at the Oregon College of Education, Monmouth, Oregon. She was born to Croatian parents June 25, 1945 in Vancouver, Washington. Education includes Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, 1963-67, B.A.; University of Denver, Denver, Colorado, 1967-68, M.L.S. with a major field in English and a sprecialty in Librarianship.

BAGARIC, DALIBOR Basketball 

Dalibor Bagaric has changed his summer plans after a heart-to-heart with operations chief Jerry Krause, who convinced the second-year center it would be in his best interests to participate in the Bulls' summer program. Bagaric had grown so disenfranchised with a lack of playing time, he vowed to stay in Croatia throughout the summer. But Bagaric has seen more playing time since Brad Miller was traded to the Indiana Pacers, and Krause made sure Bagaric understood the importance of remaining in Chicago. ''Dali and I talked,'' Krause said. ''He's going to stay here. "He's going to go home to get married, then come back for the summer program, like everybody else. ''He's a nice young man who was frustrated. But we never have had any problems with Dali. He's a hard worker.'' Bagaric said he has adjusted his attitude after talking to Krause, who drafted him with the 24th pick in 2000. ''[Krause] told me what I have to do and what I'm supposed to do, and I will do it,'' Bagaric said. ''We had a good talk. ''And now I'm playing more, and it's a better situation. I will be here.'' Bagaric is under contract through next season. March 10, 2002. 

BAHORIC, JOHN Professor

Born June 21, 1936, Chigago, Illinois. Educated at 1955-57 Menlo College, Menlo Park, California, A.A. 1958; 1961-64 University of the Americas, Mexico City, Mexico, B.A.-1964; 1964-66 University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, M.A.-1967; 1969 University of New Mexico, Ph.D. Candidate in Ibero-American Studies. Instructor of Spanish at University of New Mexico, Department of Modern Languages, Albuquerque, New Mexico. He specialized in Spanish and Latin American Literature. U.S. Army Service in Germany, 1957-1959 and study in Austria. He speaks Spanish, Portuguese and German and is a member of the Modern language Association.

BAHR, CAROLINE Tamburitza

It all begins with one woman.  Caroline Puskarich, a native of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, played in junior tamburitz groups as a child and then went on the play, dance, and sing in the well-known Duquesne University Tamburitzans. Moved to California, she married Afred Bahr in 1962 and settled in Mountain View to begin her married life. But once a tamburitzan, always a tamburitzan, and she missed the dancing, playing, and singing that she was used to. The solution was to start up a tamburitza group of her own based upon her past experience in Pennsylvania. In 1965 Caroline gathered a group of some fifteen adults who were willing to work at this new experience, found some instruments, and began teaching in various homes and in the fruit-drying shed on the Sulaver ranch in Cupertino. Shortly after that beginning Caroline started several junior groups and the era of the Veseli Seljaci and its allied groups was launched. By the mid-1980’s the tamburitza and kolo groups numbered about a hundred participants. Veseli Seljaci played to enthusiastic crowds at nearly twnety national Extravaganzas and had presented yearly concerts to large audiences. There were invitations to play in Seattle, several cities in Nevada, and in southern California. During their most active period, the Veseli Seljaci recorded 4 LP records and 4 cassette tapes, and they performed at 15 Tamburitza Extravaganzas in various cities around the United States.

BAJURIN, DAN Restaurant

What more appropriate name could be chosen for a restaurant specializing in sea food than Popeye? That popular sailor popped into mind of Dan Bajurin when he planned his new eating house in September, 1936, at picturesque Fisherman’s Wharf, 2770 Taylor Street in San Francisco.  And so, when you step past the large stove on the sidewalk where fresh lobsters, shrimps and crab are cooked, into the dining room, you meet Popeye face to face in the amusing paintings on the wall of the Popeye Fish Grotto. You see him in his various sea adventures which are delightfully intriguing. Then when you are seated in one of the comfortable open booths, he again greets you on the menu. It is always gay and interesting relaxation to go to Fisherman’s Wharf. The atmosphere of the sea, of fishing, of the Latin race, of the ships which sail the seas, always enfold one and carry the mind to distant shores, from whence came these men of many lands, where fishing was their calling in the old country. Quite in keeping with this are the four partners of Popeye Fisherman/s Grotto. Two of them, Dan Bajurin and Mario Zarish, are from Dalmatia. When Dan came to California in 1929 he missed his fishing adventures and decided to have a restaurant where fish would be the specialty. He has worked and had restaurants since that time in Sacramento and San Francisco. Before opening Popeye Fish Grotto, he worked in one of the most popular of the fish grottoes in Fisherman’s Wharf. Airy, bright, new and clean, the dinning room can accommodate as many as 92. The charcoal broiler is of the latest type and not only is broiled fish a specialty but this one eating place at Fisherman’s Wharf where one may feast upon tender broiled steaks and chicken. And, if some of the party desire fish and others do not care for it, each may be satisfied to his taste. The pots of chowder, Boston clam and Coney Island clam chowder, the mackerel pickled by the chef that day, the trays of freshly shelled shrimps, the great jars of newly made dressings, all were in readiness for customers.

BAJURIN, NORBERT Golden Gate Yacht Club-Commodore

A small San Francisco boating club known for its stiff drinks and salty characters is making an impressive and unlikely bid for the oldest prize in professional sports, the America's Cup. If it succeeds in this elite, highstakes race being waged in the waters off New Zealand, the Golden Gate Yacht Club - whose Commodore is a radiator repair businessman - could change the staid and sterIing image of yachting.

Nineteen members of the Golden Gate club spent the last two weeks in Auckland, New Zealand, partying with the sailors and cheering for their high-powered team - aware that bringing the Cup home would be like hosting the Olympics on the Bay. The regatta is an exclusive party the band of blue-collar boaters never imagined attending.

The Golden Gate snagged its front-row seats to the Super Bowl of sailing through an unexpected deal forged between the modest mechanic and Silicon Valley mogul Larry Ellison. The Golden Gate is the official sponsor of Oracle BMW Racing, a syndicate, bankrolled by the software billionaire.

The incongruous pairing happened after talks unexpectedly broke off between Ellison and the city's prestigious St. Francis Yacht Club. The club had balked at Ellison's requirement that three members of Oracle racing sit on the St. Francis, board. Golden Gate Commodore Norbert Bajurin, who runs Alouis Auto Radiator in San Franciscos Western Addition, says he feels like a proud parent. "I got goosebumps walking around Auckland, seeing signs and billboards with pictures of our club burgee with the Golden Gate Bridge on it," said Bajurin, 46, a former Rohnert Park cop.

"Most people that I met in New Zealand believe we are a large club representing the upper crust of San Francisco society," Bajurin said. "I'm proud to let people know we are a small, people-oriented club that has struggled to maintain its very existence." The pale-gray Golden Gate clubhouse is situated between Crissy Field and the Marina Green, about 100 yards from the St. Francis. Bajurin is credited with taking the club from a state of imminent demise to the pursuit of sailing's Holy Grail. Desperate to find sources of revenue to sustain the club, Bajurin pitched the sponsorship idea to Bill Erkelens, a Bay Area sailor who runs Ellison's racing operations.

“We knew we had city-front property. We knew Larry has a house in Pacific Heights, and if he’s not out on the bay sailing, he could be sitting up there watching the race. Oracle Corp. CEO Ellison, an accomplished amateur sailor and fierce competitor, is spending $ 85 million of his fortune in hopes of bringing the Cup to the San Francisco Bay. He is one of four billionaires backing syndicates. Oracle racing got what it wanted out of the sponsorship deal: a club that would allow it to manage its own sailing operations and stage its own defense if victorious. The Golden Gate secured a much needed infusion of cash. More than 100 members of Oracle racing became dues-paying club members. The club charges a $ 1,000 initiation fee and $90 in monthly dues.

BAJURIN, RUZA Teacher-Croatian Activities

Her death came upon suddenly in 1999. Her husband Joza passed away just few months ago, and now it seems that Ruza longed for joining her dear Joza. Ruza Bajurin was born in Zenica, Bosnia, on October 2, 1918. She attended elementary and high school in Zenica. Her parents moved to Zagreb, so she continued her education in Zagreb. She graduated in linguistics: French, Italian and Spanish. Beside those languages she was interested in Esperanto and Russian. In 1942 she was sent to Berlin as an official interpreter at the Croatian embassy. There she met her future husband Joza. She married in Berlin. The son Borna was born in Zagreb in 1943. By the end of the war the couple separated- Ruza returned to Zagreb with her son Borna, and Jozo moved from Switzerland to America. She was working and studying in America. She worked in an exclusive school in San Francisco teaching French, Russian and Latin. She founded the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge "1007 Ivan Mestrovich". She was the secretary of the Lodge for many years. Furthermore, she organized the Croatian Library with an enviable number of books. She founded the Croatian language school. Ruza was a humanitarian person. She had been working for years as a volunteer in the senior's home "Laguna Honda". She also wholeheartedly worked to ease the pain and suffering of Croatian orphans.

BAKARICH, GERALD S. Judge

Judge Bakarich was appointed to the bench as Municiple Court Judge by Governor Deukmajian in January 1991. Judge Bakarich currently sits on a Superior Court, assignment in Department 98 (a criminal department). Judge Bakarich is a second generation American. His grandfather, Stjepan, was born in Udbina, Lika and emigrated to the United States to settle in Rose, Nevada and work in the copper mines until his death as a result of a mining accident. Judge Bakarich's father, Nick, was born in Rose, but as a teenager moved to Sacramento, California. Judge Bakarich received his Bachelor's degree from California State University, Sacramento in 1975 and his J.D. degree firom Lincoln Law School, Sacramento in 1982. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1982. Judge Bakarich is a Chief Warrant Officer with the California National Guard. Prior to his becoming a judge, Judge Bakarich served the City of Sacramento as a police officer and, after passing the bar, the County of Sacramento as Deputy Disctrict Attorney. He and his wife Peggy reside in Sacramento, California. Judge Bakarich has three adult children.

BAKOTICH, JAKOB Stonemason

My parents Jacov (James) and Tonina (Antoinetta) Bakotich came to San Francisco Bay area in March 1905. Dad came earlier in 1900. He returned in 1905 to marry mother in her home town of Vis, Croatia on island of Vis. They were childhood sweethearts in Vis, and were married in Sveti Duh Catholic Church across the street from mom's house, which I have visited three times. They honeymooned in Split and Trieste and took a boat from there to New York, which took 30 days. The train was the next transportation to San Francisco. Mother's maiden name was Slavic and her mother's maiden name was Mare Cargotic. Dad's mother's maiden name was Tonina Puhalovic. Dad was an artisan stonemason having learned his trade from his father and older brother, Antone, who were contractors in this trade in Vis. Dad worked in the Bay area, Napa and Martinez. My sister Mary was born December 7, 1905 in Martinez. They moved to San Francisco in 1906 and were all shook up by the April 18, 1906 earthquake. They lost all but 2 blankets and a knife dad's father had given to him. They evacuated to a park near their Green St. apartment and then to Oakland to the home of friends. Later, that year 1907 they moved to South Palo Alto (Mayfield) and later bought a home on Kipling and Hawthorne Streets, Palo Alto. My brother James was born 1909, and I was born there later. Dad also later helped to bring his younger sister Lena, from Vis.

BAKULICH, PETAR Fisherman

In 1921, my father, Petar Bakulich, arrived in Bellingham, Washington. I think he came to America through Canada. He was 19 years old and was born on the Island of Vis, Dalmatia, Croatia. I do not know a lot of his personal history at that time. However, he lived with his sister, Yela Mu1jat and brother-in-law, Nickola Mu1jat; who were the parents of my first cousins, Frank and Vince Mu1jat. I am writing this article to let the people of Bellingham know how this young immigrant from Dalmatia is a forgotten part of your city's history in the early 1900's. His first job in this country was during the development of your beautiful Fairhaven Park.

He pulled tree stumps after the trees were cut down to clear the area that would be used for the park. To do this, he was given two mules in a team attached to a wedge plow and with a series of chains when the setup was completed - he would give the command to the mules, and hopefully pull up the stump. If he was successful he would then go to the next stump. Sometimes the stump was too big or too deep and when he gave the command, the mules moved forward and if the plow wedge got caught under the stump the wedge plow would catapult him over the stump and he would land between the mules. This was because my father had a firm grip on the handles and was not able to release his hold in time. He would describe his displeasure in a language only another Croatian would appreciate, and not for publication in this letter. Anyway, with some thanks to my Dad, Bellingham got its Fairhaven Park and my Dad had his first job in America. At best, it was a tough job even in those days for a young man trying to find his way in America. I never visit Bellingham without passing through the park. I have a warm feeling about his contribution to the people of Bellingham. This story was repeated time and time again to my sister, my brother, and me.

After the tree stump-pulling job, he joined the salmon fishing fleet like so many other Croatian immigrants. This was another tough job as described in early articles of the Pacific Northwest Croatian. To say that these men were only fishermen does not do them justice. These men were pioneers of the industry and innovators of supporting industries, canneries, boat builders, net manufacturers, harbor builders, and many other businesses up and down the coast, from Canada to Mexico. Together they helped develop the largest fishing industry in the world. These pioneers of that legacy should never, ever be forgotten.

Around 1921-1924, my father met my mother, Mary Ru1jancich, daughter of Tomazina and Frank RuIjancich. Mom and Dad lived on 12th Street with the rest of the Dalmatian immigrants and Mom's three sisters, Pearl, Antonette, and Helen. It was an easy walking distance to the boat docks, or in my father's case, the walk to the future Fairhaven Park. My mother graduated from Fairhaven High School around 1923. She came to America with her mother and dad when she was five years old. My father didn't get along too well with his potential in-laws, in fact, they tried to discourage any relationship between the two. However, my Mom and Dad were determined to get married and plan their future together. They hopped on a train from Bellingham to Sacramento,

California where my Dad had relatives. On October 28, 1925, they were married, but the marriage did not have the blessing of her parents. My mother was 19 and my father was 24. Of course the relationship between my father and his in-laws improved over time and they became good friends. Once they were married in Sacramento, they moved directly to San Pedro. There was another colony of Dalmatians who like many other fiiends and relatives from the old country, were willing and waiting to give a helping hand to a newcomer.

It was at this time he joined the San Pedro fishing fleet.

We all know that tuna and sardine boats are very large and very expensive to operate. Consequently, there were very few individuals who were sole owners of these boats. Instead, the fishermen would get together with friends and relatives, form partnerships, and then purchase a boat. My father was a partner in the following boats: the Magellan, Oakland, Betsy Ross, and the Blue Sky. All the boats are now docked in Davey Jones' Locker. No one can say that being a fisherman is an easy job. Most of the fishermen I knew had a philosophy Of "when pulling on a rope, and if whatever you were pulling did not move, and you complained that this is too hard - they would say it couldn't be that hard, You didn't break the rope yet. " Another bit of wisdom was given to me when I first started fishing and we had a good season. "'Seven years good luck, seven years bad luck. Son, save your money in the good years for the bad years because you'll have them and then they won't be so bad " Even fishermen have fun and often it's very spontaneous. Once while fishing off the coast of Mexico, about 200 miles out to sea, my father fancied a swim. He took a long dive out of the crow's nest from about fifty feet up. He made the mistake of diving with his mouth open and on impact with the sea, his false teeth popped out and he lost them. it took two months to replace them; good thing Dalmatians like soup! He never did that again!

These old timers had very little tolerance for effors or mistakes and if you made one, look out! Once again fishing for tuna off the coast of Mexico, we were in a set and caught a school of tuna mixed with about 15 tons of sharks. Since I was just getting my start I was assigned to work the skiff, when the skiff came along side the boat I was given a long boat hook and told to push the skiff away from the boat so they wouldn't bang each other due to the roll and pitch of the sea and cause damage. The rest of the crew were on deck hauling in the net. While pushing the skiff away from the boat, the hook got caught in the net and all work stopped so I could release the hook. If I didn't release the hook it might have ripped the net, and we could lose the tuna. As hard as I tried I couldn't get the hook released. My father lost his patience and took matters in his own hands. He took off his boots and jumped in the water with the sharks, pushing them out of the way with his bare hands. Then he swam through the sharks to the boat where the hook was tangled. He unsnarled the hook and swam to the skiff, he handed me the boat hook then swam back to the boat. The crew was waiting for the sharks to bite my dad, but they didn't. Then my father told me not so nicely to never make that mistake again. He was a real trooper when it came to giving someone a chewing out. After the set was over and we had the tuna aboard, one of the crew members whispered to me that, "Even the sharks think your old man is too damned tough to eat. "

In the early 1930's between the tuna and sardine fishing season and during the light of the moon when the fishing fleet was not fishing my dad played soccer with the local San Pedro team called the "Jardrans" he played with this team for a number of years and the family and relatives would go watch him play on Sunday aftemoons. In his younger days he was very spry and to prove it he would jump over the open hatch on the Betsy Ross and also he could stand along side the kitchen sink and spring jump to the top surface of the sink. Some of his fishing buddies who were friends on Vis before they came to America told me that he should never have left Vis and stayed there and became a professional soccer player. I guess it's from his side of the family that we inherited our ability to play good sports. Like my cousins Frank and Vince Mu1jat in basket ball, my cousin Anthony Brajcich, baseball; my brother Frank, Baseball; and myself, all league - Ist team basketball; and my nephew, Joe Lovitto, who was drafted at age 18 to play major league baseball for the Texas Rangers. All of these, like my dad, were above average in sports. I remember once when my neighborhood boy fiiends were out playing football in the street and my Dad came home early from working on the boat. He saw us kids playing and asked us if he could kick the ball we gave him the ball and he sent us down the street to catch the ball except when he kicked it - his foot went through the ball and it popped! There was so much excitement between us kids, that I don't remember what we played the rest of the day, probably marbles.

In the Dalmatian tradition around Easter my Dad, my uncles, and fishing buddies would get together and buy a spring lamb, slaughter the lamb, save the innards, heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys. My Mom would make a Dalmatian island stew with potatoes called "Kulin" in Croatian. They would sit around the table eating this stew and drink home made wine and praise God how good it tasted. "Boga stoye vo dobro" Drink more wine and have a good time. About 3 o’clock they would all go home, the parting shot was "We have to do this again next year." I think these guys liked my Mom’s cooking - and the wine wasn't bad. either.

In 1954 thru 1956, 1 was stationed in Ketchikan, Alaska in the US Coast Guard. In 1955 my father made his last fishing trip. I think this year he gave up tuna fishing to make one more salmon trip so that he could see me. Sadly, we were only able to spend one afternoon together; and at that time he complained about a sore he had in his mouth. When he returned to California the doctors diagnosed it as advanced cancer. He was a heavy smoker, drinker, and a tough fishing son-of-a-gun. He died on January 18, 1956. His funeral was huge even by San Pedro standards. For you and I he lives on in Fairhaven Park. So whenever you pass through Fairhaven Park, remember one of your own who helped make this park and say a prayer. (Bakulich 2000)

BAKULICH, PETER JR Fisherman-Military

Tuna Trip Aboard the Blue Sky: By 1948 1 had been fishing for 2 years and was no longer considered a novice fisherman or deck hand, and also thanks to my father Petar Bakulich, I was also part owner of the 85-foot purse seiner, “Blue Sky." We had a crew of eleven men, all Croatian, from up and down the Dalmatian coast and the islands of Vis, Dugi Otok, Brac, and Korcula.

The newest member of the crew was my friend Matt Milosevich. We were pals in high school and he wanted to try his luck at commercial fishing. Matt's folks - although not from any of the Dalmatian islands, they were still from Croatia up around the Area of Rijeka. Matt's father came to !the US through Canada but not into the Pacific Northwest. He came through the Northeast through Minnesota then south to Colorado, this was in the early 1900's. The folks settled in an old town on the Santa Fe Trail called Trinidad. The town was very active in the cattle drives during this extended period. Matt's Dad worked in the coal mines and he bought a 50 acre farm where Matt was raised with his 4 brothers and 3 sisters. During the depression Matt's father was also a part-time copper-smith making wine barrels in the barn to help support the family (along with some bootleg spirits that Matt doesn't like to talk about). Matt moved to San Pedro in 1942 during WW 11 and we have been friends ever since.

All the crew members of the Blue Sky were able-bodied, experienced men who could be counted on to handle any situation on a typical fishing trip. In May or June of 1948 we were getting ready to fish tuna in Mexican waters which would take 5 to 7 days traveling time before we came to the fishing grounds. After saying good-bye to our families and friends at the San Pedro fish docks, we left the Los Angeles harbor around 6 P.M. We were now under way and heading south off the California coast. Matt and I were assigned the 8 P.M. to midnight watch. At night out on the ocean around 10 P.M. there is a darkness that is darker then a midnight wine cellar. I mean you can't see anything 30 feet away - no stars were out, no moon, no nothing! I was on the helm steering the boat and Matt said he was going to go below to check out the engine room and deck. He was on his way back to the bridge when Matt saw another crew-meniber on deck. His name was "Svetco" an old-timer fisherman with many, many years of experience, Svetco was attempting to fetch a bucket of sea water to flush the toilet (in those days this was the only way to flush). Svetco made a very dangerous mistake that almost proved fatal. One of the first things a fisherman or any seaman learns is that you never ever wrap the end of a rope that fastens to a bucket around your wrist, because when you throw the bucket into the water, the weight of the water rushing into the bucket causes a force strong enough to pull any man over board unless he is on good solid footing. This is what happened to Svetco, he couldn't retrieve nor let go of the bucket so it pulled him over board. Matt was standing about 20 feet from Svetco and saw the whole thing, He immediately made his way back to the bridge where I was steering the boat. Very emotionally, he tried to tell me that Svetco, fell over board. I very calmly told Matt that this was his first fishing trip and to quit horsing around-we don't play that type of joke on each other and this is a serious thing to be kidding about. Boy he sure got excited then... He said, "Pete, No I'm not kidding and go to hell, Svetco, did fall over board!" He finally got through to me and I turned the boat around, reversed course and we woke up the crew. Then we started searching the waters with a high-power search light. We finally spotted Svetco bobbing in the water, waving his hands and shouting to be helped-he looked like a floating orange. By now Svetco, had been in the water about 10- 15 minutes. George, another crewmember, quickly went to the bow of the boat with an emergency life ring. When we came close enough to Svetco, George threw the life ring and made the perfect throw right over the arm of Svetco. I think Svetco was going down for the 3rd time. When we got him on deck, he was holding onto the life ring -for dear life-so hard that we had to pry it off. We all knew that in a few more minutes Svetco would have drowned. As it was, Svetco was suffering from cold and exhaustion. We got him undressed., dried him off, and gave him the fisherman's cure all-two shots of bourbon whiskey and put him to bed. We were all very thankful he was alive as we continued on our way to the fishing grounds in Mexico.

The next day when Svetco was almost recovered and dressed, he showed us his arm that was in the life ring. It was black and blue from his wrist to his shoulder, bruised and tender from grasping the ring so hard. He was very grateful to the whole crew but especially to Matt. He gave Matt most of the credit for saving his life and he promised Matt that when we returned to San Pedro he would buy him a nice pair of slacks from "Brown Brothers" the best men's store in town. Matt and old Svetco became good friends. He took Matt under his wing and spent time teaching him the fundamentals of being a fisherman. He had great gratitude to Matt for sounding the alarm and saving his life. Matt said he was a cranky old fart who complained all the time.

In about 30 days we caught enough tuna to load the boat and headed for home. Back at San Pedro after 2 days of unloading the tuna, the crew was ready to go home. Svetco was all dressed up with his polished brown shoes, nice tan pants, matching shirt and tie, and to top off this outfit he placed an expensive tan colored Stetson hat on top of his head-he really looked the part of a sharp dude, He was ready to leave the boat and told every one good-bye then told Matt he was going to town and buy him the promised pair of slacks. As he went to step off the boat onto the dock, he lost his footing and fell into the water. “Oh no not again!" This time there was no fear of Svetco losing his life, only the loss of pride and humility of this very experienced seaman falling into the water at the dockside. Most of the crew rushed to the side of the boat to watch Svetco. There he was spitting and sputtering, his nice Stetson hat floating off his head about 4 feet away. The skipper of the boat asked him, "Svetco what the hell are you doing in the water?" There was Svetco cussing as only a Dalmatian can, against his mother, father, God, his friends, the crew and any one else within shouting distance. The crew was hysterical with laughter, laughing so hard that we were incapable of helping him out of the water or even to throw him a rope to climb out, which made him more angry. One of the crew got hold of a small brailer and retrieved his hat that by now was soaking wet. When he finally got back on board all he could say in his fine Dalmatian accent is "This is a voodoo-boat, a voodoo-boat, and it's trying to kill me!" The crew went into another fit of laughter. He went into the cabin to change his clothes and we could still hear him cussing out the voodoo-boat, He finally got dried off and changed, As he was leaving the boat for the second time, someone said, ""Hey Svetco don't forget your hat!" which caused another round of laughter.

The next day the crew was back on board to finish up the chore's left over from the last fishing trip and to get everything ready for the next trip. Svetco came on board a little later and called Matt over to give him the new pair of slacks, then he went into the cabin and packed his clothes into his duffel bag and left the boat. As he was leaving you could hear him say, "damn voodoo-boat! "

From that day on, I've never seen Svetco again, that was over 50 years ago. Matt and I are both over 70 years old, live in Fullerton, California and play golf together 2 or 3 times a week. We still reminisce about our fishing experience aboard the Blue Sky; some how, now and then, Svetco gets into the conversation and we have a little chuckle. We don't remember the last names of Svetco, or George who threw the life ring, or even some names of the rest of the crew; but then it's not necessary. I imagine that all the crew has passed on since Matt and I were the two youngest of the Blue Sky Crew at that time. The next year, 1949, 1 moved to Bellingham, Washington and for 3 months lived with my Teta, Yela Mu1jat, on'the north side of town. I went fishing salmon on the boat, Uncle Sam with Jack Radisich. Jack died the following year from cancer. He was a very good man and skipper. After the season was over I returned to San Pedro and fished sardines and tuna for a few more years until I joined the coast guard. Matt also quit fishing and joined the army serving in Korea. After his discharge he became a successful construction contractor. (Bakulich 2001)

BAKULICH, VIRGIL Goldminer-Police Inspector

Read this except from the April, 1946 of Police and Peace Officer's Journal and see if you have life experiences to match those of Inspector Bakulich. If you do, then you might write your autobiography and retell the escapades and adventures of your life story. While Inspector Bakulich is certainly not the last San Francisco Police Officer to became a published author, it is entirely likely that he was the first! And read about his ironic chance meeting with one of the great American writers of the 19th Century. Could that encounter have been the inspiration for Inspector Bakulich to became a writer? One of San Francisco's most colorful, efficient, and courageous police officers, who served in the San Francisco Department from July 11, 1894 to March 19, 1919, is completing for publication a book entitled "The Flight of My days," which could well be titled "The Recollections of a San Francisco Policeman". This former police officer is Virgil N. Bakulich, who now with his wife resides in San Jose. A giant of man, standing 6 feet 4 1/2 inches when he joined the department, Virgil Bakulich was a most imposing figure. A native of the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia he left that country in 1881 and arrived in California, then teeming with gold miners and the usual camp followers. He was the most able linguist the department has ever had, speaking, reading and writing Greek, Russian,(Croatian)Slavonian, Italian, German and English. During his service as a police officer he figured in the capture of many hardened criminals and solved many crimes, all of which are ably presented in his autobiography. To give an idea of the contents of his forthcoming book we will present many of the most important topics he has prepared after careful research and from his personal diary of events that few men have occasion to experience: A preface of his autobiography in which he tells of his parents, his native country, its antiquities, of the visit of Emperor Franz Joseph to Dalmatia in 1869, and of his departure for America in 1881. He tells of the gold fever that drew his father to California and how his father lost his life by drowning in the Lincoln Mine, Amador County. His arrival in California was the beginning of many hair-raising escapes and a series of personal attainments in law enforcement and athletics. He tells of his narrow escape after falling down a 1100 foot mining shaft in Plymouth, California, shortly after arriving in this country. He moved to Sonora, Toulumne County in 1885, and two years later found $5,000 in gold in a gold pocket on Brown's Flat. He tells of many escapes from caveins, falls and blasting. Also he recites the instance where he prevented a tar and feather party in 1888. He sets forth how he left the mining country in 1889, and came to San Francisco, and one of the first things he did was to find $475 in a lavatory at 151 Eleventh Street. He joined the Olympic Club, and as a novice won the coast championship for tossing the 56-pound weight. At the old Woodward Gardens he participated in a stubbornly contested international tug-of-war contest which lasted one hour and 47 minutes, with Bakulich's team winning. On July 11, 1894 he joined the Police Department and from that time his life was filled with action as following list of cases he took part in working on. He visited his native land in Dalmatia in 1900 with his father's remains, thus fulfilling his promises to his mother when a boy. Cupid's darts and arrows in Split ending in matrimony December 20, 1900. Return to America. Earthquake and fire in San Francisco, April 18, 1906. Robert Louis Stevenson's very valuable ring and jewelry recovered. Arrest and conviction. Retired from the San Francisco Police Department march 19, 1919. With Peter Dragicevich opened a steamship and insurance office. Second visit to Dalmatia in 1922. Out of gratitude for favors received and his instantaneous cure, built a memorial chapel to his beloved parents dedicating it under the auspices of St. Theresa of Lisleux to the greater glory of God.

Returned to California in 1939. This book of Virgil Bakulich is bound to be interesting to many of the old timers of this city and we wish the old detective sergeant all the success in the world. We knew him well, and he was a fearless, hardworking and loyal peace officer.

BALCH, JOHN Contractor-Stonecutter

Much of the sanitation and health of the inhabitants of San Pedro depends upon the efficiency with which its great underground network of sewers have been installed. John Balch was responsible for about 95 percent of all the big sewer installations made in San Pedro between 1913 and 1927. Balch was born in Herzegovina, June 13, 1869. He studied in a local seminary and in 1884 passed the preliminary examinations for the Catholic priesthood. For four hundred years his male ancestors had been stone cutters and, instead of completing his preparation for the priesthood, he learned the trade of stone cutter and became a proficient letterer. In 1891 he took passage for the United States, landing here with a capital of about 3,000 dollars. His first employment was in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York, where he received an average of from five to eight dollars a day, which was considered an excellent wage at that time. In the meantime he was attending night school and studying English, In 1907 Balch came to California for his health, being advised to do so by the company which continued to pay his salary. Mr. Balch took one trip home in 1894, returning in 1895. He was married in Newark, New Jersey, August 4, 1898 to Carrie Pennington, a native of Mount Morris, New York.

BALICH, JOSEPH C. Attorney

Joseph Balich is an Attorney at Law in Summit, Illinois. Born October 11, 1925 of Croatian parents in Summit, Illinois, Educated at Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota B.A. 1949; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, LL.B. 1952 with a major field in law. Member of Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity.

BALIC, STEPHANIE Croatian Activities

Stephanie earned a degree in English from California State University, Sacramento. She worked for a major telecommunications company for several years. In 1990, she married Bozidar Balic from Dugopolje, Croatia.  They have three children: Adriana, Ivana, and Stephan. Stephanie is also a vital member of the Croatian American Cultural Center as her duties go beyond those of secretary.  She takes care of all rental correspondence and catering proposals. This year, she took on the job of souvenir book layout, typesetting and art work. She is also a charge of catering at the Croatian hall and her hors d’ ouevres are famous.  Her parents, Stojan and Sally Butigan, both deceased, were among the founding members of the Croatian American Cultural Center.

BALOKOVIC, ZLATKO Violinist

A world-renowned violinist and activist, Balokovic was born in Zagreb.  During the 1920's and 1930's, he and his American wife, Joyce Borden, toured extensively in Europe; but during World War II they settled in Camden, Maryland.  Balokovic became deeply involved with many wartime committees; and in 1946, the couple visited Yugoslavia as official representatives of the American Committee for Yugoslav Relief.  There, he became personally acquainted with Marshall Tito, Milovan Djilas, and others.  In 1947, Zlatko and Joyce Balokovic returned to America for a coast-to-coast speaking tour telling of their experiences. He was involved with Yugoslav and Croatian organizations such as the American Committee for Yugoslav Relief (1946-1950), the National Council of Americans of Croatian Descent (1943-1948), the United Committee of South Slavic Americans, and the United Yugoslav Relief.  Until the 1960’s, Balokovic continued to give concerts.  He died in 1965 and was buried in Zagreb.

BAN, HRVOSLAV Priest-Editor-Author

Fr. Hrvoslav was bom on August 31, 1924 in Stobi, Macedonia. Fr. Hrvoslav comes from a Zagreb family, and lived in Zagreb since he was 8 months old. In the Croatian capital he finished elementary and high school. After World War 11 he studied art history and archeology. He was an associate with all the religious papers in Croatia, but because of his national and religious works he was imprisoned and placed in solitary confinement twice. Afterwards he studied philosophy and theology in the Gregorianum in Rome. Four years later he edited the historical program for Radio Vatican, from 1966-1969 and 1971-1972. After the collapse of the Croatian Spring in 1971 he left Europe on June 27, 1972 for America. He became a member of the Franciscan community in the same year and was ordained a priest by Croatian Cardinal Franjo Seper on November 4, 1973 in New York. For a short time he served at SS. Cyril and Methodius parish in New York, and in 1974 he came to Chicago to work in the office of Danica. After the death of Fr. Ljubo Cuvalo he took over as editor. He was also an editor of the Croatian Almanac. He again served in the Croatian parish in New York as assistant pastor (1978-1981), and in the same position for St. Anthony parish in Sharon, PA (19811982), and St. Jerome in Chicago (1982-1992). Fr. Hrvoslav was an author of many books and articles. He was also the author of many radio dramas and editor of many books. Fr. Hrvoslav returned to the homeland in the summer of 1992. He died on April 23, 2000 in Humac and was buried there. The funeral mass for Fr. Hrvoslav was celebrated in Humac on Easter Monday, April 24th by Fr. Tomislav Pervan, Provincial of the Croatian Franciscans of Hercegovina. Following was interment at Novo Groblje cemetery.

BAN, PAUL Engineer-Contractor

Paul began working for General Motors, Allison Engine Division at the onset of the Second World War. He taught Air Force recruits warplane engine repair and maintenance at Lambert Field in St. Louis. Very soon after, he was sent by General Motors to the West Coast and was subsequently stationed at various air bases from the state of Washington to California. This was all exclusively under the purview of the Fourth Air Force. His job was to instruct pilots and other personnel on engine maintenance and repair of the famed WWII fighter plane, the twin-engine P-38 Lightning. He had been involved with the development of a supercharger for that plane's engine and related many a hair-raising story of flying cramped behind the pilot's seat on test flights to "troubleshoot" engine problems. He was scheduled to continue in the war effort overseas but the assignment was canceled with the end of the war. General Motors offered him permanent employment in California but he resigned. He chose to stay close. to family and friends in the St. Louis, Missouri area. There he resumed his career as a contractor. Never, however, could he ignore his love of flight. He followed the development of jet propulsion and the advances of science in space travel to the very end. Music was a big part of his life. He played banjo in several bands while he was young. He always sang and harmonized at every gathering and had acquired quite a collection of Croatian music. He surprised us all, when in his declining years, he decided to learn and master the harmonica. Paul was born Oct. 26, 1908 in West Frankfort, 1llinois. In November, 1932 he married Danice Klarich and they had two children, a son Paul and a daughter, Danice. Paul died August 10, 2000. Paul was the person who always greeted you with a smile, handshake and new joke. He and Danice were always the gracious hosts and their outward appearance often belied the difficulties they experienced through their lives. Their daughter, Deenie, had health problems throughout her lifetime and sadly she succumbed to those illnesses on Oct. 22, 1982 at age 35. Paul is survived by his wife Danice, son Paul, granddaughter Gina Burton and her husband, Tom, and great-grandchildren, Sarah and Paul, in addition to his brothers, John and Emil Ban, sister Katie, brothers and sisters-in-law, many relatives and countless friends. Paul's funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph Croatian Church, St. Louis and a eulogy was given by Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 167 President, Robert Potocnjak.

BAN, SAMUEL Goldminer-Restaurant-104 Years

Brother Sam would have been 105 years of age November 12. 1989 Sam was born in the village of Ugljane near Sinj in Dalmatia and came to America in 1903. He worked as a field hand in the Dakotas and for restaurants in the mining towns of Arizona and Nevada. Adventure took him into the gold fields of Alaska where he hiked the Yukon Trail. He settled in San Francisco in 1912 and in the next three years in this order, became a U.S. citizen, bought a home and married his first love Helen, after just two months of their first meeting. Sam became an avid lawn bowler, a sport he participated in till his late nineties. The Bans had four children; Catherine, Matt, Violet and Anna, and were a close and loving family. Helen passed on in 1969. Sam was a very special person to his friends and brothers of the Slavonic Society where he was a member for 65 years. He had a special gentle charisma about him and was always surrounded by family and friends. In medieval Croatia a Ban was a lord or master over a province of territory. True to his surname, Samuel Ban lived a noble and regal life.

BANAC, IVO Professor

Professor at Yale University, Connecticut. Ivo was born in Dubrovnik on March 1, 1947. His parents are Niko and Anuska Banac. Education: Fordham University, New York, Stanford University, MA in historical science (1971) and PhD (1975). He was assistant at Stanford University (1975-77); assistant professor at the History Department (1982-88); full professor at Yale University, Connecticut; (1988); editor of East European Politics and Societies, journal; correspoding member of HAZU. Published: the National Question in Yugoslavia: Origin, History, Policy (1988); With Stalin Against Tito: Informbureau Breach in the Yugoslav Communist Movement (1990); The Croatian Language Question (1990); Dubrovnik Essays (1992); Against Fear (1992); edited six books. Member of: Croatian Academy of America; American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies; IVIH; the International PEN Club.

BANINA, JERRY Tamburitza Music

My father, Joe Banina, was born on Veli Iz, an island in Dalmatia, Croatia He never heard a Tambura untfl he settled in East Chicago, Indiana. The first time he heard Tamburitza music he fell in love with the sound and decided he wanted to learn and to play with a group. He talked a few other guys in the area to join with him. They bought "Farkas" Tamburitzas, hired an instructor, John Rozgoj. They called themselves "Tamburaski Zborg Zuljezda" and that was the beginning. So, of course I heard that sound from day one. The "Old Timers" called us the "Scrap Gang". In 1940 we made our first official debut. I was 12 years old. In grade school I joined the band. Learned to play the trumpet, trombone, and baritone born. I became interested in American music and learned, to play the guitar and bass. In high school I had a 12 piece dance band, and also played with a Polka band for awhile. I also played with a Romanian orchestra for a number of years. In 1950 1 was drafted into the Army and played with the 28th Division band. When I returned home the "Zujewzda" name was changed to "The Star Serenaders" - that's another story. The four of us, Deak Raffkin (my uncle), Harry Zuvich and Steve Deanovich began a fantastic musical association that lasted for nearly forty years. After Deak passed away, we chose Dave Nanista to take over for him and we are stfll strumming away. In the "80's" I was an instructor for the Indiana Harbor Junior Tams for five years. I wrote my own arrangements. Now I am an assistant director for the Hoosier Hrvati Taniburitza Orchestra of Northwest Indiana, under the capable leadership of Edo Sindicich. With all my experimenting with different music forms, I never gave up on my tamburitza music -- I love the sound, just like my Dad.

BANOVAC, BOB Restaurant

Park Place, 1980 Union St., San Francisco. Park Place, opened in 1977, has everything you always wanted in a seafood house but were afraid to ask for. The old Cooperage interior has been artfully expanded to seat 75 on two levels (the back section is now raised instead of sunken), redone in natural wood with elegant simplicity, and now much larger patio area encased in glass, with outdoor lighted planting. The casement windows at tableside (in beautiful doweled frames) all open out, while overhead a massive redwood structure supports a “cathedral” ceiling of clear glass whose great panes also open. Two intrepid window-washers have at them daily, and even at night some of the panes are open, freshening the air. Hurricane mantle lamps light the tables, in white and brown linen, matching a sparingly used brown-check wallpaper. Seating is in cane armchairs. It’s a beautiful dining environment.Park Place, is the first to offer the specifically San Francisco style of that cookery- Dalmatian cuisine in the tradition of Tadich’s, Sam's and Maye’s. There’s nothing imitative about this. Principal owner is Dalmatian-American Bob Banovac and the manager is Tony Ivelich, whose father Dominic was chef at Tadich’s for 40 years. Here you’re served the seafood you were born and raised to recognize as right. For example, I had the day’s special- broiled red snapper (a fillet the length and breadth of the fish), striped black from the grill and tasting of the charcoal, but so moist it was still seeping its juices. Only Dalmatians from Croatia can do that.

BARAC, ANTON Fisherman

Anton Barac was born in Stilja, Dalmatia, Croatia on April 24,1908, the son of Lovro and Jela Barac. There were five boys and two giris in the family. He came to United States in 1938, and settled in the Pacific Northwest, where he worked as a f1sherman, Anton Barac died on January 12, 1984. Survivors include his wife, Iva of Tacoma; son, Ljubo of Sunnyvale, California; sister, Kata GrIjusic in Dalmatia; brother, Mate In Argentina; grandsons, Marijan of Tacoma and Anthony of Rijeka, Croatia and one granddaughter, Shirley of Sunnyvale, California. Anton was a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union in Tacoma, Washington.

BARANOVICH CLAN

Also written as Barhanovich, the Baranovich clan originates from Sibenik in Dalmatia and the Barhanovich clan from the island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. Vincent Baranovich’s activities were first discovered with a notice of mail at the Post Office at Victoria, British Columbia in 1870; in 1871 he was fur trading in Alaska. He also was associated with John Peratrovich who had married and Indian in Alaska and had 29 children; other Croatian associates were Tony Valensolo and Tony Markovich in Alaska. Vincent W. Baranovich was Secretary of the Haida Indian Tribe in 1938. Anton Baranovich was a 36 year old fisherman in 1880 at Clatsop, Oregon; the US Census listed him as Italian. Andrew Baranovich was a cook in 1900 in the Santa Clara Valley of California and Peter Baranovich was a waiter in San Francisco in 1903.

BARATTA, MIRA R. Congressional Affairs

Mira Baratta served as an Adviser on Foreign and Defense Policy to former Senator Bob Dole. She also served as Legislative Assistant for Arms Control and Foreign Policy to Republican Leader Dole from June, 1989 until June, 1996. From 1986-1989, Ms. Baratta served in the Reagan Administration as Deputy Director for Congressional Affairs at the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Before her tenure at the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, she was a legislative aide for foreign policy to then U.S. Senator Pete Wilson, now Governor of California. In 1982, Mira Baratta graduated magna cum laude and received her degree from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C. She has completed graduate work at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Medford, Massachusetts. Currently, Ms. Baratta worked on the Presidential campaign for Bob Dole. Mira Baratta's hometown is Pasadena, California, where she resided until 1978.

BARBARE CLAN

One of the first shipbuilders was Stephen Babare, who came to the United States in 1881 on a ship which traveled around the Horn. Upon the death of one of his children, he returned to Starigrad, Island of Hvar, Croatia, his home. In 1886, he received a certificate of engineering from the Academia di Commerici e di Nautica in Trieste. In 1891, he returned to this country, bringing with him all the tools of his trade, many of which were handmade. Babare decided that Tacoma would be the ideal place for an experienced shipbuilder. He was a master at his trade. Some of the boats built by the S. Babare Ship and Launch Company were the Sloga in 1904 and a nine horsepower boat commissioned by Frank Berry, the Rustler, which was built in 1906. The last boat built by Babare was the Starigrad in 1909. When he died in 1910, George and Nick Babare, his sons, established the Babare Brothers Shipbuilding Company. Their sister remembered: George and Nick Babare built one of the first deep-sea fishing boats, the Oregon, in about 1911. 1 will never forget the ordeal my mother went through that time. No one had ever gone out into the Pacific Ocean to fish before. It was only to Cape Flattery, but the older people considered this plain suicide. Evidently the wives and mothers of these young people, who were planning this folly, were up in arms, meeting together, talking and trying to figure out how to stop them. The crew consisted of the captain and eight men. I came home from school one day and found my mother crying and wringing her hands. The women had called on her that day and told her that her two sons were no better than murderers. This boat that was going to the ocean could not possibly ever come back and all these young men were going to drown and they would never be seen again. My brothers tried to reassure her, told her there was nothing to worry about, but she worried. By 1918, the Babare shipyard was turning out a completed boat every forty-eight hours. In 1914, the government took charge of the shipyards to build boats for the war effort. Everyone who wanted to work for the Todd shipyards would come to work for a day at the Babare yard so that they could write that they had had experience on their job application. It was not easy to be the mother of shipbuilders. When a boat was ordered by an out-of-towner at the Babare yard, the customer was invited to stay at the family home for free room and board.

BARBICA-SABATINI KATICA Social Worker

Her maiden name was Barbica, born in Trpanj at Peljesac peninsula, Dalmatia. She moved in America when she was five years old. Studied at the University of California in the 1930’s. She is a social worker helping poor Croatian families in Oakland, California.

BARBAROVICH, JOHN Fisherman

After 1890, fishermen came to Anacortes from most of the fishing countries of the world, but especially from the northern Adriatic. The pioneer of the Croatian group was Ivan (John) Babarovich who left the Adriatic island of Brac, Croatia for America in 1879. His family lost track of him for many years but learned by chance that he was in Seattle, Washington. His brothers, Peter and Spiro with their families, joined him in 1902 and they all homesteaded on Sinclair Island. After a few years they moved to Anacortes for the sake of their children. The men became commercial fishermen, using small boats with room only for their nets and fish. During the fishing season they lived in camps on the beach where the women of the family cooked for them. In 1910 John Babarovich built a larger boat, the "Uncle John," with facilities for eating and sleeping. This made the fishing more flexible. (Sleasman 1999)

BARBIER, MATTHEW J. Sea Captain-Oyster Beds-Military

Captain Matthew Barbier, a highly successful oyster man and owner of three splendidly equipped boats plying the lower reaches of the Mississippi from New Orleans, Louisiana to its mouth, started in the oyster business when he was fourteen years old in association with his father who owned and operated large beds in the Grand Bayou, In 1922 Captain Barbier started his own business, which he still owns and which, is operated from his headquarters at Empire in Plaquemines Parish. Captain Barbier has his general headquarters and residence in New Orleans at 2804 Dumaine Street. Two of three boats owned by Captain Barbier are used in towing operations for the Freeport Sulphur Company at Port Sulphur, Louisiana, and another boat, the "Texas," is employed in bedding oysters and the "Dixie" utilized, in running oysters from the beds of Grand Bayou into New Orleans. Captain Matthew J. Barbier was born in New Orleans on the nineteenth of September, 1888, a son of the late John Barbier, a native of Croatia who came to the United States and settled in New Orleans when he was twenty-five years of age, and Eleanor (Pellagali) Barbier, who died in 1922. The elder Barbier was for many years a prominent factor in the local oyster industry and continued in the business until his retirement a few years prior to his death in 1927. Captain Barbier was educated in the schools of Louisiana and during the World War was a member of the United States Navy, serving for eleven months as an attache of the New Orleans Naval Station before going overseas where he saw duty in France as a sailor on the warship "Wassaic." He is an expert seaman and has held both a pilot's and captain's license for a quarter of a century or more. On the seventh of November, 1917, Captain Barbier was married in New Orleans to Miss Florence Wenholz, also a native of the Crescent City. The five children of Captain and Mrs. Barbier are Matthew J. Jr., born in 1918, now a marine engineer and operator of the boat "Denver" owned by his father and employed in the serviceof the Freeport Sulphur Company; Frederick, born in 1920 and now associated with the Odendahl Company; Dorothy, born in 1923, a member of the 1940 graduating class of the John McDonough High School in New Orleans; Eleanor, born in 1925 and Joan Barbier, born in 1927. The last two named children are students in New Orleans schools. For many years Captain Barbier has had a prominent part in local civic activi ties and is a member of the Slavonian Benefit Society and the B. K. of A. He is also a Mason, a member of Osiris Lodge, and is affiliated with the Consistory and Shrine. Religious association is with the Catholic Church.

BARCOTT, TONY Fishing-Professor

From Joseph Canetti's Seafood Grotto near the entrance to the Main Channel of the Port of Los Angeles, to the smoky bars and stucco prewar cafes of San Pedro and Wilmington, information on Tony Barcott and his class in commercial fishing has spread by word of mouth. I heard he was a good old man who knows everything, said Newton Martin, a merchant seaman from Uniontown, Pa. Martin arrived in Los Angeles last week looking for a job in the fishing industry. He was directed to Barcott.

Barcott's class in commercial fishing is held in the meeting room of the Fisherman's Cooperative Assn, a cream-colored building at the north end of Berth 73, a diagonal slip off the Main Channel southwest of Ports o’Call and home for the San Pedro fishing fleet On the far wall of the class room on the co-op's second floor, text-book -style charts illustrates families of fish. Another wall has a black-board on which Barcott leaves messages for students and visitors. A brochure illustrating foul-weather gear is tacked on a corkboard, along with row of postcards-some yellowed-from former students. (I tell the kids to send me a card.) The postmarks range from Alaska to Costa Rica.

The co-op is a hangout for fishermen and Barcott knows them all the crewmen; the skippers of the multi million dollar "tuna clippers,” white, slick and sleek of line; the owners of the chubbier and smaller local tuna boats of '40’s vintage with names like Saint jude and St Christina; the renegade skippers who fish outside the jurisdiction of the unions. If you have time, Barcott can tell story after story about their lives.

Barcott towers over most people. Short- cropped gray hair frames sky-blue eyes and large facial features eroded by sea weather. His hands are muscular from years of hauling nets, the second finger on his right hand misshappen-the result of a youthful accident. Born to Croatian parents, Frank and Fruna, who immigrated shortly after the turn of the century to the salmon-rich waters of the Pacific northwest, Barcott and his five brothers learned the trade of commercial fishing on the family's salmon boat. Barcott was crewing ("for free") by age 12 and dropped out of school in the ninth grade to work full-time for his father. The Barcotts eventually moved to San Pedro, and in 1945, in partnership with his father and brother Frank Jr., Tony Barcott became skipper of the Coral Sea, a 72 foot purse seiner built in Tacoma, Wash. Barcott married his next door neighbor, Winnie Vitalich, and they reared two children, Marie who lives in San Pedro, and Frank, an officer with the long Beach Police Department.

From 1950-58 Barcott was president of the Fisherman's Cooperative Assn., an organization owned and operated by San Pedro fishermen. By this time, Barcott had earned a reputation as an " honest fisherman," said one admirer. "Even the wise guys respect him."

Toward the end of the '50s, the fishing market fluctuated and Barcott fell on hard times. He decided to-sell his much-loved Coral Sea. A couple of years later, Barcott and a partner were able to purchase the Janis M., a cannery boat. He fished for almost another 10 years, but the seas seemed rougher and the trips longer. Barcott was getting older. The Janis M. was sold back to the cannery in 1968, and Barcott, without a boat, was at loose ends. He worked for a while as a marine clerk on the docks, but he wanted something more to do. "I missed the sea, I prayed to God to find me an easy job," he said with a grin.

Around that time, the Fishermen's Union, Local 33 of the ILWU, and the Fishermen's Union of America, Pacific and Caribbean Area, of the AFL-CIO, in conjunction with the Fisherman's Co-op, wanted to start a class in commercial fishing. The unions asked Barcott to teach the class and he quickly agreed. But there was a catch: Barcott had to finish high school, then study for a degree in commercial fishing at UCLA to meet state requirements for teaching. Barcott was overwhelmed and "embarrassed” to return to school, but he did it. And in 1971, at the age of 57, after more than 40 years at sea, Tony Barcott the fisherman earned a brand new title: "The Professor." Barcott reached under the counter and pulled out a large chart with his students' names neatly printed down one side. Across the top were listed the skills he had taught them: Knots, Net Mending, Splicing, Gear Handling, Dockwork and Navigation. The class is held four times a year and costs $28. It is administered through Harbor Occupational Center, 740 N. Pacific Ave. in San Pedro. The most recent class began Tuesday. There is no age limit but Barcott will not take any one under 17-"We don't want to rob the high schools." Students who complete the course receive an Achievement Award from the Center. After getting a job and working 30 days on a boat, the student is eligible to join the fishermen's union. Half the students, Barcott said, want to make fishing a life career. The other half just need a job and a paycheck. On a local tuna boat that also fishes mackerel and anchovy, a student on a crew in one year can make anywhere,from $5,000 to $20,000. One man crewing aboard the bigger, lushly equipped, far-ranging clippers that seek only tuna can make between $30,000 and $45,000 a year. But it's not easy money. The work is exhausting. The local fleet follows fishing seasons and fish. The ocean, said Barcott, "is like a big highway. The fish don't swim, They follow along with the currents."

Between 80-100 students leave Barcott's class annually for the decks of a fishing boat. Barcott's employ ment placement rate is about 95 %. Each week at least a dozen former students and experienced fishermen return to the classroom either to brush up or pass on the skills that have insured the livelihood of the fisherman since almost the beginning of civilization. Barcott for the most part is candid with his students about the realities of a commercial fishing career today. Although some fishermen feel the local fishing fleet is doomed in San Pedro, "I don't tell my students that." But one of the reasons for the class is that the profitability of the fishing industry generally has not attracted the traditional source of manpower for the local fleet-- the sons of fishermen. Ironically, many of those men were put through school by their fathers for more lucrative careers in medicine or law. Most of the boats used to be controlled by either Dalmatian or Italian families, but the mix of the fleet has changed and family control has diminished,

"There's not one Dalmatian skipper today," said Barcott.

The immediate future holds either uncertainties for fishermen young and old. Competition from the Mexican government's desire for a strong fishing fleet, restrictions on fishing near the migratory path of tuna off the Pacific Coast of Mexico, other U.S. fishing treaties with foreign countries and dependence on tuna by the San Pedro fleet may combine to impair the livelihood of local fishermen. In the 50’s, when Barcott was president of the Fisherman's Co-op, the San Pedro purse seiner fleet (not including small, gill-net boats) numbered about 150. Today, he said, there are fewer than 50. But Tony Barcott has faith in his class, in his students, in the ancient affair between the fisherman and the sea. This is the philosophy of his class in commercial fishing. He is optimistic about the future and already has "a couple of guys in mind to take over the teaching job when he retires.

BARETICH, SAM Restaurant

Sam Baretich ( wife, Mary Haramia ) owned and operated the Ideal Café about 1900 and went on to become associated with the Palace and Vienna in Aberdeen, Washington, two of Aberdeen's best known eateries of the early days. Once established, he sponsored many Croatians to come here and either put them to work in his business or helped them locate in one of the many mills.

BARHANOVICH, F. YANKIE Insurance Business

F. "Yankie" Barhanovich is a highly respected and well thought of civic and business leader in the, Biloxi, Mississippi area. He's a successful insurance executive and a valuable member of our community. "Yankie" didn't achieve his position by waiting for it. He proved that by hard work and determination, an individual can end up at the top. F "Yankie" Barhanovich was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, sixty-one year's ago. In 1938, he started as a 23 year old agent with the American National Insurance Company of Galveston, Texas. After fourteen short months he advanced to Assistant Manager, and four years later was elevated to District Manager "Yankie" has held the position of District Manager for 33 years. In addition, "Yankie" won the company's President Trophy in 1968. His agency is among the top fifteen in the Nation for the past 30 years and his is the leading District office in the South Central Division, "Yankie" Barhanovich Is a self-made man. He made it to the top. During his Professional-career. "Yankie" found time to actively participate in civic affairs. He has served as president or chairman of many organizations such as the East Harrison County Lions Club and the Shrimp Bowl Classic. He also acted as State Commissioner of the Amateur Softball Association for 10 years. During his many years of community service, "Yankie" has received various awards. These awards include the Biloxi Outstanding Junior and Senior Citizen, 1970 Junior Chamber of Commerce Boss of the Year and the Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to Amateur Football. He was inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1971. "Yankie" is currently chairman of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum Commission and former President of the Mississippi Coast Chapter of the National Football Foundation. Yankee was president of the Slavonian Society in Biloxi, Mississippi.

BARHANOVICH, JOHN Basketball Coach-Teacher

Everett, Washington. Now that John Barhanovich has watched his Cascade High School girls basketball team compile a 24-5 record and capture sixth place in the Class 4A state tournament, he wants to enjoy watching the activities of his three children. Citing a need to spend more time with his family, Barhanovich announced his resignation as Bruin basketball coach at the team's end-of-the-season banquet last night. In eight years as coach, he compiled a 90-89 record, including 55-22 the past three seasons. "The time commitment to basketball just got to be too much," said Barhanovich, who has taught marketing and business classes at Cascade for 10 years. After analyzing his options, he realized he wanted to make a change. "My kids are ages 2, 5 and 9, and they're going to be young only once," he said. "It's time to spend some time at home with my wife, Diana, and our children." He said offseason demands on coaches have escalated in recent years. "That's not necessarily bad," he said. "But in my situation, that's time I can't give up at the moment." Seniors Ann McColl, Ciara Papac and Jessi Williams formed a nucleus for this season's outstanding Cascade team, which had been together for several years. And Barhanovich said he wanted to remain with the team through their eligibility. McColl will attend the University of Wyoming, and Williams has a softball scholarship to Western Washington University. Papac is looking at community colleges. "There are things I'm going to miss big-time," Barhanovich said. "Like the games themselves. I'm going to miss the strategy. But it's the right time to allow someone else to take over. We'll still go to games on Friday nights. "And who knows?" he added with a laugh, "maybe it's time to go to the movies on Friday nights." Barhanovich, who also has kept Bruin football statistics for several years, promised he won't disappear, saying, "I'd still like to stay involved in athletics at Cascade High School." And he said he "didn't slam the door" on future coaching opportunities but called any such move "definitely in the distance."

BARICEVIC, ELIZABETH M. Professor

Professor Baricevic was born in 1923 in Portland, Oregon. Her field is Romance languages and is a graduate of Marylhurst College, Marylhurst, Oregon. She received a Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1951. She is the Acting Chairman of the Modern Language Department at Marylhurst College. She presently resides in Portland, Oregon.

BARICEVIC, KENNETH Engineer

Kenneth Baricevic was born August 8, 1920 in Portland Oregon. His field is Electrical Engineering and is a graduate of the University of Portland at Portland. He preforms consulting and application of electric utility equipment at Westinghouse Elec. Corp. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He presently resides in San Francisco, California.

BARISICH, GEORGE Fisherman

Mr. George Barisich is a third generation commercial fisherman. His parents are Croatian born, but came to Louisiana while still young. George was born in 1956 in New Orleans, and spent much of his childhood in Arabi, Louisiana. He presently lives in Violet in St. Bernard Parish, with his wife and children. From the age of eight years, he spent a lot of time on his father's boat helping with the shrimping. While working as a fisherman, he attended Southeastern University. George, like his brother, learned everything about fishing and shrimping from his father. When his father became too ill to work, he sold his half of the business to George. George has five boats, one of which he describes as being thirty-eight years old, which is made of cypress and double planked. Most of the time he trawls for shrimp, but he has also fished oysters. George is an active advocate for fishing as a traditional way of life. He says, "it's something that's in the blood."' Commercial fishing is far more than just a job to him; it represents an entire traditional way of life. However, he sees it is seriously being threatened by increasing governmental regulations. Today. commercial fishing is more high-tech than it was when George started shrimping in the 1960s. The fishing boats now have radar, VHF radio, and telephones on board. It's a totally different life than it was in the past. The one thing that has not changed is that shrimpers are still out fishing for many days. George comments, " I am usually out six to seven days at a time, and maybe sometimes a little longer." When asked, "what makes a good fisherman?", he answered, "it's in the blood; also, believe it or not, it's the chase for the shrimp, and the adrenaline rush shrimpers feel.” Mr. Barisich is President of the United Commercial Fisherman's Association. For his presentations he speaks on various cornmercial fishing operations and he uses, tapes showing trawling and fishing operations on shrimpboats. George has attended the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the New Orleans Work Boat Show, the Islenos Festival, and the Bycatch Symposium in Seattle, Washington.

BARISICH, PROSPER AND KATICA Restaurant-Fish

Katica was born to Visko and Katica Zoranich Zaninovich in Velo Grablje, Dalmatia, Croatia on October 23, 1888. Her eldest brother, George, had emigrated to America in 1904; two years later, he returned for a visit to Velo Grablje. While there he asked her to join him and cousin Vincent in San Francisco, which she did, arriving in San Francisco in 1910. There she met Prosper Barisich, a most congenial ‘Hvarani’ living in Fresno, whom she married in 1912. Prosper was proprietor of a going business-- a fish market. Their home on E Street became a weekend mecca for her brothers and cousins; there the young men learned of the excellent opportunities for farming in the San Joaquin Valley.   Many happy visits were exchanged between Fresno and North Dinuba, where her relatives settled on a 60 acre ranch. After Prosper passed away, Katica married Vincent Tomicich, formerly of Los Angeles. They became co-owners, with Drago Udresich, of the Mission Cafe, located on Fresno’s Broadway.  She passed away at age 89, on May 16, 1977. A son to each of her dear “first cousins” carried Katica to her final resting place-- The Holy Cross Cemetery in Fresno.

BARKIDIJA, MIJO and KATA Croatian Activities

Kata Bogisic was born in 1879 in the village of Dubravice, near Dubrovnik. She came to America as a young girl in1902, first to Montana where she married Mijo Barkidija. They had three sons, Ivan, Nikola and Pero, and two daughters, Kata and Mara.  In 1912 they moved to Los Angeles. Six years later her husband Mijo was killed in a construction work accident.  She was always very active in the Croatian colony and belonged to several societies.

BAROVICH, MIKE Movie Theaters-Mariner-Fisherman

Theaters throughout the Northwest have been owned and operated by Mike Barovic, who was born in the town of Janjina, Dalmatia, in 1897. When he was four, his mother died, leaving the family in the care of an uncle. At the age of twelve, a neighbor secured him the job of mess boy on the steamship Franconia. It was the beginning of a long adventure. The freighter sailed from Italy to New York. Barovic crossed the ocean many times, his last trip being on an Austrian fruit freighter at the time that Archduke Ferdinand was murdered. On the return trip to the United States, the ship dropped anchor in Camden, New Jersey. In 1917 the ship was interned in New York. The U.S. Bureau of Investigations took the twenty-six crewmen and placed them in a boarding house there. Since the countries were at war, these young men could not sail the seas. Barovic searched for work. Finally the Seamen were permitted to work on U.S. ships out of Bangor, Maine. Barovic made twenty-five dollars a month as a quartermaster, transporting coal on a collier sailing ship. Later, he moved to Chester, Pennsylvania, to work in the shipyards.

Having met fellow countrymen on his visits to Philadelphia and New York, Barovic and three companions set their sights on Washington State, where Pete Jugovich had gone. They worked their way across the country. The trio arrived at the Union Depot in Tacoma at midnight in 1920. At the train station, they were left without direction until a policeman named Holly, who was well acquainted with the Croatian Community in Old Town, took them to a boarding house there. Mike Barovic worked as a fisherman and took a job cleaning theaters. He met and married Andrea Constanti-Kovacevich, daughter of Dominic Constanti who had emigrated 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. From mess boy to seaman to fisherman, in 1921 Mike Barovic moved to Puyallup to begin his own rags-to-riches story. He owned and operated the Beverly, Riviera, and Parkland Theaters in Tacoma, the Roxy and Liberty in Puyallup, the Riviera in Sumner, the Avalon in Bellingham, and, with partners, the Fife Drive-In and 112th Street Drive-In in Tacoma. From theater owner to entrepreneur, Barovic, has done all things well. He is an avid sportsman and has been honored for his contributions in this field. He has been a friend to people from all walks of life-from movie stars, to politicians, to fishermen, to farmers-and yet, he still says, "Dalmatians are the biggest-hearted people I have ever met." The state of Washington has benefited from the work, talent, and imagination of this genial Croatian.

Perhaps the story of Mike Barovic is unique in that, although he led an ordinary life, some extraordinary things have happened to him. One of these took place in the East, when, as a young seaman, he accidentally found the father he had never known. Mike recalled: I had some free time, so I went to play a game of billiards. I didn't know any of the men but I played a pretty fair game, and they asked me to stay and play again. As we became acquainted with one another, one of the men stated that he was from the town of Janjina, the place that I was a born. A little later, he said that his name was Barovic. I listened and cautiously I asked who his relations were and if he had any children. He said that he had two sons, Mitchell and Frank. When I came to this country, although my name was officially Mitchell, they called me Mike. just by chance, I discovered my father. After I brought my brother, Frank, to this country, I introduced them and we brought the "old man" to Washington to be near us.

BAROVICH, NIKOLA Hotel-Saloon-Winery-Goldminer

Nikola Barovich was born on December 31, 1830, at Janjina, near Dubrovnik (Ragusa), Dalmatia. At the age of 18 he became a sailor and embarked upon the Croatian sailing vessel Fanica.Flying the Croatian tri-color (trobojnica), the Fanica, commanded by Captain Ivan Kopatich, in 1849 entered the port of New York, with a cargo from Dalmatian ports. In New York young Barovich left the Fanica and boarded a Russian sailing vessel, and headed for the capitol city of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. Upon his arrival in Rio de Janeiro, Barovich left the Russian vessel, embarked upon another ship, and sailed via Cape Horn in the direction of California, hoping to get there in time for the gold rush, which was then in full swing. On June 17, 1850, he entered the Golden Gate, and arrived at the port of San Francisco. He immediately left the ship and went to the gold mines to seek his fortune. His search for gold took him as far east as Nevada. In 1852 Barovich opened a general merchandise store in San Francisco, and became quite prosperous. He was a leader among the Croatians there, and with the help of other Croatians he organized, in 1857 THE CROATIAN SLAVJANSKO-ILIRSKO DOBROTVORNO DRUSTVO (Slavonic-Illyric Benevolent Society).

Nikola in 1856 owned the famed Constitution Saloon in San Francisco, and from 1857 to 1860 owned the Sebastopol Saloon on the corner of Davis and Jackson Streets. He had a business at Sonora, California in 1852-53 and no doubt financed his saloons with his good fortunes in the mining camps. He was a share holder in the El Tesoro Silver Mining Co. of La Pas, Mexico in 1863.

He married Miss Dolores Castro, a member of one of the oldest Spanish pioneer families in California, and his son Augustus was born in 1866 in Nevada; Amelia, 1868; Frank, 1869; Mary, 1871; Dolores, 1873; Nicholas, 1875; and William in 1877.

Nikola was a pioneer of Austin, Nevada and owned the Alhambra Saloon in 1866, the Sazerac Saloon in 1867 and Barovich's Saloon and shooting gallery in 1873. In 1867, to assist the Irish in Austin, he served on the St. Patrick's Ball Committee.

After the silver boom in Nevada, he returned to California in 1882 and opened the Dalmatia Hotel in San Jose. Later he ventured into wholesale liquors and operated a winery.

Nikola Dies at San Jose

Nikola Barovich, well known throughout this State and Nevada, passes away. San Jose, California- June 3, 1895--Nicholas Barovich, a well known resident of this city, and a pioneer of 1850, died at his home in this city last evening. He was a native of Dalmatia, Croatia, aged 66 years. He arrived in New York in 1849, and the following year came to San Francisco via Cape Horn. He made occasional trips to Alviso upon lumber vessels until 1851, when he went to the gold mines and met good success.

BARTON, NICK P. Music-Engineer

Metallurgical Technologist at U.S. Steel Gary Works, Gary, Indiana. Born March 5. 1917 of Croatian parents in Versailles, Borough, Pennsylvania. Educated at St. Edward's University, Austin, Texas 1936-37; Duquesne University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, B.S. 1938-39; Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, Advanced Metallurgy Studies; Indiana University, Bloomington; Advanced Mathematics Studies. Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois. Published Articles in various American journals. Instructed in Tamburitza Music Work with Youth Groups. Have written several musical compositions copyrighted. Most of them are English lyrics to various Croatian folk tunes.

BARTULICA, NIKOLA D. Psychiatist

Nikola Bartulica is Assistant Superintendent at St. Joseph State Hospital, St. Joseph, Missouri. Born November 22, 1927 in Split, Croatia. Education includes Real Gymnasium, Zagreb, 1946; Medical Faculty, University of Zagreb, M.D. 1953 with a major field in medicine and a specialty in Psychiatry; Fellow of Menninger School of Psychiatry, Topeka, Kansas, 1959-63. Published Psychology of Dictatorship (Third year paper for graduation by Menninger School of Psychiatry, Topeka, Kansas), 1963. Member of American Psychiatric Association; Alumni Association of Menninger School of Psychiatry. Experience: Zagreb Emergency Center, Zagreb, Physician 1956-57; Institut Albert Prevost, Montreal, Canada, Resident in Psychiatry 1957-58; Provincial Hospital, Cambellton, N.B., Canada, Resident in Psychiatry 1958-59; Topeka State Hosp., Winfield, Kansas, Resident in Psychiatry 1959-63; Winfield State Hospital Winfield, Kansas, Clinical Director 1963-65; Staff Psychiatrist, Pierre Janet Hospital, Hull, Quebec, Canada1965-68.

BARTULOVICH CLAN Goldmine-Scientist-Croatian Activities

Sponsored by a relative in 1920, George Anton Bartulovich, 19 years old came from Gradac, Dalmatia, Croatia, to Leadville, Colorado. He worked in the mines, eventually leasing “The Fanny Bryce” mine on Johnny Hill.  In 1927 he married Johanna Gornick who parents were John Gornick from Zvirce, Slovenia and Mary Koenig from Hinje, Slovenia. In 1928 twins George and John were born. George Sr. built his own house in Leadville. The family lived a little while in Ruth, Nevada where Geroge built another house.  Back in Leadville, when the twins entered first grade, their mother registered them as “Barr”, a name which became permanent for George. John kept the name Barr through his army years, but when he was a freshman at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California he had his name changed legally back to Bartulovich, and he graduated with that name, with a B.S. in physics. In 1944 the family moved to a neighborhood of Dalmatians on Cypress Street in Oakland, California, where Geroge worked as a carpenter and build this third house on Buena Ventura Avenue. Joanna died in 1953. In 1959 George married Tera Markovina in Korcula, Dalmatia, and brought her to Oakland.  George was active almost 50 years in the Croatian Fraternal Union, serving as President of CFU Lodge 121 of Oakland.  He died in September, 1990.  Tera died in January 1992. George Barr married Violet Cetinich in Oakland, California in 1951. Their children are Jeanette (1953), John (1957), and Elizabeth (1961), who has the only great-grandchild, Jack Ryan Fahey, born May 14, 1999.  Elizabeth is married to John Fahey and lives in Martinez, California. She has a B.S. in psychology form UCLA and some teaching credentials.  George was an enviable dancer, bowler, and raconteur.  George worked as a lithographer and died in February 1994. John Bartulovich married Joan Backus of San Francisco in 1957. Their children are John Jr. (1959), Mark (1960), and Regina (1961). Regina is married to Eddie RIchards and they live in Santa Rosa, California. She has degrees in humanities from St. Mary’s Moraga and from Sonoma State U. Joan has a B.S. from University of San Francsico, an M.A. from San Francisco State U. and specialist teaching credentials. John Bartulovich Sr. was a research scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Albany, California.  He was architect, carpenter, cabinet maker, plumber, mason, electrician.  His happiest years were when his father helped him.  His love for Slavic culture, history, music, food, and social events was enhanced by the kolo group he, George and Violet joined in 1949.  During his first 45 years in California he celebrated his Croatian and Slovenian heritage at the Church of Nativity in San Francisco. The Slovenian-language choir at the masses evoked happy memories of his childhood in Leadville, and he was hooked! John participates in reunions for both St. Mary;s College and for the 11th Airborne DIvision which served in occupied Japan.  John continues to serve as President of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 121 of Oakland (and bowls with Lodge 900 of San Francisco), the Chuch of the Nativity, where he is on the Board of the CSUF (Croatian-Slovene United Foundation) and Slovenian Hall of Portrero Hill in San Francisco, where he is Vice-president of the Board of DIrectors.  He enjoys membership in Club Slovenia, the American Slovenian Association, and the Slavonian Mutual Benefit Society of San Francisco.

BARULICH, FRANCIS Teamster-Military

Francis Barulich was born in San Francisco and spent his youth on a ranch in in Hollistcr with his brother Ed and two sisters. He is still remembered as a spunky athlete on the Serra High Football Team. He joined our Slavonic Society on April 10, 1940. He was one of the first called to the service as a member of the 148th Field Artillery and was on a troop ship headed for Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The ship was divertcd to Australia and Francis was in heavy combat thereafter from island to island. Fortunately he came through uninjured though his group suffered heavy casualties. After his discharge Francis met Anne and married in 1946 and worked as a teamster for Pacific Intermountain Express. Francis was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, past commander of the American Legion and active in Veterans Affairs. He was an avid golfer and pool enthusiast. His friends knew him as a happy person, who enjoyed his family and friends. Francis died on December 8, 1993. He leaves his wife Anne, daughter Beverly, four grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

BARULICH, GEORGE S. Police Inspector-Attorney-Pilot

George Samuel Barulich was born here in San Francisco and spent most of his youth living on Seneca Avenue across from Balboa High. He was always an avid sportsman, who in his youth enjoyed early morning surf fishing on Bakers Beach with his brother Matt before his high school classes. He achieved the rank of captain as a WWII Air Force pilot. After the War, he attended University of San Francisco, and later evening Law School classes while working as a San Francisco Police inspector. George became an active, and respected member of the SF Bar. He joined the Slavonic Society in April of 1971, and served as our Vice President and legal council, working diligently with his brothers for the acquisition of our present site facilities. George had a strong zest for life, a passion and intensity for his work. All who knew him felt his strength and resolve. George leaves his wife Alyse, sons, George, Jr., Marc and Paul, and his grandchildren, Sara and Michael.

BARULICH, VICTOR Restaurant Supply

Mr. Barulich was born in 1921 In San Francisco. A graduate of Sacred Heart High School, he co-founded Bi Rite Food Service Distributors in 1966, supplying some of the city’s oldest and most popular restaurants. Over the years, Mr. Barulich became well-known in the food business as his company grew from a five-person, $500,000 business to a 140-employee, $50 million enterprise that serves 2,500 hotels and restaurants. “Work was his hobby,” said his son, Stephen A. Barulich, vice president of Bi Rite.  Mr. Barulich founded Nugget Distributors Inc., a cooperative organization for 180 private food-service distributors nationwide that use their combined buying power to obtain discounts. Mr. Barulich served in the Army during World War II. After the war he worked as a milk route driver for Berkeley Farms. From the mid-’50s to the mid ‘60s, Mr. Barulich owned and operated the Sunset Central Market, a corner grocery store, on 10th Avenue and Noriega Street in San Francisco. He Died in 1999 and in addition to his son, Mr. Barulich is survivied by his wife, Ziney M. Barulich of San Francisco; a daughter, Dianne C. Prindville of San Jose; another son, Stephen of San Francisco; and eight grandchildren.

BASICA, NIKOLA Railroad

Nikola Basica reached the Panamean port of Cristobal where he found a job. Nikola was born on the Island of Mljet, Croatia. He earned two dollars a day but did not work every day so he went to Balbao to find a new job. There he worked as a bartender earning fourty-five cents an hour. In 1933 on the boat "Ancon" he sailed to New York to find another job. In New York he found a job in a restaurant. He washed dishes and pots for one year earning fifteen dollars for five days of work. September 1939 he decided to go to his cousin Ljubica Basica in Monterey where she and her husband Vicko owned a restaurant. He worked in their restaurant until 1941 when he went to San Francisco. In that city he managed to find a job on the railway, as an assistant mechanic and eventually as a mechanic. His earnings were sixty-five cents per hour. In San Francisco he married Franica Milin originally from Lumbarda, Korcula. He moved to Oakland with his wife where he continued to work for a railway company until he retired in 1975. Nikola and Franica had two daughters, Nina and Lana. Both of whom are married. Nikola and Franica Basica live in the city of Alameda, California.

BASICA, VLAHO Family Clan

Vlaho Basica-Bujko with his wife Ana nee Srsen of Govedjari, Island of Mljet, Croatia went to America in 1908. He worked on an olive farm and vineyards around San Francisco, Salinas and Watsonville. In America they had five children: Ane (1908, San Francisco), Paul (1909, Salinas), John (1912, Salinas), Mary (1913, Watsonville) and Blase (1914, Salinas). The entire family returned to live on Mljet in 1920. There, in Maranovici, they had their sixth child, a son Neno born in 1922. Their son Paul returned to California in 1928 to his uncle Nikola Srsen in Monterey, while his brother Blase and sister Ana returned to America in 1929. Paul later married Ana Markovich and had three children with her: Danica, Paula and Blase. After divorcing Ana, he remarried. From 1946 he lived in San Pedro, where he engaged in fishing. In 1959 his brother Vlaho came to San Pedro and from that time they fished together in the waters of the Pacific from San Pedro to San Diego. Blase married Kata Ruzica originally from Prvic Luka near Sibenik. They had two sons. Vladimir and Vlaho. Pavo visited Mljet in 1974 and Blase in 1973 and 1988.

BASICH, VLADIMIR Architect-Croatian Activities

Vladimir Basich, 66, the Croatian-born architect who supervised the design of Chicago buildings such as the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown and architectural award-winning guard towers at Cook County Jail, died Monday, October 16, 200 while on vacation near Split, Croatia. Mr. Basich, who always went by Walter with English-speaking friends, had an eccentric sense of humor and a passion for finishing event the most difficult projects on time and on budget. During his 25 years with A. Epstein & Sons, the Chicago-based industrial and commercial architectural firm, Mr. Basich always handled important projects and saw to it he got the manpower to accomplish them, said Wayne Bryan, a retired architect who worked with Mr. Basich there. An expert at managing design and construction, Mr. Basich's imprint can be found on the Cook County courts building in Maywood, Curie High School on the Southwest Side, and in architectural remodeling done at the Criminal Courts Building next to the County Jail at 26th Street and California Avenue. "He was very efficient, very capable," said Bryan, who described Mr. Basich as driven and outgoing. "You knew he was there. He was a strong character. You'could always hear when he was around." Mr. Basich was a child in Zagreb, Croatia, when World War 11 broke out. The detail-oriented Mr. Basich later told his children he was entranced by American movies at the time. He said he kept a careful record of all the films he had seen during that period. When he graduated from the Uniersity of Zagreb with a degree in architecture in the mid 1950s, he was disillusioned with the communist government and spent several years in Germany before coming to the United States in 1961. He stayed with family members in Gary, Indiana, before moving to Chicago and beginning his architectural career. A jocular man with an engaging, if something puzzling, sense of humor, Mr. Basich had a love of minutiae. Words held a great fascination for him, and he learned as many of them as he could, always making a point of using just the right one to express his ideas. A voluminous reader of history and politics, he developed strong opinions and didn't shy away from expressing them. Much of his attention was devoted to Croatia, of which he was a staunch proponent. In 1974, he led an effort to buy an old supermarket on Devon Avenue and renovated it to create what is now the Croatian Cultural Center on the North Side. Working with Croatian Catholic priests and other community leaders, he strove to foster a unified Croatian American presence in Chicago throughout his life, his family said. His Croatian boosterism even was reflected in his team loyalties. He became a Bulls fan when Toni Kukoc, another Croatian joined the team. Mr. Basich founded his own firm, Basic Architecture, in the late 1980s. With his wife, Elena, whom he married in 1967, he divided recent years between their Northbrook home and a condominium in Naples, Florida. He retired last year. Mr. Basich also is survived by two other sons, Adrian and Alex; and two granddaughters.

BASKOVICH, NIKOLA M. Businessman-Fisherman

Mr. Baskovich was born in the Croatian city of Makarska, April 21, 1890. His father, Paul, was a business and hotel man in that city, and his mother, Catherine, was from a prominent family. At the age of sixteen he came to America and landed in New York, friendless and unable to speak a word of English. He remained in the Metropolis only two days, going from there to Norfolk, Virginia, where he remained for a time before coming to Los Angeles, where he arrived on Christmas day, 1906. There he obtained a high school education and also took a special course in a religious school. After finishing his schooling he went to San Francisco where he landed with a capital of one dollar and fifty cents. A policeman to whom he appealed got him a job washing dishes in a restaurant. Shortly afterward he left San Francisco and went on to Wilkenson, Washington, where he secured work in the coal mines. He was soon promoted to foreman and remained for four years. In 1912 he left the mines and went to Alaska as a prospector for the Fidalgo Island Packing Company. It was a trip filled with many hardships, and he fished for salmon while there, remaining for about six months. He returned to Tacoma, where he worked in a pool hall for a time, going from there to Puget Sound, where he fished for salmon, 1913-1914. He then took a trip to the Bering Sea for the Pacific-American Fisheries in 1915-17. In 1917 he was entrusted with the responsibility of looking after all of the equipment of this company. He was married that year and had the misfortune to contract a sever case of influenza, which lasted for eighteen months. In 1919 some tuna boat fishermen from that district came to San Pedro and recommended him as manager for the boats of the Nelson, & Kittle Company. He left his sick-bed in Tacoma and came to San Pedro, where he was employed by this concern for three years. When it was combined with the Van Camp Sea Food Company he became supervisor of the entire fleet of three hundred fishing boats. During this period he also became proprietor of a meat market and grocery at Thirteenth and Center streets. He also owned an interest in some Washington boats and was a member of the advisory Board of the Bank of Italy. Mr Baskovich was a member of the Los Angeles Elks, the Croatian Fraternal Union and Dalmatian Club. He was married November 19, 1917, to Miss Ana Cuculich of Tacoma, Washington, daughter of Mathew and Frances (Pasic) Cuculich.

BATINA, ANTHONY J. Dentist-Military

Anthony Batina is a dentist in Chicago, Illinois. He was born October 4, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois to Croatian parents; he is married with two children. Education includes De Paul University, Chicago, Illinois, 1946-49; Loyola University, Chicago. Illinois, 1949-53, College of Dentistry, D.D.S., 1953 with a major field in dentistry. Member of American Dental Association; Catholic War Veterans; Delta Sigma Delta. Military service in England, Germany, France, Belgium; World War II service in the Army 1944-46.

BATINICH CLAN Military

In July 1944, just one month after the Allies’ bloody Normandy invasion, infantry Pfc. Mitch Batinich landed on Omaha Beach. He took part in the battle of Falaise Gap, then joined Gen. George Patton’s Third Army until the war’s end. Fifty-six years later Batinich’s son, Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Gary Batinich, pinned a long-overdue Bronze Star on his father. The ceremony took place Sept. 9, 2000 the same day Colonel Batinich assumed command of the 466th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. There wouldn’t have been a ceremony had Colonel Batinich not filed forms to receive his father’s military records from the National Records Center in St. Louis. Nine months later, he received a letter listing his father’s authorized medals. In an addendum, the records center mentioned that the former Army sergeant was eligible to receive the Bronze Star.

“It was a surprise to me,” said Colonel Batinich, an F-16 pilot. “I was going to put together a shadow box with all his medals and include a flag I’d flown in my F-16 during Northern Watch and Southern Watch.” The Bronze Star would add a golden glint to the decorative box. Since its inception in 1944, the Bronze Star has recognized acts of heroism performed in ground combat. It is the 10th highest award available, just above the Purple Heart. Mitch Batinich was one of seven brothers. All of them served in the military — five during World War II. Four served overseas, but the Army wouldn’t let the fifth son serve in combat for fear of having too many deaths from one family.

Mitch graduated from high school in June 1943. On Aug. 24, to no one’s surprise, he was drafted into the Army. After training in Manchester, England, Mitch came ashore on the second wave of the Normandy invasion in July 1944. He remembers getting ready for the big push to take the Falaise Gap. “Our airplanes bombed for three days; they looked like grasshoppers in the sky,” he said. “Then they woke us up at 3 a.m. to go up to the Falaise Gap.” That was the Allies’ first major breakthrough beyond the beachhead. Batinich joined Patton’s Third Army, 90th Division, until the war ended. For his actions, he received the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. After the war, in 1947, Congress decided anyone who received the Combat Infantry Badge was also eligible, “upon application,” to receive a Bronze Star. Since most of the people were out of the service by then, they didn’t realize they were eligible for the medal. “There are probably thousands out there who are entitled (to receive the Bronze Star) but don’t know about it,” Colonel Batinich said.

As evidence, Mitch’s brothers, Peter and George, who also qualified for the medal, didn’t receive it until Colonel Batinich filed for it on their behalf. Echoing a familiar theme to families of war veterans, the colonel said that while he was growing up neither his father nor his uncles spoke much about their war experiences.

One story Mitch does like to tell involves the time he broke his leg in France and was shipped to a hospital in England. He soon discovered that his brothers Peter and George were in the same hospital. Peter, an infantryman, had been hit by shrapnel, and George had been injured in a jeep accident during German shelling. “My brothers found out I was in the same hospital, and they came down to see me,” Mitch said. “Then they bugged the major in charge of the hospital until he finally said, ‘Get the hell out of here.’” The three brothers drove to Stratford on Avon — William Shakespeare’s  birthplace. Now 75 years old, Mitch runs a tavern in Hopkins, Minnesota. Above the tavern’s windows, a flag flies for each of the seven Batinich brothers. Each flag is identified with the brother’s name in big letters and his respective service emblem.

Colonel Batinich, a native of Eveleth, Minnesota, graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1978 and has served as an F-16 instructor pilot, flight commander and commander of the 419th Operations Support Flight. He has logged more than 2,568 flying hours in the F-16. When, at the end of the long search, he opened the letter and discovered his dad deserved the Bronze Star Medal, Colonel Batinich said it was “a very emotional moment,” growing teary-eyed to recall it. “I started right away to see how I could get it to him.” His mother was also shocked by the news. She and her son kept the secret, intending to surprise Mitch during the change of command. But, upon the advice of his mother, Batinich told his father two weeks before the ceremony. The Bronze Star Batinich received was an authentic medal from 1944. The ceremony was a proud moment for father and son. “It meant a lot to us both,” Colonel Batinich said. “To this day, when my father sees a flag, it’s a very emotional experience for him. He’s a hardcore patriot.”

BATINOVICH, ROBERT G. Business Corporation-Public Utilities Commissioner

Robert “Bat” Batinovich is third generation Croatian American and second generation California Croatian American. His father Matthew (Matt), uncles George and Joseph, and aunt Violet all moved to California from Lead, South Dakota during the 1920s and 1930s. A quote from George’s journal, written in February, 1923. George is living and well in Oakland at the age of 97. “It was a hard struggle, evidently, for mother and dad to bring us children to our present ages in life. A struggle to be repaid by God. I trust, as it was almost impossible for us to even attempt to repay them. Although, we can at least show our appreciation by making mother happy while with us, and praying for the peaceful repose of their souls.” Further, George records: Dad was born October 26, 1870, christened Mathew Batinovich. Mother was born January 12, 1875. Baptized January 15, 1875 and christened Anica Fuskuls. Dad came to America April of 1893; Mother came to America in May of 1901. They were married in May, 1901. Both were born in Dalmatia, Croatia. George records he was born June 12, 1902 and baptized July 13, 1902, being christened George Anton Batinovich.  There was a brother John Born in 1903 and died shortly thereafter.  Matt Batinovich was born August 14, 1904 and baptized August 21, 1904. Matt was Robert’s father. Sister Violet was born April 11, 1909 and baptized shortly thereafter. Robert Batinovich was raised in both San Francisco and San Pedro, California and graduated from St. Anthony’s school in Long Beach in June of 1954. Robert has a brother, Kenneth, who was born June 12, 1939. From a working class beginning Robert plunged himself into the business world with a burning desire to succeed. Robert Batinovich is founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Glenbourough Realty Trust Incorporated (NYSE-GLB), a real estate investment trust (REIT) with total assets approximately $2 billion and an equity capitalization of approximately $1 billion. Mr. Batinovich and members of his immediate family own or control 7% of the outstanding stock of the REIT, which owns and operates a highly diversified nationwide real estate portfolio. He has owned a commercial bank, which he ultimately sold to Gulf & Western. Mr. Batinovich served as the President of the Public Utilities Commission of the State of California. His many charitable affiliations include Georgetown University. Mr. Batinovich was born July 13, 1936, and is unmarried. He resides in Hillsborough, and is building a vacation home at Mauna Lani Point of the island of Hawaii.  He has two children; a daughter, Angela, who is a freshman at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles; and a son, Andrew, who is Chief Operating Officer of the REIT, and resides with his wife in Hillsborough. Mr. Batinovich attends St. Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Chruch in San Mateo.  His hobbies include deep sea fishing, golf, water volleyball and cards, and sports.

BATISTICH, JOHN J. Attorney-Croatian Activities

Attorney at law from Oakland, California. Born December 28, 1898, on the Island of Korcula, Dalmatia, Croatia. Attended public schools there. Emigrated to the United States in 1920. Graduated from Oakland High School in 1922. Attended University of California from 1922-1928, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1926 and the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1928. Has been practicing law in Oakland, California, since 1928. Married Mary Bernice Stuke (daughter of native Dalmatians) in 1931. He has been fairly active in extracurricular activities at the University of California. Was contributor and associate editor of the “Occident,” the students’ literary magazine. Member of the English club. Member and first president of the Dobro Slovo Slavic Honor Society of the University of California. In collaboration with Dr. George Rapall Noyes, translated Vojnoviche’s “Dubrovacka Trilogija”-”The Trilogy of Dubrovnik” and Lazarevo Vaskrsenje”- “The Resurrection of Lazarus,” and Gjalski’s “San doktora Misica”-”The Dream of Doctor Misich.” Since graduation from the University of California, has been active in the Sokol ranks. For the last two years he has been the president of the Grand Lodge of the Croatian Sokols of the Pacific Coast, and the year before that, secretary. Took active part in the last Sokol Assembly at the occasion of the Olympic Games at Los Angeles.

BAUTOVICH, BALDO Cooper

Baldo Bautovich, a 75-year member of Lodge 177 of the Croatian Fraternal Union passed away on July 12, 1985 at St. Francis Hospital in Lynwood. He was 104 years young. It is with heavy hearts that we bring forth this sad news of a beautiful person who had always enjoyed good health for him many years of life. He was the oldest member of Lodge 177. Several years ago, we reported that brother Baldo Bautovich of Croatian Slavonian Benevolent Society of CFU Lodge 177 achieved the distinction of outliving his certificate of insurance. In 1981, it gave me great pleasure to report that brother Bautovich celebrated his 100th birthday. Joining our Society on June 6, 1910, he had the recorded 71 years of membership in the CFU. Brother Bautovich was born June 28, 1881, about 30 miles from Dubrovnik. He followed his oldest brother to New York at the age of 16 arriving on March 8, 1897. He and his brother lived in New York with a large family. The following year, he traveled alone across the United States to Santa Cruz County, working the fruit orchards in small town such as Capitola and Soquel. During this eight-year period, he commuted to San Francisco by horse and buggy to learn the “Cooperage” trade, making and repairing oak barrels for the Northern California wineries. He became adept at fashioning fancy barrels by hand. The 1906 San Francisco earth wake sent him back to Capitola where he met and married his wife, Nike, Becoming the first couple to be married in St. Joseph’s Church. An offer of a free train ride brought the newlyweds to Los Angeles where they resided for 40 years, raising four daughters. In 1951, at the age of 70, he retired from the Western Cooperage Company on Slauson Avenue near Bickett Street here. He moved to Huntington Park where he continued to make fancy barrels as a hobby along with cultivating the garden which he loved. Surviving are his four daughters, Mary Bautovich, Ann James, Frances De Young and Pauline Bautovich, now a nun devoted to the Catholic order.

BEBAN, DOMINIC J. State Senator-State Assemblyman-Sheriff

Dominik Joseph Beban was born in San Francisco on May 16, 1872. He recieved his education in the public schools of that city and graduated at an early age. By trade, he was a printing pressman. From 1906 to 1908 he served as deputy sheriff of his native city. On November 6, 1906, he was elected to the Assembly from the Forty-third District, the Republican and Union Labor parties honoring him with their respective nominations. Realizing and appreciating his faithful and efficient service as Assemblyman, his constituents reelected him on November 3, 1908, by a most flattering majority, favoring him again with the Republican and Union Labor parties honoring him with their respective nominations. From 1910 to 1912 he again served as deputy sheriff of San Francisco. With the Republican nomination he was, on November 3, 1910, elected to the Senate from the Twenty-fourth Assemblt District, and on November 3, 1914, he was agaiin elected to the Senate with the progressive nomination- this time from theEighteenth Senatorial District. One and all grieve over the loss of his potent influence for right and justice, which was the dominant characteristic of his legislative career. Physically and morally he was of upright courage. Throughout his comparatively brief life he knew but one fear, and that was the fear of doing an injustice to his fellow man. His virtues as a man and citizen, his career as a legislator, his fidelity and signal ability in the discharge of the important trusts that were committed to his care, will ever lie treasured in the memory of those who had the good fortune to know him; therefore be it Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions he engrossed by the Clerk of the Senate, and that the same he conveyed to the widow of the late Honorable Dominick Joseph Beban; and be it further Resolved, that when the Senate adjourns on this day, it does so out of respect to the memory of the late Honorable Dominick Joseph Beban.

BEBAN, FRANK Lumber Business

Frank Beban was born in Tunnel Terrace, Goldsborough, New Zealand on 26 March 1882. As a young man, he realized that he was not going to make much as a partner in his Hokitika butchery, so he went to Martha, He asked her for a loan of thirty two pounds so he would have enough to emigrate to America. Frank was Martha's favourite so she lent him the money to go seek his fortune.

Frank went to into timber milling when he went to Canada and did well for himself He rnilled the large tracts of forest on Vancouver Island. In fact the area was referred to as Beban-Country. When Frank returned to see his family in New Zealand in 1926, he created much excitement. The family arrived by ship in Auckland with their cadillac and travelled to Taihape. Vonnie recalls their arrival in town. She and her friend Nancy McLenan were standing at the door of Nancy's parents' hotel when they saw a flash car going down the road "' Look" said Vonnie "the steering wheel's on the wrong side." They then heard that the Bebans from America had arrived so Vonnie and her sister Dell rushed home to see the visitors. Vonnie was fascinated that the children drank '"pop". Frank's wife Hannah made a big impression on the girls. They thought she was lovely. Hannah told the girls that she had got married at 16. Frank brought his children with him. The eldest Evylen was about 12 when they visited. Frank took Rita, Vonnie and Dell's sisier, back with them to Canada to help with the children. His son John or, as he was called, Jack Beban made an impression on his New Zealand cousins. He was born on 26 October 1914 and so was ten when he visited New Zealand. The New Zealand cousins noted was "a lovely wholesome round-faced little boy " said Vonnie. After he married Gertrude Ingham, he had two sons, Frank Beban and Don Beban. Frank, born in 1940, followed his father into the family timber business Beban Logging before Jack died in May 1977. Rock Beban Jnr met Frank Jnr in Nainamo and found they had an uncanny resemblance to each other. They became firm friends. While in Nanaimo, Rock also met Frank's mother Gertrude and his brother Don, a stockbroker. Frank and his wife Dolores, his mother Gertrude, the children and Dolores' parents visited New Zealand a few years later. Rock held a family get together for them at his home before they all went on holiday together. Frank was tragically killed in an air crash in 1987 aged 47 but Dolores and all her daughters continue to live at Nanaimo, Vancouver Island. Frank and Dolores' eldest daughter Catherine Beban was born on 30 September 1960. Caroline Beban , the second daughter who was born on 19 Jan 1967, has two children Scarlett Harlington born in October 1985 and Frank Sheppe born on 29 October 1995. The third daughter Christine Beban was born on 7 September 1968 while the youngest of Frank and Dolores' daughters is Jackie Beban and she almost seven years younger as she was born on I I May 1975.

BEBAN, GARY Football

Consensus All-American and Heisman Trophy winner in 1967 and one of University of California at Los Angeles greatest quarterbacks, Gary Beban was regarded as a fine runner as well as an intelligent field general and passer. Raised in Redwood City, California, he graduated with a degree in history. Beban played professionally with the Washington Redskins in 1968 and 1969 and is presently an executive for Coldwell Banker, a large commercial real estate firm.

BEBAN, GEORGE Actor-Movie Company

From that small constellation of actors and actresses who move thearergoers to laughter and to tears, a star was taken yesterday when George Beban, lovable character man, died.  His death was due to injuries received when thrown from a horse near Big Pine last Saturday. Beban rose to the heights of greatness in his interpretation of Italian roles. His sympathetic anactment of parts, whether those of peasant of prince, gained for him a fortune and the following of countless stage and screen fans. Beban died at the California Lutheran hospital. His brother, Lewis, of San Francisco, was at the deathbed. George, born in 1873, was an accomplished vaudeville and film star who began his career at the age of eight, singing and dancing with famous minstrels in San Francisco. His father was Roko Beban of Zlarin, Dalmatia. Performing many Italian roles, George starred in “Hearts of Men”, his first movie drama created by his own producing company. He played many other roles, including the famous vaudeville presentation of “The Sign of the Rose” and numerous silent films including, “The Italian” (1915), “Jules of the Strong Heart” (1918), “One More American” (1918), and “The Loves of Ricardo” (1926). George was married and succeeded by his children George Jr., George III, and Mary. Funeral arrangments will not be made until the actor’s 11-year-old son, George, and his sister, Mary arrive here from New York on Monday. Beban’s wife died here in 1926. Beban was 55 years of age. His stage training began when he was 8 years old. He sang and danced with the old Reed and Emerson Minstrels in San Francisco. As a master of Itlaian dialect, Beban advanced rapidly on the stage, in vaudeville and in drama. Beban virtually dropped from print since his retirement in 1926, but gained some undesirable notoriety recently when Tom Mix and WIll Morrissey engaged in a fist fight during a house warming at Beban’s new home in the hills of Playa del Rey. During the air races held here recently, Beban was one of the hosts to Prince George of England. George Beban, film actor, who died in Los Angeles on October 5, left the large part of his $400,000 estate to his 14-year-old son, George Jr. The will was filed for probate here today.  Beban’s home adress was No. 210 West 101st street. Porbate Judge Desmond yesterday admitted to probate the will of the late George Beban, film actor. The will disposed of an estate of $500,000 or more in California, and it was stated that there was other property in the State of New York. Mrs. Mary Beban Smith, a cousin of the actor, was appointed executor of the estate, according to the terms of the will, and Judge Desmond fixed her bond at $450,000. She will serve in this capacity with the Lawyers’ Trust Company of New York, also mentioned in the will.

BEBAN, ROBERT P. Computer Engineer

Robert Paul Beban Jr. was a fourth-generation San Franciscan who grew up in the Mission District, whose father ran a cable car up Castro Street and into Noe Valley. His father was Isidore Paul Beban, born in San Francisco, the son of Rocco Beban, who mined for gold in the Sierra in the 1860’s before he came to San Francisco to operate a restaurant at Grant Avenue (then Dupont Street) and Broadway. Mr. Beban’s son, Richard, said he traced the name of that great-great-grandfather through state records in Sacramento and found, filed in the courthouse in Mariposa, a record of his naturalization as an American citizen in 1863. Mr. Beban died Monday in Santa Rosa. He was in charge of computer operations at a wood-processing firm in Sonoma County. He was married to the former Vivian Perry, who remembers a gripman on the Castro Street cable car who used to wave to her when she was 5, and pull the bell cord in greeting every time the car went by. The gripman was the father of the man she married. She lived at 23rd and Castro streets, she said, and in the 1930s, when she was ill and forced to stay in bed, her family put her bed in the Victorian bay window that looked out on the steep part of Castro Street. She got to know the cable car gripman well, she said. Years later, when she met her husband, she heard the story his father told at home of the “poor little girl in the window” at 23rd and Castro, and how he’d ring his bell and wave at her. The gripman, Robert Paul Sr., also was a teamster in San Francisco, and delivered coal. He died in 1953. Mr. Beban grew up on Jersey Street between Sanchez and Church streets. Mr. Beban leaves his wife, his mother, Marie; children Robert III, Richard, and Aline Beban, Kathy Adams, and Stepdaughter Julie Wilder. There are five grandchildren.

BEBAN, WALTER Saxaphonist

1920’s in San Francisco: Walter Beban, saxaphonist, will be the feature on the Monday program arranged by the Daily News to be sent out from their KLS broadcasting station. Beban is known to San Francisco. He was with Art Hickman for two years. Following this time he spent six months in Paul Ash’s orchestra. He is at the present time making records for the Columbia Graphophone Co. His program Monday will consist of the following selections: Mighty Lak’ a Rose, Say I While Dancing, For the Sake of Auld Lang Suno, Wabash Blues, My Honey’s Loving Arms, All Over Nothing at All. A saxaphone that laughs is the latest novelty in the musical world. Walter Beban of the rose room orchestra at the Palace in San Francisco, is responsible for the “baby Sac” that laughs and weeps. Needless to say, the “baby” is a most popular infant. The little instrument is and exact duplicate of its larger brother, and has the same wide rande of tones, but of a lighter, more whimsical quality. In some of its notes it very closely resembles that of the human voice, so Beban has been successful in imitating a queer, gurgling laugh that has proven a delight to the dancers at the Palace. Beban, who is one of the most popular saxaphone soloists of the coast, says that the saxaphone interprets the love theme of the present day music better than any other musical insturment.  The love song of today, he insists, carries the thought of dance and be happy today for tomorrow doesn’t count, while the love songs of the days of hoopskirts and pokebonnets’ breathed the message of firesides and long happy futures. This spirit says Beban was best brought out by the violin, but today’s happy-go-lucky way of living can best be interpreted by the saxaphone. “The occasional bizarre not, the passionate entreaty in its plaintive wall, the barbaric splendor of the deepest tones,” says Beban, “fits very closely indeed into the lifetone of today.” It is for these reasons, Beban says, the saxaphone’s popularity will not soon wane.

BEBICH CLAN

In 1897 Steve Bebich and Petar Jugum set off from Desne, Croatia--destination the village of Aberdeen, Washington close to the Pacific Ocean. They had received letters from friends who said there were plenty of jobs with good pay. Jugum stayed in Aberdeen but Bebich moved to Wilkeson to work in the coal mines. In 1906 he married Helen Medak and five years later returned to Aberdeen where other members of their families had settled. When he wasn't fishing commercially, Bebich worked at Aberdeen Lumber & Shingle and Donovan Lumber Co. mill. Eight other members of the Bebich family were to arrive before World War I: Joe J. operated the Croatian Pool Hall on Curtis street and later the Alaska Cigar Store in Cosmopolis, Mike was a barber, Peter owned a fishing boat, Sam, Marko and Tony all worked in the sawmills while Stanley and Joe M. had the Model Bakery. Cousin Pearl became the wife of Tony Nicholas.

BEBICH, JOE Fisherman-Military

Joe Bebich was born February 8, 1913, to Steve and Helen (Medak) Bebich. During World War 11, brother Bebich served in the Coast Guard and had patrolled the coast in a blimp. He ran the sign shop of the City of Aberdeen's Street Department and retired in 1975. He had also worked as a commercial fisherman and at the Spar restaurant in Aberdeen. On Sept. 13, 1952, he married Wendla Wagner in Aberdeen. She died in 1995. He enjoyed traveling to Reno, Nevada, and gardening and was an avid sports fan. He especially liked baseball and had played the game in Electric Park in Aberdeen when he was young. Joe Bebich was a 70-year member of the Croatian Fraternal Union, joining in March 1929. He served as secretary for many years. Joe Bebich died on July, 3, 1999 in Aberdeen, Washington, He is survived by two nieces who were also his caregivers, Verna McArthur of Aberdeen and JoAnn Hliboki of Montesano, and a nephew, Steve of Hoquiam. Four brothers, Marko, Mike, Steve and Tony, and a sister, Matilda Nicholas, also died before him.

BECIR, GEORGE Police Interpreter-Goldminer-Coffee Saloon

George Becir from Konavlje, Dalmatia, Croatia. was an interpreter in the police courts and maintained a coffee saloon at East and Commercial streets in San Francisco, California. He voted in 1859 as an American citizen and was mining gold at Jackson, Amador county, in the same year. His brother, Martin, was a director of the Slavonic Society in 1864. Martin was married to Luci and George had a Mexican wife, Carmalita. Luka Becer from Konavlje, known as Luka Baker, was nephew of George Becer. Becir used the names of Baker and Becer.

BEGOVICH, DOMINICK Restaurant

It was the late Governor James Rolph, Jr., who started the political stampede at mealtime to Johnny and Domink’s restaurant, the Polk and Sutter Oyster House, located at Polk and Sutter Streets. And today the stampede continues, for the food in delicious, the surroundings have the degree of privacy which conferences of various sorts demand- and they serve old-fashioneds in steins! In real life the well-known and popular partners are Johnny Zidich and Dominik Begovich. But to everyone who knows them they are just Johnny and Dominik. These two have been partners for the past 15 years and are both from Dalmatia in Croatia.. They began to work at an early age to learn the restaurant trade. Dominik was aboard a boat in a galley at the age of 10. Later he migrated to New Orleans and became chef in one of the large hotels. He came to San Francisco in 1906 and for the past 27 years has been at Polk and Sutter Streets. It was Gov. Rolph who proclaimed vehemently and often that Dominik is the best chef in the world! Later he came to San Francisco and was at the old Portola. He advanced form one stage to another in various restaurants, and in 1920 he became connected with he Polk and Sutter Oyster House. He has been there ever since. When entering this unique grill, one has a choice of going in to the main dining room and to the booths and banquet room, from either street. But if entering one of the Sutter Street doors, one find himself in a very large market and sees merely the hint of what is behind the scenes of the restaurant proper. For there is the open stove and broiler, there is the counter at which 22 may dine at one time. there is the hall which leads to the booths and dining room downstairs and to the banquet room and booths upstairs. To his staff of 14, Johnny points with pride they are men of his own country. One waiter has been with this famous establishment for 30 years. Others have served many years. And there's a customer, says Johnny, who has appeared every morning for his ham and eggs for the past 10 years.

BELAJEC, VLADIMIR J. Chemist

Vladimir Belajec is a Research Chemist at WITCO Chemical Company, Chicago, Illinois. Born March 14, 1929 in Zagreb, Croatia. Educated at 2nd Male Real Gymnasium, Zagreb, 1947; University of Zagreb, Chemical Technical Faculty. Diploma 1955; Rheinisch-Westfalische Tech. Hochschule, Aachen, Dr. Rer. Natl., 1961 with a major field in Chemical Technology and a specialty in Organic Chemistry, Petrochemical; "Kulturministerium des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen," during work on doctoral thesis; thesis "Charakterisierung Eines Saarlandischen Schwelteers, 1961" Doctoral. Member of American Chemical Society.

BELEG, GEORGE Tamburitza Hall of Fame-Music Teacher

Tambuitza musician, composer, instructor, director. George Beleg lived his life for these joys. he was born with a gift for music and spent a lifetime cultivating this love, especially for the tamburitza music which inspired him at a very early age. George Beleg was born November 20, 1876 at Suhopolje, Croatia. At the age of four, he began his musical studies when he was given a crude violin made from a heavy cornstalk, strung and accompanied by a bow made from a tree branch. Young George cherished the instrument which soon prompted his father to buy him a real violin. His music progressed and his interests expanded to include the melodies produced by the tambura which led his father to have a tamburitza made for him to play. His early efforts to become proficient with the tambura are now tamburitza history. Young George was a youth with deep religious affiliations, having been encouraged by his mother. He often composed music and lyrics of a religious nature which he played and sang for his mother. He served as an alter boy, attending Mass with his mother, and soon was involved in the church choir as the lead singer. He studied for the priesthood but when his father informed the bishop of George's love for music, young George was prompted to leave the priesthood to pursue a musical career. Before his 18th birthday, George had formed his own tamburitza orchestra in Croatia and continued work with his music there until his departure for America. George Beleg arrived in the United States in 1906 and settled in the Turtle Creek Valley Area near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. From 1906 until 1949, he organized and taught many tamburitza orchestras in Pennsylvania in such locales as Clairton, East Pittsburgh, Rankin, Braddock, Wilmerding, Trafford, Pitcairn, McKeesport, Duquesne, Homestead, North Side Pittsburgh and Monessen. As the years went by, he taught from 12 orchestras until they increased in number to more than 34 different tamburitza groups. In some instances he taught three generations of families, first teaching the fathers, then the sons, and then their children. Mr. Beleg, along with Dragutin Elias, is generally credited with having organized the beginnings of the tamburitza movement in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area in the years following shortly after the turn of the century. Prior to 1910, Beleg directed the ensemble known as the "Stara Sloboda" (Old Freedom), the original of the long line of Sloboda orchestras to follow. By 1910, he organized the Tamburaski Zbor "Sloboda" (Freedom) at East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This Sloboda Orchestra is reputed to have been the very first tamburitza ensemble ever to play over the pioneer radio station KDKA of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania which at that time, in the year 1924, was located on the ninth floor of the K Building in East Pittsburgh. The group presented broadcasts every Wednesday night for two years, receiving a fee of $25 per performance. George Beleg served as a proud member of "Hrvatska Vila" Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 141 of East Pittsburgh, PA. He was highly regarded as a loyal lodge member and promoter of tamburitza music in the East Pittsburgh area. By 1912 he had performed the "Hrvatski Sokolski Zbor," a popular tamburitza orchestra in East Pittsburgh during that time. Another popular group of Mr. Beleg's was the "G. Beleg Miesovati Zbor" which included his daughter, Julia, on bisernica, Mary Prstac on bisernica, Helen Prstac on bugarija, Anthony Cvetnich on brac, Anthony Baburic on berde and Mr. Beleg on cello. From 1910 to 1920 George Beleg served as the instructor and leader of the Radnicki, Pievacki, Tamburaski 1 Diletanski Zbor "Bratstvo" which was organized in Old Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, now known as North Side Pittsburgh. "Bratstvo" played for many dances and picnics in the greater Pittsburgh area and offered a variety of cultural and musical performances, including dramatic plays with complete chorus and tamburitza accompaniment under the direction of Mr. Beleg. Mr. Beleg is also credited with providing tamburitza entertainment at the first and second Croation Days held at Kennywood Park in 1932 and 1933. There are countless individuals in southwestern Pennsylvania who have benefited from the teachings and expertise of George Beleg. Beleg was not only a well-known tamburitza entertainer but was greatly respected for his valued instructions which guided the progress of numerous tamburitza students who later achieved prominence in the tamburitza field. Throughout his life, Mr. Beleg composed quite a number of Croatian songs and directed many tamburitza groups and choirs in the communities surrounding Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His passing on March 8,1949 was a great loss not only to his family but also his long-established friends, students and fellow musicians who shared his love of the tambura and tamburitza music. He was a kind man, a true gentleman, a great humanitarian and an excellent fraternalist. He shared his love and his knowledge freely and will long be remembered for his outstanding contributions to the world of tamburitza music on the American continent.

BELIC, ADRIAN and ROKO Documentary Filmmaker

Documentary filmmaker Adrian Belic woke up yesterday with a hoarse voice. Although he and his brother, Roko - both nominated in the documentary feature category for "Genghis Blues" - didn't win, the Oscars experience was worth it. "We had so much fun," he said. Adrian, 30, and Roko, 27, both of Vallejo, made a documentary about San Francisco blind blues singer Paul Pena's trip to Tuva, Mongolia, to compete in a throat singing contest. "Genghis Blues" was shot on video for about $45,000. Adrian said he knew they were underdogs in the Oscar category, which was won by "One Day in September." "But it didn't matter," he said. "The experience was just amazing. It really does have the feeling that you're at the center of the universe for one blip of a moment, and everybody in the world is watching. " Besides, the Oscar show itself was really wonderful. We were in the seventh row off to one side and we could see the back of Michael Caine's head." The brothers took their mom, Danica, with whom they share a rented house. She had lived with her sons in a dumpy Folsom Street room over an auto body shop during the two years it took them to make their movie just out of college. Neither majored in film. "Going to the Oscars was surreal," Adrian said in a room crowded with friends and well-wishers yesterday morning. He had to shout over the festive commotion and frequently put down the phone to greet people. "Sorry about that," he kept, saying. "With the parties and hustling our butts off to meet friends at airports, get tuxedos, get limos so we could actually make it to the show, all of it done on 45 minutes of sleep over an entire weekend - you get this feeling after a while of being sedated on a strange planet,"' he said. The brothers had planned a big Oscar acceptance speech. They were going to give "a big shout" to Pena, who lives in the Haight but was unable to travel because of illness. And they were going to try to get Kongar-Ondar, the world's most famous Tuvan throat singer - featured in the film - to perform, even though Oscar officials had told the Belics they could not bring Ondar onstage. "We were going to do it anyway," said Belic. Until a week ago, the Belics were trying to figure out how they would even get to the Oscar show since both of their cars were broken down and their mother's wasn't in good enough shape to make a 400-mile trip down Interstate 5. "When you're a documentary or independent filmmaker, you learn how to hustle to survive," said Roko. With the help of Bay Area supporters, the brothers were able to fly. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences gave them 10 tickets. The brothers, their mom and singer Ondar took up four, and six were spread among others who worked on the film, or who helped fund it. In San Francisco, "Genghis Blues" is being distributed by the Roxie Cinema. The Web site (www.genghisblues.com) tells of area screenings. Getting a limo in Los Angeles on Oscar weekend is like trying to score a snow cone in the desert. The Belics spent hours on the project calling every agency in town. "Finally we had one lined up, but it fell through," he said. "Then this friend of a friend of a friend got one, so we went with it.” The limo they crowded into broke down just as it reached the red carpet in front of the Shrine Auditorium, where the Oscar show was held. “We had this perfect plan to arrive at the most visible spot right in front of the crowd and where the big oversized Oscar thing was standing," he said. 'We, got out, and just as we did, I looked back and the driver was trying to crank the keys. The car had died. "Then suddenly this whole army of Secret Service-looking guys came along and started to push. They pushed our dead limo away and people cheered,” Then there was the hassle of getting tuxes. They tried to keep the cost under $ 100. They shopped by phone and finally found "a deal." One reason the Belics, got so little sleep was all the partying. The night before the Oscars, they went to a big one at the Screen Directors Guild and another at a club in Santa Monica. "We had no idea who the people were, but the food was great. It was a terrific party." At about 2 a.m., the Belics went with Ondar and some friends to downtown Los Angeles to "cruise the Shrine." "We just. wanted to see what it looked like with all ”the people sleeping out," Belic said. It was like a party. So they talked Ondar into giving an impromptu throat singing concert. And the brothers passed out postcards advertising their film. After the Oscar show, the brothers and Mom and Ondar crowded into the Governor's Ball, which all Oscar contenders get to go to. It's a big after show event, so really cool people like Jack Nicholson or Clint Eastwood don't bother to attend. But "it was amazing," said Belic of the star power. "It was like the hobnob center of the universe." Their mother was tired after the Governor's Ball, so she went back to the hotel. The brothers went on to a huge wingding at the Congo Room given by Artisan Entertainment, producers of "Buena Vista, Social Club," another Oscar documentary contender. "Unbelievable," said' Belic, of that bash. "Then we made our way somehow to the Miramax party at the Beverly Hills Hotel." That was one of the great parties, Belic said. Real Oscars were standing on tables all over the place, but people were so nonchalant that "'they might as well have just been table decorations. But what was really cool is that I got to talk to Michael Caine. Then we got to meet Quentin Tarantino, the 'Pulp Fiction' guy’, He had actually heard of our movie.” By Peter Stack CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER March 28, 2000

BELIC, ANGEL Professor-Attorney-Editor

Professor and Chairman of the Foreign Language Department, Wilkes College, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. Born April 12, 1915 in Djakovo, Croatia, married. Education includes 2nd Class. Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia, Diploma 1934; University of Zagreb,1934-1939, Dr. of Law, 1939; University of Rome 1939-1947 (with interruptions). Dr. of Political Science, 1947. Leipzig, Germany, summer 1939; Geneva, Switzerland, 1942; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachutes1968: special course in teaching techniques of Romance Languages. Major field was Political Science, Law and specialty in Spanish Language and History of Hispanic Civilization. Thesis: 1947 "La posizione di un popolo senza propio stato nel quadro dello Statuto delle Nazioni Unite." Rome. Dissertation for doctorate of Political Science (Cum Laude). Published articles in the field of Political Science and publications in Studia Croatica, Buenos Aires, and in Hrvatska Revija (Croatian Review). Co-editor of Studia Croatica (Spanish) from 1959 to 1967. Articles in Hrvatski Dnevnik (The Croatian Daily) Written as its Rome correspondent 1940. Nineteen years of residence in Argentina.

BELIC, LIZA Professor

Lizza Belic is a College Instructor at Wilkes College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. She was born on November 14, 1917 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. She attended the local schools in Dubrovnik and graduated from the University of Zagreb in 1939. She has a Masters Degree in language and literature and speaks Croatian, Spanish, French, Italian and German. She came to America in 1968.

BENKOVICH CLAN Restaurant-Hotel

In about1895 the brothers Nikola and Andrija Benkovich-Groseta came to America from Babino PoIje, Island of Mljet, Croatia. On his departure to America Andrija left his wife and son in Mljet. He first lived and worked in Oakland and later moved to Monterey where he worked as a cook in a restaurant. Later he became the coowner of a restaurant in Monterey. His brother Nikola also lived in Oakland for some time and then moved to Watsonville where he was with S. Strazicich a co-owner of the hotel "Morning Star" When they sold the hotel, he moved to Monterey where he worked in a restaurant as a cook like his brother Andrija. There he married Maria who was of Portugese origin. They had no children.

BENKOVICH, IVAN Artist

Ivan Benkovic was born in Recica near Karlovac in 1887. He graduated from the gymnasium in Karlovac and then enrolled at the School of Art in Zagreb. His favorite works featured landscape and romantic subjects. His first exhibition took place in Zagreb in 1911; afterwards he lived for a while in Vienna and Paris. When the outbreak of World War I made his stay in Paris impossible, he had his family moved to America. Living under difficult conditions, Benkovic engaged in commercial art. Then by the intervention of Nikola Tesla he obtained a job as illustrator and reporter for a Chicago newspaper. He produced many scenes of Chicago and of the Atlantic coast, sometimes signing his works with the pseudonym "Bankov." His oil paintings "View of the Harbor in Chicago," "Swamp," "Scarlet Sagebrush," and "Self-portrait" are preserved in Zagreb, but, the majority of his drawings and paintings have been lost. Among his best known works dealing with Croatian immigrants is a huge oil, executed for the Croatian League, during World War 1, entitled "Liberation of Croatia," reproductions of which were circulated in this country. This powerful and very promising artist died in New York in 1918.

BENKOVICH, JOHN E. Military-Crane Operator

Mr. Benkovich was born May 7, 1914, in Mount Olive, Illinois, moving to Sugar Creek, Missouri at the age of two. He served with the U.S. Army 79th Infantry in the European Theater during World War II, and was awarded four Bronze Stars. He was a crane operator for the Amoco Oil Co. for 36 years, retiring in 1976. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Nativity of Mary Catholic Church. John Edward Benkovich Sr., 85, Independence, Missouri died Saturday, April 8, 2000, at Truman Medical Center. His wife of 53 years, Mildred Benkovich, died in 1999. His survivors include one son, John E. Benkovich Jr., Overland Park, Kansas, a daughter and son-in-law, Francine and Leon Davis, Blue Springs; four grandchildren, Breck and Dustin Benkovich, and Aaron and Jeff Davis; one brother, Steve Benkovich, Blue Springs; one sister, Helen Lee, Kansas City. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Entombment will follow in the Mount Olivet Cemetery Mausoleum, Raytown.

BERANEK, JERRY Lumberjack-King of the Woods

Jerry Beranek is the king of the woods- he’s the only man in the world to climb a colossal 357-foot-tall redwood tree. Jerry climbs redwoods for a hobby, sliding and pulling and dragging himself ever upward until in the treetop he can see for miles around and people below look no bigger than tiny ants. Like a real-life Tarzan, the 33-year-old daredevil who is from Fort Bragg, California, swings from branches of smaller trees to the towering tree he wants to conquer, then propels himself by rope until he reaches the top of the stately tree towering over the forest. “Getting to the top is another three hours. You can’t attack the tree directly. “Its Girth at the bottom is more than 20 feet, too big around to accommodate the safety line and rope. “So i start out climbing a smaller redwood, 10 feet in diameter of less, whose upper branches stretch to the big tree I want to reach.” Lugging 25 pounds of equipment and a 10 pound backpack on his 6-foot-1 frame, he searches for a spot where the branch system of the tree he’s on is level with the one he wants to conquer. “I’m about 200 or 250 feet in the air and I make like Tarzan and swing myself from one tree to another,”the gutsy climber explained. Jerry’s been climbing redwoods for 10 years and he’s climbed within 10 feet of scaling the largest tree in the world- a 367-foot monster that’s thousands of years old. When he reaches the top of a giant tree, he takes photos, listens to his transistor radio and eats a picnic lunch as the world below him seems small and distant. “It’s magnificent up there,” he said. “There’s nothing in the world like a redwood high.”

BERETICH, DOMINIK Military-Fisherman

Dominik Beretich Dies in U.S. Military Service-Dominik Beretich, a member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 439 in Seattle, Washington since July, 1913, gave his life for his new homeland in World War 1. Beretich, a fisherman and brother-in-law of lodge co-founder, Franjo Franicevich, was a U.S. citizen and as such, was conscripted to serve in the U.S. forces in Europe. He died September 29, 1918 on the battlefield in France.

BERIC, LYDIA Librarian

Lydia Beric nee Marinovic was born June 29, 1936, Skopje, Macedonia. She is the head librarian at Brighton Park Branch Library in Chicago, Illinois. She completed her education at the University of Zagreb, Liberal Arts and Sciences Faculty 1954-60; Roosevelt University Chicago, in English 1962-64; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. M.A. L.S. 1965. She speaks Italian, Russian and Croatian.

BERKANOVIC, EDWARD T. Attorney

Edward Berkanovic is an attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with a general law practice. Born September 1, 1909 in West Allis, Wisconsin he is married with two children. Education includes University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. B.A. -1931; University of Wisconsin, Law School LL.B. -1934; University of Wisconsin, Law School J.D. -1966 with a major field of American History and Law and a specialty in Probate Law, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law. Published Courts of Milwaukee County 1934, Wisconsin Law Review, Law School, University of Wisconsin. Member of International Legal Fraternity of Phi Delta Phi; Croatian Fraternal Union; Slovene National Benefit Society. Presently Goverment Appeal Agent, Board 48, Selective Service System of the U.S.; Attorney for Yugoslav Consulate for the State of Wisconsin.

BEROS, MATHEW Photographer

He was born October 2, 1897 in Podgora, Dalmatia, Croatia. As a professional photographer for over 35 years, he traveled to many corners of the world, including Croatia, New Zealand, South Sea Islands, Australia, Europe and many parts of the United States. He practiced his craft in Cleveland, Ohio where he won numerous awards. In the early 1960's, he and his wife retired to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he lived until his death. A tribute paid to him upon the receipt of one of his many awards reads: "Mr. Beros is the type of man you like to remember as an exemplar of genuine culture and refinement, You may justly say he has 'social intelligence.' He speaks with a delightful and correct accent on topics relating to his voluminous travels, his hobby and anything that you may be interested in." "Whilst still a youngster, brother Beros always sought out the scenic spots of nature and reveled in their beauty. At the age of 16, the wanderlust seized him and he started his world travel. Upon his return to Dalmatia about four years ago, he met Maria, for the first time and proposed to her 25 minutes later. and he says that he made a good choice," said another review published in the early 1930's. Mathew Beros was a longtime member of American Croatian Pioneers Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 663 of Cleveland, Ohio. Matthew S. Beros died on May 9, 1986 at the age of 88. Surviving are his sisters Antica Milicic and Yovanka Sisarich of Australia. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Osretkar Beros, a brother Ivan and sister Marian,

BERRY, THEODORE Fisherman-Postmaster

Theodore Berry came to Dockton, Washington as a beach seiner in 1905, and, during the ensuing years, had acquired several engine powered seiners. He had been recognized as an ambitious young man upon his arrival in 1899, when he had accompanied the mother and sister of Mary Babare Love to the United States. This enterprising young man had his female companions placed in steerage, and, upon landing, presented the money saved by this bit of frugality to Stephen Babare. In 1912, he married Rose Bussanich, the daughter of the drydock blacksmith, and became Dockton's postmaster, a position he held for twenty-eight years. Theodore Berry was known for his farsightedness and his closeness to county political thinking. "His influence with King County government resulted in the construction of the Dockton Park in 1932-33, which provided work for local men. The park has become a haven for latter-day pleasure boaters, who flock to its docks on warm summer weekends. Fishing boats were often called upon for emergency service during the flu epidemic of 1924. Theodore Berry's boat, the Kanaka Boy, made regular trips to Tacoma to transport the doctor to Dockton. 0ne stormy night, Theo was summoned by his wife's family. Sandro Bussanich was desperately ill, as was his wife, Anne. The Kanaka Boy made a desperate run to Des Moines through heavy seas kicked up by a full southwester, only to arrive back with the doctor too late to save either of the two Bussaniches.

BERTOVICH, JOHN Shipyard Worker

He was born March 25, 1911 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania and moved to San Pedro after WW II. While employed at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, John and his wife Eva raised two sons, John and Anthony and one daughter Mary. Ann Kucic, John‘s sister resided in Pennsylvania after John moved to California.

BEZIC, SANDRA  Olympics-TV Sports

Sandra Bezic, a 1972 Olympian and former Canadian pairs champion, joined NBC Sports in 1990 as an analyst for its figure skating coverage. Sandra skated competitively with her brother, Val, from 1967 through the mid-1970s. She and her brother won the Canadian pairs novice title in 1967 and the Canadian senior competition four straight times from 1970-1973. Sandra has served as the analyst on numerous NBC Sports' figure skating events, including four World Figure Skating Championships 1991-1993 and 1995 and the World Professional Figure Skating Championships from 1990-1995. She has designed programs for many top  skaters, including Brian Boitano, Katarina Witt, Kristi Yamaguchi and Kurt Browning. Sandra Bezic has choreographed and/or produced more than 25 television  specials in Canada and the United States, including the Emmy Award-wining "Carmen on Ice." She won Gemini awards for producing Browning's "You Must Remember This" and Brian Orser's "Night Moves." Bezic also produced the North American Tour of "Stars on Ice" and is the author of "Passion to Skate:  An Intimate View of Figure Skating." Sandra and her brother Val are Canadian Croatians.

BEZMALINOVICH, NICK King of Fishing-Airlines

The biography of Nick Bez (Nikola Bezmalinovich), wealthy Dalmatian fisherman of Seattle, Washington, reads like a narrative from the pen of Horatio Alger, but is a true-to-life rags-to-riches story. Until 1945 he remained relatively unknown east of the Rockies. In that year, however, he was photographed rowing a boat as the then President Harry S. Truman was fishing for salmon in Puget Sound, and suddenly he was shoved into the national limelight. He became the subject of much speculation and inquiry. He became a personal friend of President of the United States, Harry S. Truman. Who was Nick Bez? Though this fabulous fisherman is a man of national repute and one of the most eminent Croatian immigrants in America today, only the barest details of his life are available. He was born on August 25, 1895, on the Dalmatian Island of Brac, one of the larger Adriatic isles situated southwest of the town of Split on the mainland. As a mere boy he became acquainted with fishing, sailing, the hardships, and the adventures on the Adriatic. Like many other Dalmatians brought up on the sea, Nick learned about greater opportunities across the Atlantic, and so he early left his home and emigrated to the United States. Though he was fortunate enough to have his passage paid for him by his father, he arrived virtually penniless and friendless in New York in 1910. He was a mere boy in a strange new land. As be explained, “ I had no relatives, friends or acquaintances in the United States so I was on my own." He made his way to the West Coast, where he knew there were other Dalmatians, many of them engaged in the fisheries. Not knowing any other life or trade but that of the sea, Nick Bez started his career in the new land by borrowing a rowboat and fishing for smelts on the Pacific. For an ordinary lad of fifteen to break into the fishing business would have been virtually impossible. But Nick seemed to have something that most of those around him lacked. He was strong, courageous, resourceful, and above everything else, determined to succeed. After six years of hard work, dogged persistence, and extraordinary thrift, he became the owner of a big salmon boat, a purse seiner.

Possession of his own equipment, however, did not mean the end of the struggle for survival but, instead, the beginning of a new phase of that fight, an exciting though a somewhat unpleasant experience. As a boat owner he became involved in a contest, with no holds barred, for control of the lucrative Alaskan salmon industry. Big Nick (who is 6 feet 2 inches -in height and weighs 225 pounds) led the purse seiners against the beach seiners (who use horses to drag flat nets up on the shore). The conflict was long, drawn-out, and bloody, but ultimately he succeeded in completely crushing the opposition.

Thenceforth Bez had comparatively smooth sailing. He expanded his holdings by buying one boat after another. In 1931 he branched out into the airlines business with the purchase of Alaska Southern Airways, which he later sold to Pan American at a large profit. He bounced back into competition, however, with the West Coast Airlines in 1946. Also in this same year he began canning fish on board a large converted freighter belonging to the United States (something he had been doing on his own ships on a limited scale for a number of years), supported by the government in Washington and financed by the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. The avowed purpose of this undertaking was to prove'that American fishermen could replace the Japanese, who, in the years preceding World War II, caught and processed 66 per cent of the world's tuna in their floating canneries and virtually monopolized the multimillion-a-year catch of the Bering Sea's huge king crabs. The experiment ended in 1948, deemed a complete success, and Bez returned to the use of his own floating canneries.

Nick Bez is one of the wealthiest and most influential of the Croatian Americans. He owns or controls a string of fishing boats, four of the biggest salmon canneries in the Pacific Northwest, two gold mines, and an airline. His airline, Air West, was later sold to Howard Hughes for 100 million dollars

He is married (to the former Magdalene Doratich, an American-born Croatian) and has two grown boys. He is a member of the Transportation Council of the United States Department of Commerce, the National Democratic Club, and many other organizations.

Because of his generous contributions to the Democratic party and his friendship with high government officials, Bez has been accused of using his political connections to the detriment of small fishermen. This hurts the big fellow. He confesses that processors, including himself, "cotch too damn many feesh" to maintain an adequate supply. He favors a stabilization of the industry by developing new grounds and methods.

BIANKINI, ANTE Doctor-Publisher-Author

A contemporary of Dr. Vecki was Dr. Ante Biankini, also a physician; he was also active as a politician, proponent for the South Slav cause, publisher, editor, and writer. He arrived in Chicago in 1898. For years he practiced as a physician and surgeon and was well known to thousands of the large Croatian colony in Chicago. His reputation as a surgeon at Mercy and Columbus hospitals and as a professor at Northwestern University was further enhanced by a number of scholarly books in the field of medicine written in English and Croatian.

BIELE, LUKA Fisherman-Fishdealer

Luka was born in Cavtat, Dalmatia, Croatia as was his father before him. His birth date was October 5, 1875. He was born Luka Kristov Bjele. His father's name was Kristo. his great grandfather's name was Antun B. I am told he has at least one sibling who had a son. This son was in the military and sailed into San Francisco, California once and visited my grandmother's family in Richmond. My grandmother was teased by her brothers because she looked so much like her cousin. Someone sent me a paragraph from a book that was in Croatian. From what I have been able to piece together, his great grandfather Antun B was born around 1717 and died around 1792. He came to Cavtat around 1737. He Italianized the name to Bianca towards the end of the 17th century. (1780) He had two sons, Miho and Kristov. Kristov was a ship captain. Miho was an undersea diver. Kristov, Antun and Miha were the sons of Miho. Antun Antunov Bianchi was a business man who moved to Cairo, Egypt in 1866. Luka is listed in the 1900 census as having immigrated here in 1892. He was 25 years old, called himself Luke Biele and was a boarder and a fisherman. It states he had been in the U.S. for eight years. He was not a citizen. He is 25 years old. In the 1910 census, he is married now for about four years and has two sons, Christopher age 3, and Howard, age 2. He is 34 years old and his occupation is a fish dealer. He lived next door to his wife's family. He had married Rosie Freitas. She was born in San Pablo of Portugese immigrants, Joseph and Mary Freitas and came from a family of ten children. He uses the name Louis Beal. He is in Contra Costa County. He had married Rosie in St. Francis De Sales Church in Oakland California on Nobember 7, 1905. In the 1920 census, he calls himself Louis Beale. He is a lodger, age 44 years old and lodges with his son, Christopher,13, and his daughter, age 7. He has been divorced now about four years. It states he immigrated in 1890. He became a naturalized citizen in Pennsylvania in 1890. It states he was born in Dalmatia and his native tongue is Slavonian and the same is listed for his parents. He is listed as a retail fish merchant. His is listed in the 1927 phone directory as LC Biele, 719 Wood St. in the business listings. Otherwise he is listed as Louis C. Biele, fish, 719 Wood St. We do not know when he came to San Francisco. He fished commercially with Mr. Spanger of San Francisco's famous restaurant. He died at age 69 in 1945, known as Louie Biele, according to his obituary. According to California Death Records, his name was Lucas Christopher Biele. At that time, he was a resident of San Pablo. He was a commercial fisherman at the time of his death and his obituary states he had engaged in the fishing business all of his life. He was a member of the Oakland aeries of Eagles, the Moose Lodge, and St. Paul's Church of San Pablo. He was survived by his sons Howard Louis Biele of Richmond, Christopher Earl Biele of San Francisco, and his daughter, Alice Gertrude Biele Neckel of Richmond. He had five grandchildren; Beverly Neckel, Edward (Fritz) Neckel, and Wayne Neckel. Louie Biele was buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Richmond, California. (Denise Jackson 2004)

BILAFER, JOSEPH B. Goldminer-Restaurant-Croatian Activities

Born in Strp, Boka Kotorska, Dalmatia in 1876. He came to America in 1891. For the first couple of years he worked in gold mines, and then moved to San Francisco where he was involved in restaurant business. He was a Treasurer of Croatian Union of the Pacific for six years, before he became its President in 1927. He is a former president of Slavonic Mutual Benevolent Society and president of Committee for 75th Anniversary Celebration of this Society. Member of Croatian Benevolent Society Zvonimir-Dalmatia.

BILANDIC, MICHAEL Mayor-Councilman-Chief Justice

Michael A. Bilandic grew up in a Croatian connnunity in Chicago. He served as Mayor of Chicago from 1976 to 1979. Elected to the Illinois Supreme Court in 1990, he has served since Jan 1. 1994, as Chief Justice. Not only is he an accomplished lawyer, politician, and justice, but Michael Bilandic has also become a respected artist and photographer in Chicago. Michael Bilandic was born in Chicago on Feb. 13, 1923. He attended St. Jerome Croatian parish school at 2823 S. Princeton Ave, and De LaSalle High School at 35th and Wabash. He graduated from St. Mary's College in Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree and from De Paul University College of Law with a Doctor Juris degree. He served as a First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps during World War 11. Bilandic began practicing law in Chicago in 1949. A member of the Chicago City Council from 1969 through 1976, he was elected mayor of the City of Chicago in 1976 and served until 1979. He became Chief Justice on Jan. 1, 1994. Bilandic's rise to success than is his optimism and determination. A youthful spirit, 76-year-old Justice Bilandic is a forward-thinker and a man of great wisdom. He is also a remarkable athlete; he runs marathons, plays tennis, and swims.

On the 10th Anniversary of Mayor Daley's death, Bilandic said "I would gladly mortgage everything I own for my son to have the opportunity to be influenced and mentored. in this field by someone like Mayor Richard J. Daley." Both Richard Daley and Bilandic grew up in the neighborhood of Bridgeport, and it was in Bridgeport, the I I th ward of Chicago, that they began their influential careers. In 1969, Bilandic won the alderman seat in the I I th ward. In 1976, Mayor Daley died suddenly. Bilandic took over as Acting Mayor. Six months later, Bilandic won the general election to become Chicago's first Croatian American mayor. He won over 77 percent of the vote. In 1984, Bilandic was elected to the Ist District Appellate Court, where he served until his election to the Illinois Supreme Court in 1990. He became Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court on Jan. 1, 1994 and continues to serve.

Bilandic still remembers taking Croatian language classes during regular school hours at St. Jerome's School in Bridgeport. Even other I I th ward children, including the children of Irish and Italian immigrants, attended the Croatian language lessons. He spoke Croatian with his parents at home and spent six months of his childhood on the island of Brac, Croatia, studying out of books from St. Jerome's on a trip with his two brothers, his sister, and his beloved mother. Mike Bilandic says he was brought up in an incredibly loving and caring home. His parents both came to the United States from Croatia in the early 1900s. His mother Dinka Lebedina (the name changed in America to Mimi) came from the village of Bobovisce on the island of Brac, Croatia. His father Mate Bilandzic immigrated from Dicmo, a village near Sinj, Croatia. They had four children, Ivka Eleonore (1922), Michael (1923), Stephen (1925), and Nick (1927). The family name was changed to Bilandic. Keeping in touch with his roots has contributed to Mike Bilandic's strong sense of identity. He always wanted to share his Croatian family roots with both his wife Heather, and son Michael Morgan. Bilandic says, "I wanted my son to experience the same things I experienced." Michael and Heather were married while he was mayor, on July 15, 1978, at the Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago. Since his wife Heather signed him up for art classes at the Evanston Arts Center 12 years ago, Bilandic has received guidance from famous artists and photographers, including his wife, Heather, who is herself a talented artist in oil paints. Photographer Dell Herman said, " People are surprised at how good he is." His subjects range from the 100-year-old tree in front of his house to photographs of North Avenue beach. Other favorite photographs include a picture of his wife Heather, on a Gold Coast side street. He has also taken his love of photography to Croatia, where he took a favorite photograph of fishermen by boats at Makarska, a coastal town that Bilandic call the "Palm Beach of Croatia." Just last year (1998), he used a picture of his grandparents' home as a Christmas card for family and friends. Justice Bilandic appears in several photographs himself, posing with President Jimmy Carter, Senator Adlai Stevenson, Mayor Richard Daley, George Dunne, Ed Vrydolyak, among many other national and local politicians. Bilandic's son Michael Jr. currently attends the University of Texas. His wife Heather earned a bachelor's degree from Smith College and a MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. She has also served the city of Chicago as executive director of the Chicago Council on fine arts. Recognized as a long-time friend, mentor, and model to many Croatian Americans, Chief Justice Bilandic encourages those starting out, no matter what the venture or task they attempt, despite all of its uncertainty and fate. He quotes the old Mayor Daley, "When God closes a door, he opens a window. "

BILICH JOSEPH T. Industrial Relations

Joseph Bilich is Director of Industrial Relations at Hoover Bearing Division, Hoover Ball and Bearing Company, Ann Arbor, Michigan, He was born May 16, 1933 in Weirton, W.Virginia and is married with five children. Education includes Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, B.S., 1955. (Business Administration); Attended various courses and seminars at Columbia, University of Michigan, Wayne State University with a major field inIndustrial and Labor Relations; Organization Development and a specialty of Professional Manager, Generalist. Member of American Society for Training and Development; Beta Alpha Phi:Honorary Business Fraternity; Industrial Relations Association of Detroit. Occupational experience includes 1955 Labor Relations training, Aliquippa, Pennsylvania; 1956 Promotion Labor Relation Analyst; 1958 Promotion Supervisor, Industrial Relations, Louisville, Ohio; 1962 Promotion Assistant Division Manager, Jones and Laughlin Steel Corp., Detroit, Michigan; 1968 Promotion Co-ordinator of Labor Agreements, J. & L. Pittsburgh; 1969 Director of Industrial Relations, Hoover Bearing Division, Hoover Ball and Bearing Company. Received J. P. Niland Award in 1955 for "Most Outstanding Student in Management"; former member of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans.

BILICH, MATT J. Oysterbeds-Oyster Market

Matt J, Bilich, 732 Governor Nicholas Street, New Orleans, Louisiana is a highly successful oyster man, a planter and distributor of oysters, and has been associated with this industry in New Orleans and the Gulf coast area near the mouth of the Mississippi River since he was twelve years of age. Mr. Bilich began work in the oyster trade in 1906 and was employed by his father in the Bayou Cook area for several years . In 1911 he started his own business and during his youth. and early manhood was considered one of the most outstanding fishermen of this section, oftentimes working from fourteen to eighteen hours per day and frequently as much as twenty four hours without stopping. Practically eighty per cent of his oyster crop was destroyed in the disastrous storm of 1915 and Mr. Bilich almost lost his life as well, but recovered and soon re-established his business and aided materially in the general rehabilitation of the industry. Matt J. Bilich was born in Croatia on the ninth of November, 1894, a son of John M. Bilich, a widely-known local fisherman and oysterman until his death in 1915, and Maude (Zibilich) Bilich, now well past seventy years of age. When he was twelve years of age, Mr. Bilich came with his parents to the United States, settling in Plaquemines Parish. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Bilich, Luke Zibilich, fished for oysters in Bayou Cook for many years and his son, Paul, was a director in the old Whitney Central National Bank of New Orleans. On the sixth of April, 1926, Mr. Bilich was married in New Orleans to Miss Francis Hihar, a native of Plaquemines, Parish who was born and reared at Empire. Mr. and Mrs. Bilich have three children, Madeline, born the twenty-ninth of March, 1927, a graduate of McDonough School No. 15 in New Orleans; John, born the eighth of December, 1929, and Catherine Bilich, who was born the first of August, 1930. Anthony Zibilich, Mr. Bilich's uncle, was formerly associated in business with Mr. Bilich but later returned to Europe and since that time Mr. Bilich has had sole charge of the cultivation and operation of the oyster beds located in Bayou Chalon and Bayou La Chute. In 1931 Mr. Bilich formed the Louisiana Oyster Men's Protective Association and was named vice-president of the organization. In 1933 he established a retail oyster market situated at 732 Governor Nicholas Street operated in co-operation with a number of other oystermen. Mr. Bilich is a member of the Slavonian Benefit Association and has been affiliated with that organization for nearly thirty years. He was formerly a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and is connected with the Masonic order. Mr. Bilich is a recognized authority on oysters and an article dealing with various phases of the industry appeared in the February fifteenth, 1931 issue, of a leading New Orleans paper.

BIOCINA, GEORGE Ranch-Laundry

George Biocina, clan name Ronje, was born in 1882 in Postira, Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. He came to San Francisco, California in 1904. He was employed by the Gallant Laundry Company until 1916 when he went into the laundry business at his home on Persia Street in the Excelsior District which he built in 1916. In 1922 he constructed a large laundry on Brazil Avenue which included two houses, four building home sites and the laundry. His partner in the laundry was George Santich also from Brac. George expanded his holdings by purchase of a large 22 acre orchard in Mountain View in 1933. He bought this ranch during the economic depression with cash. George Biocina was an excellent businessman with a sense of humor and an outgoing personality and was considered a leader in the Croatian-Dalmatian community. He held many parties at his ranch with barbequed lamb and home made wine. He was known to have made spirits from 1919-1931. He was a life long member of the Slavonic Society of San Francisco. George married Katie Lazaneo from Postira, Brac in 1907 at the Croatian church of Nativity in San Francisco. Margaret was born in 1908; John in 1909; Catherine in 1911; Anton in 1912; Nancy in 1914; George in 1916; Peter in 1918; Mary in 1921. Margaret, John, and Mary died as children. George had a brother, Peter, in San Francisco and cousins Spiro in San Pedro and Ljubo in San Francisco. His wife Katie Lazaneo had a brother Nikola in Cupertino with a ranch and sister Lena Jelincich in San Jose.

BIOCINA, MICHAEL Pharmacist

Died in Watsonville, California, May 14, 1978; survived by two sisters, Eva Skarich of San Francisco and May Skarich also of San Francisco; and a brother, George Skarich of Greenbrae; a veteran of WWII; a member of B. P. O. E. 1300 in Watsonville, American Legion, California Pharmaceutical Assn., California Alumni Assn., Kappa Psi; a retired pharmacist, had been in this occupation for 49 years; graduated from UC Pharmaceutical School in 1930 and had lived in San Francisco for 18 years; a native of Los Angeles; aged 68 years.

BISKUP, LUKE P. Fruit Packing Farm

Luke P. Biskup, prominently identified with the fruit-packing industry of Watsonville, is a self-made man. He was born June 5, 1887, in the province of Dalmatia, Croatia, and was reared on a farm. His education was acquired in his native land and in 1908, when eighteen years of age, he yielded to the lure of the new world. After reaching the United States he started for Watsonville, where he joined an older brother, who has preceded him to the Pacific coast. For three years he was employed on fruit farms in the Pajaro valley, driving teams and also doing plowing, pruning and other labor. He worked for a year in the orchards near San Jose, saving as much as possible from his wages, and on his return to Watsonville rented the Litchfield ranch, a sixty-acre tract, for which he paid the sum of four hundred dollars per annum. The place was situated in Green valley and twenty acres were devoted to apricots, peaches, cherries and pears. The first year was a disastrous one and Mr. Biskup lost a thousand dollars but made up his loss in the second year, making a profit of one thousand dollars. He next leased the Chris Johnson ranch of eighty acres, twenty of which were utilized for the growing of apples, and operated the property for three years. He paid an annual rental of eight hundred dollars, and his profits for each year amounted to one thousand dollars. Mr. Biskup then bought a twenty-acre apple orchard in the Railroad district for eight thousand dollars and operated the ranch successfully for two years, when he sold it for sixteen thousand dollars, doubling his money. For the past five years Mr. Biskup has engaged in packing and shipping green and dried fruits, designated as Rosebud brand, working on an independent basis, and in this venture he has been equally successful. He shipped forty carloads of fruit in 1923 and under his expert management the business is enjoying a rapid growth. In 1922 Mr. Biskup married Miss Anna Glage, who was born in South Dakota, and they own a nice home in Watsonville. Mr. Biskup gives his undivided attention to his business, and the Austria Benevolent Society is the only organization with which he is connected.

BIZACA, JOSEPH Carpenter

Joseph was born in the village of Postira on the Island of Brac and migrated to the America in 1939. He worked as a carpenter and resided like so many other folks from Brac, in the Excelsior District of San Francisco where he was to meet a young lady, also from Postira, Rita Vlahovich. They were to marry and have five children; James, Joseph, Stephanie, Peter and Kathy. Joe was an avid fisherman and a great dancer who loved to polka. Joe became a master of his trade and was the job superintendent for the construction at his parish church, Corpus Christi. Upon his retirement in 1979, Joe and Rita moved to Citrus Heights. He was a 50-year-plus member of the Slavonian Society. Joe died on January 31, 1995 and leaves his loving spouse, Rita, five children and 4 grandchildrcn.

BLAGDON, CHARLES M. Photographer

Born and raised in San Francisco. Graduate of Balboa High School. World War 11 Navy Seabee Veteran. Prize winning photographer for United Press International, 40 years. Danco Realty, 20 years. Member of Slavonic Mutual Benevolent Society, SIRS Branch 57 and Excelsior Boys. Beloved husband of Mary Lou Blagdon, married 50 years in April of 2001; loving father of Linda Menary, Chris and Dan Blagdon, dearest father-in-law of Brad Menary and Terry Blagdon; awesome grandfather of Scott and Michael Menary and Kevin, Brian and Giana Blagdon; devoted son of Josephine and the late Charles Blagdon; loving brother of Helen Hix and many nieces, nephews and sister and brothers-in-law. Charlie passed away at age 74 on January 8, 2001.

BLASKOVICH, JERRY Doctor-Author

Jerry Blaskovich was born, 1934, in Chicago. He served six years in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps during the Korean War. Subsequently he attended the University of Zagreb School of Medicine and interned at Cook County Hospital-Chicago. While Blaskovich completed the residency in Dermatology at USC-L.A. County Hospital, Los Angeles, he was Fellow of the National Institute of Mental Health in Psychocutaneuos Diseases.

In 1971 he became Diplomat of the American Board of Dermatology and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, Metropolitan Dermatological Society of Los Angeles, Long Beach Dermatology Society, and Pacific Dermatology Association. He served several terms on the Board of Directors of the Califonia Congress of Dermatological Societies, which represented over 2,800 dermatologists in California. Most recently he was appointed to the International Society of Dermatology.

Aside from his medical career, he is an active in numerous American civic organizations. Most notably--The Boys Club of San Pedro. A board member since 1970, he held all board positions, including two terms as president. He was one of the founders and first president of the Croatian Catholic Family Guild of Mary Star of the Sea Parish. He is also one of the founders and serves on the Advisory Board of the World Congress of Croatian Phsyicians. Presently he serves ont he Advisory Council of the Gustave von Grunbaum Center for Near Eastern Studies at UCLA.

Despite maintaining a busy practice and teaching at USC as Assistant Clinical Professor, to satisfy his intellectual curiosity, he took time and attended UCLA. In December 1992 he received a Master of Art degree in Islamic Art History (Minor in Islamic Studies and Balkan History).

Blaskovich anticipated the need to aid Croatia even before the Serb led Yugoslav forces initiated overt warfare. He spearheaded humanitarian efforts to supply much needed medications and visited the frontlines several times. He evaluated medical facilities, refugee camps, interviewed and examined war crimes and rape camp victims for the Foreign Press Bureau.

To deconstruct the rampant disinformation that has pervaded the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, he has had numerous letters to the editors and Op-Ed published in newspapers and periodicals throughout the United States and England, and addressed civic groups, such as the Lions and Kiwanis. He presented the plenary address at the World Federation of Humanists. At the University of California at Irvine, sponsored by the Rosen Holocaust Center, he gave a keynote address on the Serbian atrocities in Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina, as well as headed an open forum on the subject. Books published: “Anatomy and Deceit” (Dunhill Publishing; New York: 1997) “Anatomija Prijevare” (Moderna vremena; Zagreb: 1998) “The Zagreb Mosques A Study of Non-Muslim Sponsorship of Islamic Art in the Balkan Heart of Christendom” (UCLA; Los Angeles: 1992) Hits and Myths of Croatia and Bosnia: Chapter in “The Proceeding of the XV International Humanists Congress” (Springer; New York: 1997)

BLAZEVICH, BILL Tamburitza and Kolo

Bill died on May 21, 1990 in San Francisco. Bill, who never married, cherished the Croatian Fraternal Union and his endeavors left us with a fuller feeling of fraternalism. His contributions to our cultural program has left its impression on all of us who learned to dance the kolo, play tamburitza music and sing the songs of our heritage. He was our mentor and he was especially delighted when he taught our youth the music and dances of their heritage. Bill loved children and was for many years, the Nest Manager of our own Nest 282. Our late brother Bill also played a major role in the administration of our lodge. He, at one time or another, held every lodge position but preferred to remain on the sidelines and let other take the bows. He rarely missed a lodge meeting and for a number of years hosted the meetings in the basement of his own home surrounded by tamburitza instruments and volumes of Croatian music and records. A native of Red Rock, Montana, he was a learned man who was valedictorian of his college graduating class and who with his family came to California where he was hired as an engineer with the Pacific Gas and Electric Company where he remained till he retired.

Bill was given a testimonial dinner in 1972 by his appreciative lodge members and in lieu of gifts and at his request, he was given a purchase order to be used for the purchase of musical equipment for his junior tamburitza classes. He was a true fraternalist in every sense of the word. At our lodge’s 50th Anniversary Dinner/Dance in November, Bill donated 100 commemorative wine glasses and was given what was to be the final standing ovation for his invaluable and unselfish contributions to our Society and to his fellow man.

BLAZEVIC, EMIL Teacher-Music School

For more than fifty years Emil Blazevic contributed to American and Croatian music and to the education of many good singers. He was born in Kraljevica, Croatian Littoral, in 1880; he came to America around the turn of the century. A teacher of music and singing, he had his own school of music in New York. He was an excellent singer, composer, conductor, and popularizer of the tamburitza music. Blazevic was eighty years old when he died in New York in October, 1960.

BLAZINA, THOMAS D. JR. Airforce Pilot-West Point Instructor

Lieutenant Tommy Blazina graduated from West Point with his wings as well as his infantry insigna. His record showed graduation from both the Academy and the Air Corps. He had been flying for over a year. First two-wing trainers -speed eighty-five miles an hour, and next A-T-6's 275 miles an hour, at Stewart Field not far from West Point. After graduation the Lieutenant was sent to Williams Field in Arizona to fly the P-51 and P-47. These seven-ton fighters could fly 350 miles an hour and were used as dive bombers wide strafers. The pilots called them "Jugs." After graduation from aerial gunnery and strafing school the young lieutenant was selected to go to March Field and fly P-80 jets. He was assigned to the 94th Fighter Squadron,

In June 1948 Lieutenant Blazina flew back to Chicago to be an usher for his sister Marilyn's wedding. After she gave up her glamorous career as a dancer and flew to West Point to see her brother graduate, Marilyn decided to finish her education and enrolled in the exclusive Loring School for Girls where she graduated with honors in June 1948. She planned to enter university that fall, but she met and fell in love with a young doctor from her father’s old country. Joseph Veich M.D., a graduate of Zagreb University, was in America on a student visa from Croatia. He was finishing a year of internship in Chicago and was to report to Yankton State Hospital in South Dakota for another year of residency in his specialty-psychiatry. Separation seemed intolerable and so the young couple were married June 13th and left for South Dakota the last of the month.

In September 1948 Tommy Blazina enrolled in California Institute of Technology at Pasadena, where he was to take graduate training in Aeronautical Engineering, specializing in Jet Propulsion and Rockets. The Air Corps wanted him to secure his Master's Degree because he was to be a Design and Development Officer and work as a technical engineer with guided missiles and rockets. First Lieutenant Thomas D. Blazina Jr. on June 16, 1949 received his Master of Science degree from Cal Tech along with six other officers and several hundred other graduating seniors. The fliers wore their uniforms which stood out in sharp contrast with the black robes of the seniors. General Eisenhower sent a letter of congratulation and Tommy had already received a letter asking him to consider appointment as an instructor at West Point.

His father and mother drove out from Chicago and sister Marilyn and her husband Joseph Veich rode with them.

After the graduation Tommy and his girlfriend Midge announced details about the wedding which was to take place two days later in the chapel at March Field. The dramatic military wedding in the chapel at March Field drew together many warm friends of the popular couple. Most of the 94th Squadron were there and many old Chicago friends. Major Clayton Peterson served as best man, and Chaplain Clinton Everts officiated for the wedding rites. Frances and Tom were proud to share their son with the lovely bride. After the ceremony the reception was held in the patio of the Officers' Club and friends were helping open congratulations... Suddenly one of his friends raised his hand and commanded, "Quiet everyone! I want to read this one out loud."Lt. and Mrs. Thomas D. Blazina, Patio Officers Club, March Field. Heartiest congratulations to the fine son of my friend and comrade of World War One and felicitations to his bride on their wedding day. Many many years of happiness be yours. Dwight D. Eisenhower’'.

When Tommy and Midge arrived at Elgin Field, his next assignment, he was immediately informed that he was to go for three months to the Test Pilot School at Dayton, Ohio. After graduation from school at Wright-Patterson Field, Tommy returned to Elgin to complete a two year tour of duty there. He wanted to go overseas to fight in Korea and addressed the proper request to his commanding officer. He then persuaded his superior to approve his letter and it was sent on to Washington. Back it came in a few days. "Request denied. Candidate is scheduled to teach at West Point. We need him here to train officers. Valuable man. No, to overseas request." Two important events took place in 1951-Lieutenant Blazina received his commission as captain, and he was ordered to West Point to serve there as an instructor. He had been invited to teach there while still at Cal Tech, but the War Deparment raised the age limit for teaching at the Academy. His new assignment was in the Department of Mechanics, teaching Thermodynamics and Fluids, and Jet Propulsion. Some time later he became Assistant Professor in the same department and worked under Colonel Elven Heiberg and Colonel Archie Higdon.

General Eisenhower in October, 1951, wrote from Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers, Europe, to Tom Blazina congratulating him on his son's appointment to teach at West Point: "I cannot tell you how delighted I am to hear the good news about your son. He is living up to your high expectations, which is completely understandable in view of the splendid stock from which he sprang.

After his three year tour of duty as an instructor at West Point, Captain Blazina was assigned to Tyndall Air Base, Florida, where he worked with rockets and flew the F-86D jets. He graduated at the head of his class in time to fly with Midge to California to spend Christmas with his parents. Tom and Frances had moved in the winter of 1953 to Whittier to live with their daughter Marilyn and her husband Dr. Joseph Veich. Next assignment was Landstuhl, Germany, where he would fly the F-86D rocket-assisted jets. He arrived in January 1955, but Midge could not get clearance until April. Twice a year maneuvers were held in Tripoli where there was plenty of room over the desert. The pilots stopped in Italy on the way home for fueling. Some brought their wives beautiful embroidery or leather bags, but not Captain Blazina. He loaded his rocket pods with salami, Mozzarella cheese, and Lasagna noodles. Next-year Tommy brought back an even larger supply of salami, Mozzerella, and lasagna noodles as his friends egged him on. They knew they would have another good feed. Captain Blazina worked hard. He ate with a keen appetite, and expected all about him to move with the same vigor that. he displayed.

He had to teach the base commander how to fly the new plane, and the colonel complained to Midge, "I wish you would tell that young captain of yours to take it easy when he is instructing me to fly. I'm just not as young as I once was, and can't keep up with him." On the third trip back from Tripoli, the captain did not bring salami. He brought his wife a small Berretta instead. The day before he was to return, Midge was informed that the order had come through promoting her husband to major. She bought two gold leaves and drove to the landing field to surprise him. Major Blazina had worked hard for his promotions. He believed that good officers possessed integrity, and wanted to improve so they could better serve their country.

Colonel Archie Higdon, who was now teaching in the new Air Force Academy in Colorado, wrote Tommy twice urging him to request transfer to the new academy. "We need men like you here to help establish an institution of high standards. Won't you please try to get transferred here? We need you and will assist you in any way in effecting the transfer." Colonel W. H. Tetley, Director of Engineering for the European Air Material Force, also was inviting the major to join his staff. He wrote, "The surveillance of this project requires an engineer of your experience and drive. "It is highly desirable that this slot be filled with a rated officer current in jet aircraft, as he must deal with toperational types, and be able to discuss current flying problems with authority. Finally I know you can do a good job and will stick to it when the heat gets turned on." The Air Force, however, had other plans for Major Blazina. He had been selected to represent the Air Force at the Naval War College. On November 13, 1957, General William B. Keese, Deputy Director Military Personnel wrote, "I wish to congratulate you on being selected to attend the next class of the Command and Staff Course, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. "A selection board at this Headquarters recently reviewed the records of approximately 1600 officers, nominated by major commands and special USAF activities, and selected 528 for command and staff training during fiscal year 1959. From the top half of this group of 528, 15 officers were designated as best qualified to represent the Air Force at fiscal year 1959 command and staff courses of the Army and Navy. You are one of six designated to attend the Navy Command and Staff Course. "Your selection is indicative of your military accomplishment to date. I am confident that you will capably represent the Air Force during your school assignment and, upon graduation, bring to the Air Force a knowledge and appreciation of Navy problems which should be of great benefit to the Air Force, as well as yourself, in future assignments."

Major Thomas D. Blazina never received these orders. Major Thomas D. Blazina died in an aircraft crash November 5, 1957, at Landstuhl Air Force Base, Germany. The F-86D all weather fighter-interceptor had previously developed mechanical trouble and was thoroughly checked by some of the best mechanics in the Air Force. They found no mechanical difficulty, so the major took it up for a test flight. As it roared off the ground the craft seemed to lose some of the burner and immediately exploded killing Major Thomas D. Blazina. His father was Eisenhower’s old Sergeant.

BLAZINA, TOM Military

President Eisenhower was Sergeant Tom Blazina’s Lieutenant during the Mexican border troubles with Pancho Villa in 1916. They kept in touch during Eisenhower’s rise to General of the Armed Forces during World War Two and his term as President of the United States. His father, Tomo Blazina, came to America in the 1880’s and returned to Slavica, Gorski Kotar, Croatia to marry. He returned to America, leaving his wife, young Tom and other children behind. He died in a coalmining accident at Roslyn, Washington and was buried in the National Croatian Cemetery. Croatians also maintained the Dr. Starcevich Cemetery at Roslyn. His widow and children then came to America.

Eisenhower is Republican Candidate for the Presidency of America: Three thousand ward captains and precinct workers crowded into Chicago's Orchestra Hall on a hot sticky night in July 1952 to hear the Republican candidate for the Presidency of the United States of America. About nine o'clock General Dwight Eisenhower, the candidate, was presented. Chicago was a Taft city, but the crowd responded with moderate applause as it measured the stature of this man. "I am not unacquainted with Chicago," he began, "for I served on the Mexican Border with Chicago's famous Fighting Irish Seventh Infantry."

Sergeant Blazina: A short heavy set figure rose suddenly in the second row of seats directly in front of the speaker and shouted, "General Eisenhower!" The startled General looked down on his interrupter, and a wave of movement swept the crowd as necks craned to see the heckler. Police moved toward the front. "General Eisenhower," the booming voice continued, "Sergeant Blazina of the old Fighting Irish Seventh Infantry reporting, and saluting the next President of the United States." Here was drama. Reporters seized their pencils as the crowd rose to its feet and cheered the candidate, "We like Ike! We want Ike!" The General motioned the sergeant to the front of the platform and when the shouting finally died down, shook his hand and clapped him on the shoulder, "Sergeant Blazina, I'm mighty glad to see you." Applause interrupted, "We had some great fights down on the border, didn't we?" "Yes, sir, General, we sure did." Ex-Sergeant Thomas Blazina had reported to the then Lieutenant Eisenhower many times on the Mexican Border, and he had reported to the General often since and a warm and genuine friendship had grown up between the two men.

Blazina Enlists in Army: As a boy Tom Blazina longed to join the armed forces. He wished to serve in either the army or the navy of his adopted country. Tom knew that his parents would not sign the papers, so he forged his mother's name. At last he was a fullfledged member of the Illinois National Guard. Before the summer camp closed Tom Blazina achieved his deepest ambition. He shot a score of 217 on the rifle range and won the Expert Rifleman Award with seven points to spare. He was now the best shot in his company. On Saint Patrick's Day the following winter, he was given three medals-Marksman, Sharp Shooter, and Expert Rifleman. Family and friends joined in genuine approval for their Tom was equal to the best shots in the Fighting Irish Seventh.

Pancho Villa and the Seventh Regiment in 1916: "Good morning, Major," the first lieutenant saluted smartly. "I am Lieutenant Dwight Eisenhower and I have been assigned to Seventh Regiment." 'Fellows, I met the Regimental Tactical Officer this afternoon." Corporal Tom Blazina announced to a group of fellow non coms gathered after supper a few days later for a bull session. "You mean that regular army fellow?" Sergeant BIatz Second Regiment asked. Tom nodded. "Well, if you ask me I think he's just a stuck-up dude in fancy clothes. Him and his West Point airs," continued Blatz. "I disagree with you," Tom returned. "This regiment needs some military airs as you call them. I call it discipline, and Lord knows we need discipline if we're going to lick Villa or anybody else.""I think Lieutenant Eisenhower is as fine an officer as I've ever seen." "Lt. Dwight Eisenhowever is his full name, and you can't find a finer young officer," Tom repeated. "If I ever have a son, I hope he will be like the lieutenant." I predict that Lt. Eisenhower will command a regiment or even a brigade some day, and that I pray to God that I'll some day have a son who'll be like him." They recognized that he had knowledge and skills beyond their meager information. By this time everything was patched up between the Mexican Government and the United States.

Old Friends Meet Again: Ex-Sergeant Tom Blazina planned to miss one day of the West Point Graduation Week and meet with some Crane Company executives in New York City. He leisurely walked from his hotel but as he reached the railroad station, he heard martial music and hastened to the guard on duty at the gate. "What's the music this morning? I didn't know anything special was going on today." "Well, General Eisenhower, Chief of Staff, decided to come up this morning and they are putting on a review for him." "General Eisenhower!" Tom exclaimed, "he was my lieutenant on the Mexican border." "Well, if you want to see him you had better rush back up the hill. The review is about over." Tom ran over to the parade ground and witnessed the last of the exercise. After the review General Eisenhower, General Wainwright, General Omar Bradley, General Taylor, Superintendent ot the Academy, with their staffs and colors formed a procession to march back to the superintendent's headquarters. Ex-Sergeant Thomas Blazina ran ahead and found a place along the line of march. As the marchers approached with General Eisenhower on the side next to Tom, the old sergeant stepped briskly forward two paces and smartly saluted. "General Eisenhower, Sergeant Blazina of the old Fighting Irish Illinois Seventh Infantry reporting." The general halted, surprised, and turned toward the sergeant. The marchers stopped and General Taylor seized General Eisenhomer's arm to protect him from harm. Guards pushed forward, but General Eisenhower shook off the restraining arm and rushed over to the sidelines. "Why, Sergeant! Sergeant! Am I glad to see you." Placing both hands on his friend's shoulders. "Blazina, isn't it? "What are you doing here, Sergeant?"

Son at West Point: "Well General, you remember New Braunfels? It was there that I vowed that if I ever had a boy, he would go to West Point and be an officer like you." "How is the boy? How is the boy?" "General, you have just seen him pass in review as a West Point graduate." "And what shall I tell the Irish in Chicago, General Eisenhower? They won't believe I've talked to you." "Tell them that I'll always remember my first and most important command." Tom hastened back to his hotel in Highland Falls. "Guess who I saw this morning?" "Where have you been? We thought you were in New York City on important business," his family responded. "I've been on important business all right. After thirty years I just saw my old lieutenant from Mexican Border days-General Eisenhower. My idol and inspiration." He recounted the meeting with the famous general. When Tom returned to Chicago he looked up many old acquaintances from Mexican Border days, and recounted his meeting with their lieutenant.

President Eisenhower and Sergeant Blazina at Palm Springs: When President Eisenhower vacationed in California sunshine at Palm Springs in the winter of 1954, many of Tom's friends jokingly said, "Well, Tom, I suppose you'll be rushing down to Palm Springs to see Ike, now that he's so close." "I might just do that, too." The Sarge had just visited the White House a few months earlier. A few days later Tom answered the phone, and a voice said, "This is Tom Stephens, President Eisenhower's secretary, and he wants you and your wife to come down to a reception next Monday." "Ike wants you to come down for a farewell reception given in his honor at Smoke Tree Ranch. A Los Angeles paper featured the story of the Mexican Border and Tom's meeting's with the President in more recent years. Paul Hoffman escorted the couple over to the President, "Here are old friends." "Mrs. Blazina. Well, well we meet again and I am glad to see you. "And Sergeant! It was good of you to come down for the reception." Tom and Frances bade the President and his charming wife good-bye, and the President repeated, "Sergeant, you come down and see me again. Just anytime. You just phone my secretary for an appointment." Boyhood in Croatia: Thomas Blazina was born on July 15, 1893. The locale was a village in a quiet Croatian valley near Slavica in County Gorski Kotar. Tom's father, Toma, was born in 1862 and twenty-five years later left for America to seek his fortune. He dug coal in the states of Illinois and Iowa and returned to Slavica again in 1891 and married the lovely Mary Stimac, then eighteen years of age. Here they lived until Toma Blazina built a new home the following year on one of the small farms he bought on his return from America. In March 1895 another son was added to the family. Trying to raise a family on the meager soil discouraged Toma Blazina and in 1898 he decided to return to America and work in the mines. It was a sad parting as he bid goodbye to his beautiful young wife, his two sons, a darling daughter and a baby yet unborn. Little did they suspect the tragedies which would soon overwhelm their lives. News had come from Roslyn, Washington. "'Your dear husband has been killed in a coal mine. At Christmas time Mary Blazina received a letter from America from her sister asking her to think over a proposition to come to America. "One of our friends has seen your picture. He is a good home-loving man and has fallen in love with your picture. He wants to marry you." Mary Blazina answered the letter asking for further details, but the next letter from Chicago was from Gayton Beretich proposing marriage. She talked to her oldest son, age ten. "Tommy, dear, I have not promised to marry this man, but I would like to go to America to meet him. "Go, mother dear, we'll be good boys and wait for your call from America." Finally came the good news that mother and sister had arrived safely in America. Mary Blazina had married-the news came to the boys that now they had a step-father. This new father was born in Dalmatia. More news from America announced the birth of a new son, a new brother for Joe and Tom, who were now excited about the trip to America. Tom said to his Aunt Lucy one day. "I feel as if God has given me wings and I can soon fly off of one of those mountains to America." School was out in June and teachers and schoolmates bade the young emigrants goodbye and wished them good luck, and Godspeed to their mother and America.

BOBAN, NED Restaurant

A native of the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia he lived in San Francisco and Marin County since 1938. He served in the Pacific with the United States Army Air Forces in WW 11. Ned owned Maye's Oyster House at 1233 Polk Street in San Francisco until he retired and sold the restaurant in 1986. He was married to his wife, Lepa Boban, and had one daughter Nina Nikolich. Ned passed away on Sunday, April 15, 2001. Ned was a member of the Slavonic Mutual and Benevolent Society of San Francisco.

BOBAN, VLADIMIR Naval Architect

Vladimir Boban is a Naval Architect and Project Engineer in Research & Development, ESSO International Inc. New York City, New York. Born November 22, 1927 in Solin, Dalmatia, Croatia; Married and an American citizen. Education includes Real Gymnasium, Split, Croatia, Graduated, 1946; Technical Faculty, University of Zagreb, Diploma 1953 in Naval Architecture, Ship design in all phases - new concept in design - Research instructural field and application. Member of Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. Experience in Naval Architecture - Planning Department - Shipyard, Split, Croatia; 1955-58 Production Engineer, Cement factory, Solin, Croatia; 1958-60 Designer, part time, Italy; 1960-64 Naval Architect, H. Newton Whittelsey, Inc.; 1964-67 Naval Architect, Head Structural Section. John L. McMullen Associates Inc. - New York.

BODOR, FRANJO Doctor

At this year's annual meeting in Chicago, October 28 - November 1, 2000 the American Academy of Pediatrics honored the achievements of several of its members. Among them was Dr. Franjo Bodor, who received the prestigious Practitioner's Research Award in recognition of his contribution to a major advancement in practice of pediatrics. In the late 1970s, Dr. Bodor made the observation that many infants and very young children, who came to his office with purulent discharge from their eyes, also often have a simultaneous ear infection. He decided to study the relationship of the two infections and found that out of 132 children with eye infections seen in his office in one year, 96 (73%) had an ear infection at the same time. He observed that his patients' siblings and playmates will often also have either eye or ear infections, or both at the same time, suggesting this to be an infectious disease. He conducted two more studies, which confirmed the initial observations. Further, he found that most of the simultaneous ear and eye infections were caused by the same germ (H. Influenzae). The important side finding was that most parents (60%) were not aware that their infant or child had also pain in the ears. The significance of this contribution, leading to this year's award, was the discovery that every infant and young child with purulent discharge from the eyes might have, in a high percentage of cases, a simultaneous ear infection. Therefore, an infant and/or young child with inflamed eyes must have a thorough examination of the ears also. When both eyes and ears are simultaneously infected, one should treat this as single disease entity. Dr. Bodor named this infectious ailment "Conjunctivitis Otitis Syndrome" and described it in several publications. Dr. Bodor graduated from the Medical School at the Zagreb, Croatia University in 1958. He immigrated to the United States in 1966 with his wife Vera and sons Darko and Marko. After completing the residency in pediatrics at the University Hospital in Cleveland, Dr. Bodor practiced pediatrics on Cleveland's West side, where he did his research. He retired from the practice in 1996 and moved with his wife to Sarasota, FL where they now reside. He is a member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 235 in Cleveland, Ohio.

BOGDAN, VICTOR Croatian Activities

Victor Bogdan was a member of the Slavonic Society, like his father before him. He was on the Board of Directors as the sick committee chairman. Vido was an employee of the Railway Express for over 30 years until his retirement in 1974. Since then, he enjoyed working at Candlestick Park as a gate keeper at 49er and Giants games. Vido was best remembered as the secretary of the Old Austrian America Society, a position he held for many years until the society was dissolved. He and his spouse Emily were married just one month short of 50 years, and lived in Westlake for over 30 years. Vido leaves two sons, James and Kenneth. and their families.

BOGDANOVICH, MARTIN Fish Cannery

French Sardine Company-Star Kist Tuna

One of the largest factories of canned fish, the French Sardine Co., is owned by Mr. Martin Bogdanovich, native of Komiza, Island of Vis. The company was founded on November 20, 1917. The founding capital was 10,000 dollars and it has been increased from time to time, so the present (1932) par value of stocks is 1,000,000 dollars. The founders of the French Sardine Company, Inc., are natives of the Dalmatian islands, where sardine fishing is one of the main occupations. Considering the low investment capital available, the first factory was 100 feet long and 60 feet wide. That factory had soon become too small, so it has been extended to 450 feet and the second floor has been built. On May 1, 1929 the management of the company bought from another fishing company, Spano Packing Co., the neighboring factory. That factory was demolished and a modern one was built. The new factory included the old French Sardine Company's factory, so the present plant is 450 feet long, 160 feet wide and has two floors. The factory produces canned sardines, tuna and mackerels. The canned mackerel under the brand name "Eatwell" is well known all over America. Furthermore, the company is the biggest canned mackerel producer in the United States with the annual production of about 150,000 cans. The annual production of canned sardines is about 350,000 cans, that is about 70,000 cans per month, since the sardines are being processed only five months a year. The annual production of canned tuna is about 150,000 cans. The success of the company is an accomplishment of its president, Mr. Martin Bogdanovich. Mr. Bogdanovich was born fifty years ago in Komiza at the island of Vis. From his very young days he was fishing and learning from his father who was the professional fisherman. After being forced to serve 4 years in the Austrian Navy, Mr. Bogdanovich immigrated in America and settled in San Diego where he was working as a fisherman for a while. Afterwards he bought a fishing boat and moved to San Pedro. As a fisherman he was rather successful, so he was the first to possess a motor fishing boat with a 30-horse power motor. Besides that, he was the first one to introduce fresh fish from ice to the California fish markets. In 1914 he left fishing and bought a fresh fish store, California Fish Company. He managed the store successfully until year 1917 when he took over the entire management of the French Sardine Company. Mr. Bogdanovich is well known as a hard worker who dedicates all his time to his business, and he could be found there every day except on Christmas. Although there is a sufficient number of assistant managers in the factory, Mr. Bogdanovich prefers to control the canned fish production personally; from the moment when fresh fish is received, to the moment it is packed in boxes. Such an attention is priceless since it could not be obtained from any employee. Therefore the products of French Sardine Company are well known for their quality in processing and packaging. Mr. Bogdanovich lives with his family in San Pedro.

BOGDANOVICH, MARTIN J. Fish Cannery

Martin J. Bogdanovich, son of Joseph Bogdanovich was born in Komiza, Island of Vis on November 5, 1882. By 1908 Martin had met and married Antonia Simich, a fellow Dalmatian. They were the parents of seven children; Lucretia, Mary, Joe, Geraldine, Katherine, Nina, and Dana. 1908 was a year in turmoil for Martin; he married and relocated to San Pedro, California. Upon his arrival in the United States, Martin became involved with the fish processing industry and by 1917 had established the French Sardine Company, which employed hundreds of workers, many of them from Komiza. Bogdanovich was also prominently involved in the formation of the Dalmatian-American Club and the construction of the club’s building in San Pedro during the 1930s. A park was named after Bogdanovich in that city.

BOGISICH, BALDO Restaurant

Baldo was from Dubrovnik. He had a coffee saloon at Pacific and Drumm Streets and later operated the Ferry House at 715 Davis Street in San Francisco. Baldo had an Irish wife. He later moved to Oakland and operated the Mechanics Exchange Restaurant on 7th Street in 1870.

BOJANIC, JOHN Priest-Prisoner

John Bojanic was born on January 26, 1890, in Vrisnik, on the Island Hvar, in Dalmatia, Croatia. He received his elementary education in his home town and his high school and college training in Lokrun and Dubrovnik. In 1906, he entered the Dominican novitiate in Dubrovnik where he took Innocent Maria as his religious name and made his first profession of vows on December 15, 1907. After completing his philosophical and theological courses at the Dominican House of Studies in Dubrovnik, he was ordained a priest on August 10, 1913. Father Bojanic's first assignment was to the Dominican High School in Bol as a professor of German and Greek. In 1917, he became a military chaplain with the Austro-Hungarian Army. Captured on the Albanian front, he spent ten months in Italian prison camps before he was able to return to work in his Province. In 1919, he was appointed professor of languages at the Realka State College in Split.

In 1921, George Cardinal Mundelein, Archbishop of Chicago, asked the Dominican Province of St. Joseph to assume responsibility for Holy Trinity Croatian Parish in Chicago, then under the temporary care of the Benedictines from St. Procopius Abbey. The Master of the Order assigned Father Bojanic to the pastorate at Holy Trinity. He arrived in Chicago on February 4, 1922, the first Dominican to take up permanent residence in the Archdiocese. Father Bojanic served as pastor of Holy Trinity for forty-four years, during which time he was able to put the debt-laden parish on sound financial footing and to provide a center of worship and Catholic education for the Croatian people in the Pilsen neighborhood that enabled them to retain the best of the traditional art and culture of their homeland.

In 1966, Father Bojanic retired to St. Dominic-St. Thomas Priory in River Forest, Illinois, where he spent his days in reading and prayer and in counselling his many former parishioners who stopped by for a visit. In early November, 1980, his health began to decline rapidly, and he had to move to the Oak Park Convalescent and Geriatric Center, not far from his Dominican community in River Forest, for special care. He died there of heart failure on November 26, 1980. Following services at St. DominicSt. Thomas Priory in River Forest, and at Holy Trinity Church in Chicago, he was buried in the community plot at All Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois, on November 29.

BOMBELLES, JOSEPH T. Professor

Joseph Bombelles is a professor of economics at the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Economic's, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois. Born June 2, 1930 in Zagreb, Croatia; married with two children. Education includes University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia. Diploma 1952; Academy of International Law, The Hague, Holland. Certificate, 1954; Case-Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, Ph.D., 1965. Thesis completed Deficit in the Balance of Payments of Yugoslavia, 1948-1957, Master's; Planning and Economic Growth of Yugoslavia 1947-1961 Ph.D. Published Economic Development of Communist Yugoslavia 1947-64, Stanford University, The Hoover Institute on War, Revolution and Peace, 1968. Member of American Economic Association; Omicron Delta Epsilon; Society for Development.

BONTEMPO, H Priest

Catholic Croatians of California were without a priest of their own language, until the arrival, in December 1901, of the Reverend Henry Bontempo, S.J., a Jesuit missionary from Dalmatia. Father Bontempo was born in Rovigno, Istria. In January, 1902, Archbishop Riordan gave him temporary parochial jurisdiction over the Catholic Slavs of San Francisco, to whose spiritual needs he ministered faithfully and zealously, holding services and preaching in Croatian on Sundays in the Ladies’ Soladity Chapel under the old St. Ignatius Church on Hayes Street, near Franklin Street in San Francisco.

BORIC, STANLEY Editor

Editor of "Nasa Nada," Official Bi-monthly paper of the Croatian Catholic Union in Gary, Indiana. Born December 5, 1909 in Brist, Croatia; Married with six children. Education includes Classical Gymnasium, Split, Croatia, Graduated 1935; Franciscan School of Philosophy, Sinj. Croatia 1934-35; Law Faculty of the University of Zagreb 1936-39. Publications Edited, Fra. Andrija Kacic Miosic, Razgovor Ugodni. Gary, 1954; The Croatian Primer Picture, Gary, 1960; Edited, Francis Preveden, A History of the Croatian People. New York, 1962. Owner and manager of store: Religious Articles - Church Goods in Gary, Indiana.

BORINA, NICHOLAS M Farm Packer Goldminer

Nicholas M. Borina, of 57 Brennan street, Watsonville, is engaged in the raising and shipping of both apples and berries. He was born in Dalmatia, Croatia, December 20, 1888, his parents being Mateo and Mary Borina, worthy farmer folk. His father died in military service but his mother is still living. They never came to this country.

At the early age of eleven years Nicholas M. Borina emigrated to the Unites States and for a time attended evening schools in San Francisco, while he labored during the day and lived with an uncle, who already had a large family to support. From 1900 to 1907 he worked on farms, and in that latter year went to Alaska for a season. On his return to California he stopped in San Francisco, where he clerked in a grocery store and also worked for a builder. Then he came to Watsonville and for three years he had charge of a packing house. In 1911 he began business for himself in a very modest way. He had saved some money and since then has made a pronounced success. He has good orchard land, and also grows his own berries. All this is doubly creditable, for since he was a boy of seven, he has made his own way and supported his mother in the bargain. He gives employment to one hundred people and is doing an excellent business. Mr. Borina's wife before her marriage was Miss Lucy Secundo, a native of Dalmatia but reared here and they have had two daughters, Marian and Jane.

BORKOVICH, KATHERINE H. Professor-Doctor of Medicine

Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, Internal Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. Born April 11, 1915 in Monaca, Pennsylvania to Croatian parents. Education includes Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, B.S., 1935; Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, M.D. 1939; Internship Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland, 1939-40; Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania,1940-41; Assistant Resident in Medicine, Johns Hopkins 1941-42; Fellow in Cardiology, Harriet Lane Home, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 1942-43. Major field in Medicine with a specialty in Internal Medicine - Subspecialty in Cardiology. Publications "Remediable Hypertensions," Maryland State Medical Journal, December 1959; "Primary Pulmonary Hypertension," Maryland State Medical Journal, January 1961; 'Primary Pulmonary Hypertension," Tice-Harvey Practice of Medicine, May 1964; "Acute Anemia and Abdonimal Tumor Due to Hemmorrhage in Rectus Abdonimis Sheath Following Anticoagulant Therapy." Archives'of Internal Medicine. January 1966. Member American College of Physicians (Fellow); American Heart Association; American Medical Association; American Society of Internal Medicine; Alpha Omega Alpha. In April of 1963 sent to Croatia by U.S. Information Agency to be member of the Medical U.S.A. group and placed in charge of the Heart and Lung Machine.

BOROVINICH (BRONICH), LOUIS Farm

When Louis Bronich was a young man of twenty-two years of age, he came to California to join his brother, M. M. Bronich. He was born in Cilipi, Dalmatia, Croatia, on October 2, 1876 a son of M. M. Borovinich (as the name was spelled in Dalmatia).

He came direct to Stockton, California in 1898, his brother had preceded him by a number of years. At Stockton, in August, 1907, Mr. Bronich was married to miss Mary Deranja, a daughter of Antone Deranja and his wife, Mrs. Ella Deranja, both born and reared in Dalmatia. Mrs. Bronich was born in Gruda, Dalmatia, August 16, 1883, and in August, 1906, came to Stockton, where she met her future husband. The first five years of their married life were spent on Union Island, and in 1912 the family moved to the Ramsay ranch near Lathrop, where they remained for three years, when the family moved to the Rossi River ranch. Mr. Bronich was striken with influenza in 1918 and he passed away on January 1 of that year. He had always enjoyed the best of health and his untimely passing was a severe blow to his immediate family.  Mr. and Mrs Bronich were the parents of four children; Pauline, born on Union Island, is a pupil in the Mossdale school; Nellie was born in Stockton, and also attends the Mossdale school; Mary died in infancy; and Martin was born on the river ranch.  Mrs. Bronich is a woman of splendid business capabilities and is successfully managing her ranch and at the same time rearing and educating her three chidlren. Mr. Bronich became an American citizen in San Joaquin County.

BOSKOVICH FARMS

Their humble beginning was in 1915 when a Croatian immigrant, Steve Boskovich, father of Philip Boskovich, began bean farming on five acres in North Hollywood, California. That five acres has grown to 12,000 acres producing over 17,000 acres of crops annually. That's a lot of food put on tables in America, Europe and the Orient. Boskovich Farms inc. has over 100,000 square feet of refrigerated storage located in the three shipping points. Boskovich Farms Inc. sells: green onions, celery, strawberries, iceberg, romaine, green and red leaf lettuce, broccoli, spinach, kale, cilantro, cauliflower, radishes, parsley, leek, bunch, carrots, Boston, endive, escarole, Napa, bok choy, bunch beans, cabbage and chard. Boskovich Farms Inc. is growing, packing and shipping from five districts to assure consistent high quality and dependable supplies of their entire mixed vegetable line 365 days a year. Since 1915, one of the Boskovich family has checked every step involved in the production, harvest and distribution of every product this family sells. Steve came from Mostar area and Dedo from Cvinici Stolac, Hercegovina. Steve and Baba were the first couple to be married in St. Anthony's Croatian Church on Jan. 1, 1911. Philip was born Oct. 2, 1915 on Yale Street, around the corner from St. Anthony's where he was later baptized. The Boskovich family moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1915. After World War II his two brothers joined him in the farming operation, and they became "Boskovich Bros." Upon graduating from the University of Southern California, his two sons, Philip and Joe, joined the business along with nephew George. The farming operation then became Boskovich Farms, Inc., and is now one of the largest produce growers in North America.

BOSKOVICH, JOHN J. Judge

Judge Boskovich was appointed to the bench as Municiple Court Judge by Governor Edmund G. Brown Sr. in November 1966, and he was re-elected twice more to that position by the people of Sacramento County. In November 1976 he was appointed, by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. to the Superior Court, where, again, he was reelected twice more by the people of Sacramento County, where Judge Boskovich served until his retirement in June, 1991. Judge Boskovich is the son of Frank Boskovich and his wife Mary (Strukan). Frank Boskovich was born in Sinj and emigrated to the United States in 1913, to settle in Jackson, California. Mary Strukan also emigrated from what is now Croatia in 1918. They were married in the old St. Mary's Church in 1921. Judge Boskovich was born and raised in Jackson, California. After service during World War 11 he received his Bachelor's degree at the University of San Francisco in 1950, and obtained an LL.B. degree from the University of San Francisco Law School in 1953. Judge Boskovich resides in Sacramento, as the survivor of his wife of 42 years, Betty, who died in January 1995. He has two adult children. His son is an attorney and his daughter is a microbiologist in the San Francisco Bay Area. Though officially retired, Judge Boskovich still mediates, arbitrates and tries cases, upon the agreement of the litigating parties.

BOSKOVICH, JOSEPH Farms and Produce

Joseph M. Boskovich is Chief Executive Officer of Boskovich Farms Inc., one of North America’s largest gorwers and shippers of fresh produce. As CEO of the Oxnard-based Boskovich Farms Inc., Boskovich oversees a vertically integrated company with farming, sales and shipping operations in Salinas, California, Yuma, Arizona and Sonora and Baja, Mexico. Founded in 1915 on five acres of land in North Hollywood, the company, still family owned and operated, produces more than 30 varieties of various vegetables and strawberries from more than 17,000 acres of crops annually. Joseph Boskovich is chairman of the board of the Grower Shipper Association of Central California and a board member of the United Fresh Fruit and Vetetables Association. He is past chairman of the Venura County Agricultural Association and a former member of the board of directors of the Fresh Produce Council, the Santa Clara National Bank and the Ventura County Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Joseph M. Boskovich, founder of Boskovich farms, Inc. since 1915, has been elected to the University of Southern California Board of Trustees. The Boskovich Family, being devoted Trojans, has given to numerous projects and programs at USC, including renovation of the Montgomery Ross Fisher Building and construction of the Marshall School’s Jane Hoffman and J. Kristoffer Popovich Hall, a three-story, 55,000 square-foot structure that will house the school’s graduate programs. Boskovich earned his B.S. and MBA degrees from the USC Marshall School of Business in 1975 and 1977, respectively. His wife, Gail Ann Van Dyke Boskovich, earned her B.S. degree from the Marshall School in 1978.

BOSKOVICH, NICK Goldminer-Sheriff-Landowner

Many Croatians, a large majority of whom came as labor immigrants, never intended to stay in America but planned to return to their homeland and retire with the money they had saved. Nick Boskovich was one of these. Born in 1870, Nick Boskovich was thirty-two years old when he departed from the town of Selca, on the island of Brac, Dalmatia to seek his fortune in America. He left behind a home, vineyards and orchards of olives, grapes, figs, and cherries (the olives were made into olive oil, the figs were dried and sold, and the grapes and cherries were used to make wine) all in the care of his wife, Marulina, and his two-year-old son.

Boskovich traveled first to Tacoma, then to Alaska in pursuit of the ever elusive gold. There he stood in water up to his armpits for fourteen hours a day in order to earn the five dollars- a-day wage; any other job would have paid only a dollar- and- a-half. There was little chance, though, of amassing gold for himself. The pockets of the men were checked each night to ascertain that no nuggets had found their way into the wrong places. After two years of this, the gold supply gave out, so he returned to Tacoma where he found a job in the St. Paul and Tacoma Lumber Mill. Nick Boskovich was a frugal man. He earned money at the most difficult jobs and sent it back home for safekeeping. He loved his glass of beer, and yet daily he passed the saloons where beer was but five cents a glass, snacks included. The five cents would be better spent in Selca. Each penny saved brought him closer to the day when he could return home and live graciously on the money he had worked so hard to earn in America.

In 1907, he did return to Selca and fathered a daughter, but came back to Tacoma after she was born in 1908. He had money to make and things to do. When the St. Paul and Tacoma mill moved its operation to Eatonville, he moved with it and settled there permanently. He earned $1.75 for a twelve-hour workday. jobs were so scarce that an acquaintance begged Nick to let him take his job. He offered to pay Boskovich seventy-five cents to stay home; he would work for one dollar. Nick recognized the fact that, with competition like this, a man could not be caught sitting down at his job. Gradually Nick acquired property in the Eatonville community, piece by piece. When someone needed a hundred dollars, he always knew that "Old Nick" would have it, but the deal had to be made in land. In this manner, he obtained many small parcels of land throughout the town. He continued to save every penny he earned and sent it back home. With the First World War came the collapse of the Hapsburg Empire, and the thousands of florins he had deposited at the Blagaina (similar to a savings and loan association) in Sumartin were no longer of any value. He began saving again. The outbreak of World War I caused changes which included an interruption of the immigration process." After the war, having found that the future was more secure for him in America, Nick Boskovich realized that he had become a stranger to his family. The solution was to bring them to America to be with him. In 1921, when he was fifty-one years old, Nick Boskovich finally sent for his wife and daughter. It took two years to prepare the necessary papers and make arrangements for their entry into this country.

When Marulina (Mare) Boskovich learned she was going to leave Selca, she was torn. It was considered an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to live in the United States, but not all of those who had been left behind had a burning desire to come to America. Wives came to please husbands. Mothers thought that, by staying in Croatia, they would be denying great advantages for their children. Marulina Boskovich is said to have kissed the very steps of her home in Selca with tears in her eyes. She was leaving behind her land, her home, her relatives and friends, and, most importantly, her son, who had been called to serve in the army. She was forty-four years old; she knew that she would never see any of them again, and she never did. As she looked westward, she feared what America might bring. An acquaintance who visited the United States had told her that he would have been very happy for her if she were journeying to California, but Eatonville. Going to Eatonville, Washington, that was like going to the ends of the earth.

The journey to America was easier for Marulina and her teen-aged daughter than it had been for Pava with her infant years before. By now there were fellow countrymen who had already been to America and who were returning for the second time. Marulina Ursich Boskovich and her daughter Darinka, departed for America in 1923. They left Selca, on the island of Brac, at 4:00 A.M. and walked to Sumartin where they were to be taken by boat to Makarska. At Makarska, they tearfully said good-bye to the son and brother, whom Marulina never saw again, and from there another small boat took them to Split. Arriving in Split, they traveled by train to Belgrade where passports were obtained. The train once again took them farther away from home to Vienna. There Darinka, as a fourteen-year-old, was fascinated by the horse and buggy ride they took to the hotel. After having toured Vienna, mother and daughter entrained to Hamburg, where they were to meet fellow Bracani and begin the twelve-day trip across the Atlantic. The Boskovich women were delighted with their cabin and accommodadons but, typically, were ill day and night. Eagerly they awaited the dinner hour and the opportunity to sample new types of food, but upon entering the dining room, one whiff, and they had to run back to their cabin. Nothing would satisfy their palates except the apples which were sold at that time for ten cents apiece. Darinka was overjoyed when she thought she had struck a bargain. The man insisted that she give him the smaller coin (ten cents) rather than the larger coin (five cents). It was only later that she learned that the worth was not determined by size. An unpleasant incident occurred aboard ship. The cabin boy kept insisting that he should be given something. Angry that they did not understand his request for a tip, he began pointing to Marulina's engagement ring. She tried to tell him that she did not understand. He grabbed her hand and tried to remove the ring from her finger. Fortunately someone passed the cabin at this point, and he was frightened away. The passenger ship Reliance arrived in New York in November, 1923. The women boarded a scow and were taken to Ellis Island. Companions from Brac, John Breskovich and Joe Rosin, were already naturalized citizens and left them here. Mother and daughter were not happy to be left, for they knew no English. At Ellis Island they were interned for three days. Here all were stripped and examined from head to toe. "I believe they were looking for lice, for they combed and combed our hair. It was very embarrassing," Darinka remembered. From Ellis Island they entrained to the state of Washington. Picnic baskets were purchased at the station, and these sustained them as they sat and slept in the cbair seats during the six-day trip to Tacoma. Darinka had never met her father until that day at the train depot in Tacoma when she was fourteen years old. She knew him immediately from his pictures and spotted him for her mother. They then drove to the town of Eatonville, where Nick Boskovich worked in the lumber mill and was a deputy sheriff . There was no way of knowing what America had in store for them. Marulina had carried her woolen pillows under her arms all the way from Brac to Tacoma. She had packed in sheets (there was no tissue or packing paper in Selca) all of her dishes and lovely china pieces. When she unpacked, it was found that most of the valuables in the trunk had been crushed. Marulina was heartbroken.

The day after our arrival, I was enrolled in school. Unfortunately, I was placed in the first grade and given a special desk. I spoke and understood no English, but of course, having been schooled in Croatia, I was good in math. I Still blush, remembering the embarrassment I felt. Here I was, a buxom fourteen- year-old girl who had been the 'belle of the ball' in Selca, and now I was in a class with babies! The teachers and children were good to me, but it was very hard to be the 'new girl in school'. One little boy kept chanting, "Katrinka came to our school!" My name is Darinka, and those words I did understand. Lonely for companionship, mother and daughter would relive what they thought was taking place at home. On Sundays they would reminisce, "Now they are going to church; now they are walking along the piazza." For many years, everyone who arrived from Selca first came to the Boskoviches in Eatonville. They took jobs in the mill for a short time, but eventually they all settled in California.

English was a difficult language to master, but master it they did. Sometimes Marulina played it to her advantage. In the town of Eatonville, salesmen made a good living selling door to door and very often were difficult to discourage. Nick Boskovich had prospered, and it was known that he owned property and could afford to buy new things. A very persistent salesman kept knocking on the door, bent on selling,his wares. Mrs. Boskovich felt she knew just how to discourage him. To his every questions, she would answer, "No speeka English." She repeated this time and time again, until the discouraged salesman gave up. As he left the yard, she noticed that he had failed to shut the gate, and, forgetting herself, she called out in her broken English, "What's the matter, you no gotta gate at home?" He turned and replied, "No speeka English, lady!" At the age of nineteen, Darinka attended the Three Kings Ball in Old Tacoma. "There I met the most handsome, intelligent Croatian bachelor in townl" she said. A month and half later, Pete Jugovich and the young woman from Selca were married. Life in Selca and Eatonville had ended, and a new and fulfilling life began in Tacoma.

BOSKOVICH, PHIL , JOE, GEORGE King of Onions

It’s tough to grow green onions in a downpour, but impossible when the acreage turns into cityscape. But for now, Boskovich Farms holds title as the nations largest green onion grower. The family, now supervising 1000 leased acres from headquarters alongside the Valencia Industrial Center, estimates that increasing urbanization could yank its final crop within 5 to 10 years. “We definitely want to stay in this business,” vows Joe Boskovich, speaking as the family’s third generation. Their resources were tested this winter; the monsoon-like rains bought “tremendous losses” when many of the radishes and green onions, which are grown and packed locally year-round wither rotted or lost their topsoil. The rains interrupted this area’s salubrious reputation as an ideal cradle for both products. Light frost allows for a winter crop, while the summer’s warm days and moderate nights add to the bounty. The constant harvest finally has resumed its routine; the three sons and three grandsons of the late Steve Boskovich now oversee an expected annual yield of two million boxes of green onions and half that many radishes. A box of either product contains 48 bunches. They supply 13 major supermarket chains in the state, using a family-owned fleet of six giant trucks. The daily order placed by Alpha Beta stores, for 1000 cartons of onions and 500 of radishes, represents one truckload. Joe Boskovich, sales manager, is one of the founder’s three grandsons in the business. The trio- completed by Phil Jr. and George Jr.- hasn’t yet cracked the age barrier of 30. Joe and Phil’s father, Phil Senior, is president of the corporation; his brothers, George and John are vice presidents. Their enterprise goes back to 1915, when Steve Boskovich, a young immigrant from Croatia planted his first crops in what was to become North Hollywood. The operation remained small in its first location, growing its onions and radishes for the Los Angeles market. Boskovich, who died two years ago at 88, moved his business to the Santa Clarita Valley in 1955. Volume began blossoming in the mid-1960s. The “Onion King” brand now sells well on the East Coast and in Canada. The “Radish King” companion also is distributed form a loading dock and warehouse in Salinas, where the family is competing with Northern California growers. An increase in volume was required by the decrease in per-unit profit, Joe said. The retail price of a bunch of radishes or green onions has increased about a penny for each of the past five years, far more slowly that the prices of lettuce or tomatoes. The green onions and red radishes, Boskovich said, are specialty items which lack the constant demand of lettuce, and therefore keep a deflated price. But they provide steady employment for some 500 people on Boskovich Farms, which obtains yearly leases from Newhall Land and Farming Company. The area’s other prominant tenant farmers, Tapia Brothers corn and BunnyLuv carrots, rotate their fields with Boskovich. The farm constantly is looking for new crops, Joe said.  Parsley, leeks and turnips will be grown as a winter addition this year. New Boskovich employees often decide whether to take packing shed of field work.  The packing shed workers, who are paid hourly, wash the onions and radishes, and pack them in corrugated boxes with ice.

BOSKOVICH, RUDJER To California

In the year of the 200-year anniversary of Rudjer Boskovich's death (1711-1787), the Croatians in California are proud of the fact that the literary and scientific heritage of their countryman and scientist is kept in the Library of Rare Books at the University of Berkeley. Boskovich is one of the most universal and original celebrities in the science of 18th century. Beside numerous scientific papers published in Vienna, London and many other cities, he worked as a professor and as a founder and manager of the astronomical observatory Breri in Milan. As the director of French Marine Optics in Paris, he dedicated his work about eclipses to the King Louis XVI.

Boskovich traveled a lot, and had friends-and naturally he had enemies, too - all around Europe. He was well informed about the situation in America, since he had interesting conversation with Benjamin Franklin in Paris. Franklin was there promoting to the French the idea of founding the United States of America. In the early sixties of the eighteenth century, the English Royal Association of Astronomers invited Boskovich to join their expedition to California in order to observe the planet Venus passing in front of the sun. Boskovich accepted the invitation, and wrote to his family in Dubrovnik about the trip he planned. However, some difficulties arose. California was a Spanish colony and the Spanish were not favoring Boskovich who was the friend of the English and the Austrian citizen. Beside that, Boskovich was Jesuit, and that holy order had been suppressed in Spain even before the Pope did it in 1773. Therefore Boskovich didn't get the necessary permit so the expedition left without him. Although he was probably disappointed, his family was glad for it, as his sister Anica wrote: "We never heard of California, and we hardly pronounced its name. We didn't find it in my book among other names of America, nor we know where this wild place is located..."

Boskovich was lucky not to have gone to California because most of astronomers that went to the trip and successfully studied Venus, died of some epidemic disease.

BOSNICH, TONY Boxer-Restaurant-Saloon

Watch him closely and see if he doesn’t still show the fancy footwork, employing a modified Ali-shuffle as he moves along the wooden planks behind the Starlite Hofbrau bar, bobbing and weaving as he plops an olive into a customers’s very dry Martini or empties an ashtray. Tony Bosnich used to do his mixing in the professional ring, light heavyweight style, turning pro the same year he graduated from San Francisco’s Balboa High School in 1941. The softspoken ex-fighter was born and raised in the Potrero Hill district of San Francisco, California “the hill”, Tony calls it, and shortly after his father’s death, he began sneaking his 13 year old body out of the house and go down to the Corpus Christi Church gym on Alemany and Santa Rosa. “My mother didn’t find out until I’d fought two bouts,” he recalls, also remembering how she panicked upon learning. “I calmed her down and told her it was what I wanted to do,” he adds. Those trips to the gym kicked off a career that included some 50 professional fights from 1941-50, (minus two years in the service) including a 10 round decision he lost to Joey Maxim, world light heavyweight champ from 1950-52. Tony cuffs his chin with one massive fist and remembers flooring Maxim, (the first time he’d been knocked down). “After he went down, I wanted to whack him again so bad I blew it,” he says, though not regretfully. He says he never was flattened to the canvas himself, though he admits he was somewhat of a “cutter,” lifting a finger to his left eyelid which he reports used to open-up real easy. “Sure boxing has changed, when you have good times you don’t have many good fighters,” he asserts.‘There weren’t any jobs when I was fighting and boxing was a good way to earn a living,” he recalls. He knows because he referees bouts around the Bay Area today, earning “roughly” I percent of the house, “but there just aren’t that many fights anymore.” Prior to starting at the Starlite two years ago, Tony owned a bar on 18th and Connecticut Street in San Francisco. He and his wife Athena, have three children, in addition to Tony’s son by an earlier marriage. The oldest son is on the San Francisco Police Department’t crime prevention unit, while Tony says his other son is “kind of a prefessional student.” The Bosnichs have two daughters, including a 20-year old Stella who recently awarded Tony grandfather status.

BOTICH, MARKO Marine Architect

An architect born in San Pedro. Co-founder of Rados-Botich and second cousin of Bob Rados. The two merged their companies to form an international firm specializing in the design, construction and reconstruction of sea- going vessels. The firm is also engaged in many housing projects and community development.

BOYKO, JOHN, SR. Teamster-Superintendent

Brother Boyko was born in Los Angeles on Dec. 10, 1912. He joined the Croatian Fraternal Union in1940. In addition to his membership in the CFU, he was a member of the Teamsters Union 420 and was in the Los Angeles Athletic Club for many years. His wife, daughter, son and daughter-in-law are members of Croatian Lodge 177. As a young boy, he traveled with his father all over the United States. His parents were Ante Boyko and Matia Paich. Brother John received his education in Crementon, New York. For 19 years he was superintendent at Luers Meat Packing Company. In 1968, he went to work for various construction companies as a truck driver and retired in 1975. He enjoyed his retirement until he was 71 years old. Brother Boyko met his sweetheart, Mary Ann Ljubisic, at St. Anthony’s Croatian Church choir in July 1936. His wife lived in Los Angeles all her life and she also is very active. They were married in St. Anthony’s Croatian Church on Nov. 14, 1937. They celebrated their 46th year of marriage and made their home in Temple City, California. He and his wife were in Vitina and Veljaci, Hercegovina twice, in 1961 and 1979, visiting their parents birthplace, relatives and friends. John Boyko died in 1983. Survivors include his wife, Mary; daughter Marilyn of Los Angeles; son, John, Jr. of Grants Pass, OR; sister, Eva of Whittier; three brothers, Nick of Oklahoma, George of Lake Tahoe, Nevada and Albert of Covina; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, 14 nieces, 12 nephews and 31 great nieces and nephews.

BOZANIC, ANTON Priest-Author

Father Anton Bozanic served our Croatian community well during his stay at "Most Precious Blood" parish (Croatian Catholic Mission) in Astoria New York during the 1990’s. Not only did he perform his duties as a priest very well, he was also involved in a number of other activities which helped our people. He was always eager to get things moving by attending most of the meetings and functions that our clubs and societies hold during the year. He was responsible for initiating several get-togethers, not only for adults from different areas of Croatia, but for the youngsters of Croatian background in order to promote their appreciation for our culture and our language. He would bring our most influential people to come and speak to our younger generations in order to convince them to keep in touch with our people and our ways of life. A part of his time was used to further his education at St. John's University and Fordham University which are two of the leading Catholic universities in the New York Metropolitan area. Along with all these accomplishments he also spent many hours, days, months preparing and publishing several books that deal with the history of our people from different areas -- when and where they immigrated, - how their family and everyday lives developed, where their burial sites were, who were our local leaders, who our most prominent people in this society. We would go on... One thing is for sure: His diligent work and dedication are greatly appreciated! Wishing him all the best in Mali Losinj (a place we all could wish for). By Nick Kvasich, Staten Island, NY

BOZICEVIC. JOSEPH Professor

Joseph Bozicevich is a professor of modern foreign languages at Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia at Fredericksburg, Virginia. Born December 21, 1925 in Rakovica, Kordun, Croatia; married with two children. Education includes State Real Gymnasium, Bihac, Croatia 1937-41; Juniata College Huntington, Pennsylvania B.S. 1958; Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont, A.M. 1963; Georgetown University, Washington D.C. Ph.D.,1968 with a major field in Russian Language and Literature and Teaching Russian Language and Literature. Thesis completed 1968 Juraj Krizanic: Seventeenth Century Pan-Slav Visionary, Ph..D. Member of American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages); American Council on Teaching of Foreign Languages. Interpreter for British Troops in Austria 1945-47.

BOZICEVIC-MALBY, MARIA Professor

Maria is a professor in German and Russian at Frostburg State College, Frostburg, Maryland. Born May 16, 1937 in Zagreb, Croatia. Education includes 9th Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia. Graduate, 1956. Daytona Beach Jr. College, Daytona Beach, Florida 1959-1960; Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida B.A 1960-1962; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusets A.M., 1963; Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusets, Ph.D.1969 with a major field in Slavic Studies, Serbian, Croatian, and Russian literature. Thesis completed 1963: "Turgenev's Superfluous Men" (Master's). June 1969: "Necista krv u srpkoj i hrvatskoj knjizvevnosti Ph.D. Published Translations of Modern Yugoslav Prose and Poetry. Liter,Review, Farleigh-Dickinson University,1968. "The Impact of the Appolo-Dionysius Struggle on G. Hauptman," SAMLA Bulletin. Member of American Association of University Professors; Modern Language Association of America; South-Atlantic Modern Language Association; American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages.

BOZIVICH, FRANCIS J. Employment Counselor

Francis Bozivich is a counselor at the Minnesota Employment Service St. Paul, Minnesota. Born December 17, 1914 to Croatian parents in South St. Paul, Minnesota. Education includes St. Thomas College, St. Paul, Minnesota 1933-34; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota B.S., 1937; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota A.M., 1938; Army Administration Diploma 1943, U.S. Army School at Cite University, Paris, France. Major field in Educational Psychology and Educational And Vocational Counseling.

BOZIVICH, HELEN Professor

Helen Bozivich is a Professor of Statistics, Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana. Born May 6, 1916 in So. St. Paul, Minnesota. Education includes St. Catherine's College, St. Paul, Minnesota 1933-34; University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota B.S. 1937; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota M.S., 1938; Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa Ph.D., 1955 with a major field in Statistics and specialty in Design of Experiments. Thesis: 1955 "Power of Analysis of Variance Tests for Certain Incompletely Specified Models," Iowa State University , Doctoral. Member of Phi Beta Kappa; Pi Lambda Theta; Sigma Xi.; American Association of University Professors; American Statistical Association; Institute of Mathematics Statistics.

BRACANOVICH, ANTHONY J. Draftsman

Anthony Bracanovich is a draftsman in Plant Engineering at Chrysler 8 Mile Plant in Detroit, Michigan. Born June 18, 1920 on the Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia; married with two children. Education includes Classical Gymnasium, Split, Diploma, 1940; University of Zagreb, Law Diploma, 1948; Mechanical Drafting and Mathematics, Detroit College of Applied Science, Ferndale, Michigan 1952-53; Body Drafting and Design, Chrysler Institute of Engineering, Highland Park, Michigan, 1953-54; English, University of Detroit, Michigan 1955-56.

BRACANOVICH, MARTIN Saloon-Restaurant-Ranch-Railway Station

Martin had a saloon at Quiney and Pine Streets in San Francisco, California in 1854 and a restaurant at 252 Stewart Street in 1862. He had a restaurant in Austin, Nevada in 1867 and another restaurant at Columbus, Nevada in 1876. It appears from newspaper accounts that he had a ranch, saloon, restaurant, and train stop at Soda Springs in 1880 or earlier. Martin married a Mexican girl in San Francisco in the 1850's and had a son, Nicholas, and two daughters, Ana and Virginia. He appeared on the Federal Census of 1860 as Martin Brazzanovich and the 1870 Census as Martin, B. Martin Brazzanovich and his wife located at Soda Springs near Candelaria offered the public health springs containing sulfur, magnesia, and borax. Martin operated the Soda Springs Station for the convenience of Carson and Colorado Railway passengers. He provided saloon, restaurant, health springs, and picnic facilities. He must have been a gracious and honest man as one notice he placed in the Candelaria paper stated: Come to my premises, Soda Springs, Esmeralda County, Nevada on or about the 27th of August 1880, a small sized, buckskin colored horse five or six years of age, branded JO on the left hip. The owner may recover property by calling at my place and paying all legal expenses. Martin started a “May Day Picnic” at his grounds and place of business for the people of Candelaria and the surrounding area. They had dancing, hunting, drinking, and other socially acceptable activities. Martin came from the Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia as he baptized the children at Old St. Marys Catholic in San Francisco.

BRACANOVICH, TATJANA Teacher

Tatjana nee Definis, is a Teacher at Madison District Public Schools Madison Heights, Michigan. Born January 12, 1935 in Sutivan, Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia; married with two children. Education included Gymnasium, Vladimir Nazor, Split, Diploma 1955; University of Zagreb 1955-57; Higher Pedogogical School, Zagreb 1957-59 with a major field of English and Croatian Languages.

BRADVICA, LUKA Construction Foreman-Croatian Activities

Brother Bradvica was born on March 18, 1887 in Veljaci, Mostar in Hercegovina to Jure Bradvca and Mara Vukojevic, the sixth of eleven children. Even at an early age, he was determined to go to school for at least four years as was the norm for the country in that era and for boys only. He went to serve and live at the Franciscan Friars Home and Church, where he served for eight years, gaining more knowledge. At age 18, he decided, as so many of our Croatian forbearers did, that there was no future in his native land. An avid reader then, he read that America was paved with “gold” via brochures from the Standard Oil Refinery and the railroads. He came to America on the Princess Eugene by way of New York and went directly to Los Angeles on May 6, 1907. An older brother lived here, in the area of our Croatian church, where most Croatian immigrants resided. He found the street not paved with gold. Brother Bradvica took any job that was available at that time, never a shirker of hard work. It took him five years to save enough money to send for his girl from Veljaci. She arrived Sept. 1, 1912. Luka Bradvica and Joza Bojka were married in St. Anthony’s Croatian Church on Sept. 12, 1912. After 60 years of beautiful marriage, they renewed their vows at the same church they were married in. His beloved wife passed away on July 11,, 1979. In the interim, brother Bradvica solicited and helped build the Croatian Church and helped the Hrvatska Sveza na Pacificu, a fraternal organization. Both were dedicated in 1911. Also he helped build the Croatian National Center on Budlong Ave., Los Angeles, where “Croatian Day” picnics were held every year in August. On Oct. 8, 1981, he was named the first “Man of the Year” by the Hrcatska Seljacka Stranka at a banquet held at St. Anthony’s Parish Hall in recognition of his contribution to the Croatian Community. Brother Bradvica and Joza had seven children, the oldest dying in infancy. They reared six in the American-Croatian manner. All very active in church and Croatian circles. He was an adamant believer in education and lived to see three children plus eight of his grandchildren receive college degrees. With all hardships, he never forgot his family in Stari Kraj. He helped them financially during his 76 years in America. With the merger of Hrvatska Sveza Na Pacificu and the Croatian Fraternal Union of America, he was a member since March 6, 1911. He was a very dedicated person. He served in Lodge 177 as an officer in various capacities and was delegate to several of the CFU National Conventions. He loved our lodge, always working for the lodge and membership, particurily young members. You would always find him working at our picnics and lodge functions. It is with deep regret that the members of Croatian-Slavonian Benevolent Society CFU Lodge 177, report the death of brother Luka Bradvica, who passed away May 6, 1983. A former employee of P & J Artukovich Construction Co., he worked as a construction foreman and was a member of St. Anthony’s Croatian Church of Los Angeles.

BRAJEVICH, ANTON Contractor-Boat Builder

Anton was the president of the local lodge of the Croatian Fraternal Union. A contractor and boat builder by trade, his life was an interesting travelogue; from his native town Split, to South America, Central America, then North America in 1914, and San Pedro 1920. With his wife, Cvijeta-nee Petrasich they resided in their own home on 13th street.

BRATONIA, FRANK Teacher-Military

Frank Bratonia was born in Tacoma, Washington on October 20, 1916. He was the only son of Matt and Frances Bratonia. It was here that he was enrolled in the Croatian Fraternal Union. He was an active member for 65 years. He graduated from high school in Tacoma, then went on to receive his Bachelor's Degree from Washington State University and his Master's Degree from Central Washington University. He served six years in the United States Navy.During that time he met and married Ciaire Wilson. Frank Bratonla's teaching career was spent in Kitsap County. He taught for 30 years at either the junior high or senior high level. He was a life member of the Elks Club, a board member of the YMCA; a past president of the Bremerton Athletic Roundtable and a member of the Recreation Board of Kitsap County. Frank Bratonia died in 1999. Survivors include his wife, Claire, a son, Mark of Sequim; a daughter, Shelley, of Fairview, Oregon; four grandchildren, Aaron, Adam, Brian and Linsey, all of Sequim; two sisters, Rose Stolarski and Lucille Lewis, both of Tacoma.

BRAVAR, ANTHONY J. Theatre Design

Executive Director Manchester Institute of Arts & Sciences, Manchester, New Hampshire. Born April 4, 1931 in Braddock, Pennsylvania to Croatian parents; married with two children. Education includes Carnegie Inst. of Technology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1949-53, B.F.A.; Yale School of Drama, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, M.F.A.1959-1963 with a field in Theatre design, design of stage settings, lighting and theatre buildings. Thesis O'Neil's "Lazarus Laughed" as an Opera (M.F.A.) Published "Enrichment Center for Arts Exposum," submitted to the Department of Education, Office of Health, Education and Welfare, Washington D.C. Member of American Education Theatre Association; Associated Arts Councils of America; U.S. Institute of Theatre Technology; Illuminating Engineering Society. Stage Manager, Pittsburgh Grand Opera 1945-53 ; Technical Director, Manistee Drama Festival, Michigan 1950; Instructor and Director of Drama, University of Buffalo 1955; Associate Director, Music Department, University of Buffalo 1957-59; Graduate study, Yale School of Drama, Yale University 1959-62; Scenic Designer, South Shore Music Circus, Boston 1961; Production Designer, "The Playground," (film)1964; In 1966-73 by appointment of the New Hampshire Governor, Chairman on the arts for the N.H. Arts Commission.

BREKALO (GRGURAS), VESNA Croatian Activities

Born in Fratrovi, a small village in Gorski Kotor, Vesna came to the USA 20 years ago in 1980 and settled in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was employed at Levi Strass Co. for most of her employment life. While working, she attended St. Mary's College and obtained her B.A. Degree in Business Management. She is married to Mi1jenko Brekalo and they have a baby daughter named Katarina. Administering the Croatian Scholarship Fund student program requires untold hours. Yet Vesna is well-organized and fulfills her role for CSF with effeciency and diligence. CSF Oct 2000

BRENTAR, JEROME Writer

Jerry graduated from American University in Washington, D.C. with Honors having majored in International Studies. From 1981 to 1984 he worked for Senator John Glenn from Ohio as a legislative assistant. He then returned to Cleveland to pursue studies in Journalism at Kent State University where he received his Masters degree. Jerry Jr. died on November 23, 1999 in Novato, California. He was born on May 28, 1956 in Munich, Germany and at the age of 3 years he returned to Cleveland with his parents. The family church affiliation is St. Paul Croatian Parish in Cleveland. Jerry was a talented creative writer who also had written numerous letters in support of Croatian independence. He was reared to be proud of his Catholic Croatian heritage and was fluent in speaking, reading and writing in the Croatian language as well as in Russian and German. Jerry left Cleveland in 1992 to be with his brother John, a psychologist at Stanford University, settling in Sunnyvale, California. For the last two years he resided with his sister, Mary-Ann Drazina and her family in Novato, California. He worked as a writer for Wine Corn in Napa Valley, California and also wrote a column as a restaurant critic for the San Francisco Chronicle and the Palo Alto Daily News. Jerry and his brother John also assisted refugees from Bosnia in resettling in the Bay area. Jerry was a member of the Croatian Catholic Union. He is survived by his parents Jerome and Dora Brentar; brother John; sisters Carolyn and husband Boris Music; Mary Ann and husband Tom Drazina and Dora and husband Marc Bourgault; nieces Mara Drazina, Suzy and Victoria Music; and nephews Christopher Music and Ante Drazina.

BRENTAR, JOHN Psychologist

Psychologist John Brentar has been helping Bosnian refugee families who have relocated to the Bay Area overcome these very real issues. He has provided guidance to the families intially on his own time. Dr. Brentar, who is fluent in Croatian, became involved with refugees several years ago when he was asked by Menlo Park School DIstrict to be and interpreter for a meeting with a newly arrived Bosnian family.  Word of Dr Brentar’s skills and willingness to help became known among refugee organizations in the Bay Area. As a result, he has aided a variety of families, primarily by helping to determine the need for and availability of mental health services for the children and parents. “Most of the families have significant adjustment problems,” says Dr. Brentar. Dr. Brentar’s ties to the Croatian commnity are rooted in his family’s history.  His mother was a World War II refugee from Croatia.

BRIGICH, JOSEPH Dairy Farm-Croatian Activities

Joseph Brigich, vice-president of the Croatian Fraternal Union of America, was born on may 17, 1932 in Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania. His parents were Marko and Katherine Brigich. He married Louise Tolzda and has 2 daughters and son. Joseph attended the Agriculture College and Insurance School. He is owner of a dairy farm, beef farmer and land owner; member of a board of Trustees of Croatian Fraternal Union (1964-1978); member of the Executive Board of CFU (1978); Slovene National Benefit Society; Democratic Party.

BRKIC, ANGELA Writer

Courtney Angela Brkic grew up in Washington, DC, and received her undergraduate degree in Anthropology/ Archeology from the College of William and Mary. She received a Fulbright Scholarship in 1995 to collect data on women in the war affected population living in Croatia. In 1996 she joined a Physicians for Human Rights team as a forensic archeologist, and worked on sites around Srebrenica, Bosnia Herzegovina. She returned to Croatia where she lived for several more years, working alternately with missing persons and other grassroots groups, and as a free-lance translator. She has also worked for the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal and for the United States Agency for International Development. She returned to the US in 1999 to pursue an MFA in Fiction at New York University. Her first book Stillness, a collection of short stories about the wars in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, will be published in late 2002 by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

BRKIC, MATE Manufacture

Mate Brkic and his family operate successfully two businesses: United Hydraulics in Wickliffe, Ohio and Two-M Precision Co. in the newly built plant in Willoughby. His specialty is the manufacturing of custom heavy-duty hydraulic cylinders. His son Mate Jr. and daughter Doris Zurak are involved in the management of the expanding businesses.

BRKICH, MARTIN Contractor

Born in Ljubuski, Hercegovina he came to the United States on June 12, 1898. He has been engaged in the contracting business for most of his life. He is active in Croatian circles, and was vice-president of the Slavic Democratic League and and active member of the Croatian American Athletic Club; member of the Croatian Unity of the Pacific, Lodge No. 5, and the East Los Angeles Democratic Club. He is an active member of the Southern California Contracting Association.

BRONZAN, ROBERT Education-Football Coach-Croatian Activities-Professor

Dr. Bob Bronzan resides in Danville, California, with his wife, JoAnn. They have two sons and two daughters. Bob is a first generation Croatian and his parents came from near Dubrovnik. Bob earned his B.A. degree from San Jose State University and his doctorate degree from Stanford. He has distinguished himself in the fields of education, athletics, business, and is a true humanitarian. Bob served on the faculty at San Jose State for 35 years where he coached football for fourteen years and served as the athletic director for twelve years. He has received numerous honors and awards, including serving on the 1972 Olympic games planning committee. He also served as a sports specialist to the former Yugoslavia in 1964, 1966, and 1970. Bob also has the distinct honor of having served as the coach to Bill Walsh, a four-time winning superbowl coach for the San Francisco 49ers. Finally, and of noteworthy importance, Bob Bronzan is one of the founders of the Croatian Scholarship Fund and the first president.

BROZOVICH, FRANK Dentist-Croatian Activities

Frank Walter Brozovich, President of the Croatian American Association, is a first generation American. Frank was born in 1931 in Cle Elum., Washington. His father, Stanislav, emigrated from Croatia in 1903 and his mother, Agata Matkovic, in 1920 to become naturalized U.S. citizens. Frank Brozovich himself worked during college in the coalmines of eastern Washington. As a child, Frank was an alter boy in for his town's Catholic church, St. John the Baptist. He recited Mass in Latin every Sunday and iniagined himself becoming a priest when he grew up. Frank Brozovich played football for his high school team, and he was presented the Citizenship Award from his graduating high school class. He attended college at Washington State University, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology in 1953 and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Marquette University in 1957. While at dental school in Milwaukee, Frank Brozovich was a roommate with Rudy Perpich, who became the longest-serving governor in Minnesota history. He also was great friend with Rudy's brother Tony Perpich, who as state senator would chair many important committees. The three Croatian friends shared many glorious adventures during their days at Marquette Dental School. When Frank returned to Washington State, he married his college sweetheart, Darlene Butkovich, who also earned a degree from Marquette (in Dental Hygiene). Darlene's family was also originally from the Gorski Kotar region of Croatia; she grew up near Seattle. Her mother came to the U.S. from Delnice as a young girl in the early 1930's. Darlene's paternal grandparents emigrated from Crni Lug and Lokve around 1912. Her father and both grandfathers worked their whole lives in Montana, Oregon, and Washington as coal miners, an occupation that was typical for Croatian emigrants.

Together, Frank and Darlene Brozovich established a dental practice in Renton, a suburb of Seattle. Today, the Brozovich's general dentistry practice is one of the largest in the greater Seattle area. Throughout his career, Dr. Brozovich has actively worked for legislation concerning dentistry and issues confronting the dental profession. He has been a member of the American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Association, and Seattle-King County Dental Society for 40 years. Among the positions he has held at the Seattle-King County Dental Society are District Coordinator of the Legislative Affairs Committee, Chairman of the Board Nominating Committee, and Member of the Liaison Committee between Dentists and Insurance Companies. In 1997, the American Dental Association honored Brozovich with the Lifetime Membership Service Award.

Dr. Brozovich!s family spoke Croatian at home while he was growing up. He remembers his parents' stories of life in Gorski Kotar, an area of Croatia close to Lika that was occupied only once -- by Napoleon. Similar to Herzegovina, Gorski Kotar was marked by high Croatian patriotism, which was kept alive in the town of MrkopaIj by the parish priest. When communist army tanks rolled into Croatia in 1990, a close Croatian friend told him how Canadians in Vancouver were raising money to send arms to Croatia. Dr. Brozovich suggested that they instead direct their efforts for Croatian independence toward politics: For every dollar raised on the political scene, he said, they would be rewarded tenfold or more. And so, in 1991, Dr. Brozovich became a leading founder of the Seattle-based Croatian American Foundation, now the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Croatian American Association. Dr. Brozovich was first elected to the Croatian American Association!s National Executive Board in September 1993, and he became National President of the Croatian American community's ethnic lobby in March 1994. He has served four terms in this position. For his service to the Croatian cause, Ante Beljo in Detroit awarded Dr. Brozovich, along with Ilija Letica, Tony Peraica, and Vlado Markovac, President Tudjman's "Crveni Pleter" medal in November 1998. In 1999, the Croatian business community in Cleveland presented him with a "Zahvalnica" award for his work in Croatian American politics. In 1995, he also received an award from the Croatian government, presented by Croatian Parliament President Nedjelko Mihanovic during the Croatian American Associations annual "Croatian Days on the " in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Brozovich's family has been highly active in the Croatian American community. His son Frank, a research cardiologist and associate professor at Case Western University, resides in Cleveland and is an active member of the Croatian American Association's Ohio chapter. As a father, Frank Brozovich always stressed the importance of education to his children. Frank Brozovich first visited Croatia, the land he had grown up with, in 1971 with his children, his wife, and his wife's parents. Since Croatia's independence in 1990, he has renewed contact with his many relatives in Zagreb, Rijeka, and Gorski Kotar. He now visits every summer. In addition to his work with the Croatian American Association, Dr. Brozovich is a lifetime member of the Croatian Fraternal Union. He is also a proud member of the Croatian Catholic Union. By MIA BROZOVICH

BROZOVICH, FRANK V. Doctor-Engineer

Frank Vincent Brozovich holds both a Bachelor and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree, as well as a Ph.D. in Biophysics, from the University of Washington in 1986. He performed his Internal Medicine residency while completing a Fellowship in Biophysics at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. He then received his Certification in Cardiology at the University of Pennsylvania. For the past 5 years, he has worked at Case Western in the Department of Cardiology and in the Intensive Care Unit of the University's hospital. His wife, Angie, a tax attorney, has her own law practice and has served as Secretary of the American Croatian Business Association of Ohio. They have three children: Ava, Stefan, and Nik. The children have studied Croatian folklore and tambura at the Cardinal Stepinac Hrvatski Dom in Cleveland.

BROZOVICH, MIA Congressional Aide-Consultant

Dr. Brozovich!s daughter, Mia, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from the University of Washington, and pursued her Master of Arts in Eastern European Studies at Indiana University's Russian and Eastern European Institute. In 1988, she worked on staff for the George Bush presidential campaign. During her career in Washington, D.C., she has worked as a Foreign Affairs Legislative Aide to Congressman Wayne Owens of Utah. From 1993-1995, she was Executive Director of the Croatian American Association. After leaving the Croatian American Association, she joined a political consulting company where she performed direct marketing for the 1996 campaigns of many Republicans--including Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole and Senator Mitch McConnell, Chairman of the Republican Senatorial Committee. This year she will receive a Master of International Management degree from Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management, with a specialization in marketing and brand management.

BROZOVICH, STANISLAV Coalminer

Stanislav Brozovich (1891-1984), was born in Mrkopalj, Gorski Kotar, Croatia. At the age of 12, Stanislav came with his widowed mother and younger sister to the United States through Ellis Island. Stanislav later found work in the coalmines of New Mexico and then in eastern Washington, where he settled. Cle Elurn was a small town, populated mainly by Central European immigrants-Italians and Croatians, mostly from Gorski Kotar-and a handful of Poles, Serbs, Montenegrins, Welsh, and Scots. In 1920, Stanislav Brozovich married Agata Matkovic (1893-1969), who came to the U.S. by ship with a group of Croatian women, in a trip paid for by her future husband and other local Croatian men seeking brides from their homeland. Stanislav Brozovich was a fifty-year member of United Mine Workers of America.

BROZOVICH, STANLEY Psychologist-Artist

Stanley served in the U.S. Army during World War 11 and later became a psychologist. Today, he is an artist and lives in southern California with his wife of over 50 years, Peg Brozovich. His father, Stanislav, emigrated from Croatia in 1903 and his mother, Agata Matkovic, in 1920 to become naturalized U.S. citizens. Their first son, Stanley Marion Brozovich, was born in 1921.

BRUNEMAN, GUS Police Captain

One of San Francisco’s top cops, Commander Gus Bruneman, is leaving the force for another profession- teaching public administration. Name the key details in the department and Bruneman, 50, has headed them over the years. As a captain, he served in district stations and the headed the old Tactical Squad, the specially trained riot and crowd control unit. In 1976, after Charles Gain became chief, Bruneman was assigned to reorganize the old Tac Squad into the present Crime Specific Task Force. It specializes in fighting street crime and had taken over the bomb squad and mounted horse patrol. In February 1977, Bruneman was promoted from captain to commander of the patrol division, second in command of the uniformed force, which is headed now by Deputy Chief Jeremiah Taylor. On the force for 28 years, Bruneman is eligible for retirement. Yesterday he filed his papers with the city Retirement system, to be effective Jan 31. Bruneman has a bachelor’s degree In the administration of justice from the Golden Gate University in the City and a masters in public administration from the University of Southern California. Starting next spring, he will teach public administration at Golden Gate Univertisy. Despite his retirement, the name Bruneman will continue on the police roster here. His son Mark, 24, is a patrolman, having joined the force two years ago. His mother was Croatian.

BRYNAC-BRNJAC, RUDY Tamburitza Hall of Fame

Rudy was born of Croatian parents on December 13, 1914 in St. Louis, Missouri. They were from the selo of Bribir in Primorje, Croatia. Rudy was a man of simple means but blessed with great gifts. He worked hard to perfect those gifts. In the early 1930s Rudy and his three brothers, John, Frank and Pete learned to play tarnburitza in several of the large tamburitza zbors which included 10 young men. They were taught by Frank and Tony Cernich. Rudy played bugarija. One of those gifts he perfected,was, his beautiful voice. His first combo was the original "Plavi Dunav" Orchestra of St. Louis. They were comparable to the Skertich Brothers but not as famous. The members included Rudy, Gregory Stippec, Bob Simac, Tom Mazar and John Crnkovich. Other members were John Antonic, Nicholas Kovacich, John. Grbcic and John Lucic, Jr. When tamburitza was needed, they played for almost all of the events at the Croatian Hall and St. George. They inspired the next generation with the love of tamburitza. Rudy was also on the road a lot. He attended many of the Croatian Catholic Union and Croatian Fraternal Union bowling and-golf tournaments. He was also a great golfer and bowler. Rudy also loved baseball and his early band played a party for the St. Louis Cardinals "Gas-house Gang." Rudy became a member of the Hall of Fame in 1979 in Minneapolis along with Matt Gouze and Libby Fill. In Detroit, Rudy also received the 50-year award. Rudy worked most of his life for the city of St. Louis and later for Anheuser-Busch, where he retired. Rudy passed away on March 27, 2001. He left his only son, Rudy and wife Ronnie and three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. This includes four generations of "Rudy" Brynac. He had 86 great and fruitful years. At his eulogy Fr. John Borcic traced the history of Rudy, also the history of the immigrants, our parents and grandparents to America and how Rudy entertained them. There wasn't a dry eye in church! Fr. Joe of St. Joseph's Croatian Church concluded how Rudy and his number one biggest fan, his wife, Nettie, would now be part of the Angelic Hosts welcoming us all to Heaven with their songs. Rudy's songs will live forever in our hearts. Rudy was a member of Anheuser Busch Local 6 Retiree's Club, Club Primorac, Croatian Sokol Dalmacija, Vila Singing Society, CCU Lodge 33, Club Novi Vinodol and CFU Lodge 50 for 47 years.

BRZICA, MATO Restaurant Inn

Mato Brzica lived in Terry, South Dakota. He was born in Maranovici, Island of Mljet, Croatia in 1878. He emigrated to the USA in 1893. In 1903 he married Marija Bakara, born in 1876 through a power of attorney. They had five children: Annie, born on June 11, 1904, Mary born on January 17, 1906, Rupert, born on June 5, 1908, Paul, born on November 25, 1912 and Stephen, born on August 15, 1918. All of these children were born in Terry. The family had a shop of general goods, first in Terry and then in the nearby town of Lead. Thereafter they became co-owners of a well known inn "Rialto". Their children completed higher education and were very successful. Ivan Sekula from Maranovici who was of the same age as Mato Brzica also lived in Terry for many years.

BUBALO, STEVE Construction-Bank

The Croatian Scholarship Fund inducted Steve Bubalo into its Hall of Fame in 1998. In the judgement of the CSF selection committee and officers, Steve Bubalo has no peer to match his generosity and kindness to people living in Bosnia-Hercegovina and Croatia. He was born in Ljubuski, Bosnia-Hercegovina. There he graduated from high school. His father and mother were also born in Ljubuski; his mother's maiden name was Zelic. Steve focused his ambition, drive and capabilities to develop one of the largest and most successful construction firms in California. He has never forgotten or forsaken his roots. He gives credibilty to his feelings by generously contributing significant financial and material support to organizations and individuals who are devoted to improving the standard of life in Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina.

BUBASH, GEORGE R. Microbiologist-Military-Inventor

George Bubash is a Microbiologist at Pennsylvania State University, Chemistry Department, University Park, Pennsylvania. Born September 30, 1921 to Croatian parents in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Education includes Pittsburgh University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1939-1940; Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 1940-43; Pennsylvania State University, B.S. 1953 with a major field in Microbiology, Bacteriology-Mycology. Member of American Society for Microbiology; Phi Sigma (Beta Alpha); Biological Honorary. Research Assistant to Dr. Jonas E. Salk in virus research: poliomyelitis 1948-1950; U.S. Army Medical Administration 1943-1946 ; Chief of Virus and Rickettsiae Diagnostic Laboratory at Ft. Baker, California 1950-1952; First Lt. in U.S. Army Medical Service corps; 1952-53 with the Sanitary Engineers Department. Invented Chemical Sterilizer, British and Phillipine patents issued, U.S. patents issued 1966. Pipettor Bacteriological inoculation needle, Metal basket for storing, washing and drying test tubes.

BUBRIG, NICK Orange Grove-Oysterman

Nick Bubrig has been interested in growing oranges since he was a lad and since 1925 has owned a seven-acre orange grove at Boothville in Plaquemines Parish where he is producing the five principal varieties of this semitropical fruit. Mr. Bubrig's trees are all well-developed and have attained their full bearing capacity. Some years ago Mr. Bubrig added to his orange growing activities by planting several thousand lily bulbs and now puts out around forty thousand bulbs early each year for the Easter market. Nick Bubrig was born at South Pass near the mouth of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, a son of John Bubrig, a native of Croatia, a former sailor and sea captain and who after coming to this country engaged extensively in the oyster business, and Julia (Purgley) Bubrig, both of whom are now deceased. When he was ten years old Mr. Bubrig started gathering oysters and continued in this line of endeavor until 1933. He has also grown oranges since his early boyhood and purchased the place where he now lives at Boothville in 1925. On the thirty-first of December, 1924, Mr. Bubrig was married in Boothville to Miss Mildred Buras, member of a pioneer Boothville family. The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Bubrig are Leander Nicholas, born June 1, 1926, a student in the Buras High School; Aubrey E., born April 3, 1928; Naomi, born July 31, 1929 and Karl Bubrig, born June 16, 1938.

BUCHA, PAUL WILLIAM Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company D, 3d Battalion. 187th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Place and date: Near Phuoc Vinh, Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 16-19 March 1968. Entered service at., U.S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. Born: I August 1943, Washington, D.C. Citation, For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.

Capt. Bucha distinguished himself while serving as commanding officer, Company D, on a reconnaissance-in force mission against enemy forces near Phuoc Vinh, The company was inserted by helicopter into the suspected enemy stronghold to locate and destroy the enemy, During this period Capt. Bucha aggressively and courageously led his men in the destruction of enemy fortifications and base areas and eliminated scattered resistance impeding the advance of the company. On 18 March while advancing to contact, the lead elements of the company became engaged by the heavy automatic weapon, heavy machinegun, rocket propelled grenade, claymore mine and small-arms fire of an estimated battalion-size force. Capt. Bucha, with complete disregard for his safety, moved to the threatened area to direct the defense and ordered reinforcements to the aid of the lead element. Seeing that his men were pinned down by heavy machinegun fire from a concealed bunker located some 40 meters to the front of the positions, Capt. Bucha crawled through the hail of fire to singlehandedly destroy the bunker with grenades.

During this heroic action Capt. Bucha received a painful shrapnel wound. Returning to the perimeter, he observed that his unit could not hold its positions and repel the human wave assaults launched by the determined enemy. Capt. Bucha ordered the withdrawal of the unit elements and covered the withdrawal to positions of a company perimeter from which he could direct fire upon the charging enemy. When friendly element retrieving casualties was ambushed and cut off from the perimeter, Capt. Bucha ordered them to feign death and he directed artillery fire around them. During the night Capt. Bucha moved throughout the position, distributing ammunition, providing encouragement and insuring the integrity of the defense. He directed artillery, gunship and Air Force gunship fire on the enemy strong points and attacking forces, marking the positions with smokegrenades. Using flashlights in complete view of enemy snipers, he directed the medical evacuation of 3 air-ambulance loads of seriously wounded personnel and the helicopter supply of his company. At daybreak Capt. Bucha led a rescue party to recover the dead and wounded members of the ambushed element.

During the period of intensive combat, Capt. Bucha, by his extraordinary heroism, inspirational example, outstanding leadership and professional competence, led his company in the decimation of a superior enemy force which left 156 dead on the battlefield. His bravery and gallantry at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service, Capt. Bucha has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

The original name of Capt. Bucha was Buha. His people came from Slavonia. He is now the President of the Medal of Honor Society in America.

BUDESA-BUSSANICH, ANNIE Chicken Ranch

My mothers father came to America in 1893, when he was 18 years old to Newport News, Virginia. He worked on the ship and that paid his fare over. He got a job in the shipyard and then sent for his girlfriend (that was arranged by his cousin) and they were married in Virginia. My grandmother stayed a few years and had three children. One died in the U.S. She then went back to Croatia pregnant with my mother and the other two children died in Susak, Croatia. One other child was born in Croatia. My grandmother had six children altogether. The only two that survived were born in Croatia and are still living- that is my mother and uncle in Watsonville.

My grandfather traveled back and forth to the U.S. and the family lived fairly well on the island of Susak in Istria. When my grandfather came back he decided to move the family to Losin. They had several cows and sold the milk. My grandfather heard that war was imminent so, he moved his family back to Susak and he returned to the U.S.. For four years they had no letters or money from him because of the war. When the First War came people were almost starving. Flour, potatoes, cornmeal were rationed to three kilos a month. So they did not have enough bread to eat. Gardens were planted of kale, bubba beans, peas and swiss chard. Meat was served once a month-fish was plentiful.

Between the island of Susak and Olib my mother and father recall seeing a blimp go down in the sea with Croatian doctors and Italians. They think it was shot down by Austrians in the early morning. For the next twenty-five years they lived under the Italian occupation. This is called Istria.

After the was in 1920 my grandfather sent for his family. This was my mothers first trip and leaving the homeland. She recalls tasting her first ice cream (gelato) in Rovinj. They arrived in Hayward, California and were automatically American citizens, due to the fact that my grandfather obtained citizenship to the U.S. because he was a minor when he first entered the country. They arrived in Hayward where my grandfather had bought three acres and a little home. They had a chicken ranch and one cow that the family tended while my grandfather was a foreman at Moore shipyard in Oakland. He learned to speak and write English. My uncle went to school also. My mother was sixteen years old and she was embarrassed to go to school- because she thought she was too old. Later years she regretted this very much.

BUDESA, MATT Fisherman, Longshoreman-Merchant

There were 6 children in my fathers family. He was born on the Island of Olib, Dalmatia. My father’s grand parents were all dead before he was born. My grandfather came to San Francisco in 1904. He was a dishwasher. After the earthquake he returned to Olib. Stayed a few years and came back to San Francisco. His cousin opened a bar in Watsonville and my grandfather worked for him. In 1913 he returned to Olib. They heard the war was about to begin, so the oldest son Jack left on the last ship to sail for America in 1913. The war started and my grandfather was the first soldier drafted from from that island so, they called him Soldat Pochov! That was the family Clan name and soldat means soldier. My father was in school during the war for 4 years - he was young but remembers' the war and the famine. They only had vegetables and fish. He tells many stories when he took his mothers sugar bowl and ran out in the field to eat it. Also his sister was sick and made soup - he took the pot from the stove and ran out of the house with it. They only had vegetables and fish. Sometimes there was no bread for a week at a time. The main source of work on the island of Olib was selling oakwood to Zadar. Also the island has olive trees and they raised sheep for cheese.

At 15 yrs of age my father went to Losinj and worked in the shipyard. From the shipyard he went to Trieste to try to become a sailor to get to the U.S. He went to the Union and was placed on a waiting list and about a month later he sailed for the U.S. never to return to his native land again. However,the captain of the ship and lst officer were paid off be forehand. They knew my father would jump ship once it docked in New York. There were other men hidden on the ship. When he landed in the U.S. he disembarked (this was in November 1922.) He had several friends addresses. He was very homesick and hungry. Not knowing the language a man tried to help him. He pointed to a local policeman. However, my father was afraid to go to him for fear they would catch him and put him back on the ship to Croatia. So he walked the streets not knowing where his friends really lived. He found a man that directed him one way, and another who would look at his address list and direct him another way. Finally he met an Italian man, and this man took him to a little corner grocerystore. The lady in the store recognized his accent because she was from Olib also and knew his family. He was overwhelmed with joy! She took him upstairs to his brother-in-law and friends. They gave him chuck steak and bread (he remembers that to this day).

He then got a job as a longshoreman for about 6 months. Saved every penny and came to San Francisco to join his brother in 1923 and worked as a longshoreman again. Left that job and went to Alaska to fish for salmon on a sailing vessel called The Star of England. He came back after the season was over and went to San Pedro to fish tuna. Came back to S.F. and worked as a longshoreman for a while. In between this time his brother and brother-in-law had opened a store on Rincon Hill. All the Croatians lived around this area. (They (Croatians) started to move out when the San Francisco-Oakland Bridge was being built) My father then became a partner in the business and was married in 1930 at the Croatian Church of Nativity by Father Turk. I was then born and they opened another store in Columbus Ave in 1932. They were starting to supply the fishing fleet that would come to San Francisco. From the Columbus Ave. store they moved to Jefferson Streeet next to Joe DeMaggio's Restaurant. They supplied all the sardine fishing fleet. The brother-in-law continued the original retail store on Rincon Hill, while my uncle and father kept the Bal Tabarin Food Shop. They supplied the Croatians, Japanese, Norwegian and Swedish fishing purse seiners. They sold the business in 1945 due to the lack of sardines on the west coast. We then moved to Santa Clara Valley.