Richard Anthony Jurjevic Sunday January 19th 2020
(Paul Zalesky sent this sad news.)
Sunday January 19th 2020
Richard Anthony Jurjevic passed away unexpectedly Sunday, January 19, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. Richard was born June 3, 1946 to Rudolph Anthony and Pearl Mary Trumbic Jurjevic in Hammond, Indiana. His childhood was spent in Hegewisch, Illinois where he attended St. Columba Parish and grammar school. There, Richard served as an altar boy and Grand Knight of the Altar. He then attended Mendel High School in Chicago where he graduated with honors. Richard’s childhood dream was to attend West Point and he received an appointment there or to any of the military academies from Senator Everett Dirksen. However, he was unable to attend when he became diabetic. He received his Undergraduate degree ‘68 and his Master’s Degree ‘70 in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame where he made several lifelong friendships. As a professional, Richard became a patented engineer working mainly in the rubber industry. In 1974, he married Susan Caley. Together, they spent 45 devoted, loving and fun-filled years together. Throughout his life, he enjoyed all the holidays with his family, fishing, golfing, rooting for Notre Dame, and watching his family participate in athletics and school activities. He was active in the Knights of Columbus where he was proud to manage three outreach programs. He was most proud of his work to assist Associated Charities during the Christmas season. He is survived by his wonderful family, wife Sue, son Todd and Heather Jurjevic, Daughter Sara and Jake Castle with grandchildren Natalie, Luke, Owen, and Ethan Jurjevic, Miki and Jacob Castle, Shea and John Happ, great grandson Jameson Happ, brother and sister-in-laws, as well as, a very loving extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws Fred and Goldie Caley, his beloved uncles and aunts Anthony and Anna Kovacic, Frank and Angeline Trumbich, Rudolph and Dorothy Kovacic, his cousin and childhood best friend Dickie Tomich, and his nephew Jeff Rickett. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home with Rev. Kevin McClain officiating. Burial will be in the Nankin Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, January 24, 2020 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home and on Saturday, January 25, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Associated Charities, 240 Cleveland Ave., Ashland, Ohio 44805 or to the Notre Dame Club of Greater Sarasota Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 49453, Sarasota, FL. 34230. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family by visiting denbowfh.com