SABAN-PARSONS, MARY Military

Born in the humble surroundings of a California mining town, Mary Saban Parsons served in the U.S. Navy, raised children, received a college degree late in life and, according to her friends, valued her origins. She died of heart disease Tuesday in a Roseville care center at age 87. Her parents had known each other in Croatia. Her mother arrived in Northern California in 1913, four years after her father. He worked at the Mammoth copper mine. Mrs. Parsons was born in Kennett, near the Shasta County mine, which is now under the waters of Shasta Lake. Her early life was a series of dirt-floor mining camps in Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and California. "She said it was a hard life but a good life," said her friend Rita Lind. "Her family was very close and there was a lot of love. She said her parents were always inviting other miners, especially those from the old country, to eat or stay with them. "They didn't have much but they shared all of it," said Lind. All the moving caused Mary to fall two years behind in school. Her mother finally put her foot down, saying that the girl needed to stay in one place long enough to catch up and start high school. The family moved to Sacramento where she attended St. Joseph's Academy. Her father commuted to mining jobs. Mrs. Parsons graduated in 1935 and went to work for the telephone company as a switchboard operator in Nevada City. When she got a job with the U.S. Forest Service in Nevada City she met a schoolteacher named Charles Parsons. In 1943 Mrs. Parsons joined the WAVES, serving at the 12th Naval District staff headquarters in San Francisco. It was quite an experience for a small-town girl in a big city during a war, said Lind. "She was the shy and quiet one. When the rest of the girls wanted to go into town and have some drinks, she'd be the one urging caution," Lind said. In 1944 she married Charles Parsons. She was discharged as a Yeoman Third Class in 1945. The couple moved to Auburn after the war where her husband taught and was an administrator for Placer schools and a junior college. In 1962 they moved to Roseville when Charles Parsons was appointed superintendent of the Roseville Joint High School District. After their two daughters were grown, Mrs. Parsons attended Sierra College and in 1976 was awarded an associate of arts degree. She was 64 years old and, at that time, the oldest person to earn the AA degree from the college. "She was just the epitome of a good person," said Lind. "Everybody else came first. She was -- a lady." Late in life, Mrs. Parsons was stricken with Alzheimer's disease, curtailing her contact with her close friends and her beloved Croatian cooking. Besides her husband of 58 years, Mrs. Parsons is survived by her daughters, Pamela Mary Hughes, of Decatur, Ga., and Rebecca Sharon Andersen, of Oakland, and three grandchildren. 

SABICH PIONEERS

Mattias Sabich. The first Croatian pioneer was Mattias Sabich, coming from Mexico to Los Angeles in 1834. He had a son, Matias, in 1841 and a son, Francisco, in 1842 in Los Angeles. Matias was a trader and merchant. He was listed as an Austrian on the 1860 Census of Population, but at a later date his son, Francisco, an orchardist, had employed John Cuculich as a nurseryman. Both of these names are found in Dalmatia. Sabich planted the first orange groves in Los Angeles. All foreigners who became colonists in the Californias who observe the constitution and laws of the Republic will be Mexican citizens as soon as they build their own houses and begin to cultivate their lands. One of the first outgrowths of the new movement toward colonization was the Gomez Farijas Colony. In February 1834 signs began to appear in Mexico City inviting men, women and families to join a colonial adventure to settle California. Among the three hundred or so colonists who left Mexico on August 1, 1834 was a trader named Matias Sabich or Sabici (1798-1852). Sabich married Josefa Franco Lazard, a member of one of the leading families in Mexican and early American California.  Her brother Don Antonio Franco Coronel, was one of the first mayors of Los Angeles and Ygnacio Coronel founded the city’s first school. Matias fathered two sons, Mattias and Francisco and he became a well-known and apparently wealthy member of the community. Sabich’s wife died in Los Angeles and is buried at San Gabriel mission.

Francisco Sabich, a member of the Society of Los Angeles Pioneers, who died suddenly of heart disease on the 12th of April, 1900, in the 59th year of his age, was a native of this city. He was born October 4, 1842. His father, Matias Sabich, was a native of Croatia, who came to Los Angeles at a very early day; and his mother was Josefa, daughter of Don Ygnacio Coronel, and sister of Antonio F. Coronel. Matias Sabich in 1852, after the death of his wife, took his two boys, Francisco and Matias, and set out on his return to his native land, but he died on the way. His two sons were taken in charge on their arrival in England by the American consul, Mr. Joseph Rodney Croskey, who became a true foster-father to them, taking them into his own family and carefully educating them. Frank was in the British navy three years. Matias was a portion of the time at school in France. Both learn to speak French, and of course English and Spanish, the latter being their mother tongue. They returned to Los Angeles in 1860, having been away about eight years. Matias Sabich was accidentally shot while on a hunting trip, from the effects of which he died not long afterwards. Frank studied law and was admitted to the bar. He was several times elected a member of the City Council in the early 70's and also once in the 80's. In 1865, he was married to Magdalena, daughter of Wm. Wolfskill, the pioneer. She, with their eight children survive him. What is interesting is that “La Casa Primera De Rancho San Jose”, one of the first houses in the city of Ponoma (Los Angeles County), possesses the wedding dress that Mardalena Wolfskill wore on her wedding day. She married one of the Mattias Sabich’s sons on May 4, 1865 in Los Angeles.  Her father was very wealthy and one of the pioneers who gave his money to his daughter and son-in-law. The present-day family of the Sabich’s gave the wedding dress in the 1960s to a historical house to preserve a sample of the style worn in 1865. Mr. Sabich was prominently identified with the "Sons of the Golden West", being at the time of his death, a grand trustee of the order for the State of California.

SABICH, VLADIMIR Skiing Champion-Military

Downhill skier Vladimir “Spider” Sabich from Kyburz, California, placed fifth in the slalom event at the 1968 WInter Olympic in Grenoble, France. Turning professional in 1971, he was twice professional world champion on the pro circuit. Sabich suffered a career- threatening back injury in 1973 but staged a dramatic comeback to capture the prestigious Benson and Hedges special slalom event at Mount Snow, Vermont, in January, 1974. He swept past his opposition including second place finisher Mike Schwaiger of Austria, in surprisingly easy fashion. Forty professional skiers turned out for the competition, staged on a 36 gate course which dropped 450 feet on a 1,800 foot layout. Said to be the inspiration for Robert Redford’s film “Downhill Racer,” Sabich died tragically in a shooting incident involving actress Claudine Longet in Aspen, Colorado, in March, 1976.

Sabich started skiing at the age of 5. By her best guess, Frances Sabich figures her three children -- Mary, Spider and Steve -- broke at least 15 bones combined. "We had someone in a cast every winter," said Frances, who lives with her husband, Vladimir, in Colusa, California. The son of Croatian immigrants, Vladimir Sabich flew B-25 bombers for the U.S. in World War II and spent a year in a Siberian camp after being shot down over the northern part of Japan. In 1945 the Sabiches named their first son Vladimir, but he was never known by anything other than Spider.

"He was a long baby, but he had no flesh on him," Vladimir said. "He was all skin and bones. I said, 'Geez, he looks like a spider."'

Vladimir and Frances moved from Sacramento to Kyburz in 1950. The handful of kids who attended Silver Fork Elementary -- a one-room schoolhouse to this day -- went to class in the summer and skied in the winter. The Sabich children competed for the Red Hornet team at Edelweiss, a popular hill that closed down in the early 1960s. The Kyburz kids sometimes hitched rides up the highway in Vladimir's patrol car. There was a Catholic church across the road from Edelweiss where Spider and Steve served as altar boys on Sunday mornings before strapping on their skis. After a brief fling with high school football -- "The way he played football, he was only going to get hurt," Vladimir said -- Sabich accepted a skiing scholarship to the University of Colorado in Boulder. Bob Beattie was the coach, and his skiers included Sabich, Kidd, Jimmy Heuga, James "Moose" Barrows and Ni Orsi -- Olympians all. Steve Sabich also went to Colorado on a ski scholarship, but a knee injury ended his career prematurely.

“ There were two things interesting about Spider," Beattie said. "He had a great sense of humor and a lot of flair. He was a great-looking guy, very spirited. But he also majored in engineering when he came to Colorado. His mind worked very thoroughly, as an engineer's would. He had these two opposite sides to him." Kidd and Heuga won Olympic medals in 1964, pioneering a breakthrough for the U.S. men's team in the European-dominated sport. Sabich's shot at Olympic glory came four years later. The top Americans spent the latter part of 1967 training in France, and a dispute over the bill in a fancy restaurant on New Year's Eve landed Sabich and Kidd in a Grenoble jail. "It was an adventure," Kidd said. "We were in pretty good spirits that night." Less than two months later, Sabich finished fifth in the Olympic slalom. The race was marred by fog and mist that greatly limited visibility. "It was so foggy, we never saw Spider," Vladimir says. "We heard him go by, but we didn't see him." Sabich left the US Ski Team in 1970 to join Beattie's pro circuit. He was the perfect ambassador -- photogenic, colorful and articulate. He was also unbeatable, or so it seemed in 1971 and 1972, when he achieved his greatest results. The competition wasn't as strong as it was on the World Cup circuit, but Sabich finished first in the first pro race he entered and won nine of 18 events in 1972. He earned $50,600 that year, when his combined income from prize winnings and endorsements exceeded $150,000.

Dede Brinkman, a longtime friend who has lived in Aspen since 1970, explains the attraction she and other women felt toward Sabich. "He was so charming and very sexy," Brinkman said. "It was the same type of charisma you see in movie stars." Sabich moved from Boulder to the Aspen area in 1971. The home that Steve Sabich built for his brother at a cost of $90,000 in neighboring Starwood is now worth approximately $3 million. The beams came from an old aerial tramway the brothers tore down. Those were heady times, what with the view, the skiing and the nightlife. Kidd and several of Sabich's contemporaries downplay his widespread reputation as a partier, but his brother doesn't. "Spider smoke, drank and did whatever all of us did," he said. "Let's not forget, those were the '60s and '70s. But I also remember grabbing a bunch of poles and setting up courses when there wasn't anyone else on the mountain at Snowmass. He'd do his 25 runs. A lot of people who'd see Spider out partying didn't see him doing those 25 runs. He was serious about his training."

Sabich’s memory lives in a framed display at the Hard Rock Cafe in Aspen. There is also a Spider Sabich Ski Racing Arena on Snowmass Mountain. Tragedy struck the Sabich family again in 1988, when Mary died of brain cancer. She was a doctor, just 45 years old. She is buried next to her brother in Placerville, Calif. "I don't know how my parents have handled it," Steve Sabich said. "The only thing we can do is take the positive, high road and make sure Spider is remembered for his accomplishments rather than as a victim. He was no victim. He was a very strong guy."

SABOLIC, IVAN Physician-Professor

Ivan Sabolic is a physician and research fellow, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; married to Branka with two daughters. Born January 15, 1950 in Kljud, Croatia. Education includes University of Zagreb School of Medicine 1973, M. Sc 1976 and DSc 1980 at University of Zagreb, Croatia. Researcher at Max Planck Institut fur Biophysik, Frankfurt, Germany 1986; visiting-professor at Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA 1991; research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, 1991. Published over fifty articles in prominent international journals reffered in CC, SCI, etc.; 400 citations in SCI; 43 conference proceedings; many citations in encyclopaedias on kidney physiology and pathophysiology. Member of Croatian Biochemical Society; The New York Academy of Sciences; American Physiological Society.

SABOLIC, CHARLES Tamburitza Hall of Fame

Charles "Chuck" Sabolic was born December 29, 1925, in Conway, Pennsylvania, the younger of two sons of Paul and Evica Sabolic. Evica, nee Jambrisak, was a native of Berek (Bjelovar); Paul emigrated from Kostanjevac (Bjelovar) to Conway where he was a boilermaker for the railroad. At age 9, Chuck was given is first musical instrument, a banjo. He immediately took to music and performance. Soon he was studying tamburitza, first with Paul Perman, then with Steve Pandak. Chuck played brac in a piano trio at Pandak's tavern in Conway. At the same time he became interested in the musical styles of the "old-timer" tamburashi in and around Aliquippa, Pa., joining them in frequent jam sessions. Eventually he joined their orchestras. Some of the big influences on Chuck's career were Jim Novosel, John Habazin, Matt Prigorac, "Big Vinko"and "Curly" Celich. Frank Topak, TAA Hall-of-Famer and organizer of the famed Balkan Mountain Men, was Chuck's uncle and another mentor. He always placed high value on the experience of the unsung heroes of tamburitza music in America: that first generation of players. War and a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy intervened. After leaving the service in 1946, Chuck wasted no time in resuming his tamburitza career, playing with the Happy Balkans. Now, though, he was showing that sharp memory for melodies and lyrics and the flair for showmanship that were to become his calling card. He organized the Biser Tamburitza Orchestra in 1947 (and still leads Biser today). The original members of Biser were Chuck, on brac; Pete Carevich, brac; Tony Luketich, bass, and Steve "Lefty" Cvetican, on bugarija who remained Chuck's associate in Biser until his death in 1976. Other outstanding tamburashi who, over the years, have been members of the Biser Tamburitza Orchestra are Joe Matasic (Hall of Fame , Tony, Lou, and Steve Markulin, Julius Peskan, Nick Chavlovich, John Saban, Lex Ellesin, Pio Adamovich, George Rudar and Matt Rebrovic. Biser entertained throughout the U.S. and Canada, at various functions on the radio and television. The orchestra has made excellent recordings of tamburitza music, including the Biser theme song, "Za Tvoje Plave Oci," Chuck's original composition. This song also became the theme song for The Tamburitza Hour radio program, a weekly show hosted by Chuck's brother, Ed Sabolic. Chuck and Biser relocated in Los Angeles in 1959. The group was an immediate hit, they were the most sought-after tamburitza group in the West. For the last dozen years Lex Ellesin and Chuck have teamed to keep Biser going strong in California and Nevada. Chuck an active promoter of tamburitza music, is a natural leader, as evidence by his many years ot service to his Croatian Fraternal Union lodge and the Croatian National Association of Southern California. He has been a visible forcein the TAA, co-chairing the 1974 Tamburitza Extravaganza in Los Angeles, coordinating the 1976 Las Vegas Extravaganza, and again as vice chairman of this year's Las Vegas event. Chuck is on the TAA Board of Directors. Chuck has the desire to help others grow and prosper and has encouraged the development of a younger generation of tamburitza musicians in Los Angeles. Chuck has been playing tambura 53 years, and plans to play "as long as the Good Lord gives me strength." He has been blessed with the love and support of Nettie, his wife of 42 years, and his sons and grandchild. Last November Chuck retired, and he and Nettie moved to Las Vegas. Retired? Look for Chuck to organize a seniors' tamburitza orchestra here in the Nevada desert!

SADKOVICH, JAMES J. Consultant-Professor-Author

What do a professor, intelligence analyst, guitar teacher and consultant for the Croatian Information Agency have in common? They all fuse into one man: James J. Sadkovich. James Sadkovich was raised in the United States during the Cold War "a bad time to be a Slav in the US," he says. As a boy, Mr. Sadkovich attended St, Augustine's, one of Milwaukee's Croatian parishes, and completed most of his elementary school there. While he considers himself American, "with a bit of Croatian," he made an effort to discover his culture and roots. The pressure to be American was greater than any ties to what my older relatives referred to as 'the old country,"' he says. However, the desire to learn about his history sent him on a journey of discovery. He taught himself to speak Croatian, learned to dance Croatian folk dances and traveled to his homeland. He became an expert on the region and was a consultant for the Croatian Information Agency, Intelligence analyst in, 1983, for Yugoslavia and East Germany and most recently, an expert consultant on Croatia and the Former Yugoslavia. He has spent most of his life teaching people about the ghosts, errors and successes of the past more commonly known as history. However, in 1991 he gave up his tenure, something he calls "the kiss of death in academics" and decided to pursue other goals and dreams, which include playing guitar, manual labor, part-time teaching and going back to school to earn-- a degree in Mass Communication-even though he has a Ph.D. in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Mr. Sadkovich's wrote an intriguing 1998 book The US Media and Yugoslavia, 1991-1995. James Sadkovich was a professor, University of Southern Mississipi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Born May 10, 1945 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Parents were from from Vele Mune in Istria and Staro Petrovo Selo in Slavonia. Educated in history, University of Wisconsin 1982. Published Italian Support for Croatian Separatism, 1927-1937 (1987); The Italian Navy in World War 11 (1993); The Use of Political Trials to Repress Croatian Dissent, 1929-1934 ("Journal of Croatian Studies", 1987-1988); Terrorism in Croatia, 1929-1934 ("East European Quarterly', 1988); Serbian Hegemony Revisited (Journal of Croatian Studies, 1990-1993. Member of American Historical Association; Association for Croatian Studies; Croatian Academy of America; Society for Italian Historical Studies.

SAICH, ANTON Ranch

Born October 11, 1863, he is a native of Golubinica, Dalmatia, the son of Anton and Mary (Anticevich) Saich. The family consisted of three children, John, Peter, and Anton, the subject of this sketch. In July, 1889, he came to Philadelphia and immediately came to California. He worked in San Francisco in the hotel business for one year, but that kind of work was not to his liking. For about one year he worked on ranches near Watsonville and Capitola; then came to Santa Clara County and settled near Cupertino, working for wages for a time; then in 1900 he bought twenty-two and a half acres all set to prunes, on the Stevens Creek Road. From time to time he has purchased additional acreage until he now owns 110 acres of fine orchard, set to prunes, peaches, apricots, cherries, and grapes. His ranch is well equipped with wells for irrigating and the water is piped to all parts of the ranch. He has rebuilt his house and farm buildings and all are now in fine shape. he has pulled out and reset about forty-five acres, so it is now one off the valuable orchards in the district. For many years Mr. Saich was engaged in buying and drying fruit, which he sold to packers, while he was also engaged in shipping cherries to the eastern market. Mr. Saich was first married in Santa Clara in 1901, being united with Miss Annie Kucer, a daughter of Steve and Kate (Kristicevich) Kucer; the father, a contractor and builder in Dalmatia, was accidentally killed by a fall while working on a building. He was born near Mr. Saich’s native place and came to Santa Clara with her brother. Their union, however, was broken by her passing August 5, 1902, leaving him her infant son, born thirty-five days before his bereavement, whom they named Anton, Jr., and whom the father tenderly cared for and reared, and he is now his father’s right-hand man and able assistant in his horticultural enterprise. Mr. Saich some time afterwards married a second time, to Miss Teresa Brajenvich, who was born in the same vicinity as her husband, a daughter of John and Frances Brajenvich, the father being a farmer in his native Dalmatia. By his second marriage Mr. Saich has four children, Mary, Frances, Anna and John, all under the parental roof, dutiful and obedient children, a credit to their parents.

SAKIC, JOE Hockey-Olympics

Joe Sakic Forward for the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Team. After arriving in Canada from their native Croatia, Marijan and Slavica Sakic settled in Burnaby, Canada (Vancouver suburb), where their son was born and he soon found himself being dropped off at the local rink. Little Joe was shy, painfully so, because Croatian was the language of his home and he initially struggled with English. But on the ice, he was a star from the start, developing the startlingly sneaky and devastating wrist shot and one-timer that bedevils National Hockey League goalies years later" Joe Sakic, captain of the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche, is the winner of the Lester B. Pearson Award, given to the MVP of the regular season based on voting by NHL players in 2001. Sakic beat out Pittsburgh Penguins stars Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr for the award presented each year by the NHL Players' Association. "This is the biggest honor any player could have," Sakic said Thursday. "To be voted by all the players, to get the respect from them is something I'll never forget." Sakic also was a finalist for the Hart (Most Valuable Player) and Lady Byng (sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct) trophies and the Selke Award (top defensive forward), to be awarded Thursday night. He is the first player in 10 years to be a finalist for all three awards. Jagr amassed 121 points, including 52 goals, to win the scoring title for the fourth year in a row. Sakic was second with 118 points, including 54 goals. Lemieux, who came out of retirement in late December, had 76 points, including 35 goals in only 43 games. Sakic also led all playoff scorers with 13 goals and 13 assists.

Joe Sakic scored the game-winning goal in the Gold Medal game playing for Team Canada in the Olympic Ice Hockey tournament of 2002. He is the all-time franchise leader for the Colorado Avalanche in goals, assists and points; and has been an NHL All-Star 9 times! Not to mention that he is one of the nicest professional athletes anywhere, and one that he is both aware and proud of his Croatian origin. 

SALAMUNOVICH, PETER Fisherman

Salamunovich born in 1896 came to the United States in 1911, during the high tide of Croatian immigration. A fisherman, he worked off the Southern California coast before settling in Avalon, Santa Catalina Island in 1928, where he continued pursuing the occupation he had learned as a young boy off the Island of Brac, Dalmatia.

SALATICH, P. B. Doctor-Oysterman-Professor

Dr. P. B. Salatich was born in New Orleans June 26, 1880. As a young man he always liked doctors and medicine, and it was not as surprise when he enrolled in Medical University, although that didn't stop him from cultivating oysters for several years and he worked day time as a bookkeeper and studied at night. He enrolled in Tulane University and graduated in 1905. He married Gladys Walter, an American, in 1907. They had five sons and two daughters. His oldest son, Peter Jr. is the student at Loyola University. two sons are in High school and other children are in Grammar School. For many years he was a professor of medicine at Tulane University. He was a member of the American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, New Orleans Country Club and member of the Slavonian Society. He is well known surgeon throughout the South. He discovered "The Interpretation of Pain in the Lower Lumbar Region". He was the Slavonian. Society Physician and close friend to all members and fisherman in New Orleans. His father came from Dubrovnik, Croatia in 1870. He was a member and Secretary of Slavonian Society.

SALLE, ANTON Businessman

Anton Salle was the son of the late Dora and Marko Salle, both of the Island of Korcula, Dalmatia, Croatia.. He is survived by a sister Bena Bowles. He was 73 years of age in 1988. He is also survived by his son, Steve; daughter-in-law, Pat; daughter, Doreen and son-in-law, Bob Knabe. A grandfather of six grandchildren: Stephen, Stephanie, and Andrew Salle, and Robert, Michael, and Melissa Knabe, all of who live within just a few miles of their father and grandfather. Anton was the owner of Salle’s Paint and Body Shop of Oakland, California, which has been in establishment for some 40 years. Anton was a member of the Automotive Painter’s Union Local 1176 of Oakland and a member of former Croatian Fraternal Union bowling teams and tournaments in California. He has been a member of Tomislav Lodge 121 of Oakland ever since he married his wife, Eva Knezovich, in 1942- 46 years ago.

SAMBRAILO, CHARLES P. Farm-Cattle-Paper Products-Gold Mine

The subject was a successful farmer and rancher, a cattle raiser, and he was a leading business man of the area around Watsonville as supplier of cartons and paper products to the many growers and ranchers in this Section. Charles Peter Sambrailo was born in Dalmatia on August 19, 1901 , the son of Peter and Stane (Milloglav) Sambrailo, both natives of Dalmatia. His father had come to California years earlier and owned a gold mine at Angel's Camp in 1878. The subject's father, Peter Sambrailo, filed for citizenship in Amador County. Charles P. Sambrailo came to this country as a young boy, settling with his parents in Watsonville in 1911. Peter Sambrailo began growing and shipping fruits and farm crops, and this was the life his son knew as a growing boy. He helped his father at times, and grew accustomed to the life of farmer and rancher. He attended the public schools of Watsonville, after which he entered his father's business. Since 1923 Mr. Sambrailo, had been involved in fruit, especially apples, and raising cattle. He had become one of the better known farmers and ranchers of the area, where he was president of Charles Sambrailo and Sons Ranches. This operation, which now includes his two sons, had grown steadily from the original acres to a large establishment that contains farm land, orchards, and cattle pastures. Mr. Sambrailo was also president of CharIes Sambrailo Paper Company, a firm which supplies the growers and farmers with containers for packing and shipping. Though president and manager of these businesses, Mr. Sambrailo had entrusted much of the responsibility to his two sons. Mr. Sambrailo was a member of the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His faith was Catholic. Mr. Sambrailo had been married twice. His first marriage to the former Henrietta King ended in her death in 1944, twenty years after the ccremony which joined them together. In 1946 Mr. Sambrailo, was married to Ruth Brandl, daughter of Fred and Rose Brandl. The subject was the father of two sons: Charles is married to Joan Kelley and William K. is married to Nancy Bentley and their children are Mark, Judy, and Michael Sambrailo. Both the sons reside nearby in Watsonville and the surrounding countryside, and both were affiliated with their father in business as executives of the firm of Charles Sambrailo and Company. Mr. Sambrailo passed away on December 3, 1963, and the two brothers have taken over active management of the corporation and ranch partnership.

SAMBRAILO, PETER Farm-Cattle-Paper Products-Gold Mine

Charles Peter Sambrailo was the son of Dalmatian parents who came to the new world to seek a new life, settling in Amador County where the elder Sambrailo worked in gold mines. The subject was a successful farmer and rancher, a cattle raiser, and he was a leading business man of the area around Watsonville as supplier of cartons and paper products to the many growers and ranchers in this Section. Charles Peter Sambrailo was born in Dalmatia on August 19, 1901, the son of Peter and Stane (Milloglav) Sambrailo, both natives of Dalmatia. His father had come to California years earlier and owned a gold mine at Angel's Camp in 1878. The subject's father, Peter Sambrailo, filed for citizenship in Amador County. Charles P. Sambrailo came to this country as a young boy, settling with his parents in Watsonville in 1911.

SAMBUCK ANTON J. Medical Doctor

Born in San Francisco on May 23, 1895. He was studied at the St. Ignatius College and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he graduated medicine in 1918. During the war, he was serving the medical department of Letterman Hospital, San Francisco. He was employed as an "intern" in San Francisco Hospital. As a physician, he had practiced in Watsonville, California from 1919 to 1923 and afterwards in Los Angeles (1923-1929) and San Francisco (since 1929). He was a physician for twelve Croatian societies in Los Angeles. He married Ana Skurich, the daughter of one of the most eminent Croatian pioneers in Watsonville, Mr. Stjepan Skurich.

SANJEK, ROGER Professor-Author

Roger Sanjek, a third-generation American of Croatian and Irish descent, has inade a substantial contribution to our understanding of interethnic and interracial relations in the United States. His most recent work, The Future of Us All: Race and Neighborhood Politics in New York City has thus far appeared in a hard cover and paperback edition. More importantly, the book, which studies interethnic relations in Elmhurst and Corona, Queens, has received critical acclaim among scholars and the general public. Sanjek’s success should come as no surprise when one keeps in mind that the professor of anthropology at Queens College has published numerous works before, including Fieldnotes: The Makings of Anthropology, which, in its fourth printing, has become a standard textbook in colleges and universities throughout the United States. At a recent dinner at Astoria's Rudar Club, Sanjek explained that his Croatian background really gave him no particular insights into his anthropological work. "I was basically a kid who grew up in New York in the '50s. In line with the times., I viewed myself as a product of the New York melting pot. " Sanjek traces his Croatian roots to Varazdin, where his grandfather, Louis, attended gymnasium before studying at Zagreb University. Though he initially intended to be a Roman Catholic priest, Louis left the Church upon his arrival in the United States prior to World War I and became a Lutheran ininister, the only known Croatian Protestant cleric in America. He served in, among other places, Astoria, Queens, and wrote two self-published books in which he provided many details about his Croatian background. Elmhurst and Corona are for Sanjek a paradigm, an example of where we are going as a nation and as a city. In the 1960s, Ehnhurst and Corona had been almost entirely white. Within twenty years, the ethnic and racial composition of both neighborhoods radically changed. The change reflected those seen throughout New York City. Sanjek did not deal directly with issues which affect Croatian immigrants. today. However, his work does provide lessons that Croatian community leaders in neighborhoods where they are con centrated, such as Astoria, should keep in mind. The most important appears to be that immigrant communities must reach out to each other. in order to collectively defend their interests. Our Croatian community has failed, thus far, to do this. Though- Astoria is certainly considered by most Croatian New Yorkers to be one of the main centers of Croatian immigrant life in the City, we have yet to see any systematic attempts to reach out to the Greek, Italian, Brazilian, Bosnian Muslimand other major ethnic groups in the community. Our failure to do so could be seen in the last election. As far as this author is aware, no political candidate for any city or state-wide office based in Astoria made any attempt, to even recognize the existence of our community. We are being effectively ignored by those people who make decisions which affect all of us., Sanjeks workshows that in such an ethnically diverse area such as Astoria it would be difficult for Croatian Americans to make their voice heard on their own. They need, to forge alliances in order to do so.

SANKO, SLAVKO Teacher

Instructor in French and Russian at John Carroll University, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Born November 26, 1933 in Lun-Rab, Croatia; married with two children. Educated at Classical Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia, 1946-1953; Gymnasium, Susak, Croatia, Graduate, 1956; Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers, Paris, France, 1958-60; H.E.C. Hautes Etudes Commerciales Academie Commerciale, Paris, 1960-61, Diploma, 1961; Sorbonne, Paris, 1958-60; Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, B.A. 1962, M.A. 1965. Thesis completed 1961 "Yugoslavia and European Common Market," Diploma, of H.E.C. A.C., Paris, France. Member of Phi Sigma Iota; Modern Language Association; Amererican Association of Teachers of French; American-Croatian Academic Club.

SANKOVICH, ALBERT Croatian Activities

Al was born in Tacoma, Washington, one of six children who came to the Bay Area. He married Mary Cuculich and they had two sons, William and Gregory. Al was a meat buyer for a large grocery chain and was very active in the Croatian Fraternal Union and served as president of the All Slav Club in Richmond. Al was always a pleasure to see with his smile and good humor. He leaves a legacy of kindness and goodwill - as a dear brother of the Slavonic Society in San Francisco. Al died on October 30, 1993.

SANTALESA, LOUIS Engineer-Scientist-Croatian Activities

Mr. Santelesa earned his Masters Degree in Engineering at City College of New York. He is an ex-NASA Scientist, a Linguist, a Historian, and a Theologian. He is a former President of the Istrian-American Charity Association, and an active humanitarian.

SANTIC, IVAN P. Veterinarian

Ivan Santic was born November 22, 1931 in Kovin, Banat and is Croatian. His field is General Veterinary Medicine and is a graduate of the University of Zagreb. He received a degree of Veterinary Medicine in 1960 from Justus Leibis University, Giessen, W. Germany. His specialty is small animals. He presently resides in San Francisco, California.

SANTICH, MARTIN Cultural Activities-Music

Martin Santich joined the Slavonic Society on September 6, 1935. His parents were born on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia. This 47 year member served as president for nine successive years. One of the many highlights during Martin's tenure as president was the organization of the Finance Committee that eventually became the Building Committee credited with the construction of the Slavonic Cultural Center. Martin is a master craftsman and some samples of his work are displayed in the SMBS Hall; namely the cocktail bar and two podiums so essential in the operation of the Hall. All these items were donated to the lodge by Martin as an expression of his dedication to the objectives of the society. Martin is also a talented musician and he has played the accordian at many SMBS's socials. Martin Santich and his wife, Rose, also a member, have been active and supportive in the catering activities of the Slavonic Cultural Center. A married son also is a member.

SAPUNAR, MATT Restaurant

An experienced caterer, who has helped to make Sacramento more popular with the ever-coming and ever-going strangers and other visitors, is Matt Sapunar, the genial proprietor of the Tourist Restaurant at 817 Second Street.  He was born on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia and grew up in that country, attending the well-conducted Dalmatian schools; and when sixteen years of age, he crossed the wide ocean; rather an undertaking for a lad of his years, and after inspecting the great American metropolis, he pushed on to the more promising West, and hailed Sacramento as his own. Matt Sapunar worked hard for several years, in order to get a modest start in business. In 1920, he established with his present place and took into partnership with him Matt Rakela and Marko Sapunar, and the trio have been successful, the experienced and observing public in the capital city not being slow to appreciate their efforts to furnish a better restaurant service for the traveler than anyone had provided before. In 1913, Matt Sapunar was married to Miss Hazel Ellers, of Portland. Mr. Sapunar shares her husbands liking for athletics, and also for outdoor life and pleasures.  

SAPUNOR, JOHN M. Judge

Judge Sapunor was appointed by Governor Ronald Reagan to the Superior Court in December 1974. He was re-elected Superior Court Judge two more times by the citizens of Sacramento County. Judge Sapunor retired in 1988. Judge Sapunor was elected by his fellow Judges to serve as Presiding Judge for two years, in 1984 and again in 1985. Judge Sapunor was born in Sacramento. He obtained his Bachelor's degree from the University of Santa Clara in 1941. After service during World War II he obtained his LL.B. degree from the University of Santa Clara Law School in 1948. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1949. In 1983 Judge Sapunor was specially honored when he was named "Trial Judge of the Year" by the California Trial Lawyers Association. Judge Sapunor was married twice. His first wife died in 1965. From his first wife he had three children, two of which died during their respective childhoods, and one of which also became a Superior Court Judge (see Hon. John Van Dyke Sapunor.) Judge Sapunor is survived by his wife, Treva, whom he married in 1967 and by his son, John.

SAPUNOR, JOHN V. Judge

Judge Sapunor was appointed by Governor Deukmajian to the Municiple Court in March 1985. In 1988 Judge Sapunor ran for and was elected to the Superior Court seat vacated by the retirement of his father however, he was temporarily appointed to the Superior Court by Governor Deukmajian to fill his father's seat until he was to commence the term of his elected office. He was re-elected in 1994. Judge Sapunor is the grandson of Thomas Sapunor Sr., who emigrated to the United States from the island of Brac at the turn of the century. Judge Sapunor believes his grandfather's family name was Krstulovich, but changed the name to Sapunor upon entry into this country. First joining the National Guard, and then working as a milkman, Judge Sapunor's grandfather eventually became a locomotive engineer with Southem Pacific. Thomas Sapunor Sr. holds the record for the fastest and slowest times for crossing the Sierra Nevadas. The fastest time was made when he operated a rescue train to a mine disaster. The slowest time was made in 1953 when he brought the "City of San Francisco" across the Sierra Nevadas during a winter snow storm, after the train had been stalled at Emigrant Gap for three days. Judge Sapunor is a native of Sacramento. After graduation from Christian Brothers High School in 1966, Judge Sapunor attended the University of Santa Clara where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in 1970. He entered the University of Santa Clara Law School and obtained his J.D. degree in 1973. He was admitted to the California Bar in 1973. Judge Sapunor resides in Sacramento with his wife, Vicki, who is also an attorney with the Superior Court in Sacramento. He has one adult child.

SAPUNOR, THOMAS Locomotive Engineer

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

SARACEVIC, TEFKO Professor

Dr. Tefko Saracevic taught information science at Case Western Reserve University, Ohio until 1985, when he moved to the School of Communication, Information and Library Studies at Rutgers University in New Jersey. Dr. Saracevic is known nationally and internationally for his research in information retrieval systems and the development of information systems and libraries in developing countries. He was the president of the American Society for Information Science in 1991. In 1999, he was a Fulbright scholar at the University of Zagreb and the National and University Library in Croatia. This is his second Fulbright scholarship for research and lecturing in Croatia.

SARCEVIC, JOSEPH Architect

Joseph Sarcevic is an architect at Howard Associates, Sylvania, Ohio. Born February 4, 1931 in Petrijevci, Croatia; married with two children. Educated at Real Gymnasium, Osijek, Croatia; Technicum Architectural, Osijek, Croatia, 1948-52, Diploma granted 1952 with a major field in architecture and a specialty in architectural renderings; also drafting: architectural, structural, civil and surveying. Member of the American Institute of Architects - Toledo Chapter; American Society for Croatian Immigration.

SARDELIC-KRALJEVIC, ANTE Sculptor-Painter-Printmaker

Ante Sardelic Kraljevic, sculptor, 'painter, and printmaker was born on February 3, 1947 in Blato, on the island of Korcula in Croatia. He graduated from the School of Applied Arts in Split in 1958 and from the Academy of Fine Arts, Department of Sculpture in Zagreb he studied under Krsto Hegedusic, Grga Antunac, Valerije Michieli in 1971. In 1972 he moved to Canada and settled in Toronto where he still lives and works'as a professional artist. Already as a student Sardelic mounted one-man exhibitions. He worked on reliefs and mosaics for public places. He travelled abroad to study. Initially he leaned towards sculpture in stone, wood and bronze, as well as large mosaics. Vitality of movements, in sculpture and dynamism of colour in painting were characteristic of this period.

On arrival in Canada Sardelic's palette propelled in the direction of new surroundings, new inspirations, using acrylics in which the harmony of organic geometry and mythological symbolism first appeared. Similar development occurred in his sculpture. In 1976 Sardelic worked on murals. He experimented with new materials in graphics and painting, discovering individual technical means for his artistic expression. The presence of erotic forms in a vivid polyphony of colours marked the passionate experiences of the new environment and time, thus becoming the focal point of the cosmography of his perception. Since 1978, Sardelic has often spent time in the United States, Mexico, Columbia, and Venezuela, where he came into contact with the ancient cultures of North and South America. This experience reflected on his work's search for new growth in the form of evolving expressiveness by capturing and arousing global co-existence in a happy union of man's primordial intuitions and the flow of the universal energy of life. Sardelic has been exhibiting continually since 1969 in museums and galleries throughout the world, including Canada, United States, Mexico, Columbia, Venezuela, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Spain, United Kingdom, Italy, Slovenia, Belgium, Japan, Korea, Germany, Croatia, and Australia, by participating in many international exhibitions a biennials where he received numerous awards and honours. To date he had 37 one-man exhibitions in New York, Chicago, Mexico City, Caracas, Bogota, Ottawa, Hamilton, (Canada), Toronto,' Frankfurt, Windsor (Canada), Zagreb, Sarajevo, Dubrovnik and Hamburg, and he participated in over 150 exhibitions. With the support of the Canada Council and the National Museums of Canada he mounted a large oneman exhibition in the Art Gallery of Hamilton. In 1987 he participated in 11 international exhibitions and biennials. With the sponsorship of the Government of Canada he put on a comprehensive one-man travelling exhibition in 1988 in the museums and galleries of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 1989 he was chosen Artist of the Year by the Canadian-Croatian Artists’ Society in Toronto. He also executed a large mosaic commissioned by a private collector. In 1994 he spent a short period of time in Australia. In 1995 the Government of the Republic of Croatia awarded him the order of the Croatian Danica for outstanding merits in the field of culture. Ante Sardelic is a member of various artist societies throughout the world. He is included in numerous i n t e r n a t i o n a I publications and "Who's Whos." He has been writing poetry since his student days. The last five years of his artistic endeavour have been dedicated to the project The Eternal Homeland (Vjedna Domovina) and to providing aid for Croatia. His work can be found in galleries, museums, and private collections the world over. The following are several reviews of Sardelic's Eternal Homeland project: "Through its poems and graphics the Eternal Homeland - of Ante Sardelic is a continuation and at the same time a summation of his artistic endeavour to date. Sardelic's "Mediterranean spirit" signifies a veritable awakening of colours and symbols, and in this artistic ' actualization there is obviously a growing emphasis on national themes: the coat of arms as the sum of Croatian fate, the triple braid as a sign of national constancy and homogeneity, and the three different scripts-the Glagolitic, the old Croatian Cyrillic and the Latin -- are used as an external mark of Croatian polyphony. Through his expression and his form Sardelic reaches for the very depths of the Croatian being, for the true source of our existence. His invocations "de profundis" and his jubilations "in excelsis" come to fruition here. He expresses his expectation and his welcome to Croatia reborn..."

SARDELICH, PETER Production Manager

Sardelich, born in 1935 in Smokvice on the Adriatic Island of Korcula, completed Electechnical education in Split (Dalmatia). He began in the United States as a baker, then a janitor in the fishing industry. He studied TV at Columbia College of Los Angeles in 1967 and later became production manager of NBC Studios in Burbank, California.

SARICH CLAN Fishermen-Millworker

The Sarich family is one of the original Croatian families to settle in the Northwest comer of Washington State. Their family history in America started when a young man, Mike Sarich left his native Croatia to make a better life in this country. Where exactly he came from we're not sure. In later years he told people he was from the town of Omis (a small coastal town right outside of Split), but on documents he always wrote that he was from Nova Sela.

What is known is that before he left the old country, he passed through the island of Vis and spotted a young girl, Lucri Karuza, whom he would remember for several years. When he came to the United States, Mike settled in the Northwest, where he worked in many of the lumber mills - finally ending up in the small mill-town of Clear Lake, Washington, which is just south of the present town of Sedro Woolley.

After several years of working in the country and saving his money, he sent back to the old country for a bride to join him. The young girl, Lucri Karuza, whom he had seen in Vis was now 19 years old and agreed to come to America to marry him. At this time (1913), conditions in Vis were very poor with poverty and hard times. There was also a threat of war in the area, and all the young men were being drafted for several years of service in the Austrian Army. It still must have been difficult for a teen-age girl to leave her family and travel halfway around the world to marry a 33 year-old man she hardly knew. When Lucri came to this country, she was accompanied by her older brother, Nick Karuza. Nick's intention was just to come to the United States for a few years, save some money, and then go back to Vis.

Lucri and Nick sailed from Trieste to New York, and then rode across the country on the train to Bellingham, Washington where other men from Vis had already started to settle. In later life, Lucri would tell of the excitement of sailing into New York and seeing the Statue of Liberty. Nick would tell the story of how nervous he was passing through Ellis Island. He did not have all the proper papers for leaving Austria so was traveling with the passport of someone several inches taller than he was, but he made it through Ellis Island! Neither one of them could speak any English, but someone in their party knew the words "hot dog", so they were able to buy food to eat on the cross-country train trip.

Lucri and Nick's parents, Pavao and Margarita Luksic Karuza, were a fishing family in Vis. In fact the oldest child, Nick, was born in a row boat when the young married couple was out on a fishing trip. Of the ten children born to Pavao and Margarita Karuza in Vis, the oldest three (Nick, Yerka and Lucri) all came to the US. Five had died in childhood, and the two remaining both died as young adults during the flu epidemic in Vis of 1923 and 1924. It must have been very sad for the parents left in Vis to have their only three remaining children living overseas.

When Nick and Lucri arrived in Bellingham, they were met by her husband-to-be, Mike Sarich. Mike wanted to get married that same day, but Lucri insisted that she have some time to rest up and get used to a new country before they got married. So they ended up waiting a week at which time they were married in the church of the Assumption, which was then located on North Elk (now State) Street. This was before Sacred Heart was established in South Bellingham. After the wedding, the Sarich newlyweds settled in Clear Lake where Mike worked in the lumber mill. They lived in "downtown" Clear Lake, about two blocks from the mill. Lucri soon discovered that she would have to learn English so she could even buy groceries at the only grocery store in town. She also taught herself how to read and write, as well as took care of other Croatian boarders that were living with them. During this time in Clear Lake, both of their sons were bom. The first boy was named John after the paternal grandfather (Ivan Saric), and the second boy was named Paul after the maternal grandfather (Pavao Karuza).

Around 1920, the Clear Lake lumber mill burned. Mike was out of a job so the family had.. to move somewhere. They chose to move to South Bellingham, where Lucri had many ffiends who had moved from Vis. Mike worked for many of the lumber mills in Bellingham, including many years for the mill which was located at the bottom of the IOth Street Hill, just north of Harris. (This is the site that would later become the Uniflite plant). He eventually retired from the City of Bellingham Water Department.

When the family moved to Bellingham, they settled at the comer of I I th and Easton, where they owned an old four-plex. They rented units out to many other families, mainly Croatians, for $10 per month. In the mid-thirties, these old apartments were tom down and the existing house at 622 1 Ith was built.

Since they lived near the mill, one of Mike's extra jobs was to take care of the horses at the Mill on Sundays and other off days. He also took advantage of living near the water and supplied all the wood for heating their house and cooking by carrying driftwood on his back from Easton's Beach.

Meanwhile, Lucri's brother and sister also became established in this country. Her brother Nick Karuza, who had immigrated with her, saw his plans of returning to Vis delayed when he fell in love and married a Bellingham girl, Vinka Ku1jis. He fished for many years out of Washington, Alaska, and California - living for most of that time in San Pedro. He did eventually realize his dream and moved back to Vis after his wife died, when he was in his 70's. He spent the last years of his life in Vis, living in the old family home which he had inherited.

Nick and Lucri's sister, Yerka had married John Lasich. They lived in Clifton and Astoria, Oregon, where John fished in the Columbia River. After John died, she married his brother, Tony Lasich, who also was a Columbia River Fisherman.

So, even though Mike Sarich was not a fisherman, the family still had a fishing heritage. Like most of the young South-side Croatian boys of the time, John and Paul Sarich both went to Lowell School, graduated from Fairhaven High School, and worked on fishing boats. For many years they both had their own purse seiners, John the Indiana and Paul the Marene. (Sleasman 1999)

SARIC, DARLENE A. Systems Engineer-Artist

Darlene Saric is a systems engineer at I.B.M. Corporation, Chicago, Illinois. Born July 24, 1944 to Croatian parents in Chicago, Illinois. Education includes Southeast Jr. College, Chicago 1961-62; Univ. of Illinois, Chicago 1962-63; Univ. of Chicago, B.S., 1966; University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business 1967-69 with major field in Biopsychology and specialty in Computer Sciences, teleprocessing and software. IBM Systems Programmer 1966; IBM Account Representative 1967-68; University of Chicago., Department of Mededical Research Technician1965-66; University of Chicago, Department of Botany, Technical Assistant. Member of Association for Computing Machinery. Exhibitions: Pottery, Sculpture, Oil Painting exhibits in the area around Chicago. Student of Max Kahn, painter, and Helen Shagam, potter.

SARIC, IVICA

Ivica and Anka Saric and their two daughters arrived in the United States in October of 1969. Ivica’s first manufacturing job was at Modern Tool & Die in Cleveland, Ohio In 1981, he and his partner founded Eastlake Machine Products Inc. In 1989, the business moved into its current custom-built facility at Joseph Lloyd Parkway.

SARICH, JOHN Chef-Restaurant-TV Cooking & Wine-Writer

Few chefs enjoy access to a greater bounty of world-class wines and fresh foods than John Sarich. “It’s incredibly exciting to live in the Pacific Northwest,” says John. “Not only do we have an outstanding variety of ingredients from the land and sea, we also have exceptional wines from the Columbia Valley, where long summer days and crisp autumn nights produce ideal conditions for well balanced wines.” John joined Washington’s Chateau Ste Michele Winery in 1976, and his enthusiasm and knowledge of the wines and food of the area is unsurpassed. He conducts cooking classes, wine and food tastings, wine dinners and special events throughout the US and internationally. He also presents training seminars and classes for wine and food professionals and aficionados around the world. In 1980, John left Chateau Ste Michele to pursue his dream of owning a restaurant. He founded Seattle’s acclaimed Adriatica Restaurant and later opened Dalmacija Ristoran in Seattle Pike Place Market. While at Adriatica, John was selected by Esquire magazine as one of the country’s “hot new chefs” and listed by The Seattle Times as one of the city’s top five chefs. After returning to Chateau Ste Michelle as Culinary Director in 1990, John hosted the Emmy-nominated cooking show Taste of the Northwest for four years. His first cookbook, John Sarich’s Food & Wine of the Pacific Northwest was published in 1993 and his second book, John Sarich at Chateau Ste Michele was published in 1997. Both books continue to inspire cooks across the country. John is currently working on his new television series (Best of Taste – Flavors of the Pacific Coast) the companion cookbook for which was published in April 2001 by SeaHill Press. (Internet 2001) 

SARICH, JOSEPH Business-Military

Joseph Steven Sarich, Jr. was born in Seattle, Washington on July 28, 1918; he died here March 10, 2001. Brother Joe was born into an intensely proud Croatian Fraternal Union family so it is small wonder that he, his twin brother John and younger brother Steve, Jr. were charter members of Nest 220 when it was formed here in 1923. The twins, Joe and John, remained in Seattle all their lives and were, together with their wives, regular fixtures at all of our social events. Joe was a veteran of World War 11, having served his country in the Signal Corps in the South Pacific. He and his wife Helen were married in 1947-a marriage that was to endure 53 years and bring forth son Joseph, Jr. and daughter Judy. Joe worked some as a bookkeeper and as a bus driver but he spent the better part of his working life with his brothers in the Puget Sound Salmon Egg enterprise. He was a member of the Magnolia Presbyterian Church in Seattle, where he served as an elder for many years. Brother Sarich is survived by his wife Helen, daughter Judy (James) Lacy, four grandchildren and his brothers John (Mary) Sarich and Steve (Kay) Sarich. He was preceded in death by his son Joseph Sarich, Jr.

SARICH, PETER M. Grocery-Life Insurance

Peter born 1919, in Lead, South Dakota made his living in the grocery and life insurance business. He later became a member of the Prudential Million Dollar club and the Prudential Underwriters Association of Long Beach. Sarich made his income by selling to people in America but he never forgot his cultural heritage, for he was a long time member of Croatian Fraternal Union, Lodge 177. He also served as president of Mary Star of the Sea High School PTA. Peter and his wife Toby had two daughers: Betty Schmitt of Mammoth Lakes, and Barbara Wallace of Hawaii, and one son, Victor of San Pedro. Peter passed away July 27, 1981.

SATLOW CLAN

The three Satlow brothers from Dalmatia, Croatia came to the Harbor in Aberdeen, Washington the long way around. Anthony (wife, Anna Bussanich) the oldest one, left home when he was 14 and sailed around the world before landing in Port Townsend in 1897. He came to Aberdeen and worked in a saloon and also one at Grays Harbor City before moving to Tacoma to open a grocery store. In 1911 he returned to Hoquiam and started the Vienna Grocery which he operated until 1960 when he retired. In the meantime, Brother Matt also had gone to sea and finally found his way to Hoquiam where he joined Tony. Later he purchased a store and service station at Axford Prairie. Younger brother Sam followed his brothers footsteps and became a seafaring man. His travels took him to South Africa where he met and married Katherine Petersen. Six years and three children later, the family arrived at the Blagen mill dock aboard a lumber schooner. Sam opened the North End Pool Hall and Grocery store in Hoquiam which he operated for many years.

SCOPINICH, PAUL Ship Yard

For more than a century the name "Scopinich" has been synonymous within the yachting community with craftsmanship, service, reliability and integrity. When we place the name "Scopinich" on our fighting chairs, it represents the pride and reputation on six generations of master shipbuilders. This famous name can be traced to a small island off the eastern shore of the Adriatic, Losinj Mali, Croatia where, from the mid-nineteenth century great grandfather Scopinich owned and operated the Scopinich Boat Works. In the early twentieth century great uncle Mirto Scopinich and grandfather Federico Scopinich migrated to the U.S. and kept this heritage of excellence flourishing at their two locations in Freeport, Long Island. Despite the Depression, hard work, dedication and skills learned in the old country gave Scopinich a reputation as the builder of the finest boats coming out of Long Island’s many shipyards. In 1942 the two Scopinich yards were awarded the coveted U.S. Army and Navy "E" prize for excellence in war production. Federico’s son, Mario, carried on this tradition of excellence at the Hampton Boat Works at Hampton Bays, Long Island. Today, Paul Scopinich, Mario’s eldest son, continues the family tradition by building the finest marine products in the world. A Scopinich product is a statement of excellence, a handcrafted masterpiece using only the finest materials. Its innovative design, superior ergonomics, sophisticated engineering and perfectly machined metal components, combined with the finest finish, make a Scopinich the barometer of excellence against which all others are judged. Scopinich Fighting Chairs and Accessories at Stuart, Florida is proud to present it’s complete line of world class fighting chairs, accessories and a range of sportfishing equipment that assures years of recreational and tournament satisfaction.

SCORSUR, BENJAMIN Ranch-Silverminer

For many years Benjamin Scorsur has been prominently and successfully identified with the fruit industry in Santa Clara County and long experience has made him an authority on this line of work. He also ranks with the pioneer residents of this part of the state, having taken up his residence here in 1871. A native of Croatia, he was born in Dalmatia, in Dubrovnik, April 11, 1855, the fourth in the family of John Cathrinia Scorsur, the father a well-to-do farmer of Dalmatia. Although it was his parents’ desire that he devote his time to his studies, Benjamin Scorsur preferred hard manual labor to the routine of the schoolroom, and hearing many favorable reports concerning California, he decided to locate there, when fourteen years old he went to sea, receiving five dollars a month as pay; however, he followed the sea for five years, when he quit the sea to come to California, arriving in September, 1871. His elder brother, James Scorsur, had proceeded him to the United States, arriving in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1866. In 1871 the two brothers started for California, but first made their was to the mines of Virginia City, Nevada. Not meeting with success there, they packed all of their belongings, consisting of a few blankets and tools, and struck out for the Guadalupe mines in Santa Clara Valley. They divided tier time between mining and farming. preempting 163 acres of land adjoining the mines, which were at the time owned by and English company, and at this time Benjamin Scorsur became a citizen of the United States. For eight years the two brothers devoted their attention to mining, farming and stock raising, working laboriously to gain a start in life, but their efforts were fruitless, for through a dispute in the title the land once more became the property of the English Company by decision of the Santa Clara County courts. Possessing the dauntless spirit of youth, Mr. Scorsur courageously faced the future, and removing to San Jose, he entered business circles as a fruit buyer, dryer and shipper. From a modest beginning the enterprise grew to one of the large proportions and for thirty-five years he continued along those lines. He also became a prosperous horticultureist, purchasing a good ranch of twenty-three acres on the Doyle Road and a valuable cherry orchard on the San Francisco Highway. In 1918 following the close of the war, Mr. Scorsur bought a sixty-acre home ranch, is married, and has one child,. He is a veteran of the World War, serving only eleven months overseas as a member of the Ninety-First Division. He is a member of the American Legion, was sent overseas and for three months and was confined in a hospital. Dominic is successfully engaged in business as a stock dealer. Kathrina married Mr. Scamperria, a wealthy merchant of Watsonville, Cal. Pauline Lostellisto, of San Jose. He is a member of the Austrian-American Society of San Jose. He has worked diligently and persistently, and success in substantial measure has crowned his labors, while at the same time his efforts have been an important factor in the development and improvement of Santa Clara County along horticultural lines.

SCORSUR, JOHN Ranch

A man who was highly esteemed for his splendid traits of character and the warm friendship he made was the late John Scorsur, who was born in Dalmatia, Croatia, in 1873, a son of James and Thomasine Scorsur. The father was a pioneer fruit man and a prominent and successful horticulturist, having an orchard on the Homestead Road. He died July, 6 1915, his wife surviving him until August 16, 1916. Of the Union of this worthy couple, two children were born, namely, Kate, Mrs. Felicich of San Jose, and John, the subject of this sketch, who came to the United States with his mother, joining his father, who was then residing at Guadalupe. Some years later the family moved to San Jose and here John attended the public schools, as well as the business college. He excelled in penmanship from the American Pen Art Hall. After his school days were over he assisted his father in the care of the orchard as well as the fruit business. In the fall of 1900 Mr. Scorsur made a trip back to his old home in Dalmatia, and there on February 9, 1901, he was married to Miss Annie Genovich, also a native of Dalmatia, the daughter of Peter and Mary Genovich, farmer-folk in that far-off country. He immediately returned to his home in San Jose with his bride, arriving in March, 1901, and they began housekeeping in the residence at 1398 East San Fernando Street, where Mrs. Scorsur still lives. John Scorsur was engaged in the fruit business with his father, looking after the orchards on the old homestead, and became a well-posted and progressive orchardist. He was in ill health several years before his death, which occurred April 6, 1915. He was a man of pleasing personality and had a host of friends, being a member of the Austrian Benevolent Society and St. Joseph’s Benevolent Society.  The union of Mr. and Mrs. Scorsur was blessed with five children, Thomasine, Marie, Anna, James and Jennie, who all reside at home. They are members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

SCORSUR, NICK Ranch-Silverminer

A good example of thrift and untiring energy is illustrated in the life of Nick Scorsur, now retired from active business life, and his years of toil have resulted in a competency that is justly deserved. Born in Dalmatia, Croatia, January 1, 1858, he is a son of John and Catherine (Cavaletta) Scorsur; his father was, for many years, in the stock and sheep business. Five sons and two daughters composed the family, of whom only two survive, the subject of this sketch and an older brother, Ben, who both lie in California. As early as 1875, two brothers, James and Benjamin, came to America, settling in Virginia; and late in 1880 he came to California by the way of the Isthmus of Panama and located in the beautiful Santa Clara Valley. In 1882 Nick Scorsur followed them and his continuously resided in this section since that time. The brothers invested in a 160-acre tract of land near the New Almaden mines, which they cleared and developed. When they were ready for planting, the owners of the mining property informed them that they had no right or title to the property and were successful in beating them out of their holdings, as well as others in the neighborhood. This occurred in 1885, but, undaunted, the three brothers located on a tract of land in East San Jose, where they started in the fruit business. Beginning at the bottom, by hard work and close application, they gradually enlarged their operations and increased their holdings; in 1892 however, they dissolved the partnership. James passed away in 1915. Meanwhile Nick Scorsur engaged in in fruit buying, handling cherries, peaches, and prunes with good success. He owned a forty-five-acre prune orchard on White Road, which he kept for about five years, when he sold it at a good profit. He owns a thirty-five-acre cherry and prune orchard at Campbell and also a twenty-acre orchard on Senter Road, which brings him a handsome income each year. In 1900 he invested in a tract of land in East San Jose, building a commodious residence at the corner of Twenty-sixth and San Antonio streets, still the family home. The marriage of Mr. Scorsur occurred in San Jose, April 4, 1889, and united him with Miss Ellen Talia, also a native of Dalmatia, who was born August 14, 1865, and who came to California in May, 1888. She is the daughter of Captain Matthew and Raphael Talia. Her father was a man of sterling integrity who followed a seafaring life as captain of private merchant vessels on the Mediterranean Sea. Mr. and Mrs. Scorsur are the parents of five children; John is manager of the ranches owned by the family; Matthew, deceased; Nicholas graduated in 1917 from the College of Commerce, University of California, with the degree of B.A.

SCORSUR, STEVE Ranch-Restaurant

A resident of California since 1887, Steve Scorsur was born in Dalmatia, Croatia, August 14, 1861. His father, John Scorsur, followed the sea for many years until he retired to his farm. He had married miss Mary Lopizich and they were blessed with six children- four boys and two girls- and two sons and two daughters and still living. One brother, John Scorsur, is a fruit buyer and lives on Pine Avenue, The Willows. The parents both passed away on the home farm in Dalmatia. The fourth child of the family, Steve Scorsur, grew up on the farm and as there were no public school advantages in those days did the best he could to pick up an education, though most of it was obtained in the great school of experience. When sixteen years old he went to sea, first in the Mediterranean trade, and then in the transatlantic, touching at Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Providence, and Galveston, Texas, his first trip to the United States being when he was nineteen years old, when he landed in Philadelphia. He continued his seafaring life until 1887, when he came to Galveston on a three-masted schooner, Martin L. Smith, and there he left ship and came to San Jose, California, where he had uncles and cousins living. He found employment in the fruit business, working for James Scorsur, but soon went to Los Angeles, where he was employed for two years. Thence he removed to Madera, where he became proprietor of a restaurant, being in business there when Madera County was organized, and was a warm friend of Judge Connelly. After eight years in Madera, Mr. Scorsur sold out his interests there and returned to San Jose, purchasing his present place of one acre on San Antonio Street, where he erected a residence, built a dryer and engaged in buying and selling fruit, in which he has been very successful. He also owns a ranch on Foxworthy Road, where he is engaged in raising prunes and apricots. Mr. Scorsur’s marriage took place in San Jose, March 12, 1901, uniting him with Miss Mary Genovich, who was born in Dalmatia, and came to America that same year.  Their union has been blessed with five children: John, a graduate of Heald’s Business College, is now a bookkeeper in the Bank of Italy at San Jose; Mary was educated in the San Jose high school and Heald’s Business College and assists her mother in presiding over the home; Peter, Stephen and Anthony are attending the grammar school. Mr. Scorsur is a member and former vice-president of the Austrian Benevolent Society of San Jose. The family are members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and take a generous part in its benevolence.

SCOTLAND, ARTHUR G, (DOMICH) Judge

Justice Scotland was first appointed to the Superior Court in Sacramento County by Goverernor George Deukmajian in April 1987, and was elevated by Governor Deukmajian to the Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District in January 1989. In the elections of 1990, the people of the State who reside in the counties that make up the Third Appellate District confirmed Justice Scotland to his position as Associate Justice for a twelve year term. Justice Scotland is the grandson of Dinko Domic of the village of Lozisca on the island of Brac and Anna Cervoni, also of Brac. Dinko Domic came to the United States in1910 and his wife, Anna, followed him in 1913. He worked first as a miner in Minnesota and in Colorado. Then he went to work in the kitchen of the Brown Palace Hotel of Denver in 1914. Justice Scotland's mother, Matilda, was born in Denver in 1914. In 1921 the family Domich moved to Lodi, California and later to Sacramento. Dinko Domich worked as a chef in various restaurants and clubs in Sacramento, and at one time owned and operated his own eating establishment, The Market Cafe, located at 14th and J Streets, in Sacramento. Justice Scotland's grandparents died in the 1960's. His mother still resides in Sacramento. Justice Scotland was born and raised in Sacramento, and graduated from C.K. McClatchy High School in 1964. He obtained his Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Davis in 1968. He graduated from McGeorge School of Law, Sacramento, with honors, receiving a J.D. degree in 1974, and was admitted to practice law before the California Bar later that same year. Justice Scotland resides in Sacramento with his wife, Susan.

SCRABALO, FRANCESCO Food-Wine-Liquors

Born in Janjina to a noble Dalmatian family on January 30, 1850. Until he was eighteen years old, he lived in his native country attending schools and working in agriculture. Afterwards the went on board of a merchant ship and visited France, Turkey and South America. Three years later he left the ship in Peru and there became the manager of a shop. His work has been so appreciated that at the beginning he was earning one third, and then afterwards one half of profit. Business went good, but after a dispute with his partner, he had to retire from business and to go to the court to get his share. He didn't receive any money because in the meantime he became ill of yellow fever, so he had to leave Peru, thus loosing everything but saving his life. He disembarked in San Francisco, California where he stayed, ill and discouraged, for six months. Then he moved in San Jose and joined his uncle in business with food, wine and liquors. He has not become a millionaire yet, but his business is going well enough to provide him a stable and secure future. He is a member of many American Societies, being appreciated and loved by everybody.

SCURICH, ANTHONY P. Farm-Packing Shipping

The name Scurich is quite well known in the area, and members of the family in the present generation are of Croatian origin whose parents came from Dalmatia.  Mr. Scurich’s parents were Peter Antone and Mary (Sanbrailo) Scurich. His father acquired orchard land in the Watsonville area, and devoted his atteniton primarily to raising apples. After attending local public schools, Anthony P. Scurich, at about the age of fifteen, joined his father in growing, packing, and shipping apples.  Following the father’s death in 1956, he became responsible for the managment of the orchards and other holdings on seventy acres near Watsonville.  His father located here in 1899, so this family enterprise is now more than sixty-three years old. In March 1941, he left for a period of service in the United States Army. Assigned to the artillery, he served in the United States and Hawaii. He was in uniform for over four years and seven months, receiving his honorable discharge in October 1945. he attained the rank of first sargeant.   He is a member of the American Legion and Elks lodge (B.P.O.E. 1300). In Reno, Nevada, on May 1, 1948, Anothny P. Scurich married Madeline Kusanovich, daughter of Frank and Minnie (Buvinich) Kusanovich.  Her parents too came from Dalmatia. Mr. and Mrs Scurich have two sons: 1. Frank, who was born on June 28, 1949. 2. James, born on July 29, 1953. Mr. Scurich has two brothers, one in San Franicsco, the other in the Watsonville area, and one sister.

SCURICH, LUKE Farm Fruit Packing

Mr. Scurich was born September 17, 1864, and received his education in the schools of his native land. In 1883 he crossed the Atlantic, but did not remain in the eastern section of the United States, making the long journey across the continent to the Pacific coast. He entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad, working first as a section hand in Redding, California, but in 1888, he came to Watsonville. He embarked in the fruit packaging and shipping business, forming a partnership with Nick Banac and theirs was one of the first firms of that kind in the valley. Subsequently he was joined by his brother, Stephen Scurich, who had come to the Golden state when sixteen years of age, and they became the owners of a ranch of one hundred acres in Green valley, on which they planted an apple orchard. By scientific methods and concentrated effort they brought the farm to a high state of development and afterward sold the place, making a large profit on the investment. When he came here there were apple orchards on Main street, in what is now the business section of the city. In 1898 he organized the Austrian-American Benevolent Society of the Pajaro valley, which has become a strong and prosperous organization, having the sum of thirty-five thousand dollars in its treasury. At San Francisco, California, in 1893, Mr. Scurich married Mess Mary Vlahutin, also a native of Dalmatia. Antone L. Scurich, the only child of this union, was born in Watsonville, December 18, 1898.

SCURICH, LUKE A. Insurance

Luke A. Scurich attended Moreland Notre Dame Academy Grammar Schools, Watsonville Joint Union High School, and Satna Clara University, of which he is a graduate.  He has served in the United Staes Army, 1955 to 1957, and was stationed in Alaska.  He has been a partner of his sister in the insurance business since January, 1958. He married Susan Barsi, and they have two children: 1. Antone, born July 31, 1959. 2. Michael, born July 10, 1961.  Both children were born in Watsonville.

SCURICH, MARY Insurance

One of the younger generation of Watsonville businesswomen, Mary Kathryn Scurich successfully operates an insurance agency at 254 So. Main Street in that city, in partnership with her brother. Member of a prominent Croatian famiy long established in the area, she was born at Watsonville on June 5, 1927, and is a daugher of the late Antone Luke and Pauline (Pierovich) Scrurich.  She has two sisters, Catherine, who married Walter D. Burelson, and June, who married John A. Eastman. Her grandfather, Luke Antone, is mentioned in Jack London’s “The Valley of the Moon” and in regional histories. He was a rancher who took an active part in the public life of the area. Her father was born in Watsonville and entered the insurance business there in 1924. It is this same agency which his son and daughter carry on today.  On her mother’s side, Miss Scurich is distantly related to the late Judge Andrew Pierovich of Jackson, California, who held office as state senator during Governor Olsen’s adminitration. After attending Moreland Notre Dame Academy, Mary Scurich studied at San Jose College. Miss Scurich is a member of the Watsonville Association of Insurance Agents, State and National Assocations, the Business and Professional Women’s Club, Native Daughters of the Golden West, the Soroptimist Club, Notre Dame Alumni Association, and Young Laides Institute.

SCURICH, STEPHEN Hotel Builder Packing House Farm

Stephen Scurich was born in Dalmatia, Croatia October 1868, and in 1884, when sixteen years of age, came to America. He secured work on a ranch near Byron, in Contra Costa county and was next employed in a fruit commission house of San Francisco. He arrived in Watsonville in 1886 and became associated with his brother, Luke Scurich, in the fruit packing and shipping industry. Later he purchased a tract of one hundred acres in Green valley, on which he planted an apple orchard. This he developed into the finest orchard in the valley and realized a large profit from the sale of the place. He has built over one hundred homes and has large holdings in the residential sections of the city. He owned and placed on the market the Stephen Scurich subdivision, a six-acre tract on Second street, which was separated into lots, on which many fine residents have been erected. He owns a business block on Main street, opposite the California Theater; the Central Hotel, which he has recently remodeled; and a block of three acres at the intersection of West Lake and Walker streets. This consists of packing houses which Mr. Scurich has built, and he is also a director of the Mateo Lettunich Company, owners of the Lettunich block on the Main street. Since 1904 he has engaged in the general brokerage business, dealing in packing box shook, paper, nails, labels, paste and lumber. He is the local agent for the Olsen Lithograph Company of San Francisco, supplying the packers and shippers with labels, and agent for the Cunard line and also leading French, American and Italian steamship lines. He represents the Rhode Island Fire Insurance Company and is one of the directors of the Bank of Italy in Watsonville. He was one of the promoters of the California Theater Company, which recently erected at Watsonville one of the finest photo play houses in this region, and is serving as its vice president.

In 1898 Mr. Scurich married Miss Lucia Zar, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and they have become the parents of three children: Anna, the wife of Dr. Sanbuck, of Los Angeles, California, and the mother of a daughter, Jean; Ruth, who resides at home; and Stephen Jr. Mr. Scurich is a notary public and a member of the Transportation Club of San Francisco, which maintains its headquarters in the Palace Hotel. Along fraternal lines he is connected with Pajaro Lodge No. 90, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Lodge No. 602, of the Loyal Order of Moose.

SCURICH, STEPHEN JR. Packing Shipping Farm

Following in his father’s footsteps as a leading California grower and shipper of apples, Stephen Scurich, Jr. continues to send his distincitve peoducts to all parts of the nation and Europe.  Scurich’s Pajaro Valley fruit is famous among connoisseurs, and the firm has won countelss awards for its products in state and coutny fairs. Valley Rose apples were developed by the elder Stephen Scurich, Sr., and his son his introduced many innovations into the growing, care, and shipping of famed varieties of fruit produced in orchards around Watsonville. Stephen Scurich, Jr., often called Bob, was born in Watsonville, on August 9, 1908, the son of Stephen and Lucie (Zar) Scurich.  His father was born in 1868 in Dalmatia, Croatia. He came to this country at the age of sixteen, settling in Watsonville and working hard in fields and packing houses to earn money to send for his brothers and sisters.  Stephen Scurich’s wife, the former Lucie Zar, came to New Orleans, Louisiana.  The elder Stephen Scurich and his brother Luke entered the orchard business as soon as they could lease land for fruit growing. It was not long before they attained success and became the largest packers of fruit in central California. They annually sent hundreds of carloads of apples to Europe, where Pajaro Valley fruit had become an item in high demand.  Many times Gold Medal winner for his Bellflower and Sebastopol apples, he invested in such Watsonville property as the Central Hotel.   The first in his area to pack apples in colored polyethelene bags, he was also the first to use seasonal packaging at Christmas time. Stephen Scurich, Jr., was educated in Watsonville public schools, and then entered Santa Clara University.  He later transfered to Oregon State college, majoring in business administration. Stephen Scurich, Sr., was active in the club and civic life of Watsonville.  He was a director of the Chamber of Commerce; and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Transportation Club. he was treasurer of the Central Grocery Company and vice president of M. Lettunich and Company. On August 8, 1936, in Reno, Nevada, Stephen Scurich, Jr. was married to Mary Sullivan, daughter of John L. Sullivan and Mary Agnes (Martin) Sullivan. Mr. and Mrs. Scurich are the parents of four children: 1. John, born October 28, 1945. 2. Robert, born July 4, 1948. 3. Craig, born August 3, 1954. 4. Richard, born September 23, 1959.

SECKSO, ANTON Restaurant-Saloon

Anton N. Seckso, son of Nikola and Antula, was born in Sibenik, Dalmatia, Croatia in 1895. Upon arrival to New Orleans, Louisiana he worked in a restaurant as a helper, then went to New York where he worked in the Vanderbilt Hotel, and was an expert in mixing drinks. It was interesting to mention that he was one of the first experts in that profession in America and received many awards and prizes. In 1914 the New York Herald Newspaper did a write up on him. He opened his own restaurant-saloon in 1917, and now has a modern restaurant on the corner of Sixth and S. Rampart Streets in New Orleans. He employees many Croatians. He was married 1920 with the girl of Croatian origin, they had two sons. He has two brothers; one in Trieste and another in India. He is the member of the Slavonian Society for 18 years, and was Secretary of the Society. He is well liked and respected.

SEFEROVICH, GEORGE Business Economist

George Henry Seferovich was born in New Orleans July 15, 1915. He attended the public schools in New Orleans, and was graduated from Warren Easton Boy's High School in June 1932 receiving an honorary scholarship to Loyola University (New Orleans). He entered Loyola in the fall of 1932 and received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Economics in June 1936. He was awarded a fellowship in the College of Commerce of Louisiana State University and entered in the fall of 1936. He now has a degree of Master of Business Administration. George wrote his thesis on Marketing Louisiana Fresh Oysters in 1938 at Loyola University.

SEPUT, FRANK Restaurant

Frank Seput, 82, who was proprietor of Sam’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant at 374 Bush St. for 60 years, died Wednesday in a San Rafael hospital., He immigrated to this country from Dalmatia, Croatia, and at 16 began working as a busboy in a restaurant, then worked as a waiter, and finally owned his own business. He leaves his wife, Elizabeth M. Seput; two sons, Frank W. Seput of San Francisco and Walter G. Seput of Hillsborough, and two daughters, Elizabeth Zibilish of Mill Valley and Evelyn Friend of San Diego. There are eight grandchildren.

SERKA, PAUL Fisherman-Engineer

Paul Serka was, on every count, a remarkable fisherman. Born in Sumartin, Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia he pulled up his roots at the age of twenty-three. With the help of his brother, Nick, who was fishing with Frank Novak, he came to Tacoma in 1913. Accompanying this future top fisherman were Tony Ancich and Nikola Babich. Serka, a tall, sensitive young man, arrived in Washington with a desire to practice his trade and fish the waters of Puget Sound, but "chances" were hard to find. He labored in the sawmills and laid streetcar track along the Point Defiance line to sustain himself. When the opportunity to fish did come, it was shortlived. In Gig Harbor he fished with Andrew Gilich, replacing one of the members of the crew who was ill. When the former crewman recovered, Serka returned to his former shore jobs. In Europe he had fished on a small scale for sardines, mackerel, and bottom fish. By the fall of 1913, he was fishing the West Passage for sockeye and humpies with Joe Martinac on the boat Traveler. When he moved to Gig Harbor a year later, he found himself to be in the company of superior fishermen who were also from Sumartin: Lee Makovich, the Skansie brothers, John Skansie (there were two unrelated Skansie families in Gig Harbor), Mike Katich, Pasco Dorotich, Spiro Babich, and Sam and John Borovich. Fishing was not a year-round venture. There were summer and fall fishing. The rest of the time was spent doing repair work and patching nets (260 fathoms). The shares on a boat were divided much as they had been in Europe: boat, two shares; each crew member, one share. The fishermen were allowed to fish every day but Sunday. This was called "Sunday Law", and they were fined if caught. A big catch was known as a "big scratch", and "high boat" designated the boat that had caught the most fish.

By 1915, a year after he became an engineer with one-quarter ownership in the boat St. Nicholas with Mike Katich, Andrew Gilich, and Skansie, at least 200 boats were fishing in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Competition was keen. There was much fish but no market for them. Fishermen were paid five cents apiece for loads of mixed humpy and sockeye. In many cases, the canneries turned away boatloads when they could use no more. Some fishermen, after having made set after set and having pulled nets by hand all day, found that no cannery would accept their catch at a fair price. Those fishermen who were continually "high boat" had no trouble with this because their catch was guaranteed by the cannery. "High Boat" made $2,000 in 1915, but many boats didn't even make expenses. Usually one-half of the crew was green, but all were eager and willing to learn. Serka sold the St. Nicholas and bought the boat Confidence with partners. Sam Kazulin repaired the boat in a Gig Harbor yard. Mike Katich became a partner in 1916 when together they purchased a sixty-foot boat. A boat of this size brought more comfort to the fishermen and held more fish in its hold. Until 1917, Serka fished locally and at the Salmon Banks in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, but, in 1918, he ventured farther north to Alaska, where he fished for the Kanaka Packing Company along the Portland Canal which was one-half American, one-half Canadian as soon as you stepped into Alaska. A pilot was hired for two weeks to take the boat north, but, as they went, Serka watched the charts and learned navigation; he fished in Alaska for years without a mishap. When asked whether he was anxious when he took the boat underway himself, Serka looked surprised: "Of course not!" He had made up his mind that he would master his trade, and this he did. Katich and Serka sold their boat to Nick Bez, who converted it into a tender. He purchased a one-third share of the Emancipator when his brother decided to return to Europe in 1919. Paul Puratich was one of the owners. At that time, a boat and net could be had for $12,000. The Oceanic was designed by Martinac and built in the Skansie yards for Serka in 1920. It was powered by one of the first diesel engines on the Sound. Some of the crew members were Joe and Jerry Markota, John Jerkovich, and Tony Ancich. Serka skippered this boat for fourteen years.

Maria Cvitanovic, a beautiful lady from Sumartin, and Paul Serka were married in 1924. Six years later, the Sun Rise Ranger was built for a planned Canadian venture, but no charters could be obtained, and, by 1932, Serka returned to Washington. Martinac was again retained to build another boat, the Oceania, in 1934. Tragedy struck this ill-fated seiner in 1948, when high swells caused water to fill its hold. All equipment and nets went under. The skipper and crew lost all their belongings but saved their lives. Vince Cvitanovich and Serka were partners in the Wisconsin in 1947. Cvitanovich served as a member of Serka's crew for many lucrative years. The Sea Master, one of the fastest purse seiners in the Sound, was built by the Kazulin yard in 1958. This master seiner was to be Serka's last command, for, in 1967, Serka left the life of the sea.

When a man was consistently "high boat", others followed wherever he went or set his nets. "When making a set, the other boat should let you get your skiff in position," Serka said. Some, in their hurry and desire to catch fish, neglected to do this. Paul Serka was always followed by others. He had fished many seasons, and this strong, quiet man knew the tides and how to spot a school of fish and how to work them both to his advantage. A glance at the evening sky told him how to prepare for tomorrow. Most of his life had been spent in contest with the elements, never in foolhardy risks, but with the sound judgement of what might be safely done under the prevailing temper of the wind and the seas. Fishing is not only knowing the tides, the navigation charts, and working with people, it is also taking a chance. Behind every rock or sand bar, every set, lay the chance of losing life, limb, boat, and net. It took great courage to brave the elements and gamble everything you had worked for. Some days were lucky. Serka knew many days of elation when he knew he was "high boat", but there were other days when many sets were made and the fish were not there. Paul Serka worked for the improvement of the fishing industry, and this gentleman of the sea will be remembered for his excellence with men, boats, and fish.

SERTICH, JOHN Professor

John Sertich was born on Feb. 22, 1927 in McGill, Nevada.

He graduated from Saint Mary’s College in California in 1950 and received his masters degree from the University of Laval, Quebec, Canada in 1955. He also attended Sacramento State College in Sacramento from 1964-1966. His specialty is Metaphysics and Social Philosphy. He speaks Croatian, French and German. He completed his thesis in 1955 on “The Basis of Logical Opposition” for an M.A. in Philosophy. He is an instructor of philosophy at American River College in Sacramento, California.

SESICH, BOB Teacher

Sesich has just been selected as the outstanding teacher in his district by the 660 classroom instructors who serve alongside him. That’s a lot of praise, but it comes straight from his colleagues in the Freemont Union High School District.

A onetime starting tackle on the University of New Mexico varsity football team, Sesich today still looks like a pretty tough customer. But his looks are tempered with a genuine understanding of the problems kids bring to Blaney. Sesich teaches social studies, but also takes on other faculty duties, including science and math, health safety, alcohol and drug abuse, and driver education. Thursday night he was honored by the San Jose Jaycees in their nationwide program of recognition for outstanding teachers.

Sesich is a graduate of Sunnyvale High and San Jose State, where he received his teaching credential and his master’s degree. He was a football player at both schools and served as an assistant football coach at Sunnyvale High for four years.

Aged 32, he and his wife, Barbara live in Cupertino with their two children, Robbie, 5, and Laurie, 7.

SESICH, EMILY Croatian Activist Tamburitza

Emily was born in the Santa Clara Valley and was a long time resident of San Jose, and a 61 year member of the Croatian Fraternal Union. Her maiden name was Klicinovich. She was a dedicated fraternalist and a hard worker. Many a gallon of spaghetti gravy and pounds of pasta she helped prepare at various functions at Napredak Park, both the old hall and the new. Whenever there was a function all I had to say was, "Emily, send out 50 or 100 flyers or letters to those that I have checked off on the lodge membership roster " In a few days it was done. Emily would then be on the phone saying it was done and asking what else had to be done. She was the type that if you asked her to bring a cake, she would bring two or three. She bowled for many years in our CFU league and I can always remember her gyratons as she tried to remote control her ball down the lanes. Emily's great love was the tamburitza and she was an active member of the Novi Stari Tamburasi. A tribute to Emily Sesich was held at Napredak Hall, San Jose, CA on Tuesday night, Nov. 30, 1999, Emily was also a second generation member of the Slavonic Mutual Benevolent Society of San Francisco and the Napredak Club of San Jose. Emily will be remembered mostly as a loving mother, grandmother and reat-grandmother. She is survived by her two sons, Robert A. Sesich of Mesa, Arizona and Michael J. Sesich of San Francisco; two gtandchildren and three greatgrandchildren. Her love will be forever felt by those she touched, yet we feel emptiness without her smile.

SESICH, LUKE Hotel

Luke arrived in California during the “Gold Rush” and was known as a “49er” who remained a bachelor and businessman throughout his life. One of Luke’s business ventures was the construction of a hotel in the heart of Los Angeles at the corner of Weller and First Streets that was referred to as one of the “best in the town”. the hotel’s reputation carried on even after it was remodeled to become a department store and still was known as the “Sesich Building”.

SESN1C, STJEPKO Physicist-Professor

Stjepko Sesnic is a research physicist at Princeton University, Plasma Physics Laboratory, New Yersey. Born on March 10, 1931 in Gornji Humac, Island of Brac, Croatia; married with two sons. Education included BSc, Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Zagreb, Croatia 1960; DSc, University of California, Berkley 1965. Professor at University of Texas, Austin 1965-1971; scientist and director of project Pulsator in Max-Planck Institut for Plasmaphysik 1971-1981; Principal Research Physicist at Princeton University since 1981. Published 134 scientific papers in American, European and international journals. Member of the American Physical Society, Sigma X1.

SESTANOVICH, STEPHEN Diplomat

Mr. Steve Sestanovich was born on the Island of Korcula and he now resides in Moraga, California, with his wife, Molly. Mr. Sestanovich had a very distinguished career after attending St. Mary's College and the University of California, in Berkeley. He became the Consul-General and Counselor of Embassy for Public Affairs for the U.S. Department of State. He served in this capacity for thirty years with extensive travels around the world until his retirement from government service in 1971. Mr. and Mrs. Sestanovich have five grandchildren and engage in many pro bono public speaking activities as well as writing for local and national publications.

SETKA, ANTON Councilman-Military

Lifetime Aberdeen, Washington resident and former city councilman, Tony Setka was born July 30, 1922, in Aberdeen to Steve and Helen "Yela" Medak Setka. He graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1940. He joined the Army in 1942 and served until 1943. Brother Setka worked as a veterans representative for the Employment Security Department for 24 years before retiring in 1982. He was a second ward councilman for the City of Aberdeen from 1977 untll 1978 and from 1982 to 1991. Aberdeen mayor Chuck Gurrad, who worked with Setka during his service as a council member said, "he had the citizens in mind whenever he did anything." Gurrad called Setka, an all-around great guy." In addition to his membership in the Croatian Fraternal Union, he was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church; a 49-year member of the American Legion and was a past commander for the group; a 44-year member of the 40 et 8 Club of Aberdeen and a board chairman for the group for 40 years. He was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans for 49 years and a life member of Aberdeen Eagles, a golden member for 55 years, the Aberdeen Elks Club for 40 years; the Footprinters Association, the Knife and Fork Club of Aberdeen, the Rotary Club and was a commissioner for the Grays Harbor Housing from 1980 until 1994. Anton Peter "Tony" Setka died on March 15, 1999. Surviving are his longtime friend and caregiver, Rosalie K. Teague of Aberdeen, a sister, Mary Reichter of Hoquiam- niece Barbara Relchter Godfrey of Olympia, Washington and nephew Ronald Relchter of Olympia, Washington.

SETKA, MARTIN Farm

Martin was born on Aug. 4, 1912 in Globe, Arizona. Arizona became a state on February 14, 1912. Martin worked hard on the family farm and with his brother Matt sent the five younger members to college. He had many God-given talents, great strength, and perseverance. He learned from practical experiences. He didn't need to go to college to further his knowledge. The dear Lord filled him with the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and he responded faithfully. Martin Setka died on December 18, 1999 at the age of 87. He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Marko, his parents, Andrew and Katie Setka, his sister, Annie Setka Koury, and his brother, Matt. Surviving are his wife, Martha, daughters, Kathy Williams and Jenilie Howley; grandchildren, Misty Williams and Monty Williams; brother, Steve; sisters, Rose, Nellie, Eva and Katie; and numerous very loving nieces and nephews. Martin was a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union in Globe, Arizona.

SHASTERICH, MATTIAS Silverminer-Speculator

Mattias Shasterich was in Virginia City, Nevada as a silver miner in 1860. He had tried his luck gold mining in Placerville, California in 1855. The Federal Census of 1870 in Hamilton, Nevada lists him as a silverminer worth $11,000. He was living at 305 Kearny Street in 1883 listing as a speculator. On June 6, 1860 the San Francisco paper noted him “missing” at the Pyramid Lake Indian Massacre.

SIKIC, FEDORA Teacher

Teacher of German at North College Hill High School, Cincinnati, Ohio. Born May 1, 1922 in Karlovac, Croatia; married nee Tuskan with three children. Education includes Women's Gymnasium, Karlovac, Croatia, Graduate, 1940; University of Zagreb, Croatia, Diploma, 1945; University of Graz, Austria 1947-48; University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 1959-62; Summer, 1963, Language Instructor for German, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey; Summer, 1966, NDEA Institute for Advanced Study, Munich, Germany.

SIKICH, PAUL E. Professor-Music-Author

Paul Sikich is Professor of Music at Good Counsel College, White Plains, New York. Born August 31, 1927 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Education includes Wisconsin Conservatory, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1955-57; Gregorian Institute of America, Toledo, Ohio, Certificate in Gregorian Chant, 1956; Solesmes Abbey, Sarthe, France 1957; American Guild of Organists, New York, N.Y., Choirmaster Degree, 1958 with a major field in Choral Work, Music Theory, Organ. Creative works:1963 Missa Brevis (Choral Composition), at Gregorian Institute, Toledo; Articles on Church music, Caecilia Magazine (Boston, 1956; An Outline Course in Music Toledo, Ohio; Gregorian Institute of America, 1957. Hymns and Chants Collection. Toledo: Gregorian Institute, 1961. "Collection of Folk Music." Good Counsel College, 1961; pro manuscrijto. Missa Brevis. Toledo: Gregorian Institute, 1963. Member of American Guild of Organists; National Catholic Music Educators Association; National Liturgical Conference. Director of Newman Club Choir, Washington University, St. Louis; Director of Music, Salvatorian Seminary, St. Naiianz, Wisconsin; Director of Choirs, Faculty, Organist; Director of Folksingers; Professor of Gregorian Chants and Liturgy; Professor of Music and Art Appreciation - Good Counsel College, White Plains, New York. Research On restoration of Croatian Church music in "Kantual." Slavic folk music; formation of a National Slavic Choral Group; hope to revive interest in Croatian Church Organ music.

SIKIRIC, GRGO Priest

Father Grgo Sikiric was born in Bibinje, near Zadar, Croatia on February 13, 1925 to parents Roko and Anna, nee Simunic. Roko and Anna had seven additional children, four sons and three daughters. Grgo graduated elementary school in Bibinje and high school in Split in 1948. In 1939 he was accepted as aspirant of third order regu1ar of St. Jerome Province in the Republic of Croatia. Fr. Grgo entered T.O.R. novitiate in 1946 and was lifelong solemnly professed in 1951. He served the mandatory military term of two years service in the Army. Fr. Grgo graduated with a theology degree in Split, Croatia. He obtained a Master's Degree in spirituality at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 1984. Fr. Grgo was ordained to the priesthood in 1952 in Zadar. From 1955 to 1963 he was pastor in Tounj near Ogulin. From 1963 to 1966 he was pastor of St. John Parish in Zadar. From 1966 to 1972 he was pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Split where the new parish church was built. He was nominated also the superior to T.O. R. Friaries in Ogulin and Split during his pastoral assignment in those cities. From 1972 to1975 Fr. Grgo conducted parish missions. From 1975 to 1980, he was pastor assistant at St. Nicholas Parish on Pittsburgh's North Side and from 1980 until his retirement to Croatia in 2000 as the pastor and co-pastor of the new merged parish in 1994. Since his retirment to Croatia, Fr. Grgo has been a member of St. John Friary in Zadar, being very active in his priestly apostolate and willing to help assist wherever possible. Fr. Grgo celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his priestly ordination with a special concelebrated Mass on June 2, 2002 at St. Nicholas Church on East Ohio Street in Pittsburgh. He has dedicated over half of his priestly life to serving the parishioners of St. Nicholas. The Mass and reception which followed were both well attended, which is a testament to Fr. Grgo's popularity.

SIMCICH, JOSEPH Goldminer-Farm

Joseph Simcich came to California from Croatia as a sailor in the early 1850’s. He was goldmining at Jackson, California in 1854. He also mined at Indian Diggins, Hangtown, Dogtown, Fiddletown and the Frazier River. He made a gold strike and with Nikola Jeletich and Joseph Jordan bought 280 acres, then bought out Jordan who went to Los Angeles in 1863. In 1861 married an Irish girl, Sarah McCelland, and in 1866 the first child was born. His wife died in 1874.

SIMICH, JERRY L. Professor

Born 1940 in Los Angeles, Simich is the third son of Stjepan Simich b. 1890 in Sovici, Hercegovina and Milica Lansky Simich b. 1908 near Slavonska Pozega, Croatia. The parents met and married in Chicago and moved to Los Angeles. Before settling in El Monte, they lived briefly in the old Croatian community near St. Anthony’s Croatian Catholic Church. Simich is a graduate of California State University at Long Beach and earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has taught political science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas since 1973. His current research has to do with the Croatian immigrant settlement and occupational patterns in the western United States. Simich was one of the founders of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 1985 “Hercegovina” in Las Vegas in 1985. He is also a member of the United Hercegovina Catholic Benevolent Society of Los Angeles. His older brothers, Leo and Steve, are partners in Simich Construction Company, of Walnut, California, specializing in pipelines for water and sewers. Two of Leo’s sons, Steve and Marc, are employed by the same company and brother Steve’s son, Matthew also works for Simich Construction. Jerry Simich has one daughter, Jennifer Danica Simich.

SIMUNOVIC, MIHO Artist

Born in Omis, Dalmatia, Croatia a town located to the south of Split, watercolorist Miho Simunovic was raised and educated in Zagreb, Croatia. As a young boy, he visited the town of Vela Luka on the island of Korcula, where he was inspired to capture the delicate sunlight and varied shades of the spectacular Dalmatian coast. After graduating from art school in Zagreb, Simunovic first worked as a graphic designer in an advertising firm. In 1973, he moved to America and worked as an illustrator. Simunovic now lives in California where he works full-time as a professional watercolor artist. He has traveled back to Croatia many times where he travels up and down the Adriatic, painting scenes that strike his fancy. Simunovic is an artist of sun and shadows, whose goal is to create atmosphere and mood through the use of depth, shadow and light. He enjoys capturing the feeling of a day at a particular moment, solidifying that moment in watercolors before it disappears from the world forever.

SIMUNOVICH, NIKOLA Silvermine-Coffee Saloon-Fruits

Nikola Simunovich, director of the Slavonic Society, was associated with the Dabovich and Company, dealers in fruits, in 1856. He owned a coffee Saloon at the corner of Pacific and Drumm Streets, San Francisco, in 1860-61. He was a stockholder of the El Tesoro Silver Mining Co. near La Paz, Baja, California, Mexico in 1861. Nikola died in 1861 at the age of 36 and was the first burial in the Slavonic plot in San Francisco. He was best man at the wedding of George Mascarich to an Irish girl. Miss Margaret Large, in 1859 at old St. Mary’s Church in San Francisco.

SINCICH, ANTONE Contractor-Stone Cutter

Self-made, in the best sense implied by the term, Antone Sincich, or Tony, as he is known by his friends, enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who have come to know him. Mr. Sincich located in Martinez in October, 1906, having come hither. from his native country of Croatia, and four years later he purchased his present business from his brother-in-law, Frank Rubesa. His marble and granite works are located at 425 Main Street, his shop fronting on the street and his residence being in the rear. He is a master of his art, produces some exceptionally fine work, and has made a success of his trade as a stone and marble worker. Antone Sincich’s birth occurred at Istra, Croatia, on April 26, 1879. He learned his trade from his father, John Sincich, a stone-cutter in his native town of Istra, and worked at stone cutting for fourteen years before he came to the United States. His destination was Martinez, Cal., where he has resided from that time to the present. Mr. Sincich was married in Croatia to Miss Francesca Rubesa, also a native of that country, and to them have been born seven children, five now living: Dora, the wife of Mr. Davi, an expressman residing in Pittsburg, Cal.; and Tony, Otilia, Olga and Annie. Mr. and Mrs. Sincich are members of the Slavonian Lodge of Crockett, California, and he is also a member of a Slavonian Lodge in San Francisco. Mrs. Sincich belongs to the U. P. P. E. C. of Martinez. The family are members of the Catholic Church.

SINCICH, MIRO Farm-Vineyard

An intelligent and able horticulturist is Miro Sincich, a native of Croatia, born at Kastav on April 10, 1889, a son of John and Veronica (Paulinich) Sincich. The father is still living in that country, aged eighty-three; and the mother died there in 1919, aged seventy-two years. Miro Sincich was the eighth in a family of eleven children born to his parents. When eighteen years old he came to California, and soon found employment as a ranch hand, in time becoming foreman on the Burnham fruit ranch, where he gained a thorough knowledge of horticulture and of the special advantages offered for horticultural work in this part of the state; and when he decided to ranch for himself, he located in the same neighborhood, and is now developing a ranch of fifty acres four and one-half miles south of Martinez. Eight acres of this ranch is devoted to vineyard, and the balance to fruits, pasture, and general farming. The marriage of Mr. Sincich, which took place in Martinez on July 21, 1912, united him with Miss Maria Rubesa, a native of his home town in Croatia, who came to California in 1912. Three children have blessed their union: Emily R., John M., and Marion, all born in Contra Costa County. Mr. Sincich was naturalized at Martinez in 1921. He is progressive in his ideas, with a full knowledge of the opportunites to be found in his adopted country, and the ability to take advantage of them. Two of his brothers are also located in Contra Costa County: Tony Sincich, in the marble business at Martinez, and Alex Sincich, a cooper employed by the Union Oil Company at Oleum, but living in Martinez. Mr. Sincich belongs to St. Joseph Lodge, in Crockett.

SINITZ, JOHN Attorney

John Sinitz is an attorney in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Born February 5, 1926, to Croatian parents in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; married with four children. Educated at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Ph.B.,1949; University of Wisconsin, LL.B., 1952. Practice of Law in the city of Milwaukee for many years.

SINOVCIC, VINCENT Author

Croatian-born Vincent Sinovcic became a political orphan at the age of seven, when both of his parents were caught traveling in Bessarabia when that region was seized and annexed by the Soviet Union. Even though they were foreign citizens, Stalin dispatched them to Gulags in Siberia. Mr. Sinovcic's father died in 1946 in the infamous concentration camps of Karaganda in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the young boy spent an unhappy and impoverished childhood with an uncle and aunt. Miraculously, Mr. Sinovcic's mother was released from Soviet imprisonment, and the two were reunited in Zagreb after the war. Sinovcic studied History and Languages at the Croatian National University of Zagreb. From 1957 to 1968 he lived the life of a political exile, moving from Italy to France to the United States where he became a citizen, married and settled down. He now lives, works and studies in the City of New York. Columbus-Debunking of a Legend, conceived more than twenty years ago, is Sinovcic's first book. In addition to speaking English and his native Croatian, the author also uses Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French and Russian, and has, a working knowledge of some other Slavic languages and, of course, Latin For relaxation and as a hobby, Sinovcic designs, builds and flies kites and ultra light aircraft on a farm in New York's Adirondack Mountains

SINTICH, ANTON G. Attorney

Anton Sintich is an Attorney at Law in Long Island City, New York. He was born March 24, 1911 in Dragozetici, Island Cres (Istria), Croatia and is married with two children. Education includes State Commerce Academy, Susak, Graduated, 1929; New York City College, New York, A.B., 1935; Brooklyn Law School (St. Lawrence University), N.Y., LL.B., 1939; Brooklyn Law School, New York, Juris Doctor, November 1967. With a major field in law. Member Association of Immigration and Nationality Lawyers; American Slavic Congress, Delegate (Pittsburgh, Chicago, Cleveland). Experience1938-43 Chief Translator, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; 1954- Immigration Lawyer and general law practice.

SISICH, JOHN Engineer-Cultural Activities

John Sisich, born in San Francisco on February 17, 1917, became a member of the Slavonic Society of San Francisco in 1946. His parents are from Dubrovnik, Croatia. John served as an officer in the society in various capacities in 7 years, highlighted as President for 3 years which included our centennial year in 1957. During John's active years, he was principally involved in many standing committees which contributed to the building of a stronger society which we enjoy today. Brother John and his wife, Monique, have three children; Gael, Denis and Pascal and reside in Redwood City, California. John is employed as a professional engineer.

SKACAN, PETER Military-Contractor

Was born on Feb. 19, 1922 in the village of Sv. Jana, Croatia, the first child of Peter and Milka (Dumic) Skacan. His father immigrated to the United States that same year and settled in the New Brighton/Beaver Falls area of Pennsylvania. In the company of his mother, Peter came to this country to meet his father in the fall of 1930. In 1931, his only sibling, William Frank Skacan was born. In the year 1940, when he was but 17 years old, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and received basic training at the Marine base in San Diego, California. In January, 1942 his unit shipped out to Pago, Samoa and several months later saw his first action on Guadalcanal. He was later to participate in the invasions of Tarawa in 1943, and Saipan and Tinian in 1944 with the 2nd US Marine Division. After Tinian he was returned stateside for the duration of the war. In 1946, he was assigned to occupation duty in China. Returning home in 1947, he earned a business degree from Woodbury College in Los Angeles. In 1948 he married Margaret Churitch and settled down to civilian life. With the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, Peter was recalled to active duty (he had remained in the reserves) and participated in the landings at Inchon Harbor, the recapture of Seoul, and the drive to the Yalu River. There, almost trapped by overwhelming Chinese Forces, he and his unit fought their way out at the Chosin Reservoir and made a fighting retreat to the coast. Evacuated from Korea, he again returned stateside and received his discharge. Peter then settled own in Manhattan Beach, CA and went to work for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department while his wife Margaret worked as a nurse in a nearby hospital. In 1957 the couple welcomed there only child, Peter Jr. Unfortunately, Margaret tragically passed away later that year. Peter worked for the Sheriff's Department until 1964, when he resigned to go into business for himself in the construction field. He worked at this business, and raised his son as a single parent, until his retirement in early 1990s. He traveled several times to his birthplace of Croatia and also to his old haunts in New Zealand and the South Pacific. He was very proud of his Croatian heritage and was a member Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 59, as was his father, and his service in the Marine Corps, and loved to reminisce about his experiences. Peter Skacan, of Manhattan Beach, California, who passed away on Jan. 27, 2001 at the age of 78. Peter is survived by his son, Peter R. Skacan, daughter-in-law Corazon Skacan, and brother William F. Skacan.

SKALABRIN, ANTHONY Cabinetmaker-Grocery-Goldminer

Anthony was born in the village Prvic Luka, Island of Prvic near Sibenik, Croatia the son of Nikola and Kata (Rodin) Skalabrin. Anthony Skalabrin was born, January 12, 1892. In his 13th year, he moved to Zagreb where he undertook a 4-year apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker. He joined his brother in Seattle in 1913 and immediately enrolled in Lodge 439 of the Croatian Fraternal Union which makes him second only to Simon as the member with the longest continuous service in the local lodge - an impressive 66 years. Particularly in the early years, brother Anthony was very active in lodge affairs and related activities, working side by side with men of kindred thought for various humanitarian causes including the good of the Croatian people. Anthony, from time to time, held several offices in the lodge, including treasurer and president. He recalls with pride that he built the original cabinet that housed the lodge flag when it arrived in 1914. A man with a keen memory, Anthony recalls the early years in the lodge when a certain dependable few frequently had to "pick up the tab" for other members' dues. An anecdote reflecting Anthony Skalabrin's humor deals with the passing of a former friend, a Croatian gentleman born on the island of Rab, who by virtue of his having been educated in Trieste, became totally Italianized - even joining the local Sons of Italy Lodge. Being that the deceased had no real family nearby, Anthony was given responsibility for arranging the funeral. In doing so, he wrote the eulogy for the presiding clergyman emphasizing throughout that the deceased was born in Croatia, that his native language was Croatian, that he was educated in Trst (rather than Trieste) etc. etc. The audience, recalls Anthony delightfully, was mostly Italian.

From 1926 to 1931 when the depression finally took its toll, Anthony, with a partner, operated his own cabinet shop, employing up to 75 men. And then, exhibiting the sort of independence that he still maintains today, he set out on his own to prospect for gold. For 8 or 9 years he moved restlessly around the west, trying his luck in Idaho, Montana, Utah, Arizona, California, and Nevada. He returned to Seattle early in WW 11, working at Todd's Shipyard as a foreman. Following his retirement, he ran a small grocery store in Forks, Washington before returning to Seattle once again.

Anthony Skalabrin is himself a selfeducated and very articulate man. He maintains a comfortable apartment near city center - an apartment which by its very neatness and make-up reflects the Skalabrin flavor and spirituality. There are books, reading materials, correspondence and old records, all neatly ordered for display upon the asking. Anthony, although his eyes aren't what they used to be either, is still an avid reader. He describes himself as somewhat of a researcher. At least twice a week Anthony Skalabrin boards a bus for the crosstown trip to visit his brother Simon. In exchange for his lunch which is regularly waiting, he usually does some administrative-type chores for his older brother correspondence and this type of thing. The Croatian Fraternal Union in general, and particularly those of us here in Seattle are fortunate to have had the Skalabrin brothers in our midst for so many decades. As far as we are concerned, the expression "they don't make them like that anymore" was coined for them .

SKALABRIN, SIMON Grocery-Fisherman

Simon was born in the village Prvic Luka, Island of Prvic near Sibenik, Croatia the son of Nikola and Kata (Rodin) Skalabrin. Simon, born October 28, 1884, left in 1907 at the age of 23, coming directly to Seattle, Washington where there was already a sizeable community of seafaring men from the neighboring island of Zlarin. He spent his first 11 years in Seattle doing construction work. His first job, he recalls, paid 20 cents an hour. In 1918, Sirpon and Anthony (who had arrived in 1913) collaborated to put up a building that housed an apartment for the two of them plus a grocery store that Simnon operated. Except for one or two short flings at commercial fishing, groceries were to be Simon's lifetime occupation. All in all, he operated stores at 3 locations (all of them bad, he laments) before he finally retired in 1964 as he neared his 80th birthday. One factor undoubtedly hastening his retirement was his being robbed, beaten over the head and hospitalized - the third such experience in his grocery career. He took this last misfortune in characteristic fashion, diverting the concern of well-wishers from himself to, as he put it, "that mixed up fellow who would do such a thing".

One cannot long discuss the life of Simon Skalabrin without describing his wife Anka who died in 1976. Theirs was truly a storybook romance. Simon, already in his mid-forties and having been in the U.S. for over 20 years, was "introduced" by way of mutual friend and relative Ivan Lupis Vukic to Anka Poljanic who still resided in her family home on the' Peljesac Peninsula on the Dalmatian Coast just north of Dubrovnik. A warm (and apparently convincing) correspondence ensued and finally on April 13, 1933 Anka and Simon were married in a Slovakian Church in New York City. The depression years were tough and only those equal to the task were able to survive the jungle of poverty and broken dreams. To this day, Simon maintains that the Skalabrin family made it through only on the strength of the staunch support and never-say-die spirit of his beloved wife. Simon and Anka reared two exemplary sons Nicholas, who owns and practices out of his own dental clinic in suburban Seattle, and Vladimir who is a computer expert in California.

Simon Skalabrin is a self-educated man who, until his eyesight began to fade, read extensively. His library is replete with a huge collection of books and other literature and correspondence that covers a wide range of interests. Of great importance to brother Skalabrin has always been the welfare of his beloved Croatian people and this is reflected on the large number of books, periodicals and journals that he keeps on the subject. On two occasions he has donated portions of his collection to the main branch of the Seattle Public Library "in order that readers might learn about Croatians". His devotion to his people has never allowed him to remain silent on matters that affected their well-being. Always, after studying the alternatives carefully, he has been willing to speak out in behalf of what he thought was correct. During the early years this involved the Croatian vs. Austrian question. It appalled him that so many Croatians voiced allegiance to Austria and he recalls with bitter sweet humor the time the touring Austrian Navy pulled into Seattle and the local Austrian-em bracing Croatians, had to hire an interpreter in order to communicate with their Germanic idols. Many times he "went to bat" for the Croatians in the local community but the one event that he seems proudest of is the time in 1917 when, at Anthony's urging, he interceded and convinced the Attorney General of the State of Washington to lift the ban that forbade Croatians (wartime enemy Austrians in the eyes of the State) from fishing in Puget Sound. During both World Wars he worked tirelessly in the community's cooperative efforts to help people in the old homeland. Attracted by the ideals and practical advantages of the National Croatian Society, Simon Skalabrin became a member in 1908 - necessarily in Tacoma, Washington, because there was no lodge in Seattle. Three years later he collaborated with Franjo Franicevich to round up enough applicants to found Seattle Lodge 439. At the initial meeting, April 2,1911 he was elected president of the Board of Trustees and eventually he held several offices including at least one stretch as president. Simon doesn't get out to the lodge meetings any more but he does attend an occasional social the last one being the lodge's annual pioneer banquet in the Fall of 1978. Also in 1978, he penned a 4-part series in the Zajednicar entitled: . Sedamdeset Godina u Ameriku in which he reflected on his experiences since coming to the U.S. in 1907. Despite his years, brother Skalabrin is amazingly active (as evidenced by the dinner he hosted for the lodge 'officers) He spends a great deal of time maintaining his immaculate yard (complete with patio, flowers, vegetables, fig trees and a view of the adjacent water and ferry dock, very much as it would be in his home village of Prvic Luka. A genuinely religious man, Simon Skalabrin attributes his long life to lots of activity, good healthy food, wine with dinner (but no tobacco) and, of course, to the will of God.

SKALICA, TOMO Traveler

Professor Ante Kadic discovered the published travelogue of Tomo Skalica who came to Hawaii several years after Captain Dominis' disappearance at sea, Skalica was not a sailor and he was a native of northern Croatia. He was born in 1825 in Slavonski Brod. In 1851 he left Croatia to travel "to the four corners of the world." He described his "Putovanje (Journey) in installments that were printed in the literary periodical Neven (Zagreb) from 1854 to 1856. Skalica left the port of Bremen in Germany aboard a Finnish boat, It sailed slowly around Cape Horn to Chile, Mexico and reached San Francisco in April 1852. It still was the time of the Gold Rush. On the same ship he left on April 21, 1852 for Sandwich Islands (Hawaiian Islands) which are located "in the middle of the ocean between California and China." The capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Honolulu had in 1852 some 20,000 inhabitants; it was "so beautiful that few cities in this world could be compared with it." Among Skalica’s remarks are some interesting observations about the American influence and his farsighted prediction that this "terrestrial paradise" some day will like California and Oregon join the United States of America. Employed by the Finnish ship as a clerk Skalica left Honolulu in July 1852 for a whale hunting voyage to Petropavlovsk in Russian Kamchatka. The ship returned to Honolulu in January of 1853. From there he sent an interesting letter dated April 3. 1853 to the same periodical Neven in Croatia. He "finally returned penniless to Brod (in 1855)."

SKALICKI, ZELJKO Manufacture

Zeljko Skalicki came from Kosnice, near Zagreb, and worked in machining as a student. Skalicki He started as a laborer in a factory, advancing to foreman. In 1974, he started his own business, Fluid Line Products, Inc. He employs over 150 workers, 90 percent of whom are Croatians. His company manufactures special hydraulic fittings for the U.S. and Canada markets and for Europe. The plant is close to 60,000 square feet and located in Willoughby, Ohio. In spite of his many business obligations, Zeljko Skalicki found time to be active in social, educational and political activities of the Croatian community.

SKALKO CLAN

“Why are you crying?” The old woman asked the question quietly, her crinkled, kindly face lit up with the best smile of all her 73 years. But no one of her 60 sons, daughters, grandchildren, nephews and nieces could answer. They were crying because they were happy, but they couldn’t speak. One by one Matilda Skalko had watched her six sons and daughter march forth from their tiny farm house on the Island of Olib, Croatia, bound for America. Then three weeks ago in 1938, 25 years after Anthony, her youngest born, had left her, a tall, Swarthy 35-year-old man walked into the old farm house in Olib. Even through her weakening eyes she could see this was her son, Anthony Skalko. Anthony had come to bring his mother to the New World, where there were seven thriving Skalko families. Since their father had died two years ago, the six brothers had saved and skimped for this glorious moment.  The Skalko blood is thicker than all the water of the Atlantic, she exclaimed, her arms once more around her youngest born. Those next few weeks were to be filled with the proudest moments of Mrs. Skalko’s life, ending with the most glorious of all when 60 relatives, who found their way to the Pacific Coast, gathered at the home of Son Sam Skalko, 1072 Gilman-st, in San Francisco to honor their mother, grandmother and great aunt. There was wine and feasting and cars. The boys reminisced about the times they stole fruit from her orchard, about fishing trips with father, and about scoldings and spankings. Mrs. Skalko has come to her heaven, just as she exclaimed to her daughter, Stacy, in New York, “Why this is a heaven-you have food and clothing and homes-you have everything.” She has taken the wonders of this New World calmly. Her son’s worries she might become seasick on the Queen Mary were wasted. “Hmph”! she said, “This is a hotel.” The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge elicited no graspe of ammazement, it is too huge for her failing eyes to percieve. But she can see her family, and in these twilight years she’ll be happy, living with one, then another.  Three sons live in San Francisco; Anthony, 35, at 1578 La Salle-st, with his wife Frances, and daughter June, nine months, the youngest of all the Skalkos; Steve, 38, at 1311 Palou-St , and Sam 42. Anthony, Steve and Sam are longshoremen. John, 53, the oldest son, is a waiter at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Nick, 45, is a molder, and Matt, 51, is a Sunnyvale rancher. All her six sons and one daughter are married, bearing her 12 grandchildren.

SKALKO, ANTHONY Architect

Son of Anton, Architect. Has been with the international commercial architectural firm of E-D-2 International since the 1980’s in San Francisco and was project Architect for One Market Plaza Building; the new Southern Pacific building at the foot of Market Street in San Francisco; The high rise building at 50 California Street, in San Francisco and the Pacific Gateway Building at 201 Mission and Spear Streets as well as other high rise buildings in the Far East.

SKALKO, LOUIE Ranch-Vineyard

Son of Nickola, owned five acres of prunes on Henderson off of Lawrence Road in Sunnyvale from 1943 to 1956.  Owned a five acre chicken ranch in San Jose in 1956. Owned sixty acres of apricot trees in south San Jose from 1956 to about 1973 and later he owned a twenty acre vineyard in Napa, California from about 1973 to 1977 until he passed. He was planninng to build a Skalko Winery at the time of his death.

SKALKOV-MATTEA, JOYCE Disc Jockey

Joyce became the first FM female disc jockey in the city of San Francisco for the FM radio station with call letters, KMPX in 1963. In the 1970’s she produced an out-door craft faire using a Victorian theme of the 1890’s featuring seven entertainment stages, a Japanese Tea garden and a American Indian village covering ten acres of land in Byron, California near Stockton. She served as an Art Commissioner for the Cities of Tiburon and Belvedere for the year 1972-73. Joyce taught Environmental Art to children in the first, second and third grades for the city of Tiburon in the 1970’s.

SKANSIE CLAN

Peter Skansie came in 1889 and was later followed by his brothers Andrew, Mitchell, Joe, and sister Tomazina. Together the brothers fished and formed a shipyard, and eventually, with Mitchell's expertise, built ferries that greatly improved transportation in the Puget Sound area. Peter Skansie, a native of Sumartin, Brac Dalmatia, arrived in New York and immediately took a train to San Jose, California where he found a temporary job as a farm laborer. The scarcity of work and low, one-dollar a day, pay forced him to seek greener pastures in Washington Territory where wages were higher. At this time there were many brickyards in the vicinity of Puget Sound and he was first employed in a yard in Wollochet Bay. Later, after having worked in mills in Gig Harbor and Tacoma, where he became known for his excellence in arm wrestling and tug-of-war competitions that were the popular sport of the time, Skansie settled in Gig Harbor. Here he fished with Sam Jerisich and married Sam's daughter Melissa." After a short period of time, Melissa passed away. Peter became engaged, through the mails, to Kate Borovich also of Sumartin. The Skansie Shipyard and Ferry Boats: The story of the fishing industry is a tale of the love of work on the water, so it was natural that Croatians became involved in boat building. The Skansie brothers, Peter, Andrew, Joe, and Mitchell, were pioneer shipbuilders in Gig Harbor. Their first project was a thirty-foot rowboat which could be manned by eight men using sixteen-foot oars. In 1902, the year Mitchell arrived, they sawed through the middle of the boat so that eight feet could be added to the center. A seven horsepower standard gasoline engine was installed, and this became their first powered boat. In 1910, they launched the Navigator, which had a manually operated seine. For a number of years, the yard thrived on purse seiner construction and repair work. Peter and Andrew Skansie were involved in commercial fishing; however, Mitchell and Joe stayed with the shipyard. Gig Harbor residents were once wholly dependent on boats. They either rowed or stayed home. Later, steamers kept the isolated community in touch with the world. As the automobile made inroads into the lives of the people, Mitchell Skansie saw the need to build ferries designed for carrying these vehicles. Such was his success that, during the heyday of the Skansie ferryboating in the 1930's, there were seven ferries and four routes operated by his Washington Navigation Company. Mitchell Skansie died in 1939. When the famed Narrows Bridge collapsed in 1940, his son Bill carried on the family business. The state purchased the Skansonia, Defiance, Fox Island, and the Vashonia, but Bill was retained to operate the vessels and maintain them at his shipyard. Two of the ferry boats built by the Skansie yards survive today.

SKERTICH CLAN

Saturday, June 24, 2000 was the day for a very successful Skertich family picnic at Radar Park in Schererville, Indiana. Our great family had 76 members present for a day of conversation, tamburitza playing and games. In honor of Croatia celebrating its 10th year of Statehood on May 30, 2000, the Skertich Family distributed 100 copies of the millennium edition of the Skertich Family History. John "Janko" Skertich came to these United States in 1905 and his family has grown to 176 members. The millennium edition is 87 pages in length and provides statistical data, family information and pictures. The Skertich Family Tamburitza Orchestra, with original members, Nick and George Sr., provided music. The Orchestra included conductor Nicholas Skertich, prim; son Ronald Skertich, guitar, Nick's older brother, George Skertich Bodnar, prim; second cousin Margaret (Skertich) Mug, bass with brother Peter (Skertich) Mug, bugarija; second counsin Zondra Skertich, bass and prim; and Bette Skertich, singer. Absent brothers and sisters were remembered in our family circle with the reading of their names by George Skertich Sr., 86 years, while the Skertich Family sang Amazing Grace. Present this day were family members representing almost all the major Skertich families of Ivan, Peter, Joe, George, Matthew.. John, Rudolph, Rose, Nicholas and Louis. Our long distance travelers this year were Zondra Skertich from Gardiner, Mountana and Brian Westfall with daughter Lauren and son Alec from Richmond, Texas. Kimberly Skertich Abrinko introduced the newest Skertich, Christopher John, born April 18, 2000. Zondra Skertich has been intensively traveling the United States personally interviewing all of the Skertich's to develop a pictorial history of the promulgation of Croatian culture and music within our family. She will have traveled over 7,000 miles on her trip by the time she returns home to Gardiner, Montana, She will publish her extraordinary work next May, 2001. Horseshoes champions were Tom Skertich. Eric. Skertich, Jim Abrinko and John Skertich. Nick Skertich can be seen in person appearing as a guest player in tamburitza events all year long in the Chicago area.

SKOCILICH, JOHN Contractor

John was born in Bribir, Jargovo, Hrvatsko Primovije, April 3 1899. After living for a short period of time in Paris, France, John left to live with his father, Ivan in St. Louis, Missouri. In St. Louis John started his construction company that was successful enough to allow him the chance to return to the “Old County” for a wife. He returned to Bribir to marry Stephanie Kekovic in 1929. John left his bride in their homeland and returned to America to see to his business before bringing Stephanie to his adopted country. Skocilich and his wife arrived in St. Louis in 1936 where they raised two children: John and Margie (Ovanin). John died 27 September 1986. He was survived by his wife, Stephanie; son John; daughter Margie; four grandchildren and his two sisters; Maria Stipiz, of South Africa and Anka Brozicevic of Zagreb, Croatia.

SKORIN-KAPOV, DARKO Professor

Darko Skorin is a professor at Harriman School for Management and Department of Applied Mathematics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, New York. Born September 22, 1954 in Vinkovci, Croatia; married to Jadranka with two children. Education includes Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematics , Zagreb BSc, 1978; Information Science, Zagreb MSc 1983; University of British Columbia, Canada DSc, 1989. Member of Operation Research Society of America.

SKORIN-KAPOV, JADRANKA Professor

Jadranka Skorin is a professor at State University of New York at Stony Brook New York. Born november 30, 1955 in Pula, Croatia; married two children. Education includes BSc mathematics 1977, M Sc mathematics 1983, Faculty of Natural Science and Mathematics, Zagreb, Croatia; University of British Columbia, Canada DSc, 1987. Professor at University of British Columbia, Canada 1987. Published On Polynomial Solvability of the High Multiplicity Total Weighted Tardiness problem 1993. Member of Croatian Society for Operational Researches; The Institute of Management Sciences.

SKORLICH, JOE Restaurant

When John Skorlich left his hometown on the Dalmatian coast three-quarters of a century ago, he was 12 years old. Skorlich boarded a ship sailing for Trieste in 1910. From Trieste he went onto another ship, where he worked as a deck hand. Over the next several years, Skorlich worked his way up to the position of the ship’s waiter, traveling all over the world, to Bombay, China, Singapore, South America and eventually, the United States. In 1917, Skorlich arrived in San Francisco. He immediately signed papers that said he would fight for the United States. Although he was never called for military duty, his loyalty to America helped him get his citizen’s papers a few years later, in 1927. When the judge examined his application, he pointed to Skorlich and announced to the roomful of hopeful immigrants that here was a man who had volunteered to fight for America. “God Bless him,” the judge said, and then awarded him his citizen papers, with honors. It was one of his proudest moments. Skorlich lived with his wife on Castro Street a long time, working for several years on and off as a waiter at Tadich Grill, where he was affectionately known as ‘Curly”. He owned his own downtown restaurant for about four years during the Depression, called Montgomery Restaurant. He later bought a six-unit apartment building on Gough Street, and eventually moved to Mill Valley before settling in Ross about 20 years ago. The Ross resident will return to the Island of Iz, Dalmatia, Croatia next week to celebrate his 89th birthday with his many nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces. He has already ordered lambs for the festivities, which will be roasted on a split.

SKRACIC (NIKOLIC), SLAVICA Croatian Activities

Slavica has contributed her talents as a graphic artist almost since the Croatian Scholarship Fund inception. She was born in Pozega, Croatia and has resided in the USA. since 1969. She and her husband, Bruno, have two daughters. She obtained her B.S. Degree in Applied Art & Design from Cal Poly State University and has completed advanced studies at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. Slavica develops the graphics and newsletter for Croatian Scholarship Fund.

SKRIVANIC, GJURO Editor-Publisher-Bank-Military-Mariner

Gjuro A. Skrivanic was an influential figure in America's immigrant Croatian community from 1891-1908. At his peak (1905-1908) he owned a bank and travel agency in Allegheny (Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania and also edited and published both his original newspaper Napredak (Progress) and the Zajednicar (Fraternalist), the official organ of the Narodna Hrvatska Zajednica- (National Croatian Society). He was a member of the Society's Board of Trustees for three terms and was even nominated for president at several conventions.. an honor that he declined in deference to his newspaper and business obligations. But his bank collapsed during the national monetary crisis of 1907-1908 whereupon he fled Allegheny "without a trace" leaving his angry bank customers and the editorship of the Zajednicar in the lurch. Because of this, reference to his positive influence on the history of Croatians in America has been minimized. However, newly discovered archival material tends to cast Skrivanic in a more deserved light.

The Skrivanic Archives

Deposited at the University of Washington is a 615-page manuscript, handwritten by Skrivanic over the 7-year period 1909-1916. The manuscript: Povjest Americkih Hrvata (History of American Croatians) is divided into four time periods: (A) the discovery of America and subsequently the immigration and immigrant life of Croatians to 1891 with emphasis on the debilitating effects of "Austrianism"; (B) the Croatian awakening of 1891-1901; (C) the period of progress, 1901-1907 and D) the divisive pre-World War I years when America's Croatians grappled with socialism, trialism, Yugoslavianism, etc.

Skrivanic's Early Life In Europe

Gjuro A. Skrivanic was born in Dubrovnik March 4,1861. He finished grade school in Korcula and high school in Dubrovnik. In the Bosnia-Hercegovinian uprising of 1876, he served with the guerillas of Don Miho Music until falling ill to exhaustion and returning home. In 1877 he set sail as an apprentice seaman aboard the vessel Sesti Dubrovacki and on September 5 that year set foot on American soil for the first time. During the long voyage he visited all major ports on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and those in England, France and Russia as well. After 2 years at sea he returned to Dubrovnik and finished high school. In 1881 he was accepted into the military academy in Vienna where he graduated 3 years later as a second lieutenant. He served with the 67th Regiment in Galicia until he had a falling out with an Austrian superior who was antagonistic toward all Slavs. Stripped of his rank, he was assigned to serve out his enlistment as an ordinary soldier in Celje, (Slovenia). It was from Celje that he set out for America December 15, 1886.

Croatian Language Newspapers

The newspapers Napredak, Chicago and Danica (Morning Star) played a monumental role in raising the consciousness of America's Croatians. Napredak, edited and published by Skrivanic in Hoboken, New Jersey, was first issued November 21, 1891 with the stated program "to awaken Croatian national consciousness and encourage brotherly harmony among Croats and Serbs in the United States." The congratulations began to roll in immediately. Nikola Barovic, for example, telegraphed from San Jose, California: "I'm old, but I'll die happy being that I have read the first Croatian newspaper in America." And, after the third issue, Nikola Polic wrote from Chicago "....why wouldn't a sober thinking worker support this first Croatian newspaper of ours, a newspaper dedicated to improving the lot of the working man and the reawakening of the national consciousness that we need in this distant foreign land." Notably, within a year (October 22, 1892) Polic was to produce his own Croatian newspaper Chicago, later (1897 to become Chicago Sloboda (Chicago-Freedom).

The Croatian Renaissance

In 1893, in the 22nd edition of Napredak, Skrivanic issued a visionary call. Under the caption "A Proposal" he wrote: "It's already been more than 30 years since particularly-those from Dalmatia and the Croatian Littoral Region began to emigrate to this distant but free land in search of--- if not riches, at least the decent living that they weren't able to earn in our oppressed homeland. But they exist here without any unifying means of identity-often living in the same city or passing one another on the street without recognition as --countrymen. Some have tried to remedy this with'the formation of various clubs, etc., but these efforts are modest and beset with problems. For example, there are some 37 or more such organizations in America, some identified as Croatian, but others as Slavic, Slavonian, Illyrian and even Austrian. We are recommending that all these groups throughout the United States unite in one organization known as Zajednica (union or society). This Zajednica would assist us. in time of need-- in times of sickness and death. This is our recommendation. Now let the presidents of these various associations step forward to take action."

Skrivanic’s 12 Years as Editor for (Narodna) Hrvatska Zajednica.

Danica, as expected, was unanimously selected as the official voice of the newly organized Hrvatska Zajednica. Unfortunately, however, the honeymoon with Muzina and Danica did not last. Increasingly upset with the content of the paper, the irregularity of its publication and with Muzina himself, the Zelegates to the Third Convention (July 12-17, 1896) named Napredak as the new official organ. At month's end Skrivanic moved his printing operation from Hoboken to Allegheny where he also soon opened a bank and travel agency.

Napredak, a monthly publication, was used as the organization’s official mouthpiece from August, 1896 through November, 1904. At that time the Supreme Board of Directors, following a decree of Eighth Convention (September 26-October 5, 1904) inaugurated the organization's own newspaper, the monthly Zajednicar. From the first issue (December 10, 1904) to February, 1905 the new paper was edited by Josip Marohnic, the organization's accountant. But then, for unexplained reasons, Skrivanic replaced Marohnic as editor. Although he was still publishing Napredak as a private venture and was serving his second term as a member of the Society's Board of Trustees, Skrivanic readily-accepted his multiple role. He would continue to publish both papers through August, 1908. Setting aside Marohnic's 3-month temporary assignment then, it can be asserted that Skrivanic served 12 years'as editor of (Narodna) Hrvatska Zajednica's official organ-- first with Napredak; then with the Zajednicar. Similarly, he can be recorded, as the first editor of the Zajednicar, albeit on a monthly basis. Don Niko Grskovic became the first editor of the weekly Zajednicar in November, 1909.

The Skrivanic/Napredak tenure was often precarious, particularly during Napredak's 1896-1904 reign as the official organ. There were several quality Croatian language newspapers during that era, each with their supporters in the Narodna Hrvatska Zajednica. At each of the five conventions during this period there was vigorous competition for the honor of representing the organization as its official organ. Skrivanic not only survived, but did the Narodna Hrvatska Zajednica. well-- serving three terms on the Board of Trustees, founding several new lodges, speaking at banquets, representing the Society at the funeral of President McKinley, etc. He was also very active in the Allegheny Croatian community, particularly in the affairs of St. Nicholas Croatian Catholic Parish-- the first of its kind in America.

The Dark Days

In 1907 the U.S. economy slowed measurably-- with layoffs, factory closures and finally a stock market slump that triggered financial panic across the country. Businessmen, including Croatian bankers like Skrivanic, blamed the situation on President Theodore, Roosevelt and his "trust busting" program. One by one large businesses began to fail and eventually many banks, including several Croatian banks, fell when the withdrawal demands of the panicked depositors overwhelmed the banks' ability to pay. Biggest losses in this regard were sustained by the customers of Franio Zotti's Croatian bank in New York City (variously estimated at $-600,000 to $750,000). Other Croatian banks that failed in 1908 were those of Bozo Gojsevic in Johnstown, Pennsylvania ($20,000), Ivan Ubojcic in New York City ($5,000), Skrivanic's bank in Allegheny ($13,000) and several others whose losses totaled $50,000. By 1912 even more bank failures had devastated Croatian depositors: the Jankovic bank in Chicago, the (Slovak) Rovinianek bank in Allegheny and; the (Slovenian) Sakser bank in New York City. None of this rationalizing helped Skrivanic, however, and by September, 1908 he had closed his bank and travel agency, ceased publishing the papers Napredak and Zajednicar and disappeared from Allegheny.

Skrivanic well, he turned up in Seattle, Washington which is about as far away from Pittsburgh (and Skrivanic's angry Croatian bank customers) as he could get. He resided there until his death in 1922, during which time he wrote his memoirs and struggled in vain to get them published.

There was, of course, resistance to such an arrangement from the "Pittsburgh establishment" being that so many Croatians there were still bitter about the collapse of the Skrivanic bank and his abdication as editor of the Zajednicar. So desperate was Skrivanic to have the history published that on the eve on the 1915 Cleveland Convention he practically divested himself of any potential

financial gain by suggesting that his proposed fee be, divided as follows: "$10,000 to sick, disabled and aged members of the Narodna & Hrvatska Zajednica, $5,000 to the Croatian Red Cross, $5,000 to the Serbian-Montenegrin Red Cross and $12,000 to those who suffered financial loss at my collapse in 1908. Skrivankic would retain only enough money to cover his costs. Apparently, this offer was also rejected, for the correspondence shows that the quest for publication was continued until 1931, first by Skrivanic's widow and finally by his son, Andrew. Thereafter the entire collection-- manuscript, photos, etc. must have remained in the hands of the Skrivanic family until it was purchased by the University of Washington in 1968.

SKUBIC, VERA Professor

Professor Skubic was born April 8, 1918 in Chicago, Illinois. Her field is Physical Education and is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana. She received a Ph.D. in 1954 from the University of Southern California. She teaches at the University of California at Santa Barbara in the Physical Education Department. She has published in the areas of Physiology and Physical Education. She presently resides in Santa Barbara, California.

SKUL, BOZIGA Doctor

Boziga Skul is a Physician, Resident in Internal Medicine, Columbus Hospital, Chicago, Illinois. Born October 28, 1926 in Zagreb, Croatia; married nee Peharec with two children. Education includes Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia, Graduate, 1945; Medical School, University of Zagreb, Croatia, M.D., 1955 with a major field in Medicine and Internal medicine. Two years of research in pulmonary physiology, Edgewater Hospital, Chicago.

SKUL, VLADIMIR Doctor

Vladimir Skul is a Gynecologist-Obstetrician in Chicago, Illinois. Born March 22, 1925 in Bjelovar, Croatia; married with two children. Educated at Gymnasium, Zagreb, 1944; Medical Faculty, Zagreb, Croatia, 1944-1950, Diploma. and Medical Sc.D., 1959 with a major field in Medicine and Obstetrics and gynecology. Published many articles in Medical Journals in Croatian, English and German languages. Member of American Medical Association; Fellow of International Gynecologist-Obstetrician Society; Chicago Medical Society; Illinois Medical Society; Fellow of American College of Gynecologiy-Obstetrics.

SKURLA, GEORGE Appolo Space Program

George Skurla, 80, a retired Grumman Corporation president known for his leadership during the heady days when the company's lunar module landed on the moon, died September 2, 2001 at a hospital in Melbourne, Florida. He had pneumonia. Grumman's lunar modules shuttled Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin from Apollo 11 toward the "giant leap for mankind" in 1969 and, a year later, returned the crew of Apollo 13 to Earth when their main spacecraft became disabled. As director of operations at Kennedy Space Center in Florida in the late 60’s, Mr. Skurla managed 1,600 employees responsible for assembling and testing the lunar modules from parts made at Grumman headquarters in Bethpage, N.Y. He began his 42-year career at Grumman in 1944 as an apprentice engineer and was named company president in 1985. Grumman has since become part of Los Angeles-based Northrop-Grumman. George Skurla was a Croatian-American whose parents were from Herzegovina. He died on September 2. As head of Grumman, he was one of the key men behind the Appolo program.

SLAVENSKA-CORAK, MIA Ballerina-Movie Star

Slavenska was born in 1914 at Slavonski Brod, Croatia. She studied in Zagreb with Josephine Weiss, then in Vienna with Leo Dubois. When she moved to Paris she continued her studies with Lubov Egorova, Mathilda Kschessinska and Olga Preobrajenska. She also studied modern dance with Harald Kreutzberg and Mary Wigman. Slavenska was not only a brilliant technician but also a beautiful woman, with bright red hair. When she taught class she dressed in bright colors with a large jeweled pin at her waist. Slavenska starred in a wonderful French film, La Mort du Cygne (1938), in which she and Yvette Chauviré (who later became a prima ballerina of the Paris Opera Ballet) played rival ballerinas. Janine Charrat, who became one of France's leading choreographers, played a young ballet student. The Hollywood version, was called The Unfinished Dance (1947). Slavenska became ballerina of the Zagreb Opera (1930-33) and joined the Paris Opera in 1933, dancing with Serge Lifar. In London she danced with Anton Dolin before joining the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo (1938-42). She later formed her own company, Ballet Variante. Slavenska also continued to dance as a guest artist for many major ballet companies, and in 1953 she established the Slavenska-Franklin ballet company with Frederic Franklin. One of the roles she created was Blanche Dubois in Valerie Bettis' A Streetcar Named Desire. Mia Slavenska taught dance in Los Angeles, California.

SLAVICH, FRANCIS LUKE All American Sports

Mr. Slavich who attended the University of Santa Clara, was a salesman for Glass Container Corp. from 1947-1975. A natural athlete known since high school by the nickname 'Hands' he played football and basketball, put shot and rowed. His prowess earned him membership in the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame, the Tom Rice Award for Athletic Achievement and Service to Sports. and selection to the University of Santa Clara Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also a collegiate All American in basketball and football and played for the Olympic Club basketball learn in his postcollegiate years. Francis Luke Slavich, age 90, died on September 13, 2001. Prior to moving, to Pacific Grove with his wife Betsy in 1991, he and Betsy lived in Marin County for 43 years. Both were native San Franciscans. In spite of his athletic achievements, however. his greatest pride was in his long marriage (66 years) and family. He adored his wife Betsy, who preceded him in death in February of this year. He fell in love with her the first time he met her, on a double blind date (she was supposed to be the other fellow's date but 'Hands' quickly nabbed her), and never wavered in his devotion to her. He was very proud of his two sons, Michael of Petaluma and Denis of San Francisco; his daughter. Michele Marincovich of Portola Valley; his five grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.

SLAVICH, IVAN Military-Pilot

The civilian in front of me, Mr. Ivan Slavich, a prosperous middle-management executive with McGuire Properties, a very successful Charlotte commercial real estate firm, was no longer Col. Ivan Slavich of the United States Army. Instead, he was Colonel, U.S. Army Retired, a title he did not use, for he disliked those colleagues of his who had left the Army but held on to their rank and who remained, years after their last day in uniform, still colonels. Twenty years ago, when I was a young reporter in Vietnam, he had been the commander of the first armed helicopter unit in American military history, a legendary figure, a man of such skill and drive and bravery that he was for a time perhaps the most admired officer in the country. One day, he took a round from a 50 caliber that downed his ship and came perilously close to taking his life. The ship was virtually tearing apart at the moment when he brought it down; 100 yards higher, and it would have come apart. There is an efficiency report from those days marked by his superiors-including Brig. Gen. Joe Stilwell Jr., known as a tough grader-measuring Ivan against a presumed group of 100 other Army officers and giving him a perfect 100. No one, Stilwell wrote, was responsible for saving as many American lives in Vietnam. Two years ago, I had written a memoir for Parade about Vietnam and I had said of him that if he was not the bravest man I had ever known, then he was certainly one of the two or three-the kind of brilliant, fearless officer that the Army needs in time of war but fears in time of peace-and that I had known then, long before he had, that somehow he would never make general. Ivan had got out of the Army in 1975 after 22 years. Enough was enough. On the last day, they had pinned the Legion of Merit on him, his fourth one. "If you like medals, " he said later, "it was a good day." After getting out, he had taught for a time at central Piedmont in Charlotte. His kids, he said over the phone, were in good shape. One was in the Navy in Iceland, two were at Duke, and one was still in high school. He did not fly anymore, either planes or helicopters. In one room, there was a small framed montage of his medals: the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Silver Star and the Air Medal. "Saved one thing," he said, and went and got a silver cup which have been given to him in Saigon almost 20 years ago to the day. It was inscribed to Major Ivan Slavich. All it said was "Number Bleeping One." There, underneath it, were our names: Peter Arnett, Charley Mohr, Horst Faas, Neil Sheehan and mine. All the journalists who were there in 1963 and were his straphangers. I knew precious little of his background, only that his father has been involved in San Francisco politics. His grandfather, I found out, had come from Croatia, was a barrel maker in the California wine country. His father, Ivan Slavich Sr., was a clerk of the municipal court and a local Democratic pol in San Francisco. Everyone had known him in Saigon, and when he was in a room, there had always been a special deference to him, other grown men always waiting to know what he was thinking.

SLAVICH, IVAN Clerk of the Municipal Court-Military

"There was not a breath of scandal in my 19 years as clerk of the Municipal Court of San Francisco." Slavich is now 65 and he retired last October. He spent 40 of those 65 years working inside City Hall. He is a reasonably rotund politician with a rather precise mind that combines the meticulous qualities of a filing clerk, accountant, executive and lobbyist. "I raised the pay of the 12 municipal judges from $6,500 to $18,000 a year." he tells you with a glint in his blue eyes, "and I raised my own pay from $500 to $1450 a month." "And I took care of all my boys in the office every year, too," he adds, "but I never did it without the support of the judges." Slavich's ability to lobby pay raises from the Legislature in Sacramento is one of the great success stories of California politics. "I never went up there empty handed," he recalls. Slavich was born in North Beach, the son of a Croatian barrel-maker and his Genoese wife. He went to Washington Grammar school, the old High School of Commerce and San Francisco Business College. He was a sergeant in charge of an ammunition train at the front in France in World War I and he was gassed in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. After the First World War, Slavich returned to San Francisco, completed his education and, in 1921, got a clerk's job in the city auditor's office. Jimmy Rolph was mayor. Then, in 1934, Slavich became a deputy clerk in the Municipal Court. In three years he was at the top of the senior law clerks' promotion list. "When I started in 1934," he says, "the Municipal Court was taking in $100,000 a year in traffic fines. Now, it's over $3 million." Altogether, Slavich served under five San Francisco mayors-James Rolph, Angelo Rossi, Roger Lapham, Elmer Robinson and George Christopher. Last November 3, four days after he retired, Slavich married Edna M. Lemke, clerk of the Marin Municipal Court, at the Holiday Hotel in Reno. Slavich has a son, Captain Ivan Slavich Jr., an Army paratrooper currently commanding a helicopter squadron in Okinawa.

SLAVICH, JOHN Cooperage Business

A prominent manufacturer of Fresno is John Slavich, whose firm, John Slavich & Sons, Cooperage, is the only locally owned barrel factory in Fresno County, and has been in operation here for over twenty years. Mr. Slavich is a native of Dalmatia, Croatia, born on October 12, 1876. He learned the cooperage business in his native country and came to San Francisco when he was twenty-two years old. Three brothers had preceded him to California, and it was not long before he was well established in business in this country. Soon after arrival in California he paid a visit to Fresno, but did not stay here long, and went back to San Francisco. However, Mr. Slavich ultimately returned to Fresno and established the business which bears his name, and which has grown during the course of the years to be one of the largest of its kind in the San Joaquin Valley. The plant is located on an acre of ground on North Calaveras and University Avenue. Two large buildings are occupied, and in 1934 new and modern equipment was installed, which is the equal of that to be found in any cooperage plant in the country. The product consists of several different sized barrels and kegs for the wine and whiskey industries, most of which are made of white oak. The capacity of the plant is about 400 barrels per day.

Mr. Slavich belongs to Croatian organizations in Fresno as well as in San Francisco. He is affiliated with the fraternal order of the Eagles. He married Katie Tramontana in Croatia. They have five children: John, Jr., who spends about ten months of the year in New York City, selling grapes to the wholesale houses for local growers; Ralph, who is in the used car business in Fresno; George A. and Frank, associated with their father; and Mrs. Margaret Marsella of Fresno. The three oldest children were born in San Francisco, and the two younger ones in Fresno.

SLAVICH, JOHN Vineyard-Fruit

John Slavich, one of the largest fruit producers in this country, was born in San Francisco in 1899 to parents who had immigrated from Croatia in 1897. He entered the grape growing and shipping business under the firm name of Delmonte Fruit Company. In 1929 he established in New York a marketing business under his own name. He died in May, 1959.

SLAVICH, JOHN F. Mayor-Military-Doctor of Medicine

Dr. John F. Slavich, 69, Mayor of Oakland from 1941 to 1945 and a member of the City Council for 16 years, died recently in Oakland. A native of Portland, Oregon, and a graduate of the University of California in 1904, Dr. Slavich served in World War I as a captain in the medical corps. He had for many years been active in the American Legion and was State commander of the group in 1926-27. In 1926 he was named Oakland city physician and in 1931 was elected to his first term as a member of the City Council. Dr. Slavich was a past state deputy of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Oakland Elks and Moose Lodges, the Alameda County Medical Assn. and the Alameda County Insanity Panel. He is survived by his wife, Rae, of 412 Bellvue avenue, Oakland, and six sisters, Stella D. Barton, Eva C. Abbott, Adrienne H. Sommerville, Margaret E. Slavich and Mrs. Peter J. Starisinich, all of Oakland.

SLAVICH, LORENZO V. Restaurant Goldminer

Lorenzo V. Slavich was born on October 30, 1857, in Dalmatia, Croatia, Island of Brac, town of Mirce, a son of John and Katherine (Nizetich) Slavich, well-to-do farmers, and manufacturers of olive oil and wine. Lorenzo V. Slavich attended the public schools of Mirce until he had reached the age of fifteen, when he sailed for America. His uncle, the late George Slavich, proprietor of the Union Restaurant, the oldest business of the kind in San Jose, had written for him to come to California, but was taken seriously ill, and just before the arrival of Lorenzo, had moved away, and the restaurant was disposed of, and it was three years before he saw his uncle. Thrilled with the stories of wealth to be found in mining, he went to Amador County, where he entered the employ of the Plymouth Consolidated Mining Company, working in their mill; later he removed to Eldorado County, where a large flume was in the course of construction for carrying water for placer mining. He became an American citizen while residing in Eldorado County. He was now twenty-one years old, and concluded to return to San Jose. He conducted a billiard parlor for a time during 1882, but sold out and invested the procedes in a restaurant in Gilroy, which proved to be a wise move, and which netted him liberal profits during his five years there. However, he disposed of this business and returned to San Jose and became manager of a restaurant, where he remained ten years. In May 1897, Mr. Slavich purchased a restaurant business on West San Fernando Street, and after spending about $7,000 on improvements, the restaurant was opened for business on June 25, 1897. His venture proved a profitable one, and for many years his establishment has yielded a handsome income, and was known throughout the northern part of the state as a place where one was sure to procure and excellent meal. Very recently, on account of failing health, Mr. SLavich was been forced to relinquish his activity, and has turned over the business to his son-in-law, John V. Slavich, who served as manager of the restaurant for twenty-one years. The first marriage of Mr. Slavich united his with Miss Annie Winegarden, a daughter of one of Santa Clara County’s pioneer families, born and reared in San Jose, in a house which formerly stood, and where now stands the Federal building, on the corner of Market and San Fernando streets. Mr. and Mrs. Slavich had three children: John died when two and a half years old; Katherine Married John V. Slavich of San Jose and she died September 5, 1921, leaving a daughter, Gwenny; and Celestina Olga, the wife of Gus Wendt, a well known merchant of San Jose.

He organized and named the Slavonic-American Benefit Society of San Jose in 1894, with a charter membership of thirty-eight, and was president for eleven consecutive years. He was the recipient of two medals presented by the society in appreciation of this untiring energy and efforts in behalf of the work. He is also and active member of the Italian Benevolent society of San Jose, and was a charter member of the Chamber of Commerce. Politically, he is a stanch Democrat, and has served on the local election board as judge for the past twenty-five years. Since the founding of the San Jose branch of the Bank of Italy, Mr. SLavich has been a member of the board of directors. Mr. Slavich’s life was saddened by the death of his wife on May 26, 1911, a woman of culture and education, a graduate of Notre Dame, speaking fluently both Spanish and English. She was mourned by a host of living friends besides the members of her immediate family. During the year 1893, Mr. Slavich made a tour of France, Germany, Austria, and Italy, spending four months visiting his parents, and renewing the acquaintances of boyhood. After his return to California the residence located at 221 West James Street was built, and has since been center of many happy gatherings. The second marriage of Mr. Slavich occurred December 6, 1914, uniting him with Miss Marica Gligo, also a native of Croatia, and a resident of San Jose since 1914. They are parents of one daughter, Draga. Mrs. Slavich has two brothers, who are merchants in San Pedro, California.

SLAVICH, NICK Nick’s Grotto

I kept seeing John Barrymore sitting on his favorite bar stool, drinking 15-cent sherry and reading a radio script. And you could practically hear Al Jolson’s voice, off in a corner of the dining room, as he hummed through a tune he planned to use on his show. Somebody hollered out “Wanna buy a duck?” as he walked by Joe Penner, and Glenn Miller was discussing some new tunes with song pluggers. Ghosts” No, just memories. But there were at least a million of them when the historic old Melrose Grotto reopened yesterday. You wouldn’t have recognized the old place, which has been shuttered for several months. It’s all sparkling pretty, has something called decor and now it’s known as the Melrose Nickodell. But the spirit still is there, a spirit that has been part of Hollywood’s radio and motion picture industry for many years. Television? No, television’s a Johnny-come lately compared to the old timers.

Nick Slavich opened the old grotto back in the depression days and it soon became a popular hangout for the radio and motion picture crowd. One reason was its location, because NBC soon opened up it’s West Coast headquarters next door and the actors, writers, directors, musicians, producer, —practically everybody—naturally gravitated to Nick’s Grotto. Through the years practically all the top names in show business looked upon the Grotto as a second home or office. On any given day you could meet Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Dorothy Lamour, Ray Noble, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, any one of the Barrymores, Parkyakarkus, Ed Wynn and scores of other people up and down the talent ladder. There are a couple of good stories about the old Grotto, too. Nick was telling me about Barrymore’s sherry. “The first day Barrymore came in he ordered a glass of sherry at the bar. The bartender gave him a domestic brand, which sold in those days for 15 cents. “I told the bartender to serve him a better grade of sherry- the 25 cent wine- if he ordered another drink. Well, he did and the bartender switched to the better brand. “Barrymore said: ‘What’s this! You have changed wines, you scoundrel!’ So he went back to the 15 cent sherry.” I also remember those days when old John would sit at the bar, reading a script and never paying his bill. He used to sign all checks and his wife would come in a day or so later to pick them up. Then there was the time the actor stole a turkey. He was a pretty important personality loaded at the bar and decided it would be a good idea to walk out with a cooked turkey. He was very careful to stuff the turkey under his coat and walk out in a nonchalant manner.  It is very difficulty to be nonchalant when you have a turkey under your coat. Actually, everybody in the joint, including Nick, saw the episode and thought the actor gave a bad performance. Nick just put the turkey on the guy’s monthly bill. In the early days, when the Grotto was just getting started, Nick didn’t have a lot of money on hand and the fellows from NBC used to come in to get their paychecks cashed. It was quite an arrangement. Nick would collect the checks, send somebody to the bank to get them cashed while the boys were eating and pay them off after lunch. Everything went great until one day the guy went to the bank and never came back.  He went south with the money. The NBC employees took part of the money that day and the remainder on the following morning.

But eventually the Grotto prospered and Nick carried a lot of hungry radio and film people over the hurdle when they ran out of work and money. If you were a right guy- or gal- and things weren’t going too well, Nick and the Grotto were true friends. A few years ago Nick made a few million dollars or some equally fantastic sum and sold out.; The Grotto was never the same and finally the doors were closed.

In the meantime, Slavich opened another restaurant, the Nickodell, which almost overnight became the new radio-TV hangout. But I guess there was something about the old Grotto that was a part of Slavich.  He couldn’t forget those years and the memories ad he couldn’t see the Grotto as just another broke restaurant. So he reopened the place, now completely remodeled, and all the radio-TV names turned up for the private premiere. Nick was proud as punch. “This place is part of me- it’s in my heart,” he said. Price Tag: And that’s quite a heart, as anybody in radio of TV can tell you.

SLAVICH, NICK Restaurant

Born Nikola Slavich in 1902 in Mirce on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia, Nick came to the United States at the age of eleven. He worked in the restaurant business in Los Angeles during the 1920s and opened “Slavich’s Grill” in San Jose, California. He opened two other restaurants throughout his lifetime, including “Nick’s Melrose Grotto” in Hollywood in 1928. Located next to NBC’s west coast headquarters, “Melrose Grotto” became a hot spot for famous radio and film actors during the Depression Days. The restaurant/bar hosted celebrities such as John Barrymore, Al Jolson, Joe Penner, Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Dorothy Lamour, Ray Noble, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, and Ed Wynn. The Grotto closed in the 1940s after Nick sold it for a few million dollars. Shortly after, Nick opened another restaurant, the “Nickodell”, next to Paramount Pictures which was also popular among celebrities. Some who frequented the restaurant include Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Peggy Rea. The “Nickodell” closed in 1993. Nick was married to Antoinette Jutronich.

SLISKOVICH, MIKE and JULIA Farm

She was born May 24, 1907, Gallup, New Mexico, to parents, John and Antonia Svob, who had immigrated to the United States from the village of Fuzina, near Rijeka, Croatia. The family moved to Mesa for health reasons in 1917, operating a small farm in the Lehi Valley, where the population was composed largely of Mormon people. Julia went to Mesa schools and was an outstanding graduate at Mesa High School. She attended Arizona State University. In 1924, Julia met and married Mike Sliskovich, who had immigrated from the village of Budimiri in Dalmatia some 20 years before. They made their home in Globe, Arizona and Los Angeles, California before purchasing a farm in Mesa, next door to her parents' home. During the Depression, Mike and Julia purchased more acreage and raised produce, particularly carrots, before turning to grain and cotton crops and dairy farming. Julia's mother Antonia was the long-time secretary of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 795, and the inspiration to keep the lodge active. When Antonia became too ill to do the job, Julia took over from her mother. She was once a delegate to the CFU National Convention. She was active in the small Catholic church, Sacred Heart Parish in Mesa, and was a supporter as the parish became the Queen of Peace Church with a fine new facility. She and Mike were active members of the Farm Bureau. They were supporters of local school that, she, and her children after her, attended. After the death of her husband, Julia masterminded the development of the farm property into business uses. that continue today. Julia Sliskovich, 93, died on July 5, 2000. Julia and Mike, who preceded her in death in 1969, had three daughters, Helen Peterson of La Conner, Washington, Virginia Johnson of Mesa, and Janet Amandes of Murphys, California, and one son, Thomas J. Sliskovich of Mesa. Also surviving are three sisters, Olga Shill and Norma Toliver of Mesa, and Elizabeth Croft of Casa Grande, Arizona; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, and one greatgreat-grandchild.

SMOLICH, THOMAS Priest-Jesuit Provincial

Jesuit Father Thomas H. Smolich, 43, has been named provincial of the California Province of the Society of Jesus effective July 31, 1999 and will succeed Jesuit Father John A. Privett, according to a report in the Catholic Herald of Sacramento. A Sacramento native, Father Smolich will oversee Jesuit priests, schools, universities and parishes in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Hawaii. Not long after earning a master's degree in business administration from Stanford University in 1994, Father Smolich became project manager of the Mid-peninsula Housing Coalition which develops affordable homes for San Francisco Bay Area families. Ordained in 1986, Father Smolich has studied at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, Fordham University in the Bronx, NY, and at the Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley. After a year of Spanish studies in Bolivia, he was appointed associate pastor of East Los Angeles' Mission Dolores Parish which serves a largely Latino population. While there he also became executive director of "Proyecto pastoral", a non-profit community development organization. In 1990 he appeared on the television program "Jeopardy" and won 430,000, which was applied to construction expenses of Dolores Mission Women's Cooperative Child care center.

SMOLJAN, DAVID Teacher

The Fresno Unified School District Agriculture Department Chairman, David L. Smoljan, was recently honored at the sixty-seventh Annual California Agriculture Teachers Association (CATA) Conference held at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Brother Smoljan was presented the National Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association (NVATA) Outstanding Teacher Award. The Award is sponsored by NVATA and is awarded each year to the outstanding agriculture teacher in California. Mr. Smoljan will be California’s entry in the NVTA Regional Competition. He is a teacher at Duncan Polytechnical High School in Fresno. Brother Smoljan has been active in the CATA and served as chairman of the Adult and Youth Activities Department, member of the Governing Board, vice president of secondary division, executive committee member, member of State Advisory Committee on Junior Colleges, Sectional CATA officer, Sectional FFA advisor, curriculum guidelines, CATA legislative network liaison and a CATA member for fourteen years. He has taught in the Fresno Unified School District for the past 13 years, having taught one year prior to his Fresno assignment, in the Los Angeles area. He is the Fresno FFA advisor and an instructor of Forestry and Ornamental Horticulture class in 1973 the program has grown to a comprehensive program held at six different schools, a 23 acres school farm and a five member staff.

SNIDER, VLADIMIR J. Manager

Vladimir Snider is Foreign Development Manager for Lakeside Laboratories, Division of Colgate-Palmolive Co., Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Born June 29, 1920 in Zagreb, Croatia; married with four children. Education includes II Classical Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia. Graduate, 1940; Medical Faculty, Zagreb, 1940-42; Liberal Arts, Perugia, Italy 1942-43;, Medical Faculty, Padova, Italy 1944; Medical Faculty, Milano, italy 1946; Roosevelt University, Chicago, Illinois with a major field in Medicine and Management of Foreign Subsidiary and-Foreign Marketing. Member of Triple-E Ethical Pharmaceutical Export Executives New York City; Croatian Academy of America, Inc.; World Trade Club, Inc. Milwaukee.

SOJAT, NICHOLAS J. Priest-Attorney-Professor

Father Nicholas is a professor of Canon Law at St. John Vianney Seminary East Aurora, N.Y. He was born August 24, 1914 in Senj , Croatia and Ordained, June 27, 1937. Education included 1933-37 Seminary, Senj, Croatia; Gregorian University, Rome, Italy. J. C. D. , 1947. (Dr. of Canon Law). Completed thesis 1941 "De Privilegio Linguae Palaeoslavicae in Liturgia Romana," Gregorian University, Rome. Member of Canon Law Society of America; Canadian Canon Law Society; 1969 Member of Editorial Board of Diocesan Newspaper "Magnificat." 1949-50 Taught Canon Law, Ottawa, Canada; 1961- Professor Canon Law, Major Seminary, East Aurora; 1964- Judge, Diocesan Marriage Court, Buffalo, New York.

SOKACH, LOUIS Book Store

Born in 1897 in the village of Drnje, near Koprivnica, Croatia. Attended Teachers’ College in Zagreb. Agent in the Emigrant’s Bureau in the Jugoslav Consulate in Havre, France, 1920-1921. Served as a radio operator in the United States Aviation Service in Philippine Islands, 1922-3. At present Mr. Sokach conducts a book and stationary store in San Francisco.

SOLA, JURE Electronics Corporation

Sanmina Corporation in California, a contract manufacturer of telecommunications equipment and computers marketed by other companies, agreed to buy rival SCI Systems Inc. for about $4.5 billion in stock as competition intensifies for fewer sales. Sanmina, led by Chief Executive Jure Sola, has stuck to more profitable products, as telecommunication equipment, relying less on lower- margin devices. Sola, a 50-year-old Croatia native, co-founded Sanmina in 1980. Sanmina has a market value of about $6.6 billion. The new company will have sales of $14 billion a year and 100 plants in more than 20 countries. Sales would be the same as those last year by Solectron Corp., the biggest contract builder. Companies such as Nokia, Motorola and Nortel Nerworks Corp. are turning more to contract manufacturers to save money. contract manufacturers can build devices more cheaply because they buy parts in bulk and do much of their production in countries with cheaper labor.

SOLDO, ANDREW Radio Coffee Shop

Andrew Soldo was born on Feb. 18, 1909 in Sinj, Croatia and passed away on May 15, 1991 in Watsonville. He was 82. Andrew Soldo was involved in many community activities in Watsonville, including being the voice of Slavs on two radio stations for more than 40 years throughout the central coast. He was the husband of former Watsonville Mayor Ann Soldo. He immigrated to Chicago as a young boy, and served in the Army in the European theater during World War II. In 1947, he moved to Watsonville, where he worked for many years as a chef at the Resetar Hotel. Later he opened Andy’s Coffee Shop in the East Lake Village shopping center, which he sold in 1975 when he retired. For more than four decades, he was also the director of the KOMY Sunday Yugoslav radio program and had a weekly radio program in San Jose at KLOK from 1948 to 1969. In addition to his membership in the Croatian Fraternal Union, he was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, the Elks Lodge, the Slav American Cultural Organization, and Sons in Retirement. He was a past grand knight of the Watsonville Knights of Columbus, as well as a Fourth Degree Knight in the Padre Palou Assembly.  He was a past commander of American Legion Post 121. He was also a member of the Slavonic American Benevolent Society of Watsonville and the Napredak Club of San Jose. Surviving are his wife, Ann Mariasevich Soldo; son, Bob, of Watsonville, daughter, Mary Ann Jurchan of Denver, Colorado; brothers and sisters-in-law; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His first wife, Mildred, died in the early 1950s.

SOLDO, ANN Mayor

Ann (Matiasevich) Soldo, member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 352, was elected Mayor of the City of Watsonville. Ann Soldo served as a city councilwoman for the past four years and had the option of running for re-election to a relatively safe seat of seeking the office of mayor in a wide-open race. Never one to back away from a challenge- and with the encouragement of her friends, relatives, and supporters- she opted to run for mayor. Sister Soldo is the daughter of the late Nick and Lucy Matiasevich. Nearly a century ago, her father, Nick, immigrated to America from the village of Popovici in Konavle Valley, which is just south of Dubrovnik. He met and married Lucy Vukich who was born in this country. Nick and Lucy settled here in Watsonville where Ann was born. Ann graduated from Watsonville High School in 1938. She went away to college and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from San Jose State University and her Masters of Arts degree from Stanford University. Ann retired as a junior high school principal after a successful and noteworthy career in education. Ann is married to Andy Soldo, who moved to Watsonville in 1948 from Chicago, Illinois. Brother Andy was presented an engraved plaque by the Tamburitza Extravaganza committee in San Jose on Oct. 16, 1982 at their awards banquet.

SOLJACK, ROBERT 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.

SOLMAN, DARIO Artist-Film

Listening to New Voices is curated by Daniel Marzona and Larissa Harris, and features 20 national and international artists participating in the P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, program. Dario Solman (1973) is the first Croatian participant of the P.S.1.'s International Studio Program. Prior to his residency at P.S.1, Mr. Solman has completed graduate studies in arts at the Ohio State University and undergraduate studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb. He has exhibited widely and has taught at the Arts Academy in Split and the Ohio State University. Dario Solman will exhibit his most recent work “The Real Thing – the Making of the Film”, the mix media project created in residency at P.S.1. His previous work can be viewed at the web site: http://dariosolman.tripod.com/. The Croatian participation at the prestigious International Studio Program is supported by the Ministry of Culture of Croatia, FACE Croatia Foundation (under the leadership of Mrs. Mercy Bona Pavelic), Trust for Mutual Understanding and realized through the Arts International and HDLU-Zagreb. Initiator and coordinator of the program is Branko Franceschi, curator/manager of the Miroslav Kraljevic Gallery, Zagreb, Croatia.

SOREE, MILENA Photographer-Combat Photographer

In 1992, Milena Sorée spent eight months in Croatia alongside a Croatian Army unit recording devastating events in her native homeland. From more than 1,300 photographs she selected 35 poignant images and exhibited them with 35 photographs from an earlier body of work that captured the peace and serenity of bygone days of Croatia. Sorée was given the honor of having her photograph "Croatian Rose" become the Croatian American Association's Freedom Award because of its artistic representation symbolizing new life and splendor rising out of death and decay and the rebirth of the Croatian nation. She has also received awards from the Photographer's Forum and the Society for Technical Communication. "Heart of Croatia Gifts" is both pleased and honored to have the work of the distinguished Croatian photographer, Milena Sorée, available at our site. Visit www.croatiagifts.com to view and/or purchase "Croatian Rose." Milena Sorée captures your heart, your eye, and your senses with the beauty and images she detains with her camera. An artist true to herself and her medium, who has incredible passion for what she wants to capture forever with her camera....her work will affect you. From images of war to images of nature, that are so serene and colorful, one would never know or guess at the chaos or destruction that lay behind those incredible moments. Milena has an ability to capture such evoking images at the same time. Her powerful images leave you to wonder and to feel. Milena Sorée Originals have been exhibited in galleries and public spaces, including the Washington State Convention Center Gallery in Seattle, the Collector Art Gallery in Washington, D.C., and the David Stein Gallery in Olympia, Washington. Her photographs have also been exhibited at the Russell Rotunda of the U.S. Congress. Her works hang in numerous private collections throughout the United States and in Europe. Some notable mentions are the Honorable Slade Gordon, The U.S. Senate, and the Honorable Frank McClusky, and the Honorable George Radanovich of the U.S. House of Representatives. Milena Sorée holds a B.A. from the University of Puget Sound and an M.A. from Rice University.

SORICH, JOHN Architect

John Sorich is an Architect at A. Epstein & Sons, Engineers and Architects, Chicago, Illinois. Born January 11, 1922 in Preko, Croatia; married with four children. Education includes Wilson Jr. College, Chicago, 1946-48; University of Illinois, Navy Pier, Chicago, 1948-49; Chicago Technical, Chicago, 1949-1951,B.A.,1952 with a major field in Architecture and Architectural Enginneering. Member of American Institute of Architects. Design in Laboratories for Hospitals and Medical Research Schools. Specialized in cold storage buildings and food processing. Industrial and commercial type of buildings; Nurseries and residential buildings.

SORIC, JOSIP Priest

On July 3, 1910, Croatians in South Chicago, Illinois, celebrated a special event. This was the day that young Josip Soric celebrated his first Mass following his ordination as a Catholic priest. The Mass was at the Croatian Catholic Church, 60th and Marshfield, the reception followed at the "South Side Turner" hall on South State Street. The young celebrant was born in the village of Preko, Island of UgIjan, near Zadar. He came to the United States in 1908, shortly after which he enrolled in the seminary at St. Francis College, Wisconsin, where he was ordained in May, 1910.

SORICH, STEVE Nickodell Restaurant

Nickodell Restaurant regulars remember the days when this eatery next to Paramount Pictures buzzed with Hollywood excitement. Desi Arnaz, who ran a studio down the street, could be seen with wife Lucille Ball. Elizabeth Taylor would be sharing a booth with Richard Burton. Once, a “Bonanza” crew member brought a horse up to the famous bar. But those days are long over. The neighborhood started going down the tubes. The stars went elsewhere. The heavy food menu went out of style. An before long, Nickodell found himself with more memories that customers. On Tuesday, Nickodell served its last hot beef sandwich. “I’m very sad,” said Steve Sorich, a co-owner. “A lot of good memories. A lot of good days.” For the remaining customers, many of them veteran actors and crew members, the closing of Nickodell meant the demise of another Los Angeles landmark, joining Schwab’s drugstore and the Brown Derby. “There’s no other place like Nick’s. I’m going to miss it terribly,” actress Peggy Rea (“Gunsmoke” and “The Waltons”) said recently. “There are so few restaurants in town where you can get anything you want cooked the way you want it,” she said. “From here you go into the world of alfalfa sprouts.”

SORS, VLADIMIR Priest

Vladimir Sors is a Chaplain at St. Mary's Hospital, Streator, Illinois. Born October 8, 1915 in Osijek, Croatia. Educated at Classical Gymnasium, Osijek, Graduate, 1934; Major Seminary, Djakovo 1934-39; University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia 1941; Gregorian University, Rome, S. T. L., 1944; Gregorian University, Rome, S.T.D., 1948. Thesis completed 1948 "Das debitum dre Erbusunde in der Gottesiebarerin bei Johannes Eusebius Nieremberg, S.J." Gregorian University, Rome.

SOTREL, ANA Doctor-Professor-Author

Ana Sotrel is a neuropathologist at Beth Israel Hospital and professor at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. Born February 10, 1943 in Sinj, Dalmatia, Croatia. Educated at School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, and in neuropathology at University of Illinois, Chicago 1971-1975. Published Morphometric Analysis of the Prefrontal Cortex in Huntington's disease 1991; Neuropathology of HIV Infection, with associates, 1992. Member of American Association of Neuropathologists; International Association of Neuropatholoists.

SPAHICH, ECK Journalist-Croatian Activities-Philatelic-Military

Vietnam veteran and journalist Eck Spahich of Borger, Texas was recipient of the Republic of Croatia's state honor conferred Saturday evening, May 20 on behalf of late Croatian President Dr. Franjo Tudjman. The honor, Croatian "Pleter" Medal, was presented to this well-known and distinguished Croatian-American journalist by Croatia's Ambassador to Washington, D.C., Dr. Miomir Zuzul, and Croatia's General Consul, Dr. Miso Munivrana of Los Angeles, California during an award ceremony in conjunction with the Slavic Heritage Festival at the University of Houston. Ambassador Zuzul praised Spahich for being awarded the medal, one of the highest Croatian government decorations presented to individuals who distinguished themselves during Croatia's war for independence. Zuzul said Spahich's honor is in recognition of his many years of courageous, outstanding and tireless work in speaking, writing, researching, supporting and defending the Croatian nation's right to self-determination as a free independent democracy. Spahich has written and lectured extensively in both the United States and Canada on the recent crisis in the former Yugoslavia and has penned numerous editorials, guest columns and letters to the editor and conducted dozens of radio and television interviews. He is a prominent authority in Croatian, Bosnian and South Slavic studies, serving as managing editor of Balkan News Service and the Trumpeter, journal of the Croatian Philatelic Society. As a fluent linguist in his field, Spahich serves as a volunteer interpreter-translator for the Catholic Family Service refugee division in Amarillo, and as an ethnic consultant-linguist for several institutions and firms. He distinguished himself as a combat correspondent with the famed 173td Airborne Brigade when he proudly served his new homeland in South Vietnam. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star, U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal and 18 other military commendations. In July 1993, Spahich was honored with the Americanism Medal, one of the highest patriotic awards given by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. He received his B.A. degree from West Texas A&M University, with studies in journalism, history and political science. He is affiliated with a number of civic, cultural, veterans and academic organizations and institutions. Spahich grew up in Tuz1a, Bosnia. He was separated from his father for 15 years, living with his grandmother until he joined his father and stepmother in 1960 in Dumas, TX. He has lived in the Borger-Fritch area with his wife Helen, son Michael and daughter Holly since returning from Vietnam. Before becoming a real estate agent, he served as managing editor of the Borger (TX) News-Herald.

SPALATIN, HELEN Professor

Helen Spalatin is a Professor of French at Alverno College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Born May 4, 1909 in Hrascina, Croatia; married with three children. Education includes lst Classical Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia, 1928; University of Zagreb,1930; University of Paris, 1930, study; Italy (Rome) Residence 1942-48.

SPALATIN, IVO J. International Affairs

Ivo Spalatin is in International Affairs for Caterpillar Tractor Company, Peoria, Illinois. Born February 10, 1946 in Rome, Italy. Educated at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, B.S., 1967; The American Institute for Foreign Trade, Phoenix, Arizona. Bachelor of Foreign Trade, June, George Washington University, Washington, D.C. M.A., 1970 with a major field in International Affairs and International Business, Finance, East Europe. Thesis completed 1969 The Effect of Westiern Tourism on Yugoslavia and Rumania. M.A. Member of International Marketing Club; Alpha Phi Omega; Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society. U.S. Information Agency, International Business Advisor in the Office of Policy.

SPALATIN, JOSIP Veterinarian-Professor

Josip Spalatin is a researcher at Laboratory of Viral Zoonoses in Canada and Madison, Wisconsin. Born Januear 29, 1913 in Ston, Croatia; married to Jelka with three children. Educated at University of Zagreb Faculty of Veterinary Medicine 1939; DSc at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagreb 1940; postdoctoral fellowship and habilitation at Ludvigs Universitaet, Germany 1942-1944; professor at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagreb 1944-1946; veterinarian at Kalinovica Vetserum Institute 1946-1951; professor at Zagreb School of Medicine 1951-1961.

SPALATIN, KRSTO Professor-Author

Krsto Spalatin is a professor of French and Italian language at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Born October 15, 1909 in Ston, Dalmatia, Croatia;married to Jelk nee Barabas with three children. Educated at the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb BA, PhD 1934. Croatian language instructor at Istituto Universitario Orientale di Napoli 1941-1948; lecturer at Iowa Wesleyan College, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, 1948-1952. Published A Five Language Dictionary of Europeanizms,1990; Numerous treatises and articles in domestic and foreign periodicals. Member of Modern Language Association.

SPALATIN, MARIO Attorney-Military-Professor

Mario Spalatin is a lawyer and public prosecutor in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Born November 18, 1937 in Zagreb, Croatia; married to Mira nee Gacic with three children. Educated at Marquette University, history, 1959; MSc 1965 and IDSc in political science 1972; Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, law 1973. Lieutenant in the navy 1959-1961; professor of political sciences at Florida State University, Tallahasse, Florida 1969; public prosecutor for Milwaukee County 1973. Published The Croatian Nationalism of Ante Starcevic, 1835-1871, Journal of Croatian Studies 1975. Member of Croatian Academy of America; Federation of Croatian Societies of Milwaukee County; Wisconsin Bar Association; Florida Bar Association.

SPALJ, MIKE State Controller Auditor

Mike came to the United States in 1965 from Gospic, in Lika, Croatia, when he was 13 years old, to live with his uncle and aunt, Tomo and Anka Zupan. He went to St. Francis elementary school and Christian Brothers High School. He earned a double degree from California State University, Sacramento, in accounting and in real estate. He also earned a certificate from U.C. Davis in Public Sector Labor/Managment Relations. He works as an audit supervisor for the State controllers office and where among other things, he is in charge of California shcool districts, of which he is responsible for appoximately 1,100 schools. Mike has many hobbies, including softball, golf, camping, gourmet coking, deep sea diving and working on political campaigns; he also has contributed to the Croatian Cultural Center.

SPANJOL, ANTON Fisherman

Brother Spaniol was born April 20, 1892 in Dugi Otok, Brbinj, Dalmatia, Croatia. He came to the United States in 1907, at the age of 15, working in a sawmill in Hoquiam, Washington. Later, he moved to Tacoma, Washington and in 1935 built a commercial fishing boat with his brother Marion. They worked together as commercial fishermen, fishing from the coast of California to Alaska. They employed a crew of twelve men on their boat, the Wanderer. When his brother Marion died, our late brother Anton chartered his boat as he no longer liked fishing in treacherous Alaskan waters. Brother Anton lived in Seattle until 1950, when he moved to Renton, Washington. He joined the Croatian Fraternal Union in 1928 and was a loyal and dedicated lodge member for 53 years. Both he and his wife, Marija, were very active in the lodge affairs in their early years. Tony also belonged to the Zrinski Frankopan Lodge. In 1968, he retired from commercial fishing and went to visit his homeland with his wife, Marija. In his retirement, he was busy attending to his large garden. Sinovi Hrvatske Domovine Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 439 is sorry to report the death of brother Anton Spanjol, 89, who passed away on August 21, 1981. He is survived by his wife, Marija of Renton; four brothers, Roy of Pueblo, Colorado, Chris and Pete of San Pedro, California and Phillip of Croatia; and several nieces and nephews.

SPANJOL, MARIA Croatian Activities

Sister Maria Spanjol was born November 14, 1900 at Jablanac, Senj, Croatia. Becoming a member of the Croatian League of Illinois on April 29, 1924, she enjoyed a long-standing membership with Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 439 of Seattle, Washington. She made her home at Renton, Washington and was 85 years old when she passed away on January 24, 1986.

SPEHAR, JOSEPH M Teacher-Religious Brother

Brother Joseph M. Spehar, S.M. is a Religious Superior and Teacher, Marianist College, Mt. St. John, Dayton, Ohio. Born February 21, 1927 to Croatian parents in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Educated at University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio (Educ.), B.S., Ed., 1947; Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, M.A., 1958 with a major field in Mathematics. Completed Thesis in 1958 "Maxima and Minima Problems in High School Geometry," Ohio State University. Member of National Forensic League (Diamond Pin Award); National Association of Secondary School Principals; Marianists.

SPILETAK, ILAR Tamburitza

On Sunday, December 19, 1954, a group gathered at the Croatian-American Hall in San Francisco to celebrate the seventy-eighth birthday of a vigorous old man, Ilar Spiletak.Brother Ilar Spiletak founded the first Croatian Tamburitza Orchestra in America in 1902 in San Francisco. This modest carpenter made his contribution to Croatian culture and to the joy of thousands of American children and adults, in his simple natural way. He was in fact, the father of tamburitza in America. That fact inspired us to bring out something more from the memories of this cheerful healthy 78-years old man, on the occasion of his birthday."Yes, dear friend, in my early youth I felt conscious of being Croatian. I knew I have to love my homeland, to work and live honestly to the welfare of both my society and myself. There should be a loving soul for the old land, for my America where I did not only provide a good life for my children and me, but also could express my spirit. I have to thank that great Croatian the late Fran Supilo, for all the joy and pleasure found in Croatian songs and particularly in tamburitza". In those days the musical life of Croatian people in Dubrovnik played a special role since what could not be told in words, that would be expressed in songs and playing tamburitza. On his life path, looking for freedom and economic independence, brother Ilar Spiletko had moved across the sea to the America. In 1902 he organized in San Francisco a tamburitza orchestra of eight musicians, which was the first tamburitza orchestra on the American continent. A very short time after that, many tamburitza orchestras were formed, especially in the East where there were more Croatian immigrants. Imports of tamburitza instruments from Croatia became a good and profitable business. Brother Spiletak organized twelve orchestras. The present (and the last one) is his famous, for the fact he formed it in his older age and because it is the Taburitza orchestra of the Croatian Hall in San Francisco. Brother Spiletak longed for a Croatian Hall foundation in San Francisco and he had a chance to be of a good health to organize again the Tamburitza orchestra. In that reality he celebrated his 78th birthday. Those are the rare gifts of God to this worker, to this cheerful man dedicated to his love for song. Ilar Spiletak married in 1907 Paulina Vulicevich from Dubrovnik. They have grown children: sons Niksa and Viktor are young and healthy Americans and the daughter Gabrina is already a lady. Our Ilar enjoys a happy family life because he has raised successfully his children. His home is at 656 Brussel Street in San Francisco, on a hill under which lies beautiful San Francisco Bay, just as old Dubrovnik is in the Adriatic.

SPLIVALO, AUGUSTUS D. Attorney-State Legislature

Augustus Daniel Splivalo, whose death occurred on the 12th of December, 1911, was a boy at the time when the family home was established in California, and here he passed the remainder of his life, which was marked by distinguished achievement in the legal profession and by large and worthy influence in public affairs. He was long numbered among the representatives of San Francisco County in the State Legislature, and in the Centennial year, 1876, he was a republican nominee for the United States Senate. A scion of distinguished Croatian ancestry, Mr. Splivalo was was born on a vessel that was at the time off the coast of Chili, the Santa Teresa, which on a subsequent voyage was wrecked near Santa Barbara, California. Augustus was president of the Fisherman’s Association, an interpreter in the courts and organized the second Italian newspaper, La Parola, in San Francisco. He was godfather to Nikola Barovich’s child and wrote the Articles of Incorporation of the Slavonic Society and was a member of the Society. He was born on the 24th of may, 1840, a son of Captain Stephen and Teresa (Balzano) Splivalo. The two younger children who attained to maturity are Caesar and Mrs. Helen Swett, both residents of San Francisco. The early childhood of the subject of this memoir was passed in Peru, and he was about eleven years old when the home was established at Stockton, California, where he acquired much of his preliminary education. In 1859 he was graduated from Santa Clara College, from which he received the degree of Master of Arts, and was up to that time the youngest person to be graduated from the institution, he having been nineteen years of age. On the 25th of may, 1875, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Splivalo and Miss Catilina Portener Noe, who still maintains her home in San Francisco. Concerning the children of this union the following brief data are available: Rose is the wife of Leo Solomon, of Alameda, this state; Stella is the wife of David J. Martin, of San Francisco; Augustus Daniel, Jr., died when about thirty years of age; Edward R. is the manager of one of the leading steam laundries in San Francisco; Lydia died in childhood; Irene is the wife of Albert Shaw, of Placer County; Oswald M. is associated with the United Cigar Company of San Francisco; and Horace B. remains with his widowed mother and is associated with business affairs in his native city.

SPLIVALO, CAESAR Spaghetti King-Ranch

He was born in November of 1849. He attended Santa Clara University 1858 - 1865. He became associated with the California Flour and Grist Mill founded in 1854. In 1872 he took over the complete ownership of the mill, renaming it the Yosemite Flour Mills (this was from Beatrice Splivalo Shoemaker's notes (his daughter) July 1, 1948). His estate in 1913 included a two story residence at 2756 Vallejo Street in San Francisco and land adjoining the home; 58 acres in San Mateo County known as the Belmont Terrace; and 538 acres in San Mateo County known as the Splivalo Ranch. His home was at the end of Ralston Avenue in Belmont. His children were Adrian born 1880, Beatrice born 1879 and Raymond born 1883. At the middle of a short street named Lake Road in Belmont, California was the large white house of Cesar Splivalo.  He was called the spaghetti king in the 1870’s, for his business was manufacturing spaghetti in San Francisco. He eventually retired to San Jose. C. R. Splivalo owned the California Italian Paste Company in 1872. In 1876 he started California Flour Mills, but the plant burned down in 1887. The next year, he built the brick Yosemite Flour Mills at 1066-68 Bryant Street. His pasta and box factory and his office were at 321 Sacramento Street. In 1885, R. S. Palestra replaced Splivalo's first partner, S. W. Forman, and the name was changed to C. R. Splivalo and Company. The firm employed forty men to supply local bakeries with choice flour and shipped its products to all states west of the Rockies and to Hawaii, Japan, China, Mexico, Guatemala, South America, and British Columbia. The company's five hundred acres in Belmont were put into agriculture, the products sold in the city. Splivalo was born in Lima, Peru, in 1849 but was brought to San Francisco that very year. He was educated at Santa Clara College and later lived in a home in suburban Belmont. His father was born in Viganj, Dalmatia.

SPLIVALO, STEPHEN Sea Captain-Vineyard

In the early 19th century in Viganj, a small village by the sea, in Dalmatia, Croatia, lived Captain Splivalo with his wife, three daughters and two sons. When the sons grew up they went to sea and later were sent to Italy to study at a naval school. The younger son Stephen, subject of this story, was a brilliant student at the Naval Academy in Italy. He was handsome and had the inclination to mix within the rich shipping circles, where he fell in love with a beautiful girl, daughter of the well known family Balzano. The Balzano family accepted young Splivalo in their family. When he finished his schooling he went to sea and sailed on ships under different flags; these voyages took him all over the Mediterranean and Black sea, as well as the North and South Atlantic. Soon he became the skipper of a ship that carried cargoes in the Mediterranean where he had an opportunity to visit his future bride. He must have done well as he acquired two-masted sailing ship which he named "Santa Teresa" in honor of the girl he was in love with; Teresa Balzano. Captain Splivalo was daring and adventurous. He was tired of sailing on the seas he had already sailed. He wanted to sail to parts of the world he never sailed before. After his marriage he decided to sail to China. He loaded his ship with assorted merchandise that he knew he could sell it in various places that he would stop at on his way to China, even in China itself, and with his young bride on board with him he sailed away. But before going on the long trip, he decided to visit his parents in his native village in Dalmatia. Captain Splivalo carried commerce with his ship between China, and the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, and South America, on its pacific side. On a later voyage she gave birth to a son on board the ship, and Captain Splivalo had to perform his duties of a midwife. Much later, when sailing in the vicinity of Chile, she was going to have another baby. Captain Splivalo thought that that to be a midwife once was enough, so he sailed to Calao where another boy was born. The decision was reached that the family remain in Calao, and for Captain Splivalo to keep on sailing and engaging in business with his ship as before, which lasted for some time. Later when he was in Calao the news of the discovery of gold in Coloma, California, arrived. The thought of new adventure germinated in Captain Splivalo the wish to sail to California. And as we will see, luck was with him. The paddle steamer "California" had left New York on October 6, 1849 under the command of Captain Cleveland Forbes. However, Captain Forbes, because of ill health, was relieved by Captain John Marshall at Valparaiso. This was before the news of the gold discovery at Coloma, California, had penetrated to the Atlantic States. Captain Splivalo heard the ship "California" arrival to Calao on her way to San Francisco. When the "California" reached Calao, Captain Splivalo visited Captain John Marshall and informed him of his intention to sail to San Francisco. Captain Marshall soon learned of the sea experiences of Captain Splivalo and must have been delighted at an opportunity to have such an experienced sea captain to sail on his ship, as he needed another sea captain. The ship "California" had accommodations for sixty passengers, but by the time she reached Panama, the news of the gold discovery was already known, and there were thousands of people waiting to sail to California. Impromptu bunks were constructed in every available space, so that the "California" could accommodate 365 passengers. The voyage up the coast was most eventful as the ship ran out of food, the stockers went on strike, and the coal supply was exhausted, so that all the wood on the ship had to be used in place of coal (spare masts, partitions, doors, cabins and anything that could be spared) in order to reach Monterey, California, where the passengers and the crew felled trees, cut them and brought them on the ship in order to continue the trip to San Francisco. Captain Splivalo must have been of great assistance to Captain Marshall. On nearing San Francisco bay, Captain Marshall gave the wheel of the ship to Captain Splivalo, who thus arrived in California from Calao in 1849, piloting into San Francisco Bay the first steamer to pass through the Golden Gate: the paddle wheeler "California". Captain Splivalo's name was not on the list of passengers who arrived in San Francisco; it is possible that he boarded the "California" as a supernumerary member of the crew and a guest of Captain Marshall. On reaching San Francisco, the "California" was deserted by all the crew members, with the exception of Captain Marshall and third assistant engineer. The ship remained at anchor (in port) for some time. Captain Splivalo boarded the ship "California" for the return trip to Calao to join with his family and to prepare his own ship for the long sailing trip to San Francisco. The ship from Calao to San Francisco was much longer than Captain Splivalo expected, which was due to calms and unfavorable winds, but the trip was pleasant, during which the ship stopped in various places along the coast of central America, Mexico and California in order to buy fresh provisions. The arrival in San Francisco was for Captain Splivalo like coming home, as he had made many acquaintances during his previous visit. As soon as he arrived in San Francisco he went to look for a comfortable living place for his family, which he found, although it was almost impossible to find anything vacant at that time in San Francisco. As soon as his family settled in the city, Captain Splivalo prepared his ship and continued to ship goods as far as Calao and down the Pacific coast of South America. Captain Splivalo contracted to carry Chinese emigrants in his ship "Santa Teresa" from China to California. During Captain Splivalo's absence a girl was born, and given the name Elvira. When Captain Splivalo gave up sailing he got involved in business in San Francisco. Later, with his family he went into the gold fields where he and his wife operated a general merchandise store. In those days the miners paid for what they purchased in "BITS", but the little mounds that miners made were not high enough, and the merchants urged the miners to add a little more gold dust. When the house in which they had their store burnt down, the gold pieces and the gold dust they saved had accumulated melted and was lost in the cracks of the earth. When, after much hard labor, they had collected the gold, Captain Splivalo bought sixty acres of land with an adobe house in San Jose. Captain Splivalo remodeled the adobe, constructed a wood frame around it and covered it with wood siding, added a second floor to it, with a solarium the whole length of the front of the house; there he used to enjoy the sun, as he had when sailing the seas. After the house was finished he began to grow grapes. His house became a center of attraction and a place of frequent social activities. Captain Splivalo was prominent in civic affairs, and in the records of the city of San Jose there are several documents bearing his signature. His house still stands at 770 Lincoln Avenue, which in his time was called Splivalo Street. Since he was well known in Italy and Spain through his wife's family, Captain Splivalo was asked to represent Spanish grandees who had great lands in California, which he sold for them. For his commission he kept a huge strip of land on the Peninsula for himself. His sons were educated at the University of Santa Clara. He left the strip of land on the Peninsula to his daughter, telling her that some day she would be the richest woman in California. However she did not hold the land and passed it into the hands of other people. Captain Splivalo and his wife Teresa died when very old. They are both buried in the old cemetery at Santa Clara. Recently the Splivalo house was restored by the benevolence of its present owner Mr. Bruzzone, who spent much money to bring the house back to the way it was when captain Splivalo owned it. The house is classified as landmark of the city of San Jose, which is a tribute to Captain Stephen Splivalo, native of Viganj, that beautiful village by the sea, on the Peljesac peninsula in Dalmatia.

SPOLARICH, MARTIN M Intelligence Officer-Military

Martin M. Spolarich, 83, a retired Air Force major and intelligence officer who did defense research as a senior analyst with the Library of Congress, died June 4 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He lived in Bowie. Major Spolarich was a native of Martin, Pennsylvania, who attended Columbia University and the military language school in Monterey, Calif. He served in the Army Air Forces in the China Burma-India theater during World War 11. Later assignments as an intelligence officer included England, the Philippines and Japan. He retired in 1963 from a Strategic Air Command posting to the base at Roswell, New Mexico. He worked for the federal research division at the Library of Congress until 1983. He was a member of the Croatian Catholic Mission in Washington, the Croatian Fraternal Union and Crofton Country Club, where he played golf. His wife, Veronica Spolarich, died in 1976. Survivors include four children, Martin Spolarich Jr. of Fairfax, Suzanne Spolarich of Chambery, France, Mark Spolarich of Crofton and Peter Spolarich of Silver Spring; two sisters, Mary Spolarich of Bowie and Katherine Mulner of Alexandria; and three grandchildren.

SPORER, DRAGO C. Accountant-Military

Drago Sporer is an accountant at Pan American Airways, New York, N.Y. Born December 19, 1919, Zagreb, Croatia; married with two children. Education includes Real Gymnasium, Karlovac, Croatia, 1938; School of Aviation, Sarajevo, 1941; 1954-57 City University of New York; Fordham University, New York, B.S., 1964 with a major field of Social studies and Economics and a minor in Interline Passenger Accounting. Member of American Academy of Political and Social Science; American Economic Association. Articles: "Stvaranje i propast vojski N.D.H." (Creation and Dissolution of Croatian Armed Forces). Hrvatska Zora, No. 96-98 1961. Served with British Forces in Egypt - R.A.F.-Royal Air Force, 1944-45.

SPUDICH, RANI Doctor

For the first time in her 33 years, Rani Spudich's unique brand of diversity is getting its due. According, to California census figures, 1.6 million, people --or about 4.7 percent of state residents - like Spudich, identified themselves as more than one race, a new option on the 2000 census. It places California behind only Hawaii at 21 percent and Alaska at 5.4 percent, and almost twice the national average of 2.4 percent in mixed-race residents. In the Bay Area's nine counties, 4.9 percent of the population identified itself as multiracial. The numbers come as a long awaited vindication for mixed race residents who have struggled to define themselves in the face of rigid census forms that in the past only allowed for one racial identification. Spudich, a San Francisco doctor who is Asian Indian and white. is delighted that the cultures are mixing more in the United States and that the new census is bringing recognition to people like her. “I do feel really strongly that it's important that the mixed-race stuff be acknowledged for what it is - because it's your identity," Spudich said. "I feel so strongly that this is just a part of the needed solution for people to understand other cultures and get rid of this idea of foreignness and not understanding, which is where I feel prejudice comes from." Her first name is Indian; at age 17, Spudich's mother came alone from the southwest Indian state of Kerala to the United States. Her last name is her father's; he's a Stanford University bioscientist of Croatian, Polish and Lithuanian extraction. Her parents wed in 1964, when interracial marriages were still illegal in some states. When Spudich's sister married a Jewish man in the Presidio chapel, the bride wore her mother's white wedding sari, while other friends carried in the traditional Jewish chuppah, or wedding canopy. The ceremonial featured songs and customs from both cultures. Their 7-month-old daughter is named Indira Shoshana Greif, reflecting all parts of her heritage. "Basically, everyone's family is like this at this point," Spudich said. "Everyone has culturally mixed backgrounds of one kind or another."

SREPEL, VANJA Chemist-Pharmacist

Vanja Srepel is a Research Scientist, Materials Specialist, Northrop Space Laboratories, Hawthorne, California. Born 1919 in Zagreb, Croatia. Education includes University of Zagreb, Croatia, M.S. Chem. Engineer, 1943; University of Zagreb, pharmacy, 1945.; University of Geneva, Switzerland, Pharmacist, 1947; Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York; University of California, Los Angeles.

SRESOVICH, JOSEPH Fruit and Produce

Joseph was born in Gruz and had settled in Los Angeles by 1870. From 1870 to 1880 he was a produce salesman for L. G. Sresovich but in 1875 Joseph bought two lots on 16th and Grand Avenue and built his own fruit stand. He also owned considerable real estate in Los Angeles. Joseph’s wife Vincenza and sister-in-law Mary Saich, were charter members of the Ladies Altar Society of St. Anthony’s Croatian Catholic Church during Reverend Bontiempo’s tenure as parish priest. This was before the church itself was erected in 1910.

SRESOVICH, LUKE G. Coconut King-Fruit-Ranch

Luke George Sresovich was born in Lopud, Dubrovnik, Croatia in 1850. His father was an architect and ship builder by profession. In 1866 he bade farewell to home and came to the new world in search of fortune. He remained in New York for a short time, and then took passage for California in the ship Andrew Jackson, arriving in San Francisco in 1867. He became a student at Santa Clara College. After the completion of his education he entered a large commission house, that of his uncle, John Ivancovich, as a shipping clerk. In 1870 he went into the wholesale fruit business on his own account on Sansome street. Early in the “seventies” heavy consignments of coconuts from Tahiti and other South Sea Islands were made to the San Francisco market, which was often overstocked, when the coconuts had to be thrown into the bay. Mr. Sresovich attempted to save the nuts by a drying process. Today his “Pioneer brand” of desiccated coconut is claimed to be the best in the world. It has taken the medals and premiums at all our State Fairs and exhibitions. At the World’s Exposition, at New Orleans, it was awarded a diploma; it also gained a medal at the Oregon state fair. His great fruit ranch at Byron is among the noted ones of the State, and will excel them all in certain varieties. He has also a large packing and drying establishment at San Jose. He also carries on a steady export trade with the South Sea Islands and Australia. Eighteen years ago he opened up a market for our fruit to Australia, Mexico, China and other remote countries. At the present time the yearly shipments to foreign parts aggregate over 200,000 cases. This is all the more gratifying from the fact that when the shipping of fruit to Sydney, Dunedin and Christchurch was first started, eighteen years ago, a very discouraging letter were received, stating that there was no market. The Australian fruit trade was grown to such dimensions that the steamers had to refuse large consignments in 1888 as they could not accommodate more that 16,000 to 20,000 cases by each boat. Mr. Sresovich is largely interested in the banana trade between the Hawaiian Islands and San Francisco. He has made contracts in Honolulu to raise and ship to this port large quantities of the luscious fruit. Five years ago the trade was less than one tenth of what it is now. He has also pushed the sale of fruits raised at Watsonville, San Jose, San Pablo and Soquel, by establishing packing houses in each town and transporting their products to other markets. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity, and is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Austrian Benevolent Society and the Slavonian Illyric Society. Some 15 years ago he married the daughter of a prominent farmer, who has blessed him with three children- one daughter, Evelyn, and two sons, George L. and Byron L., aged five and one year respectively.

SRSEN, NIKOLA Restaurant

Nikola Srsen, born in Govedjari November 1, 1889, arrived in Monterey in 1911. Initially he worked in a restaurant, then became the owner of his own. He was married to Olga Kavovich born in Dubrovnik 23 July 1895. In their marriage they had two children, son Nick - born 21 June 1925 - and Tatiana born 24 January 1930. Both children were born in Santa Cruz. Nick completed studies at the university in San Francisco and became a certified public accountant while Tatiana completed her education at San Jose State University and became a music teacher.

STAJDUHAR, JOE Football-Coach

Joe Stydahar-Stajduhar, a former star tackle for West Virginia University and the Chicago Bears and a member of the college and pro football Halls of Fame, is dead at the of 67. Mr. Stydahar, also was a head coach in the National Football League with the Los Angeles Tams during the 1950-51 seasons and with the Chicago (now St. Louis) Cardinals during 1953-54. "Joe was something special for me," George Halas, longtime owner and coach of the Bears, said today. "Football fans know him as the first drafted in the first round in 1936, as a true all-pro, as a great football player, as one of the Bears' all-time greats and as a Hall of Famer. But more important to any of the football accomplishments, Joe Stydahar was a man of outstanding character and loyalty...All the things that made Joe a great football player were reflected in his successful business career. My condolences to his family and friends."

Mr. Stydahar was born March 17, 1912, in Kaylor, Pennsylvania, grew up in Shinnston, W. Virginia, lived most recently in Highland Park, Ill., and was employed by Southwest Forest Industries, a Bridgeview, Illinois, container company. He was on a business trip in Beckley when he was stricken last night. He actually began his football career at the University of Pittsburgh. An alumnus steered him to the school for a week of freshman workouts. Then, as was custom, the young Stydahar went home brifly. He was waiting on a street corner for a car from Pitt to pick him up. A car from West Virginia showed up first, Mr. Stydahar was steered to the Mountaineers' campus in Morgantown and Coach Earle (Greasy) Neale hid him at a fraternity house until Pitt gave up looking for him. During 1933-35, with Mr. Stydahar as captain during his senior year, West Virginia's won-lost in the East-West Shrine Game and College All-Star Game in 1936 and was the Bears No. 1 draft choice that year. Mr. Stydahar starred for Chicago during the 1936-42 season, making N. F. L. All-Pro team during 1937-40. He spent 1943-44 as a Navy lieutenant, a gunnery officer aboard the U.S.S. Monterey, then rejoined the Bears for the 1945-46 seasons. From there he went to Los Angeles as an assistant coach and, in 1950

became the Rams' head coach. That year they lost the N. F. L. title game, 30-28, when Lou Groza kicked a last-minute field goal for the Cleveland Browns. The next year, though, the Rams beat the Browns, 24-17, for the championship. Mr. Styndahar and Dan Reeves, then the Rams' president, had a falling out and Stydahar quit after the first game of the 1952 season. "I thought I was so big I couldn't be replaced. Nobody that big - not in football, not in anything." Late in the 1952 season he was hired as an assistant coach by the Green Bay Packers. He then became head coach of the Chicago Cardinals for 1953-54 when they posted 1-10 and 2-10 records. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame 10 years ago and was named to the college shrine in 1972. Mr. Stydahar is survived by daughter, three sons, four sisters and three brothers. Funeral services will be held Saturday at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Shinnston.

STAKICH, DANIEL Businessman-Military

One of the familiar figures in the Croatian community and a friend of many Croatian immigrants, Daniel Stakich, came to Cleveland, Ohio in September of 1911. He joined Lodge 235 of the National Croatian Society in Collinwood. While in Cleveland he finished high school, became a U.S. citizen, and joined the U.S. Army in 1917 where he served as an interpreter at the Paris Peace Conference. He spoke several Slavic languages, French and German. In 1920, Stakich opened his own insurance and real estate agency located at 15183 Waterloo Road. One of the founders of the Croatian Liberty Home, located at 15711 Waterloo Road, he acted as Secretary for 33 years. In addition, he was a member of the Cleveland Real Estate Board, of the Insurance Board of Cleveland, a 52-year member of Euclid Post 343 of the American Legion and Post 2926 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Democratic Club of Ward 32. He died on July 13, 1972, at the Euclid General Hospital. Mr. Stakich was a typical example of a Croatian immigrant of humble origin who with hard work succeeded in America, becoming a highly esteemed man.

STAMBUK, GEORGE Professor-Author-Military

Professor of International Affairs, Naval War College Center, The George Washington University, Newport, Rhode Island. Married. U.S. citizen. Education includes Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 1952-54; Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, A.M., 1956; Ph.D., 1961 with a major field of International Law, Politics,and Organization. Experience: Lecturer, Indiana University 1957-61; Assistant Professor of Government, Indiana University 1961-62; Associate Professor of International Affairs, The George Washington University 1962-66; 1967- Professor of International Affairs, The George Washington University. Prizes:1961 Mershon Prize for the best book-length manuscript on national security. Published American Military Forces Abroad: Their Impact on the Western System-Columbus, Ohio: Ohio State University Press, 1963. (Co-author) Eastern European Government and Politics, New York: Harper & Row, 1966. Articles contributed to Journal of Politics, American Political Science Review, Political Studies, Journal of European Affairs, Naval War College Review. "Foreign Policy and the 'Station ing of Military Forces Abroad," Midwest Conference of Political Scientists, at Notre Dame Univ., South Bend, Indiana, 1962. "Political Interest Groups and the European Community," Conference on Research on International Organization, Bellagio, Italy, July, 1966, sponsored by. the Social Science Research Council, New York.Member of American Political Science Association; International Political Science Association; Pi Sigma Alpha; American Society of International Law; American Association of University Professors; Institute of Strategic Studies, London.

STAMBUK, STEPHEN P. Businessman-Stonecutter

Stephen was born in Selca on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia March 28, 1880. Like his father Mathew Stambuk he learned the trade of stone cutter. In 1902 Stephen bade farewell to his mother Jerka nee Ostojic and father and moved to Tacoma, Washington. By 1923 the expert stonemason relocated in San Pedro, California and expanded into the local business community by becoming an insurance agent, specializing in marine and fire coverage. Mr. Stambuk was an active community supporter and member of the San Pedro Elks Lodge, the Slavonian-American Benevolent Society and the Croatian Fraternal Union.

STANFEL CLAN Restaurant-Saloon-Sports Bar

Tweny-five years ago, when the Giants and Dodgers played the first big league baseball game in San Francisco, there were almost as many people jammed into the Double Play Bar as there were trying to get into Seals stadium across the street. "It used to be wall-to-wall people here," recalled Stanley Stanfel, chef and co-owner of the Double play. "There were four of us tending bar on their game days." "Chief Justice Warren came in and wanted a drink and my brother Leland said, wait your turn." "I said, "Leland, don't you know who that is?" and Leland said, "So what. These other guys were here first." Bartenders who served O'Doul, Cronin, Gomez, the DiMaggios and the other great players of San Francisco's pacific Coast League days tend to be less than ever awed by politicians, statesmen and chief justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. Yesterday, as the Giants and padres got ready to play at Candlestick Park, Stanley Stanfel, 65, his brother Leland, 64, and some of their customers recalled the glorious days when San Francisco's professional baseball was dispensed right across the street. "Pat Brown was the attorney general then," Bufka said yesterday, "and a guy named Sonny Marx left pat's ticket for the opener with me." "Pat came by in a big state limousine and I gave him the tickets. He asked if it was okay to park in the lot. I said, sure, for $3. Pat said the hell with that, he could park across the street for nothing." The Stanfels and the other customers in the bar solemnly shook their heads. Seals Stadium, built at 16th and Bryant streets, opened in 1931 and was torn down after Candlestick park opened in 1960. The Giants played their home games there for two years. "The Giants didn't drink like the Seals did," Lee Stanfel said. "There were just a few of the Giants did any real drinking in here. Most of the Seals came in." The Double play has been at the corner of 16th and Bryant since 1943. It was opened by the Stanfels' dad, Peter, who was 85 when he died 1968. Young Peter Stanfel, the grandson, also worked at the Double Play. One of the Stanfel brothers, Dick, now is an assistant coach with the Chicago bears. He put in time behind the plank of the Double Play. The matriarch of the family, Annie Stanfel, 88, had to see her doctor yesterday, missing a Giant opener for the first time since they came to San Francisco 25 years ago. "But she wouldn't have missed the game if they were still playing across the street," Leland Stanfel said.

STANFEL, PETER Croatian Activities

Peter Martin Stanfel was a young, vigorous man of 30 years. He was the son of Lee and Marie Stanfel; a local lad born and reared here in the Mission/ Excelsior districts of San Francisco, along with his sister Darlene and brothers Stephen and Lee. He was a graduate of Riordan High School, Class of 1979, and was a member of the Slavonic Society for some ten years. During this time he endeared himself to all our members, helping in every and any way he could. He was a fixture at our social and dinner meetings, tending bar, aiding the kitchen staff, or as a security guard. Pete was one of the youngest members of our Board of Directors, serving as our Sergeant-at-Arms. We will all miss his friendly, youthful zest, and caring ways.

STANICH, FRANK J. Dentist-Teacher

Frank Stanich is a dentist in private practice in Caspian, Michigan. Born January 22, 1911 to Croatian parents in Caspian, Michigan; married with one child. Education includes Hillsdale College, Michigan, B.S., 1935; Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Summer, 1943; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Summer, 1944, 1945; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1945-49, D. D. S. , 1949. Major field Dental Surgery - General Dentistry. Member of Vi Psi Phi Dental Fraternity; American Dental Association. Public School Teacher, 1935-41; Practice of Dentistry.

STANICH, FRANK S. Professor

Frank Stanich is a professor of German at the University of Maryland, Department of Foreign Languages, College Park, Maryland. Education includes University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, B.A., 1961; Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, M.A., 1964; University of Michigan, 1964-66, Ph.D., with a major field in German Literature, Linguistics, Philosophy. Modern German novel and novelle. Fellowship from Deutscher Akademischer Austauschienst, 1962-63, used at the Phillips-Universitat, Marburg/L, Germany; Teaching Assistantship in German, Indiana University 1963-64. Teaching Fellowship in German, University of Michigan, 1965-66. Member of Modern Language Association; American Association of Teachers of German; Delta Phi Alpha.

STANICH, GEORGE All American-Professor

Sacramento’s George Stanich was John Wooden’s first All-American at University of California at Los Angeles. Stanich played guard for the Bruins and earned his honors in 1950. An all-around athlete, he captured a Bronze Medal in the high jump at the 14th Olympic Games in London and later pitched for Oakland of the Pacific Coast Baseball League. Stanich coached basketball at El Camino College in Los Angeles for 15 years and in 1971 coached Yugoplastika of Split to the Yugoslav national basketball championship. He is currently Professor of Physical Education at El Camino College in Los Angeles.

STANISICH, FRANK Croatian Activities

Frank was born in Bribir-Vinodol, Hrvatsko, Primorje, Croatia 21 September 1888 and at 18 moved to America. In 1906 he settled in at Anaconda, Montana where in 1914 he married Stephanie Mikic. He moved his family to Detroit in 1919 to work in an iron foundry and later to Southern California. The Stanisich family had grown to include, Frank Jr., Genevieve, and Anne. Frank was a long time member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 177 and actively involved with its activities.

STANOVICH, JOHN Fisherman

Stanovich’s 2,236 Tuna Sandwiches

How many tuna sandwiches can you get out of a 448-pound tuna? That’s the weight of this bluefin tuna, the largest ever taken in eastern Pacific Ocean waters. John Stanovich, skipper of the purse seiner VAGABOND of San Pedro, says his crew netted the record setter while fishing at night near Guadalupe Island off Baja California in November of 1976. Robert Pasarow, president of Pan Pacific Fisheries of San Pedro, inspects the fish which was purchased by his company. The previous record for bluefin tuna in the eastern Pacific was a 297 pounder, also caught near Guadalupe by a commercial fisherman. The largest sport-caught bluefin in California waters is a 251-pound fish taken in 1899 near Catalina Island. Cannery officials estimate the 448-pound bluefin will produce 2,236 tuna sandwiches.

STANOVICH, JOHN Electrical Business

An electrical concern that has won its way to popular favor through honest, dependable service is that of John Stanovich, known as the Central Electrical Company, at 381 Main street, Watsonville. Mr. Stanovich was born in Dalmatia, Croatia. He was born on the 2nd of August, 1876, the son of Joseph and Mary (Bakich) Stanovich. The father was originally a sailor, but from 1882 to 1890 he was engaged in fishing off New Orleans. John Stanovich at the early age of sixteen came to the United States. In New York he worked as handy man in a large apartment house, where he had a chance to learn plumbing and wiring, and he continued there for nine years. he also attended night schools, to pursue electrical courses and to supplement his practical knowledge and in bustling New York he continued until October, 1910, when he came west to California. Mr. Stanovich lived for a year in San Francisco, but in June, 1912, he came to Watsonville, where he started, in a modest way, his own electrical concern. He now has one of the most modern stores in this part of the state. Mr. Stanovich married Miss Edith Constable of New York.

STANOVICH, PETE Fisherman

Pete was born in Komiza, island of Vis, Croatia to Josip and Marija Joncic Stanojevic. He had four brothers, George (who died at age nine), Matt, Nick, and Tony. He had three sisters, Katherine (Bozanic), Lucria (Felando), and Anka (Felando). Pete served in the Navy in Croatia for two years before coming to the United States on April 4, 1937. He married Matilda Pecarich in Bellingham, Washington February 23, 1946. They had two children, Mary and Joe. He farmed potatoes in Newport Beach, California for 6 to 8 months, and then worked as a commercial fisherman for 30 years. Before retiring at age 65, he worked as a security guard for the Star Kist Cannery on Terminal Island for 10 years. Pete was born on May 7, 1912 and died August 10, 2002. He is survived by his son Joe, and grandson Daniel, in San Pedro; his daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Stan Smallwood of Bothell, Washington; his brother, Tony Stanojevic of Split, Croatia, and his sister, Anka Felando, of San Pedro. Pete was a wonderful father, grandfather, husband, brother, and uncle. He was greatly loved and will be missed by all of us. (Sleasman 2002)

STARKOVICH, GEORGE T. Labor Unionist-Coalminer-Croatian Activities

Tens of thousands of Croatian immigrants played an important and historic role in establishing labor unions in the basic industries of this great land during the first 40 years'of this century. The fact that millions and millions of families own their homes today, receive pensions, have fully-paid health coverage, enjoy greatly improved democratic rights (gone are the police state-company owned towns) flows from these hard fought and courageous union battles our grandfathers and fathers engaged in. Mothers and grandmothers were there on the picket line and at home in full support. One labor pioneer who left his mark is George Starkovich, born January 23, 1892, in Lic, Gorski Kotar, Croatia. George joined both the Croatian Fraternal Union and the United Mine Workers Union in 1909. He is still a proud member of both organizations today. For 39 years, he served as president or secretary of CFU Lodge 625 in Bellingham, Washinton. When the UMWA was re-established in 1935, George Starkovich was in the forefront in building the union at the Bellingham coal mine. A living wage, seven-hour day, paid travel time in and out of the mine, honest weights of the miners' coal production and safer working conditions were won. It took courage and guts to establish a democratic labor union in those days. We thank him for the contributions he has made to the community, for making this a better place to live. It is people like this man, with a quiet, diligent commitment to social justice for human mankind that have made this country great. So, George Starkovich, as you move towards your 90th Birthday, Dug Zivot i Dobro Zdravlje! Your Son, George T. Starkovich.

STARKOVICH-STARCEVIC, MIKE Motel-Miner

Brother Starkovich came to Jerome, Arizona In 1917, working in the copper mines there until 1945. He moved with his parents to Williams, Arizona where they purchased a motel and operated it until his death. Mike, 79, was born in Lika. He married Mary Kovacovich, the oldest daughter of the prominent family of Nick Kovacovich here in 1924. He was a member of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 138. Mike Starkovich (Mate Starcevic) passed away in Williams, Arizona on July 25, 1976. Survivors include his wife, Mary; two sons, Mike and Robert; a daughter, Mary Allen; and 10 grandchildren, all of Phoenix, Ariz.

STEFANAC, NIKOLA Business-Croatian Activities

Mr. and Mrs. Nikola Stefanac have been ardent supporters of Croatia's struggle to become a free democratic state and of the Croatian scholarship Fund from its inception. They are CSF benefactors and have been supporting two students in Croatia for two years and are committed to a full four-year scholarship for these students. Nikola Stefanac was inducted into the Scholarship Hall of Fame in 1999. Mr. Nikola Stefanac was born in the Croatian town of Grabovac in the county of Slunj. He was one of eleven children, and both his parents passed away in his early childhood. Mrs. Zlata Stefanac is from Kamen Most near Imotski. They are owners of a very successful business - Moss Precision in Hayward, California. Their three children are Branislava, a student at University of the Pacific Dental School, Katherin, a student at University of San Francisco, and Nick, a senior at Mountain View High School. Proud young Croatians, they have worked actively at fund raising events for the CSF. Mr. and Mrs. Stefanac are convinced that educating the deserving and dedicated students in Croatia is of the highest importance. According to Mr. Stefanac, "The wealth of a nation can be measured by the knowledge and education of its citizens. Education is one thing no one can take away from you. This is the creed by which we are raising our own children and it is what we wish for the students in Croatia. It is of the utmost importance that these students remain in Croatia and use their knowledge and education to help their own people."

STEFANCIC, JEAN ANN (GEISKY) Library Science

Jean Ann Stefancic was born January 14, 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio is married and resides in Birmingham, Michigan. Her education includes Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 1958; Maryville College, Maryville, Tennesse, B.A., 1961; Simmons College, Graduate School of Library Science, Boston, Mass., M.S., 1963 with a major field inEnglish and American Literatures and a specialty in Library Science. Thesis: 1961 "Henry David Thoreau's Relationship to Nature as Revealed in His Journals," Maryville College. Member of Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society; American Library Association; Thoreau Society. Worked at 1961-65 Serials Librarian at Harvard College, Library; 1965-67, Cataloger at Southern Methodist University Library, Dallas, Texas; 1967-69, Serials Cataloger at Oakland University Library, Rochester, Michigan.

STEPOVICH, CHRISTOPHER Pilot

Christopher Alexander was born July 5, 1954. Christopher studied at Gonzaga, University and in 1998 at the Pacific Western University in Hawaii. He is a pilot for a local airline. Christopher is presently recuperating from a plane accident. He and his wife Joan (Haefly) have four children. Three are in school at ICS, and one is at home in Fairbanks, Alaska. His father, Michael Stepovich, the youngest and last governor of the Territory of Alaska, led Alaska during its campaign for statehood. In 1959, he succeeded in putting the 40th star on the American flag. Of Croatian descent, Stepovich and his wife Matilda also boast the largest gubernatorial family in United States history: 13 children and (to date) 30 grandchildren. Retells Mike's wife Matilda, "Mike's father and mother met and married in Portland, Oregon. His grandmother and grandfather had come to Portland with their children. All were born in Sutivan on otok (island) Brac. His grandfather and two uncles came first to America and earned passage for the six of them. Mike's father was born in Risan, Boka Kotorska on February 16, 1872. He came to Fresno, California, as a young man and packed horses. In 1898, he left for Dawson Yukon Territory to seek gold over the Chilkoot Trail, where few were successful. He went to Alaska to mine gold in 1903, at the time of the founding of the city of Fairbanks."

STEPOVICH, JAMES Attorney

James Leo Stepovich born April 23, 1961. Jim graduated from Gonzaga University in 1983 and from Willamette Law School in 1989. He and his wife Sonia practice law in San Diego, California. They have two children. His father, Michael Stepovich, the youngest and last governor of the Territory of Alaska, led Alaska during its campaign for statehood. In 1959, he succeeded in putting the 40th star on the American flag. Of Croatian descent, Stepovich and his wife Matilda also boast the largest gubernatorial family in United States history: 13 children and (to date) 30 grandchildren. Retells Mike's wife Matilda, "Mike's father and mother met and married in Portland, Oregon. His grandmother and grandfather had come to Portland with their children. All were born in Sutivan on otok (island) Brac. His grandfather and two uncles came first to America and earned passage for the six of them. Mike's father was born in Risan, Boka Kotorska on February 16, 1872. He came to Fresno, California, as a young man and packed horses. In 1898, he left for Dawson Yukon Territory to seek gold over the Chilkoot Trail, where few were successful. He went to Alaska to mine gold in 1903, at the time of the founding of the city of Fairbanks."

STEPOVICH, MARKO Golmines-Real Estate

Retells Mike's wife Matilda, "Mike's father and mother met and married in Portland, Oregon. His grandmother and grandfather, Barta. had come to Portland with their children. All were born in Sutivan on the otok (island) Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. His grandfather and two uncles came first to America and earned passage for the six of them. Mike's father, Marko, was born in Risan, Boka Kotorska on February 16, 1872. He came to Fresno, California, as a young man and packed horses. In 1898, he left for Dawson Yukon Territory to seek gold over the Chilkoot Trail, where few were successful. He went to Alaska to mine gold in 1903, at the time of the founding of the city of Fairbanks." After thirty years of mining on the west coast, Marko, who was known as "Wise Mike," struck gold. Wrote Whipple, "Usually, people headed back to the states after making a strike. Stepovich, Sr., however, was an unusual sourdough. He invested his money in more gold claims, some of which he sold to large mining firms, and in real estate in Fairbanks." Wrote Time Magazine, "His breakfast appetizer was four or five coffee royals-a couple of slugs of bourbon sweetened with a dash of coffee-and his hobby was seven-deck 'pan-ginney' dealt out at the Pastime Cafe." The Stepoviches separated when Mike was six months old, and he grew up with his mother in Portland, Oregon. Marko remarried in 1924 to Vuka Radovich, who at 96 years still lives in Fairbanks and winters in Saratoga, California. When Mike was 16, he began working summers in his father's mines in Fairbanks. Mike's father died in 1943. Michael Stepovich, is the youngest and last governor of the Territory of Alaska, led Alaska during its campaign for statehood. In 1959, he succeeded in putting the 40th star on the American flag. Of Croatian descent, Stepovich and his wife Matilda also boast the largest gubernatorial family in United States history: 13 children and (to date) 30 grandchildren.

STEPOVICH, MICHAEL Attorney

Michael Anthony Stepovich, born January 23, 1950. Michael practices law in Fairbanks, Alaska. He graduated from Gonzaga University in 1973 and Gonzaga Law School in 1977. He and his wife Chris are active in the church and school. Chris teaches religion part-time at Monroe. They have four children, who are attending or have graduated from Immaculate Conception School, Grades (ICS), and Monroe High School (MHS). Two are in college. His father, Michael Stepovich, the youngest and last governor of the Territory of Alaska, led Alaska during its campaign for statehood. In 1959, he succeeded in putting the 40th star on the American flag. Of Croatian descent, Stepovich and his wife Matilda also boast the largest gubernatorial family in United States history: 13 children and (to date) 30 grandchildren. Retells Mike's wife Matilda, "Mike's father and mother met and married in Portland, Oregon. His grandmother and grandfather had come to Portland with their children. All were born in Sutivan on otok (island) Brac. His grandfather and two uncles came first to America and earned passage for the six of them. Mike's father was born in Risan, Boka Kotorska on February 16, 1872. He came to Fresno, California, as a young man and packed horses. In 1898, he left for Dawson Yukon Territory to seek gold over the Chilkoot Trail, where few were successful. He went to Alaska to mine gold in 1903, at the time of the founding of the city of Fairbanks."

STEPOVICH, MIKE Governor-Attorney

Michael Stepovich, the youngest and last governor of the Territory of Alaska, led Alaska during its campaign for statehood. In 1959, he succeeded in putting the 40th star on the American flag. Of Croatian descent, Stepovich and his wife Matilda also boast the largest gubernatorial family in United States history: 13 children and (to date) 30 grandchildren. In many respects, Alaska is a state still uncharted. Outside its major cities, roads begin to end and the land of protected resources and unmarked terrain begins. In the past, the gold rush of 1898 made but a small dent in the land, and the people who settled in the great territory above the contiguous forty-eight were but the adventurous few. In fact, it wasn't until 1959 that Alaska, with a population of less than 200,000, became a state. Michael Stepovich, a first generation American-or Alaskan, if you will-was a type of man who believed that people had to work for themselves, and that government was there to give them the chance. As a young lawyer in the late 1940s, he began to work for the mechanism that would allow Alaskans the freedom to take responsibility for themselves and for their nation: statehood. Statehood meant that Alaskans would pay federal taxes, vote in presidential elections, and hold seats in the House and Senate. It meant Alaskans could control more of their land and wilderness preserves, develop their own resources more independently, and control their fishing and timber industries. In the late 1950s, statehood finally happened. And it would be Michael Anthony Stepovich, the last territorial governor of Alaska, who sold the idea of statehood to both Alaska and Washington and brought the 49th star to the American flag. Thus, the 39-year-old Stepovich became the first native-born, Croatian-American governor of the State of Alaska. He was also the first Roman Catholic to hold the position, and with his wife Matilda, a strong and professional woman, he boasted a larger family than any previous governor-thirteen children and (to date!) 30 grandchildren.

On the 4 anniversary of Alaskan statehood, Stepovich--a man known for his "open-faced friendliness" and earnest warmth--recalled his last meeting with President Eisenhower with simple satisfaction: "It was at the White House again. Eisenhower told me that he'd made a lot of appointments, but he thought that I was one of his better ones. That made me feel pretty good."

Retells Mike's wife Matilda, "Mike's father and mother met and married in Portland, Oregon. His grandmother and grandfather, Barta. had come to Portland with their children. All were born in Sutivan on the otok (island) Brac. His grandfather and two uncles came first to America and earned passage for the six of them. Mike's father was born in Risan, Boka Kotorska on February 16, 1872. He came to Fresno, California, as a young man and packed horses. In 1898, he left for Dawson Yukon Territory to seek gold over the Chilkoot Trail, where few were successful. He went to Alaska to mine gold in 1903, at the time of the founding of the city of Fairbanks." After thirty years of mining on the west coast, Marko, who was known as "Wise Mike," struck gold. Wrote Whipple, "Usually, people headed back to the states after making a strike. Stepovich, Sr., however, was an unusual sourdough. He invested his money in more gold claims, some of which he sold to large mining firms, and in real estate in Fairbanks." Wrote Time Magazine, "His breakfast appetizer was four or five coffee royals-a couple of slugs of bourbon sweetened with a dash of coffee-and his hobby was seven-deck 'pan-ginney' dealt out at the Pastime Cafe." The Stepoviches separated when Mike was six months old, and he grew up with his mother in Portland, Oregon. Marko remarried in 1924 to Vuka Radovich, who at 96 years still lives in Fairbanks and winters in Saratoga, California. When Mike was 16, he began working summers in his father's mines in Fairbanks. Mike's father died in 1943. Mike's mother Olga was born on May 22, 1898. After moving to Portland, Olga married a second time, to Marko Fabijanic. For over 45 years Marko and Olga ran a neighborhood grocery store together. Olga Fabianich continued to run the grocery store after her husband passed away. A caring and esteemed businesswoman and grandmother, "Nana"Olga, as Matilda says, was independent and clearminded until her death at 94 years of age in 1992. Mike has two half brothers, Dr. Michael Leo Stepovich, who is a practicing orthodontist, and Dr. Alexander Stepovich, a dentist, who has three children. Mike has two stepsisters, Nada Vera Houston (retired teacher, three children, husband retired from IBM) and Ellen Burdette (retired teacher, two children, husband retired from GEICO). Mike was born March 12, 1919 in Fairbanks, Alaska, in the same hospital where 12 of his children would be born. A son, Nicholas, would be born in Juneau during Stepovich's tenure as governor. In Portland, Oregon, Mike attended St. Patrick's grammar school and Colombia Preparatory School, run by the Holy Cross Order. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Gonzaga, University in Spokane, Washington, and a law degree from Notre Dame in 1942. He served in the US Navy until 1946 and completed the bar exam in Alaska in 1947. Matilda, Mike's wife of 52 years, tells the story of how her family came to the States from Croatia, and how her and Mike's paths crossed:

"My parents met and were married in Portland, Oregon. They each came to America to join their families. My father Lovre (Lawrence) Baricevic, came to live with his sister Perina Badurina, and her husband Josip. He was born in Lun, otok (island) Pag, in 1887. He attended the Oregon Institute of Technology and became an electrical engineer-this was without the benefit of a high school diploma. He was well read and fluent in English. He ran the electric plant at St. Vincent's Hospital while we were growing up." Lovre was very proud of his Croatian heritage and was intent on both adapting to American life and preserving the Croatian language and culture within his famfly and within the Croatian community. In the Baricevic household, Matilda's family spoke only the Croatian language. Lovre Baricevic died in 1962 in Portland. Matilda's mother, Kata Alesi, was born in 1887 in Starigrad on the island of Hvar. She imnigrated to America and lived with one of her brothers in Portland, where she had another brother and sister. Kata was a homemaker and an active member of the Croatian conununity in Portland. She was fluent in English and used her translation skills to help other immigrants. She regularly translated for Croatian women when they visited the doctor or needed to conduct business in English. Kata Baricevic died in 1974. Matilda was born in Portland on March 24, 1922. "1 have an older brother, Kenneth. He lives in Los Altos, California, and is a retired electrical engineer. Kenneth and his wife raised four children. My younger brother, Ferdinand, was born in 1927 and also became an

electrical engineer. He and his wife Laurentia raised four beautiful daughters and one son." One of Matilda's two sisters, Elizabeth, earned a doctoral degree in Romance Languages from Stanford University and was a well-respected teacher in Oregon. Her sister Cecilia earned a Master's degree of Social Work from Catholic University. Cecilia is employed with Catholic Charities and heads the resettlement programs in Portland. Says Matilda, "Her fluency in Croatian has served her in good stead." It is clear that Lovre Baricevics pride in his language and heritage has passed on to his daughter Matilda. She fondly remembers Fr. Ljubo Cuvalo and Fr. Zvonko Manduric, Croatian Franciscan missionaries, who in the 1930's took care of the Croatian community in Oregon and in British Columbia and were responsible for opening a school of Croatian language--even her father Lovre attended, as well as Mike Stepovich. Matilda graduated from St. Mary's High School and then studied two years at Marylhurst College. She transferred to the University of Oregon and graduated in 1943 with a B.A. in Law Undergraduate. She was a caseworker for the State of Oregon for five years before marrying. "We were a tight-knit Croatian community. Mike's stepfather, who was a friend of my father from Pag, was my "kum" (godfather). I remember attending Mike's sixth birthday party. We knew each other but 'no interest' until he returned from the service in 1946. We be came engaged when he left to go to Alaska for the bar exam on June 24, 1947."

Matilda and Michael Stepovich planned to live in Fairbanks, Alaska, where Michael would practice law and eventually become part of the city and state government. Wrote Time Magazine, "'Mat" knew that marriage to Mike meant frozen bliss in the tundra. ' I rather looked forward to it,' she says, 'even though I had the usual idea of eternal snow and sled dogs cuddling up to you in a cabin for warmth."' In 1950, Michael was elected to three terms in the territorial legislature. Already involved in the issue of statehood, Stepovich came under the tutelage of Territorial Senator John Butrovich, Jr., a great promoter ot Alaskan statehood. By 1952 Butrovich and Fairbanks Publisher Bill Snedden, two powerful Republicans, were backing Stepovich as the gubernatorial candidate for the Territory. In their eyes, Stepovich would be hopefully the last governor of the Territory and the first of the State of Alaska. Matilda Stepovich recalls, "It was never in his mind to become governor of the territory." But Fred Seaton, Secretary of the Interior, saw the 37-year-old Stepovich as a cut above at least 17 other candidates; Seaton's recommendation was approved by Eisenhower, and that year the Stepovich family of nine moved into the gubernatorial mansion in Juneau, the capitol of Alaska. Soon, they would be a family of ten. "During the time that Mike was governor, our eighth child, Nicholas, was born. Mike traveled a good deal as a goodwill ambassador for Statehood to the lower 48 states. When he was at home, we looked after the children together." Building the Stepovich family was at least as demanding, involving, and ultimately rewarding as the "selling" of statehood to Congress and the Alaskans. Stepovich became known for his do-all attitude as he traveled around "talking," and the Stepovich family became known for its spirit and size as it neared its Step-by-Step goal of twelve children.

Reflecting upon his political work, Stepovich told Time Magazine, "When I was governor, it was mostly a sales job, going around the country selling statehood. I was a new face, 38 years old, energetic, and enthusiastic. I wasn't afraid to talk. When I traveled around the country, I just talked to people and sold Alaskan statehood. It was a good job." In Congress, arguments against granting statehood had to be overcome. First, it had to be resolved that the non-contiguity of Alaska with the lower U.S. would not be a burden on the Union. Secondly, there was the question of whether the small population of Alaska-then only 127,000, reports Portland Magazine--deserved two senators in Congress. Moreover, wrote Dan Whipple, the Seattle fishing industry "was determined to see that a new state did not make major changes in the fishing regulations off the Alaska coast. The Alaska Sahnon Industry, Inc., of Seattle, for years had lobbied successfully against statehood." But Stepovich, supported by Fred Seaton and steered by John Butrovich and Bill Snedden, built up the campaign like never before. The discovery of oil in the Kenai Peninsula, as well as virtually untapped mineral deposits, showed Alaska was filled with promise. And Alaskans were surer than ever that they could pick up control of the fishing industry and gain further rights to the land. By 1959, after an unusually mild winter and early breakup, the Alaska statehood bill passed in the House and Senate: A picture of a possible 49-star flag appeared in Time Magazine: would the stars be in rows of 5 by 5 and 4 by 6, or in a wheel, or would the stars spell out U.S.A? No matter the important thing was what that 49th star symbolized. After his term ran out, Stepovich remained involved in state politics but gradually returned full-time to his individual practice. Matilda and Mike went on to have five more children-a total of 13 children. As the Stepovich family prospered, they were able to look back on their accomplishments and important mark in the modem history of Alaska. Matilda Stepovich remarked, "It has always been important to our family that we were a part of a significant occasion in history-in short, a part of history." What is more, history and life in Alaska contributed to the endeavors of the Matilda and Mike in raising their family. Mrs. Stepovich elaborates, "Certainly, the Territory-and later the State of Alaska-was conducive to that end. The lifestyle is not pressuring. Also, being raised in the Croatian Catholic tradition provided us with the perfect guidelines to steer us in the right direction. The Catholic school has been a big part of our lives, and living in Jesuit mission country gave us all much direction." Today, Mike Sr., is presently "of counsel' in the law practices of sons Mike Jr. and Theodore. He maintains his license to practice in Alaska and helps out when they need him. Mike, Jr., has taken over his father's original practice. As for the family, it now includes 30 grandchildren-six of whom in 1999 are in college, another standard in the Stepovich family. Two grandchildren attend Gonzaga University, one attends Portland University, another San Diego Junior College, and another attends the University of Alaska at Fairbanks. On the other end of the spectrum, the youngest grandchild will be one year old on July 31, 2000.

STEPOVICH, NICHOLAS Restaurant

Nicholas Vincent born December 31, 1957. Nick graduated from Southern Oregon State College in 1980. He owns a restaurant called "Soapy Smith's" in Fairbanks, Alaska. Nick works with young people in sports and helps out at Monroe High School when needed. He is active in politics. His father, Michael Stepovich, the youngest and last governor of the Territory of Alaska, led Alaska during its campaign for statehood. In 1959, he succeeded in putting the 40th star on the American flag. Of Croatian descent, Stepovich and his wife Matilda also boast the largest gubernatorial family in United States history: 13 children and (to date) 30 grandchildren. Retells Mike's wife Matilda, "Mike's father and mother met and married in Portland, Oregon. His grandmother and grandfather had come to Portland with their children. All were born in Sutivan on otok (island) Brac. His grandfather and two uncles came first to America and earned passage for the six of them. Mike's father was born in Risan, Boka Kotorska on February 16, 1872. He came to Fresno, California, as a young man and packed horses. In 1898, he left for Dawson Yukon Territory to seek gold over the Chilkoot Trail, where few were successful. He went to Alaska to mine gold in 1903, at the time of the founding of the city of Fairbanks."

STEPOVICH, THEODORE Attorney

Theodore Joseph was born December 12, 1956. Ted graduated from Notre Dame in 1979 and Willamette Law School in 1987. He practices law in Anchorage, Alaska. He and his wife Kym have two children. They are also-very active in sports. His father, Michael Stepovich, the youngest and last governor of the Territory of Alaska, led Alaska during its campaign for statehood. In 1959, he succeeded in putting the 40th star on the American flag. Of Croatian descent, Stepovich and his wife Matilda also boast the largest gubernatorial family in United States history: 13 children and (to date) 30 grandchildren. Retells Mike's wife Matilda, "Mike's father and mother met and married in Portland, Oregon. His grandmother and grandfather had come to Portland with their children. All were born in Sutivan on otok (island) Brac. His grandfather and two uncles came first to America and earned passage for the six of them. Mike's father was born in Risan, Boka Kotorska on February 16, 1872. He came to Fresno, California, as a young man and packed horses. In 1898, he left for Dawson Yukon Territory to seek gold over the Chilkoot Trail, where few were successful. He went to Alaska to mine gold in 1903, at the time of the founding of the city of Fairbanks."

STIPELCOVICH, CATHERINE Restaurant

Born in Empire, Louisiana and educated in New Orleans, Catherine Stipelcovich is a first generation American who speaks, reads, and writes both English and Croatian. She has lived a good part of her 54 years in the Grand Bayou oyster camps and prefers that life to her present urban life. She visited Croatia in 1953 with her husband after which they returned to Port Sulphur to resume the operation of a restaurant. Both she and her husband are members of the United Slavonian Benevolent Association. They have one son, John.

STIPELCOVICH, JOHN Boatman

John Stipelcovich was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. After a few years of living in the Grand Bayou oyster camps, his parents moved to Port Sulphur. Until he started school, John could speak no English. He attended school in Port Sulphur until the sixth grade, after which he was sent to New Orleans where he attended St. Catherine of Siena until the eleventh grade. He returned to Port Sulphur where he graduated, after which he began to work on a crew boat which transported men to the oil fields in the Gulf of Mexico. He no longer speaks Croatian but can understand a conversation in that language. He is a second generation American.

STIPETIC, GEORGE Teacher-Project Engineer

George was born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, with both parents coming form Ogulin, Croatia. His father worked in the steel mills -- another common occupation of our immigrant predecessors. Following four years in the Air Force, George graduated from college and taught math for a year before taking a job with Boeing in Wichita, Kansas. He transferred to Everett, Washington when the company's 747 project got under way and at the same time transferred his CFU membership to Seattle. George is a 50 year member of the Croatian Fraternal Union 439 in Seattle, Washington.

STOCKHAMMER, DAN Doctor

Dan Stockhammer is a Physician and Surgeon in general practice in Chicago, Illinois. Born April 23, 1933 in Nova Gradiska, Croatia; married with two children. Education includes Real Gymnasium, Banja Luka, 1952; Faculty of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia M.D., 1958.

STOLICH, PETER P. Fruit Packer Shipper

Peter P. Stolich, of 130 Wall street, Watsonville was born in Dalmatia, Croatia on February 25, 1875, the son of Peter and Mary Stolich, who have twice crossed the wide ocean in the hope of finding what they wanted here, but twice returned to the old country. Unfortunately, perhaps, they located in Texas, instead of California. Peter P. Stolich remained in his native land until he attained the age of twenty-two years, when he resolved to try his fortune in America. He was lucky, in the beginning, to locate in Stockton, on reaching California, for Stockton has been a good business as well as a good home town. Before long, however, he saw greater opportunities in Watsonville, and hither he removed. For awhile he worked on ranches and in orchards, but by 1900, he had so far progressed financially that he was able to embark in business for himself as a packer and shipper. Although he was compelled to commence in a very modest way, he has built up a business of enviable proportions, and in the busy season he keeps fifty workers hustling to satisfy the market's demands. Mr. Stolich married Miss Stella Arkulin, of Dalmatia, and they have one child, a son, named Peter. Mr. Stolich is a third degree Knight of Columbus, a Moose, and a member of the American-Austrian Benevolent Association.

STRAZICICH, ANDREW Restaurant Hotel Businessman

He was born in Dalmatia, Croatia in 1872 and was reared on a farm. Following the example of his two brothers, he came to Watsonville as a young man, arriving in this city in 1891. He spent four days in Watsonville and then went to work for his cousin, who was the proprietor of the Saddle Rock restaurant on Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz. On his return to Watsonville, Mr. Strazicich formed a partnership with his brother George, who had built the Railroad Exchange Hotel on Walker street. They were associated for nine years in the conduct of one of the pioneer hotels of this district and the subject of this sketch then acquired control of the California Restaurant on Main street, which he operated for four years. He next became owner of the City Grocery, also located on Main street, and now conducts a similar store at the corner of West Lake avenue and Walker street. Mr. Strazicich has four children: Lena, who was graduated from the Moreland Notre Dame Academy at Watsonville, after which she completed a commercial course, and is now a member of the clerical force of the Pajaro valley Mercantile Company; Angela, who also finished her education in the Moreland Notre Dame Academy at Watsonville; and Irene and Lucille, both of whom are high school students. Mr. Strazicich is identified with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and acts as secretary of the local lodge of the National Croatian Society of America, which maintains its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It has fifty thousand members and is one of the largest and strongest foreign societies in the United States. Mr. Strazicich organized the Watsonville lodge of this organization, which now has eighty members, and its affairs are in very prosperous condition. He is a self-made man who has made the most of his opportunities, and a life of industry, integrity and usefulness has earned for him the respect, confidence and goodwill of his fellow citizens.

STRAZICICH, GEORGE Hotel Restaurant

A native of Dalmatia, George Strazicich has had an adventurous career, visiting many parts of the world and thus broadening his outlook upon life. He is one of the pioneer hotel men of Watsonville and the owner of much valuable property in the city, which numbers him among its builders and promoters. George Strazicich was born in Dalmatia, Croatia, January 8, 1861, and his home was in a seaport whose climatic conditions were similar of those of Watsonville, the principal products of the farms in the vicinity being figs, olives, grapes and other varieties of fruit. After finishing his studies he followed the life of a sailor, going to Russian ports on the Black sea and to many other European countries. In 1876, when a boy of fourteen, he landed in New York harbor but returned to his native country in order to see his mother, arriving there at the time of the war with Turkey. He served on the battleship Albrect, also with the land forces, and received from the Austrian government a medal of honor, which he prizes very highly, as it was bestowed by the emperor, Franz Joseph. On April 1, 1886, Mr. Strazicich arrived in the city of Santa Cruz, California, but with a few dollars in his pocket, joining his brother and sister, who had preceded him to this country. In November, 1886, he worked for six months in a restaurant. On the expiration of that period he started in business for himself. Securing a location on Main street, he opened a second restaurant in the town. As soon as he was established in business Mr. Strazicich wrote to his boyhood sweetheart, a college graduate, who was then engaged in teaching, asking her to join him, and they were married here in 1889. She was the first woman to come from Dalmatia to Watsonville and three years later another one of her countrywomen arrived in the city. Learning that the Southern Pacific Railroad contemplated building a branch line from Watsonville Junction to Santa Cruz, Mr. Strazicich bought two lots, one hundred by one hundred and twenty feet, opposite the site of the new station on Walker street, paying five hundred dollars for the property, on which he erected a building thirty by forty feet in dimensions and two and a half stories in height, naming it the Railroad Exchange Hotel. He operated a bar in connection with the hotel and five years later built an addition fifty feet in depth. At that time the Spreckels interests constructed a sugar factory near Watsonville and Mr. Strazicich boarded the men who worked in the plant, also securing laborers for the factory and the apple orchards. After he had improved the property and made it valuable he bought a lot sixty by one hundred and twenty-five feet on the corner of Walker street and West Lake avenue. Here he erected his present hotel, the Railroad Exchange and this was the first building on Walker street, which at that time was only a cow pasture. He also owns the Spreckels home, which he bought after the Watsonville sugar factory was abandoned and the new plant was erected near Salinas. He has done much to improve his city and for a time was also the proprietor of the Sugar Beet Hotel at Riverside, California. Mr. Strazicich's first wife died eighteen years after their marriage, leaving four sons: Nicholas, who is living in San Jose; George Jr., who is associated with his father in the hotel business; John, a resident of Colusa county, California; and Emil. To the second union have been born two daughters, Elizabeth and May, aged respectively fourteen and thirteen years. Mr. Strazicich formed the Austrian-American Society of Watsonville, an organization that has been of great benefit to the working men. He brought to this country from Dalmatia three nephews and two nieces, whom he reared and educated, and is noted for his generous, unselfish nature and genial qualities.

STRAZICICH, IVAN Railroad

One of the first Mljetans who came to live and work in Oakland was Ivan Strazicich with his wife Ane prior to 1900. They were both born in Babino Polje, Island of Mljet. He worked the entire time at the "Southern Pacific Railroad Company." As there were many job opportunities here for new labor, Ivan brought many Mljetans from Babino Polje, Blato and other villages. Upon their arrival to America they used to stay with him for some time and he found them jobs and was a useful consultant in every way. Therefore they loved him like a father and his wife Ane as a mother. Because of their charity, altruism and love for all Mljetans, our people were very sorry when they heard about the death of Ane and later of "gospar" Ivan. As they had no children, they expressed a wish to be buried in the St. Vlaho cemetery in Babino Polje, where their parents and numerous relatives rest. On behalf of the Mijetans from America for the funeral of Ivan Strazicich came Pero Cumbelich who delivered a enlogy both for him and his wife Ane.

STRELICH, STEVE Sports promoter-Wrestler

Well-known sports promoter, Steve Strelich died yesterday after a lengthy illness. He was 67. A former professional wrestler, he built Strelich Stadium, the local wrestling and boxing arena in Bakersfield. Strelich had been a guest of Yugoslavian ruler Marshal Tito in visits to his parents’ homeland.

STREPEL, VANJA Engineer

Vanja was born 1919 in Zagreb, Croatia. After completing his local education he attended the University of Zagreb and earned a masters degree in chemical engineering by 1943. Vanja eventually came to the United States where he was hired as a materials specialist for Northrop Space Laboratories, Hawthorne, California.

STRMICH, MARIN MIKE Vineyard-Lumberjack

Marin Mike Strmich was bom in Kastel Luksich near Split, Dalmatia, Croatia on December 7, 1885. In 1912 he married Ivanica Strmich from the same village. He came to Aberdeen, Washington in 1913, joining his two brothers. His wife and a small daughter joined him in 1920. For many Years, Mike Strmich worked in the saw mills of Aberdeen, until he bought a grape ranch in Fresno, California, returning to his first love of working the land. Along with his wife and daughter, Marin worked the ranch for many years. Upon his retirement he returned to Aberdeen. His wife, Ivanica, passed away In 1963 and he made his home with his daughter, Jerry Strmich. Mike Strmich was a charter member of the Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 217 and the local society Zrinskl and Frankopan. He was a member of both lodges for over 60 years. In addition to his membership In the Croatian Fraternal Union and ZrInskI and Frankopan local lodge, he was a 60-year American citizen and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. Marin Strmich died on July 10, 1983.

STRMSKI, JOHN V. Accountant

John Strmski is a accountant at Bimel Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. Born June 19,1937 in Zagreb, Croatia. Educated at Secondary Business School, Zagreb, Croatia 1956; University of Cincinnati, Ohio, B.B.A. , 1966 with a major field in Accounting and Public Accounting. Member of American Accounting Association.

SUBOTICH, RALPH Chemist

Ralph Subotich is a chemist for Addressograph-Multigraph Division, Buckeye Ribbon and Carbon Company in Cleveland, Ohio. He was born February 24, 1939 in Belgrade. Education includes Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio, 1957-62, B.S., with a major field of chemistry. Member of the American Chemical Society; American-Croatian Academic Club 1962.

SUCHEVITS-SUCEVAC CLAN Military-Nine Sons

There's no denying the patriotism of the Suchevits family of Uniontown, Pennsylvania who had nine sons serve in the United States military for almost two decades. "You did your duty," Edward Suchevits explained. "We're all proud to be Americans.” Edward Suchevits is past president of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 72 of Uniontown, Pennsylvania and recently celebrated 50 years in the CFU. He honors his immigrant Croatian parents and pays tribute to American patriotism. The Suchevits sons served in World War 11, Korea and peacetime from 1942 to the close of 1950s. They included: Thomas, the first to serve who was in the Army during World War 11. Rudolph, who served in the Navy during World War 11. Stanley, who was in the Marine Corps during World War 11 and the Korean War. John, who was with the Merchant Marines during World War 11 and then joined the Army in Korea and then rejoined the Merchant Marines. Paul, who served in the Army in Germany during the Korean War. Michael, who was in the Navy and had two tours in Korea. Edward, who served in Korea with the Marines. During a recent interview, Edward said, "It used to be we held the record for having the most children out of a single family in the armed services. As far as I know, we still hold the record." Edward, still living in Uniontown, is the only one who survives of these nine Suchevits sons who served in the military. Altogether, there were 15 siblings. Edward has a brother and a sister who are also living who were among the four children who did not enter military service. The Suchevits family also included two children who died at a young age. Edward decided to tell this story as a tribute to his parents, Ignac and Mary, who came to this country around the turn of the 20th century, as Croatian immigrants. “1 think I owe it to my mother and father," Edward said. "Both of them were immigrants who came to this' country with just the 'Clothes on their backs’ and couldn't read or write English. But they did a terrific job raising us." Ignac (whom everyone called Iggy) and Mary met in the United States in the early 20th century as their families answered the call to America.

Ignac, who was born January 10,1893, immigrated to the United States with his two brothers and father from Rokov-Potok, Croatia in1909. He came through Ellis Island and settled in Mammoth, Pennsylvania. Mary Stunja, born February 22, 1901, came to the United States through Ellis Island in 1912 with her family and also settled in Mammoth. Ignac eventually boarded with Steve Stunja 'and married his daughter Mary on August 7, 1916. Like other immigrants, the family underwent a name change at the hands of local authorities. Ignac and, Mary's last name on their marriage certificate was Sucevic but the actual spelling was Sucevac. However, the Suchevits name is the result of school officials who enrolled the children. "In school, they spelled it however it sounded and it stuck with everybody except Michael who went by Sucevac. He is the only one who used the correct spelling," Edward explained. Thirteen Suchevits children went to school in South Union Township. The family home was on Clarendon Avenue. Ignac provided for his family working as a coal miner for 51 years and died at age 74 in 1967. Mary died in January 1944, a month before her 43rd birthday.

This family produced a military legacy that included:

Thomas, who was born April 15, 1919, was the first to enter the service in 1942 during World War 11, Thomas served as a corporal and was a member of Headquarters Company, 125th Armored Engineer Battalion, 14th Armored Division, at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. Thomas was injured in a training exercise. A grenade blew off his hand. As Edward explained, "They were training and his buddy pulled a pin and Tom picked it up to throw it and his hand blew off." After his military service ended, Thomas returned home to Uniontown where Edward said he was the first local World War 11 disabled veteran to own his own business. Thomas owned a television repair shop and taught TV repair at the Fayette County Area Vocational Technical School, Edward said. Thomas was also active in civic affairs and local veterans' organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion and the Soap Box Derby. He died June 15, 1966. His wife, Margaret, is deceased. The couple had a son and three daughters.

Rudolph, born on February 27, 1920, was a seaman and served in the Navy during World War 11 in the United States. After his service, he lived in Uniontown where he worked as a miner and truck driver. He died June 10, 1970. His wife, Betty, is still living. The couple had two sons and seven daughters.

Stanley, born July 11, 1925, served in the Marine Corps as a sergeant in China during World War 11 as a member of the Marine Air Corps. Edward said Stanley stayed in the Reserves and was called up for duty again during the Korean War. He was a member of Company A, 2nd Amtrac Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, Camp Lejune, N C. Stanley returned home to Uniontown after his military service and joined the Uniontown Police Department where he served for 21 years. Stanley later with Edward and other local residents initiated the Marine Corps Reserves unit in Fayette County and Stanley originated the Toys for Tots campaign. He died Aug. 6, 1974. He and his wife Dreamlea, divorced. They had a son and daughter.

John, born June 30, 1926, joined the service in 1944 after his mother's death. He joined the Merchant Marines, lying about his age in order to get im, Edward said his brother was on three ships that were sunk by torpedoes during the war, two in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific. "One was a kamikaze pilot in the Pacific," Edward said. "Johnny told me, "I watched him come in and the next thing I knew I was in the water." John left the Merchant Marines to serve with the Army in Korea where he participated in the evacuation of Marines trom the Chosin Reservoir. The story was later made into a film called "Retreat Hell" with Frank Lovejoy. John later returned to the Merchant Marines where he maintainedhis career until his death on July 14, 1977 in New Orleans. His wife is deceased. The couple had a son, who is also deceased, and a daughter.

Paul was a twin to Peter, both born August 20, 1928. Paul joined the Army and served in Germany during the Korean War. After his military service, Paul returned to Uniontown for a short time and then moved to New Jersey where he worked for Progresso Co. as a plumber. He lived in Vingland, New Jersey, and later Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Paul died May 5, 1990. His wife was Chris. The couple had a daughter.

Michael was born Sept. 27, 1919, and served in the Navy as a seaman on the USS Hamul during the Korean War. Edward said Michael and John helped pull Marines out of the Chosin Reservoir who were trapped and almost frozen to death and took them to safety in Japan in 1951. After the service, Michael moved to Cleveland where he worked on a ship line hauling iron ore. He died Feb. 28, 1988. His wife is deceased. They had no children.

Edward, who was born October 28, 1931, joined the Marines and became a staff sergeant, serving in Korea. He spent 13 months on the front lines with a machine-gun and was company platoon commander, and a gunnery sergeant. "I probably still hold the record of having the fastest promotion to gunnery sergeant in the Marines," said Edward. "It's very difficult to get promoted in the Marine Corps. When I was in Korea, we only had an officer for a month. I became platoon commander for the tour of duty. It was a machine gun company. I remember that on Good Friday in 1952,

Robert, who served the Army in Germany in peacetime.

William, who served the Navy during peacetime.

SUDAC, ZLATKO Priest Healer

Father Zlatko Sudac is a priest of the Diocese of Krk, Croatia. He is in good standing with his bishop who gave him permission to conduct healing seminars. He was ordained a priest just 3 years ago and has received a miraculous stigma in the form of the cross on his forehead. Besides the stigma the Lord has bestowed upon him the gifts of healing and many have received healing from cancer and other incurable diseases. On December 8, 1999, he was conducting a healing services at our church in Fairview, New Jersey and many miracles have taken place in lives of those present at the prayer service. Fr. Sudac has received his stigmata at a prayer meeting in May of 1999. He describes this event in his own words. 'When I speak about all of those events which took place then, I speak with a tremendous fear of the Lord begause I myself experienced how it all surpasses my very self. When the people ask me, what I think of all of these happenings, I tell them that I do not know what is happening with me. It is the work of the Lord which I have not fully discovered. The word of God states that we shall be known by our fruits. When the people attend my Mass or seminars they experience God. This experience changes their lives and brings them closer to God. If those in conflict reconcile with one another, throw out all their filth before God, and seek 'His face, then this becomes the fruit to which we must turn our attention. Don't put your eyes on me, but if you fix your eyes on Jesus then you will be blessed. Our focus is on the giver, not on the gift., I walk in Jesus' shoes and it is up to Him to do what he wants to do. God always comes to those people who are sincerely seeking His face. My only desire is to serve Him to the best of my ability, and if the individuals are healed, they are healed because God healed them, not 1. 1 may be an instrument, but He is the healer. The cross on my forehead is painful especially when I pray. On certain days such as flrst Fridays of -the month it begins to bleed. Before the phenomenon of stigmatization, I had gifts, like the gift of (tongues), the gift of healing, the gift of counsel and slowly the gift of knowledge came also. After the stigmatization, I receive many other gifts. Some of these gifts overwhelmed me very much. And so I need some time to get accustomed to what was happening. By this, I refer especially to the gift of levitation, bilocation, illumination and the knowledge of upcoming events -the knowledge about the near future and especially about future dangers". On October 4, 2000, Fr. Sudac has received stigmata on his hands. The last stigmatism who had the wounds of Christ was St. Francis of Assisi and Blessed Father Pio who died in 1968. Fr. Sudac spent several months at Giamelli's Papal Hospital in Rome where various tests were performed in his stigmata and it was determined by the doctors that these stigmata are unexplainable. They are miraculous signs of God on his body. (Croatian Catholic Mission,

SUGLIAN, JOHN Farm-Vineyard-Barber

Among those who have thus entered upon the privileges and responsibilites of loyal American citizenship is John Suglian, of Fresno, who was born in Dalmatia, October 28, 1873. His father, Marin Suglian, was a sailor, whose home was in Dalmatia, on the Adriatic Sea, when the son was born, but who died when John was only three months old. The mother remained a widow. She died in Dalmatia in 1912. At the age of eighteen he sailed from his native land for America, landing at New York and coming direct to Fresno, California., where he had some relatives. For nine months he worked in a restaurant in Fresno, and then he went to San Francisco and learned the barber trade, remaining there one year. Returning then to Fresno, he soon became the proprietor of what is now the Oak Barber Shop, 1055 I Street, which he operated for twenty-four years. Being desirous of owning some real estate, Mr. Suglian purchased an eighty-acre ranch, which he has in alfalfa and vineyard. Some five years ago he added to his holdings by the purchase of 125 acres, and upon this ranch he lives and runs a dairy, and raises hogs, chickens and horses.  This ranch is situated two and a half miles south of the city limits of Fresno. He was naturalized twenty-two years ago. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. A genial man and justly popular, he has many firends, and is a member of the Eagles, Foresters and Knights of Colombus. He belongs to the Catholic Church. On October 28, 1897, Mr. Suglian married Miss Bertha Bernhauer, of Rock Island, Ill., who came to Fresno in 1891.  To them have been born six children: Eva D., Jack M., Fred V., Francis J., George W. and Florian Virginia.

SUICH, JEROME Liquor Distributor-Croatian Activities

Of five brothers, only Jerome, the youngest, set off for the New World from the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. Certain it is that when he arrived in San Francisco, probably in 1863 with little English or money, he had for some three years to take very humble employment- as a porter with Castera & Lacour, “importers and jobbers, wines and liquors”. Then, after a brief stint as a dealer in bottles, he became associated in 1868 with Elias Chielovich & Co. (Walter Hoog & G. Suich), importers of wines and liquors, situated at the N.W. corner of Front and Jackson Streets. By 1870 he had prospered enough to hand out his own shingle as a vinter. The following year and until September of 1872, in partnership with Mariano Marchini a fellow Dalmatian, he did business at 623 Sansome Street under the name and style of G. Suich & Co., “importers and wholesale liquors.” But the dream of Girolamo Suich was to own his own vineyard, and to live in the country. He had found an acreage that pleased him near San Jose, and he suggested to his beloved Mary that she and the children try living in the country. The year was probably 1874. Illness of three of the children in San Jose and his own almost fatal attack of pneumonia, followed by a relapse, brought the family back to San Francisco, his dream never to he realized. In may of 1876, he bought a home virtually in the country, in Ellis Street near Laguna. Late in 1877, his father died. Determined to return to the Island of Brac, to confer with his brothers, he made plans to take his family to Philadelphia where Frances and Katherine would be placed in boarding school, and the younger children,- George, Jerome, Mary Olivia and Lillian, would be in the care of their mother while he went on to his homeland. Death in his forty-sixth year put and end to plans on April 16, 1879. Within five years, according to his daughter Katherine, his French partner was a wealthy man. Frances Suich remembered that her father enjoyed the friendship of a number of French persons, and she delighted as a child in outings on the bay and to San Pablo in Contra Costa, where the Suich family spent holidays with a French family who owned a ranch there. He and her sister Katherine treasured anecdotes of their father’s hospitality and sociability. His popularity among his compatriots is attested by his holding the office of trustee seemingly as early as 1863, as well as in 1864 in the Slavonic Illyric Mutual Benevolent Society. In 1869, he served as treasurer and in 1868 and 1873, as president of the society.

SUKLA, EDDIE Baseball

Eddie Sukla, recently called up by the Los Angeles "Angels" of the American League to bolster their weakening pitching staff, is probably one of the youngest major leaguers of Croatian descent to appear on a baseball diamond. Sukla was born on March 3, 1943 and prior to being brought up for the "Angels" pitching staff he saw action in Seattle of the Pacific Coast League where he racked up an earned run average of 1.57. He appeared in an "Angel" uniform for the first time on July 22nd, and was called upon to pitch on the very same day. In his first seven games as a relief pitcher, pitching nine and two thirds innings he was credited with two saves, and in one game he bailed out Dean Chance! Sukla graduated from Huntington Beach, California Hi School in '61 and was a baseball, football and basketball star. Following graduation he attended Orange Coast Junior College for one semester before embarking on the road leading to a major league pitching berth.

SULENTIC, NICK Inventor-Businessman

Perhaps the most outstanding among the Waterloo, Iowa Croatians was Nick Sulentic, inventor of the first valve spring lifter, which he combined with the valve spring compressor, making a tool of great service to mechanics working on the old type of automobile and truck. After he had obtained his patent from the United States Patent Office, Sulentic began to manufacture this tool in a twelve by twenty foot one story frame building in 1922. Gradually his customers began to ask for tool boxes, metal display cases and similar products, so that from this small beginning the Waterloo Valve Spring Compressor Company grew to be "The World's Leading Tool Box Maker" by 1947, when the corporation moved to its new location. This is one of Iowa's most modern and progressive factories. Although capitalized at only $500, 000, Sulentic's industrial plant does business worth more than $1, 000, 000 a year. The country's two leading mail order houses are among the best customers, and there are a number of establishments abroad which send in large orders for tool boxes and the like. The Sulentic factory has never had a strike nor any other kind of labor-management troubles. Its employees belong to unions affiliated with the American Federation of Labor. Although the factory is small--its workers number slightly over two hundred, including the field salesmen--the chief reason for the absence of labor difficulties must lie in the benevolent attitude of the owners, who personally manage the plant and pay wages slightly above the average for Waterloo. Nick Sulentic, his wife and six sons are prominent in the social, industrial, and parish life of Waterloo. Nick was definitely a leader among his own people. It is at his spacious country home that all of the Croatians in the vicinity gather annually to celebrate the feast of St. Roch where a field Mass is offered by a Croatian priest each August 16.

SULENTIC, STEPHEN Tamburitza Hall of Fame-Inventor-Military-Attorney

3tephen A. Sulentic was born May 9, 1915 in Duluth, Minnesota, son of the late Ante and Ana Sulentic of Sveti Rok and Lovinac, Croatia. Steve's parents migrated to America just prior to World War I and settled in Duluth, Minnesota. Steve completed his elementary and high school education and entered the U.S. Army. Steve was given an Honorable Discharge from the Army during World War II as a disabled veteran. He enrolled in the Wayne State University Law School in 1944 and was graduated in 1947 with a L.L.B. Degree in Law. During this school tenure Steve would be found searching out tamburasi on weekends to listen to what he called the sweetest music in existence. Steve always says his first love was tambura music and second love the practice of law. His one regret was he did not become a tamburas. He more than made up for this by his tremendous contributions to the preservation and promotion of tamburitza music as noted in his work with the Tamburitza Association of America in particular. After being graduated from law school Steve returned to Minnesota to practice law in Duluth, South St. Paul and St. Paul, Minnesota Steve has supported affairs related to Croatian culture all his adult life. He is also a proud member of the Croatian Fraternal Union. On the night of Dec. 9, 1967 Steve found himself in a small saloon in Madison, Illinois, in the St. Louis Metropolitan area, attending the first assemblage of tamburasi whose purpose was to unite all tamburasi 'in the U.S. and Canada - specifically, to preserve and promote tambura music and culture not only on a domestic scale (U.S.) but internationally also. And to form an organization that would accomplish this objective. With the cooperation of all tamburasi and tamburitza music lovers this objective has been attained.

The following are responsibilities Steve accepted, performed, and dedicated himself to. Goodwill Ambassador TAA 12 years and currently preserving and promoting the objectives of elevating in stature of tambura music and culture. Legal Counsel (Attorney) TAA 12 years and currently. Author of Articles of incorporation of TAA. Prepared all documents and procedures resulting in TAA becoming an official NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION. This accomplishment elevated the stature of the TAA substantially making the possibility of TAA receiving grants (financial) from Governmental agencies, foundations, etc., much more likely. Set up parliamentary procedures to be followed by TAA management in their administration of TAA affairs, also serves as constant advisor in this procedure. Charter Member TAA 12 years and currently. Secretary TAA 12 years and currently. Member Board of Directors TAA 12 years and currently. Member Executive Board TAA 12 years and currently. TAA Hall of Fame Location Committeeman 6 years and currently. Steve carried on preliminary discussions with above mentioned institutions, with the cooperation of Mr. Bernard M - Luketich, President of Croatian Fraternal Union and the combined efforts of Mr. Alex Machaskee, President of TAA; Ed Sabolic, Director TAA; and Lou Cavic, agreement was reached with Mr. Luketich to house artifacts in CFU Museum. Mr. Robert R. Stone, President of Serb National Federation, agreed the SNF may be a future cosite for these artifacts. Cbairman TAA Hall of Fame Honor Roll Scroll Committee 9 years and currently. Chairman TAA Membenbip Committee I year and currently committeeman. TAA History Committeeman 4 years and currently. General Chairman 1979 Minneapolis Extravaganza which initiated first two-part concert. 1979 Extravaganza was first extravaganza to have concert on two different nights, Friday and Saturday. NOTE! Estimated mileage traveled by Steve as he promoted tambura music and TAA activities - 250,000 miles in 18 years.

SULICH, VASSILI Choreographer

Vassili Sulich, artistic director of the Nevada Dance Theater, has been named to choreograph a new production of Tchaikovsky's opera "The Queen of Spades" for the San Francisco Opera next fall of 1982. While Sulich is best known for his work with the dance theater, the opera assignment will return him to a field of former triumph. "The first iinportant work I did as a choreographer was for the Lyon Opera House in France," recalled the Croatian-born Sulich, "It was Jean Cocteau's-Oedipe-Roi,' which is an opera-eratorio meaning it has talking as well as singing and dancing rather like a musical except that it is serious in tone instead of light. That was a critical success and the choreography was especially successful, so this really launched my career as a choreographer." Sulich would go on to choreograph severial other operatic works including a version of Samson et Delilah at the Buenos Aires, Theater Colon, one of the world's largest opera houses. "I never realized how big that job was until I had already accepted and found myself involved with 65 dancers and 1401 chorus people in the bacchanal scene," laughed Sulich. The now production of "The Queen of Spades" will involve Sulich not only with one of the United States' most important operas but with the opera that is considered Tchaikovsky's most dramatic. It is based on the poem by Alekander Pushkin - the story of a gambler who stops at nothing to secure the psychic powers by which an aged countess can learn which cards will appear in a card game. His machinations bring about the death of both his lover and the countess; but the gambler is haunted by the countess' ghost and, on the brink of wealth, destroyed. International stars Teresa Zyjis-Gara, Tom Krause, and Rebrina Resnick are among the cast; the opera is scheduled for six performances - a normal opening run - with the first on Nov. 4. A successful version of an opera may be repeated with the same costumes and choreography for 15 years or more, said Sulich. His operatic work will not interfere with Sulich's plans for Nevada Dance Theater, he said. The Theater is to present its first concert of the next season in October. A still-unfulfilled ambition of Sulich's is to employ the Nevada Dance Theater in an opera production in the Las Vegas area, said Sulich. Noting that the recent performance of "Tosca" marked the first local production of a grand opera, Sulich said "The cultural scene is progressing in such a way that I can hope for something like that in the very near future." Sulich was born in Pucisce, Island of Brac, Dalmatia.

SULJAK, DINKO Historian-Librarian-Croatian Activities

Dr. Dinko Suljak died on January 17, 1985 in Davis, California, on the eve of his 70th birthday. He was born on January 17, 1915 near Zadar, Dalmatia. After graduating from the Classical Gymnasium he studied at the Faculty of Jurisprudence, University of Zagreb where he recieved his diploma in 1940. In 1946 he obtained his J. D. at the University of Rome.  In 1964 he earned his M.A. in the Library Science, University of Chicago. For many years he was the head librarian a the University. of California in Davis. In his early years of life in the U.S. he was the editor (during 1950-1952) of the American Croatian Herald in Chicago. He published many articles and studies in this professional field as well as in the area of modern Croatain history. He is the author of Croatia’s Struggle for Independence; A Documentary History (Arcadia, California.: Croatian Information Service, 1977), 388 pp. Before he died he was finishing the manuscript on his life and involvment in the Croatian Peasant Party and related aspects of recent Croatian political development. The book was supposed to be published by Hrvatska Revija in Barcelona. To his widow Estelle (nee Lasic) we extend our sincere sympathy.

SUMICH, JOHN M. Orange Grove-Saloon-Oysterman

John M. Sumich one of the leading members of the Croatian colony in Plaquemines Parish, has been a resident of the Triumph community for a number of years where, in association with six of his countrymen, he established in 1926 a large orange growing enterprise. This was at first a communal project owned jointly by the seven men, all natives of Croatia. The partners as a result of their joint efforts cleared and planted a large tract of land and after the trees had been brought to full maturity divided the land into individual tracts. Mr. Sumich has twelve acres to his part and grows the five principal varieties of oranges. In 1936 he opened a tavern in Triumph and has been very successful in the operation of this place. John M. Sumich was born in Croatia on the twenty-fourth of September, 1894, a son of Matthew Sumich, now deceased, and Mrs. Simica Sumich, now past eighty years of age and, who still resides in Croatia. Mr. Sumich attended the schools of his native country and came to the United States when a little over sixteen years of age, locating in New Orleans where he was employed in the oyster industry from 1911 until 1926. Returning to Croatia on a visit, Mr. Sumich was married there on the twenty third of July, 1926, to Miss Antoinette Pavlinovich. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sumich returned to the United States and have since made their home at Triumph. They are the parents of three children, Katie, born July 6, 1927; Marie, born August 10, 1928, and Matthew Sumich, born the tenth of July, 1929. Each of the children are attending school at Buras. Mr. Sumich is an energetic, industrious and progressive business man and is highly esteemed in the community where he has lived for nearly fifteen years.

SUNARA, IGOR Film Making-Visual Arts

Igor Sunara was born in Varazdin, Croatia of Dalmatian parents May 11,1945. During his High School years, Igor showed a keen interest in Design and Visual Arts. His curiosity to study new design ideas soon led him to leave Zagreb 1968. He spent several years going back and forth between Zagreb and other cities in western Europe, including, Vienna, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam, working in a variety of jobs. He finally settled in London, studying first Photography (one of Igor’s early still images was a shot of Hitchcock staring directly at Igor’s camera), and than studying Mix Media (preparing and working on his visual portfolio for the college entrance exam) for two years at the Camden Arts Center. Igor then went on to study Film making at the School of Communication, Polytechnic of Central London, (currently the University of Westminster), graduating with Honors in Film and Television, 1977. This was a well-known School of Photography, where Lumiere brothers showed their first ground breaking film "Train arriving", which marked the commercialization of film. Igor shared the First Prize as Student of the Year for his 20 minute thesis film, Point of View. Igor next moved to the United States, living in Boston for a year, doing mostly photography. Igor then moved to New York where he exhibited at the Soho Photo Gallery, 1980. Doing photography at that point was Igor’s way of approaching his new culture and environment visually. This period didn’t last long because Igor was longing to get back to moving images, and he soon shot a couple of NYU and Columbia thesis films, and worked briefly as a Camera Assistant. Early on, Igor was involved in the New York independent film scene, with strong emphasize on character-driven narrative films. Examples of his cinematographic work in this period were on such films as: 'Misplaced' 1990, an American Playhouse film shown on PBS, Toronto, London and was 1st Prize winner at the Deauville Film Festival. 'The Keeper', 1996 screened at the Sundance film festival, and was the finalist for "Independent Spirit Award". 'On The Run' 2000, was an Open Palm Gotham Award Nominee. 'Somewhere In The City' 1997, a screw-ball comedy about an assortment of NY Lower East Side characters and 'Peroxide Passion', Silver winner for comedy at the Worldfest, Houston 2001. Igor also shot Action/Special Effects movies including: 'Tripwire' 1991, 'Cop Land' 1998 (IInd Unit) and 'Cetverored' 1999, Croatian post WWII picture about the tragedy of Bleiburg, biggest film in production terms shot in Croatia in the last 15 years. In commercial field, Igor also photographed campaigns for AT&T and Bell South, as well as spots for clients such as Coors Light, Coca Cola , Kodak and Reebok. Igor has shot hundreds of music videos for such noted artists as Whitney Houston, Liza Minelli, Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Bon Jovi, Barry Manilow, Dolly Parton, and Notorious BIG, working in genres and styles from Rock to Popular to R&B to Rap. His Television and Documentary work includes: 'Heart Of A Legend-Chico O’Farrill' 2001, Cuban jazz. 'Of Penguins and Peacocks' 2000, a turn of the 20th century tele play. 'Il Giardino armonico' 1999, 17 cent. Baroque music 'American Dream' 1990, Oscar (additional photography). 'Eliot Porter' 1988, noted color photographer. Among his busy filming schedule Igor also manages to find time to teach part time at the School of Visual Arts, and has taught Cinematography at the Tisch School of the Arts, Graduate division NYU,1995/96. Igor also initiated five day film festival Days Of Croatian Cinema in New York, Union Sq. 1996, showing ten well known classic features from Croatia and fifteen famous cartoons from the Zagreb School of Animation. This festival examined the question of What is Croatian Cinema, - today ?, in light of Croatia’s recent independence.

SUNIC, TOMISLAV Professor-Editor-Author

Tomislav Sunic is a professor at Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Born February 3, 1953 in Zagreb, Croatia; married to Ksenia with two children. Educated at Faculty of Philosophy, English language, University of Zagreb; PhD in political science at University of California 1986. Editor of Forum, journal, California State University, Sacramento, 1984-1985. Published Against Democracy and Equality 1990. Member of American Political Science Association; American Association of Slavic Studies.

SURYAN, IVAN Fisherman

Ivan Suryan at age 92, is Croatian Fraternal Union Seattle Lodge 439’s oldest member. A native of Vela Luka, Island of Korcula, Dalmatia, Ivan came to Anacortes, Washington in 1939. He joined CFU Lodge 625 in Bellingham, Washington in 1952 and came to Lodge 439 via merger in 1964. Ivan spent his entire working life as a commercial fisherman before retiring In 1983. Ivan and his wife Helen tell the interesting story of how they were married by photo." It seems that some friends were showing Ivan the latest photo from Vela Luka. Ivan knew most of the people in the photos but not one rather pretty one. Upon learning that the "rather pretty one" was unmarried, Ivan initiated a year-long correspondence between the two. The "power of the pen" obviously prevailed because Ivan and Helen were married in Dubrovnik in 1956. The Suryans were blessed with two children, Irene and John.

SUSAC, JOHN Businessman-Croatian Activities

Born and raised in Sacramento, John finished school at California State University, Sacramento with a degree in Communication Studies and with his business partner, opened up a chain of smog check stations.  John has been married for nearly two years to Sonia Schwarz. John’s parents, Janko and Janja, are among the founding members of the Croatian Cultural Center; John and his sister Kristina were the organizers of the first Extrazaganza and his brother Nick was the building chairman. John’s love of sports extends to his volunteer coaching for his nephews, Andrija and Mato’s, little league teams.

SUSAC, JANKO Croatian Activities-Businessman

Janko Susac was born in Blatnica, Hercegovinia and at the age of 10, moved to Zagreb and attended military academy. He finished business school in Zagreb, Croatia. He came to the United States in 1956 and met and married Janja Butigan in 1960. They moved to Sacramento and had three children, Nick, Kristina, and Johnny. Janko had a successful business, Yankee Electric for over 25 years and though he claims he is retired, he still goes out on call every once in a while. Janko is also very active in the Croatian Fraternal Union and is president of Lodge 434.  He and his wife, Janja, are among the founding members of the Croatian American Cultural Center and Janja is the founder of the kolo group and language school.

SUSANJ, ANTON Tamburitza Music-Saloon Night Club-Coal Miner

Anton Susanj was born in Rijeka, Croatia. Fifty years ago, at the age of nineteen, he came to the United States. His love of the tambura created a desire to organize a tamburitza band in Cle Elum, a coal mining town In Washington State. He rounded up enough interested individuals to come to his home and practice. They would work in the mines during the day and practice in the evening, as there was little else to do. The bands he has instructed over the many years were from Seattle, Tacoma, Bellingham, Aberdeen, Cle Elum, and Elumclaw. His first band consisted of Matt Madenich, Frank Furlong, and the late Joe Marcelja. One of his outstanding performances was in Tacoma, Washington, when he was called upon in 1914 to furnish the entertainment for President Woodrow Wilson. For a newly arrived Immigrant this was indeed an honor. Anton married the lovely blond Sophie Gongo of Peel Point, a small village near Cle Elum. Although not of Croatian descent, Anton soon had her playing and singing the traditional Croatian songs. Soon two sons, Walter and Charles, joined the band. The band was known as "The Four Susanjs". Anton expanded his band to Include Andrew VItalich, John Cvitkovich, and Lubi Cheskov, and renamed it the "Seranaders". This band toured the Western U. S. for many years, all under the tutelage and management of Anton. The band was chosen to represent Yugoslavia at the United Nations Festival at the University of Washington in 1947. Anton's son, Walter, studied music at Cornish School and is a well-known professional musician and teacher. He took over the teaching and managing of a group of thirteen juniors from the ages of 10 to 16. Today, the descendants of Anton Susanj are carrying on the traditional tamburitza and are 40 strong in a junior tamburitza band. Anton taught and played the tambura until his death in 1975. Prior to his death, he would lay down his bartender's apron and he and his wife Sophie would entertain the customers in their night club. Many evenings at home were spent in hours of tambura. playing, an activity Anton never grew tired of doing. Anton Susanj has earned the honor of the Presidential Award given him at the 1982 Tamburitza Extravaganza.

SUSANJ, WALTER Teacher-Tamburitza Hall of Fame

It is with pride and appreciation that Seattle, Washington Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 439 announces that brother Walter Susanj has been inducted into the Tamburitza Association of America's Hall of Fame. Walter was one of six "tamburasi" so honored at the Association's Extravaganza 2000 held in St. Louis this past Sept 7-10, 2000. Brother Susanj was the first son of Anton and Sophie Susanj, was born July 13, 1923 in Bellingham, Washington. He was soon joined by his brother, Charles. The boys' father, Anton, was the driving musical force in the family. He hailed from the small village of Blazici in the Kastav region near Rijeka, Croatia. In due time Anton taught his wife and sons how to play the "tambura." Together they constituted the family group variously known as the "Serenaders" or the "Four Susanjs." For years the family owned and provided musical entertainment at the Wishbone Tavern near Enumclaw, Washington. Aficionados of fine "old country" music came from miles around to hear the group. In addition to his first instrument, the bisernica, Walter also started playing the clarinet in the fourth grade. In high school and college he added the saxophone and violin to his instrumental repertoire. Brother Susanj served in the U.S. Coast Guard in the South Pacific during World War 11. Having taken his bisernica with him, he somehow rounded up drums, guitar and an accordion to form a combo -that played for U.S.O. sponsored events aboard ship throughout the war. Discharged in 1945, Walter attended the Cornish School of Music in Seattle, where he completed a program in music education. As one facet of his work he organized tamburitza groups that played on stage and on radio and television in many Washington and Oregon communities. He also taught high school music, gave private music lessons and sold musical instruments for many years. Walter is a life member of both the Seattle Musicians' Union and the Croatian Fraternal Union -having recently begun his 60th year of adult membership in our great fraternal organization. Brother Susanj, joined his wife, Peggy, on the bugarija, continues to entertain audiences throughout the Seattle area. Congratulations brother Susanj! Your fellow CFU members are truly happy that you have achieved the honors and recognition bestowed by the Tamburitza Association of America. Moreover, we are proud that you have done so much to perpetuate the awarenes of Croatian music and culture throughout the Pacific Northwest.

SUSICH, JOSEPH Croatian Activities

Joseph Susich was born on July 21, 1895 at Mrkopalj, Gorski Kotar, Croatia, son of Ivan and Antonija (Crnkovich) Susich. He came to America in 1911 as a 16 year-old boy. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Croatian Fraternal Union for 65 years. He first joined the Croatian Alliance on the Pacific on March 7, 1912 and the Croatian Fraternal Union in June, 1916. He was very active in both organizations ad served as an officer. He was twice a delegate to the conventions of Croatian Union on Pacific held in Watsonville and San Francisco, California. He voted for the unification of Croatian Union on the Pacific with the Croatian Fraternal Union. At that time, he was president of the Croatian Union on the Pacific and as such worked diligently for this unification. He was a lodge delegate to three CFU Conventions- the eighth convention held in Los Angeles, the ninth in Philadelphia and the tenth in Detroit, Michigan. He was employed by a number of lumber companies. During the Second World War, he worked for the Chicago Bridge and Iron Co. and later for the city until he went on pension in 1965. The members of Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 249 in Eureka, California are saddened to report the passing of brother Joseph Susich on March 18, 1978. Surviving are his bereaved wife, Matilda; two daughters, Mrs. David (Helen) Saunders and Mrs. Len (Janice) Guglielmina; six grandchildren, Anita Marcum, Cheryl Stevens, Allen and Steven Saunders and Fray and Brenda Guglielmina, all members to the CFU; and two sisters, Ivka Haracek in Mrkoplju and Matilda Benic in Australia.

SUTICH, I.P. Restaurant

You will get a warm welcome at the “Cold Day Restaurant,” 441 Pine St., San Francisco, warm weather of cold, from Mr. I.P. Sutich, the popular owner and manager. Mr. Sutich will tell you also the origin of the restaurant’s name. It date back into the early history of San Francisco to a wild out-burst of preelection oratory form a candidate fro the office of sheriff to the county of and city of S.F. The candidate declared that it would be a “cold day” when he got left. Unfortunately, perhaps he did get left but the phrase stuck. It became a by word of the streets. The “Cold Day” is the meeting place for the more progressive members of the local Slavonian colony. Here local as well as world politics are discussed; here the plans for the Slavonic Day at the Exposition are talked over. Mr. Sutich came to S.F. in 1887 from Dalmatia, Croatia via N.Y. Every since he has been a member of the profession that has made San Francisco restaurants famous. In 1890 he established the Dalmatian Restaurant at the corner of Sansome and Clay streets, which he managed until it was wiped our by the great fire. He has been at his present location ever since. Mr. Sutich is well known in California among men of his nationality. This is well evidenced by the fact that he was the organizer and first president of the Croatian Lodge in California. During the year 1912 he held the office of the Pacific chapter of the same organization. He was chairman of the Croatian Unity of the Pacific, held at Mountain View 1912, and was elected Grand President of the order. In 1902 he married a San Francisco girl, Miss Carrie Zietich. He has two daughters, Zorka and Evelyn.

SUTICH, MICHAEL Goldminer-Fruits

Michael Suttich, a director of the Slavonic Society, was a pioneer gold miner in 1851 and ‘52 in the Calaveras region of California. The California State Census of Population lists him as coming from Louisiana and no doubt he was an early pioneer in the New Orleans area. He operated a fruit business on Davis Street in San Francisco from 1858 to 1863. He was a shareholder in the Mount Davidson Gold and Silver Minting Co. in Virginia City, Nevada.

SUTIJA, GEORGE International Trade

George Sutija is with the Ford Foundation in Caracas, Venezuela. Born March 11, 1926 in Udbina, Lika, Croatia; married with one child; American citizen. Education includes Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia, 1944; University of Zagreb Law School 1944-45; Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, M.A., 1957; Columbia University, New York, N.Y., M.B.A., 1961 with a major field of International trade and development and a minor in Development, Administration and Planning. Member of Croatian Academy of America; Special Libraries-Association; American Political Science Association; International Development Society.

SUTLOVICH, RUDY Contractor

Rudy was born on the Island of Veli Iz, Dalmatia, Croatia and came to the Sunnyvale area of California in 1940. At first, he worked on ships in the Merchant Marine, then in the canneries in San Jose. He started employment in the building trade with his uncle and became a very successful masonary contractor, a business he turned over to his son-in-law when he reached the age of 62. Brother Rudy and his entire family were very active in Slavonic Society affairs. For several years they prepared our successful Crab Cioppino events. Rudy was very close to his cousins, Rose and Sam Mosunic and attended many socials and picnics. He loved his card games and had a fine voice. He was one of the original Slavonic Society investors who lent the Society $10,000 for its original construction. Rudy leaves Rose, his partner and loving spouse of 41 years and daughters, Ninfa, Nancy and Grace and four grandchildren. Rudy died on May 19, 1987.

SUZENIC, ERNEST Navy Hero

The SpanishAmerican War, although it lasted only two months, gave Croatian Americans an opportunity to show their patriotism to their new homeland. On July 12, 1898 Ernest Suzenic a Croatian from Istria, a seaman aboard the U.S. warship Nashville, pulled off a heroic act that contributed mightily to the resounding U.S. victory a couple of days later. In broad daylight Suzenic and a group of other sailors took off from the warships Nashvile and Marblehead in a couple of small skiffs and made their way to the shallows about 100 yards off Cienfuegos, Cuba There they fished up the Spaniards' underwater telegraph cable with the objective of severing it. The Spaniards spotted them, however, and opened fire with one shell exploding immediately above the two skiffs, killing several Americans instantly and fatally wounding others. Sunzenic's partner, who was holding the cable while Sunzenic sawed away at it, was among those killed instantly. Suzenic, though wounded himself, did not give up and managed to sever the cable which was the main line of communication between Cuba and the West Indies. With his dead and wounded comrades he then made his way back to the Nashville. All of the great American newspapers of the day praised Suzenic for his brave actions. The big New York daily "World" even printed his picture and referred to him as a true hero.

SUZZALL0, HENRY Education

In more recent times, one of the most eminent educators in America was Dr. Henry Suzzallo, the son of Peter Zucalo, an immigrant from Dalmatia. Suzzallo received his education in the schools of his native city, San Jose, California, and at Stanford and Columbia universities. After. two years as assistant professor of education at Stanford he moved to Columbia University in 1909, where he served as adjunct professor of elementary education for several years before being elevated to the position of professor of philosophy of education at the teachers' college there. In 1915 he was elected president of the University of Washington, which he developed into one of the outstanding institutions of learning in the West. During his administrati6n the student enrollment increased from less than 2,000 to nearly 7,000 and the faculty from about 200 to over 300. Acting on the belief that education should, before all else, train students to think, the president devoted himself to raising the entrance requirements of the university and to expanding and enriching its curriculum. In his capacity as a member of the state boards of education and vocational education, he aided immensely in building a more effective public education system. He instituted in the state schools courses in forestry and fish culture, on which the state's two most important industries were based. In 1918 President Wilson appointed him as one of ten arbiters to sit in controversies under the War Board and later he was made an advisor to the War Labor Policy Board. In 1926 he was dismissed as president of the university, the result of a controversy with Governor Roland H. Hartley, who subjected the entire state educational system to rigid political control. Upon leaving Washington Suzzallo was elected chairman of the board of trustees of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. About this time the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace decided to send abroad an able interpreter of American education and selected Suzzallo as its representative. As a consequence., he spent most of 1928 lecturing in some of the leading universities in Europe, including Belgrade and Zagreb in Yugoslavia. Shortly after his return to the United States, he was made special director of the National Advisory Committee on Education, a group of fifty-two educators appointed by President Hoover to recommend a policy for governmental participation in educational activities. In 1930, upon the retirement of Henry S. Pritchett, he succeeded to the presidency of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a position he occupied until his death in September, 1933.

SVAINAZ, ANTON Oyster House

Anton Svainaz, better known as Anton Smith, and his wife from the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia was proprietor of the famous Rockway Oyster House on Market Street near 5th in San Francisco. He was a typical Dalmatian with an abundance of energy. they had children. One of his sons is on the stage, acting under the name of Anthony Smythe.

SVEDENSKI, LOUIS Music

Louis Svedenski born in 1862 in Osijek, Croatia was a graduate of conservatories in Zagreb and Vienna. In 1885 he received a contract from the Boston Symphony Orchestra as first violinist, and thus came to America as the first Croatian artist in the field of music. For thirty-three years he played the viola in the famous Kneisel Quartet. On many occasions he toured America and Europe. He met Milka Ternina in New York, during her first engagement at the Metropolitan. He traveled to Croatia several times and always considered himself a Croatian. In American music circles he gained fame as a great artist and promoter of music. To this goal he especially contributed as director of New York's Institute of Musical Art. He was also one of the founders of the Curtis Institute of Music, in Philadelphia. He died in 1926.

SVESKO,VELIMIR S Physician

Velimir Svesko is Director, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Vincent's Medical Center of Richmond, Staten Island, New York. Born Dec. 16, 1913 in Youngstown, Ohio; married with three children. Educated at lst Classical Gymnasium, Zagreb, Croatia, Graduate,1932; University of Zagreb, M.D., 1938; Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Zagreb 1940-43; Francis Delafield Hospital, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, N.Y.1955. Thesis completed 1953 "Prilog Djelovanju Stilbstrola (Estrogenih hormona) u trudnoci" (in Croatian), University of Zagreb. Member of Diplomate, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Fellow, American College of.Obstetricians.and Gynecologists; Fellow, American College of Surgeons; American Medical Association.

SVILICH, JOHN Ranch

A leading orchardist of the Santa Clara Valley, whose schooling was limited to seven days in his entire life, but who has succeeded far beyond many men more generously schooled, is John Svilich. He was born on the Island of Vis, Dalmatia, November 30, 1861, a son of Martin and Victoria (Vidovich) Svilich, both born in Dalmatia. The father was a shoemaker and the family lived on a farm. There were two sons in the family: Vincent was a rancher in the Santa Clara County until he became blind and now lives in Oakland, and John, the subject of this sketch. When he arrived in America in 1889, he first settled in Portland, Oregon and remained there for six months, then came to Santa Clara County, California Four months of each season he spent in Washington and Oregon fishing in the Columbia River. By good management and economy accumulated sufficient money to lease a twenty-acre ranch on the Homestead Road about one-half mile west of the Collins School; then he added five acres to his ranch bought from Mr. Calvert; later purchased ten acres adjoining in the D.C. Milligan subdivision. In 1919 he bought the Wolff place of thirty-one acres, sixty-six acres in all, a full bearing orchard devoted to prunes, apricots, peaches and cherries. He has his own irrigating plant, and with the best of cultivation, his ranch is paying a fine profit. He is also engaged in buying, drying and selling fruit to packers, while he ships cherries to Eastern markets. Mr. Svilich was married in Vis, Dalmatia, on November 15, 1884, to Miss Irene Mardisich, the daughter of Joseph and Frances (Bonomo) Mardisich, all natives of Dalmatia. Mrs. Svilich is the youngest of a family of three children: Mitchell, Antonette, who died in infancy, and Irene. They have four children- Winifred, Irene, Matilda and Paul; Antonette is Mrs. Labrovich, the wife of a rancher on Freemont and Saratoga roads, and they have three children- Mary, Irene and Archibald; Joseph and William are assisting the father, while Peter is going to school.

SVORINICH, RUDY City Councilman

Councilman Rudy Svorinich, Jr. represents the City of Los Angeles 15th Council District which includes more than 240,000 residents the Los Angeles Harbor Area communities of San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway and Watts. He was elected to his first term as Councilman in June 1993 and assumed office on July 1, 1993. In April 1997, he was elected to a second and final four year term, which began on July 1, 1997, with 61% of the popular vote. Councilman Svorinich was born and raised in San Pedro where his family emigrated to from the Dalmatian Coast of the present-day Republic of Croatia almost 80 years ago. His family has a long history with Los Angeles harbor. His father, two grandfathers and a great-grandfather were either fishermen or longshoremen. The Councilman is assistant President Pro-Tempore of the City Council, the Chairman of the City Council?s Transportation Committee, Vice-Chairman of the Commerce, Energy and Natural Resources Committee (which oversees the City’s Airport, Harbor and Water & Power Departments) and is a Member of the Information Technology and General Services Committee. Previously he served four years as Chairman of the Council’s Housing and Community Redevelopment Committee. He also is Chairman of three Council Ad Hoc Committees: Sub-Standard Housing, Port Waterfront Development and Welfare Reform. Svorinich is the City of Los Angeles’ representative on the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority Board of Governors. The $2 billion Alameda Corridor is the largest surface transportation project in the history of the United States. He presently serves as the ACTA Board?s Vice Chairman. A graduate of California State University Dominguez Hills, Councilman Svorinich is a businessman by trade. He received a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a major in Management in 1983. Prior to his election, he was the owner of Industrial Paint Company in Wilmington, where he worked for seven years as an employee and later purchased. Councilman Svorinich served as Chief Deputy to former asemblyman Gerald N. Felando (R-San Pedro) for two years. He also served four terms as President of the Dalmatian-American Club of San Pedro. He was also a vice-president of the San Pedro Peninsula and Wilmington Chambers of Commerce and a member of the Harbor City/Harbor Gateway and Watts/Willowbroook Chambers of Commerce. He is also a member of the San Pedro Elks Lodge #966, Los Angeles Harbor Masonic Lodge #332, the Long Beach Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, the Al Malaikah Shrine Temple of Los Angeles, the San Pedro and Wilmington Historical Societies, the San Pedro and Wilmington Coordinating Councils, the Italian Catholic Federation and San Pedro High Pirate and Banning High Pilot Booster Clubs. Svorinich is married to the former Deann Marie Mardesich. They reside in San Pedro with their two young children, Gregory and Danielle.

TADICH, JOHN V. Restaurant

John Tadich is a native of Starigrad on the Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia, whose parents, Vincent and Katherine Tadich, were well-known people in their community. Mr. Tadich had been a resident of San Francisco since 1871 and for fifty years was one of the leading men in the restaurant business of this city. He retired from the business in 1929. Mr. Tadich married Antoinette Lanisevich. a member of a prominent family of his home town. He is a father of three children, Danilo, Mabel, and Ruby. Danilo is occupying an official position with the Shell Oil Company, Mabel is on the teaching staff of the San Francisco Public School Department and Ruby is married to Herbert F. Suhr, Jr. a member of a prominent San Francisco family. During the World War Mr. Tadich was president of the local branch of the Croatian League of America, which was organized with the object of upholding the cause of the American government and its European Allies in the World War, and disseminating the idea of liberation and unity. Throughout the war Mr. Tadich played a leading part in the activities of the local Croatian colony in behalf of our war-torn occasions before the war and since, he has demonstrated his abiding loyalty to his people and the country of his birth. His restaurant was one of the landmarks of San Francisco and was one among the few that the sponsors of all the great public affairs used to recommend to the visitors as a reliable eating place. In the Diamond Jubilee edition of the “San Francisco Newsletter,” which was issued on September 5, 1925, we find under the heading: “Tadich Grill,” the following article: “There are still landmarks in San Francisco, in spite of the fire of 1906, but they are mostly human landmarks, instead of buildings and monuments, and very few are left at that. Such a one is John V. Tadich, of the original ‘Cold Day Restaurant,’ at 545 Clay Street. “A talk with Mr. Tadich is like turning back the leaves of historical San Francisco; he can tell you of the little tent operating on the northwest corner of Leidesdorff and Commercial Streets, prior to 1849, where coffee was served to sailors and their kind; of a certain Captain Leidesdorff, who docked his ship at this point, with its cargo of iron from Belhouse & Co. of Manchester, England, and whose crew deserted to go out to gold mines; of the small coffee house tent being transformed by this cargo into a corrugated iron house, which stood in this spot until Mr. Tadich, in 1882, turned it into a real restaurant. “He spoke feelingly of the ‘old days’ when most of the publishing houses and newspapers and journals were printed around this neighborhood; when notable men and women writers congregated to have dinner with him; and way, way back in the days when customers paid as much as $1.00 for one boiled egg. “and then he told me how his cafe became appelated with the name: ‘The Cold Day Restaurant.’ “on the corner of Stockton and Geary there used to stand the old ‘Wigman,” the headquarters of the Republican party ticket for assessor, at his nomination spoke the words which later became famous: ‘I thank you, gentlemen,’ he said, and then added: ‘It is a cold day when I get left.’ “But when election came, it was a cold day for Badlam, for John Seibe, the Independent-Republican, was elected.

TADIN, TONY Ranch-Silicon Valley

Tony and Franka Tadin were born on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. He immigrated to America in 1922, eventually settling in Watsonville, where he spent the next decade working on farms in the area. In 1933, he moved to Mountain View where he bought 10 acres of farm land along Calderon Avenue and raised cherries and apricots. In 1944, he bought 13 acres along El Camino Real, land years later taken over by the state for a freeway. “He became part of the sad demise of the valley’s prized orchards and retired as the direct result of the construction of Highway 85 and the commercial expansion of El Camino,” said Tony Tadin Jr. The children of the elder Tony Tadin became an integral part of the growth of the Silicon Valley following their father’s retirement in the mid-1960’s. They are founders of Amfit Corp. of Sunnyvale, Zitel Corp. of San Jose, Micro Science Associates of Mountain View, and were leading investors in the formation of Data Pathing of Sunnyvale and PerTec Computer of Chatsworth, said Tony Tadin Jr. Besides Tony Jr., who lives in Woodside, survivors include his wife of 56 years, the former Frances Cvitanich of Cupertino; daughter, Katie Roloff of Jamestown; sons, George Forencich of Cupertino, Phil Forencich of Sunnyvale, Frank Forencich of Cupertno, Mike Tadin of Santa Clara, and Peter Tadin of Santa Clara; 17 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

TALIA, MARY Farm

Mary for many years helped to look after the family at home. In due course, however, she met and married Mark Zaro, a rancher in the San Jose area. The couple had one child, Marietta Z. Singer who has taught at the C.W. Haman School in Santa Clara for over 35 years. She also assists her husband Earl who writes and publishes a popular periodical known as "Consumers Guide to California Wines."

TALIA, MATT Farm-Mayor

Matt Talia was born August 5, 1909, on the Pine Avenue ranch. When Matt was three years of age the family moved to a 20-acre ranch on the Santa Clara-Los Gatos Road. The family next purchased 70 acres abutting the Santa Clara City Cemetery. Matt and the other children of the family attended the Meridian Grammar School and Campbell High School. He and the other children in the family worked about the ranch. Matt became particularly adept with the tractor and pruning. He recalls visits to the Kiely Market shopping for groceries, and to O'Brian's Store at Franklin and Main Streets for clothing and other household supplies. Dr. Gallup, the family dentist, had his office at the southeast corner of Benton and Main Streets and with a chair so high that Matt described it as being halfway to heaven. The family doctor, J.1. Beattie, had his offices on the northeast comer of Main and Benton Streets. Upon completion of his schooling, Matt took over the operation of the ranches for the family. His mother, Domenica, died in 1941 and his father Peter died in 1945. Matt was acquainted with the Tepsich family in Mountain View and their lovely laughter Ann. One evening when Ann was tbout 18 years of age Matt invited her to a dance at the Napredak Hall on Lawrence 3tation Road. In less than one year the couple married at St. Joseph's Church in Mountain View. They eventually settled in a three bedroom home built for $3,500 on the Saratoga Avenue ranch. In addition to his hobbies, Matt became involved in civic affairs, being appointed to the Santa Clara Planning Commission and serving two terms. He was elected to the city council for two terms and served as mayor in 1961 and 1962. After 17 years of active service for the city, Matt retired in 1979. The couple had three children, Domenica Ann, Mary Lou and Peter. Domenica was born January 7, 1936, at O'Connor Hospital with Dr. Amaral assisting. She attended St. Clare's School on Washington Street and graduated from Santa Clara High School in 1953. She later attended San Jose State College and Heald Business College. Marv Lou was born October 26, 1938, and also attended St. Clare's School, graduating from Santa Clara High School in 1955. The second child, Susan, married Brad Holmgren, who with his father are the proprietors of Roof Structures, Inc. The couple live in San Jose with their three children. Matt and Ann's third child, Peter, was born April 19, 1946, and attended St. Clare's School and graduated from Bellarrnine in 1964. At the University of Santa Clara, he majored in history and obtained his J.D. degree in 1971. After passing the bar exam, he became an associate with the rirm of Miller, Morton Caillat & Nevis. In 1978, he opened his own office at 900 Larayette Street in Santa Clara. In 1983 he and James J. Rodriguez formed a law partner;hip at that location.

TALIA, PETER Farm

Peter Talia was born on the famly ranch near where Valley Village is presently located on Winchester Boulevard in Santa Clara on December 31, 1920. Peter attended St. Clare's School and Bellarmine College Preparatory where he was not only successful academically but also excelled in football and baseball. After graduation in 1940 he entered the University of Santa Clara Business College. With the coming of World War 11, Peter entered the army and was assigned to the Infantry Military Police School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Upon his release from the service he returned to Santa Clara to help his brother, Matt, farm the family's 70 acres of prunes, apricots, and cherries located near the city cemetery. In 1949 this property was sold to the Bohannon organization for its residential development and Peter moved to Lexington Street in Santa Clara. Peter worked for a time for the Santa Clara Fire Department, and with his brother Matt purchased the L.A. Meade Property on Franklin Street through realtor Doug Nielson. Peter also purchased Long's Sporting Goods Store located on Main Street and moved the business to his own building on Franklin Street. Interested in hunting and fishing, he thoroughly enjoyed the operation of the store and continued with it until about 197 1, when he sold the business to Joe Kerley. Peter, active in city affairs, was appointed to the Santa Clara Redevelopment Agency, becoming its chairman. After selling the store, Peter purchased a 1,300-acre ranch at Cottage Grove near I-Hugene, Oregon. In 1972 he returned for a time to a home on Camino Drive and in 1976 purchased a small 87-acre cattle ranch near Eugene, Oregon. After World War 11, Peter met Kay Cendak from San Francisco. The couple married and took up residence on the family ranch on Winchester Boulevard. Their children include John, graduate of Santa Clara University, who became a CPA in San Mateo and is living in Cupertino; Michael, a graduate of the University of Oregon; and Stephen, who also graduated from the University of Oregon, majoring in communications and whose residence is also on the family ranch.

TALIA, PETER M. Farm

Peter Matthew Talia was born in Dalmatia, Croatia, April 18, 1875, the son of Peter Mathias and Raffie Talia. Mathias was a seafaring man and is reputed to have crossed the Atlantic Ocean 26 times in old fashioned sailing ships. He lived to be 72 years of age, and his mother passed away at 74. Peter Matthew claimed that as a child his home on the Island of Lopud along the Dalmatian coast was so close to the water that he could jump from his window into the ocean. He attended grammar school in Dalmatia until he was 13, and then went to sea. After three years he set sail for America, arrived in New York, and traveled by train to San Jose, California There he worked for his brother-in-law, Nicholas Scorsur, buying and selling fruit. He accumulated a sufficient sum to purchase a three-acre parcel on what is now Pine Avenue in San Jose which he then sold and purchased a seven-acre ranch on what is now Minnesota Avenue. As time went by he bought and sold other properties, eventually acquiring what came to be the home ranch of 20 acres on the Santa Clara-Los Gatos Road in Santa Clara. His sister Nellie worked as a house-keeper, saved her money and was also able to migrate to the United States, settling in San Jose. There she met and married Nick Scorsur who owned and operated a fruit orchard. Nellie and her husband heard from her brother Peter that he would like to come to America and work. They sent hirn the money to make the trip. He arrived in San Jose and lived with the couple, working for Nick on the family orchard. Peter met Domenica Ann Janovich who had been born in Orasac, Dalmatia. Romance insued and the couple married at St. Joseph's Church in San Jose, May 10, 1904. Five children were born to this marriage: Ruth, Mary, Rose, Matt, and Peter.

TALIA, ROSE Fisherman

Rose married Max Grabelja, who operated a tuna fishing boat out of San Pedro, California. Rose died in Lomita, California as did her son who was also named Max. Rose was born in the Santa Clara Valley of California.

TALIA, RUTH Farm

Ruth, born in San Jose was described as a beautiful redhead. She attended schools in Willow Glen, and graduated from Heald Business College. She married John Svilich, a rancher in Cupertino and upon his death married Nick Mikel, an attorney who had substantial property holdings including motels in Monterey County. The couple had one daughter, Kathleen, who resides in Monterey. Following Nick's death, Ruth married Steve Millich, a machinist employed by the Continental Can Company by whom she had one son, Steve, who graduated from Hastings College of Law and became an attorney. He is living in Southern California and is a director of an organization known as "Ducks Unlimited."

TALIANCICH, LEOPOLD