Vujovich,
Roy
November 14, 1926 - October 23, 2010
Roy Vujovich, loved and cherished husband, father, grandfather,
great-grandfather and coach, passed away at his home the evening of October 23,
2010, in North Hills, California. He was 83 years old. He leaves behind his
beloved family, an incredible network of friends, and a legacy of love,
determination, strength, humor, passion and compassion.
In 1943, Roy enlisted in the United States Navy and continued Navy
maneuvers in the Pacific for the next three years. After the war, Roy pursued a
teaching credential at UCLA. He played football and pole-vaulted at the
collegiate nationals in track. He was proud to be on Coach Red Sanders' first
football team and lived at the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity house.
In 1951, Roy continued his graduate work and his position as head football and
track coach at Harvard School for Boys. He was delighted to be named head
football coach and Physical Education teacher at Glendale High School shortly
thereafter. In 1954, Roy's popularity soared as Glendale High School won the
League Championships and went on to the regional play-off games. In 1957,
"Educational Tours of America" was born. The "share the
expense" bus tour of the United States and Eastern Canada with 80 students
annually continued for over two decades.
His rugged good looks and booming voice also led him to Hollywood, where he
appeared in commercials, television and movies as his teaching schedule allowed.
In 1962, Roy was honored by the football association of Southern California and
by the Glendale community as "Coach of the Year." In 1966, Roy moved
forward to teach at Glendale Junior College. In 1967, he accepted a position
with a furniture business in San Francisco. In 1969, Roy was simultaneously
offered a partnership in the furniture firm and an invitation from the Glendale
Unified School District to return to teaching and coaching in Glendale. He opted
to return to teaching and coaching, and also resumed "Educational Tours of
America" each summer.
During the 1980's, Roy successfully pursued a career in real estate and traveled
extensively with friends and family. His explorations took him to Maine, Hawaii,
the Caribbean islands, Hong Kong, Russia, China, Sri Lanka and Serbia.
In 1990, Roy experienced a life-saving quintuple bypass. He decided to fully
enjoy his new lease on life and celebrated with retirement and marriage to
Christina Holland in 1991. Roy delighted in the company of Christina in North
Hills and being a "house husband." It brought him immense joy and a
sense of rebirth to help raise his grandchildren, Andrew and Christian Cotter,
who lived with them for several years. Poppy and/or Grandpa Roy loved to attend
the functions of his other grandchildren as well, including sports games, dance
recitals and parties. He treasured and lived life to its fullest, appreciating
and focusing on all of its beauty, joy and comedy. He lived, until the end, with
compassion, striving to make the road a little easier, or a lot more fun, for
someone else. He was, quite simply, a true success.
The Vujovich family is indebted to Rafael Magaling, Roy's faithful caregiver,
for making his days fulfilling and peaceful. Their mutual love of cooking and
food gave them many hours of Food Network viewing, with Roy trying out many
recipes over the months.
Roy is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Christina Holland Vujovich of
North Hills, sisters: Patricia Talbott (Frank), and Beverly Wolff (Harold);
children: Christina Marie Norris (Peter), Janja Vujovich Seretti (Philip), Mila
Vujovich-La Barre, Bron Vujovich (Ava), Denise Marie Lowe (Kevin), Brian
Holland, and Matt Holland; grandchildren: Laura Norris, Chuck Norris, Giovanni
Seretti, Branko Seretti, Danica La Barre, Jorja La Barre, Mirjana Vujovich,
Christian Cotter, Andrew Cotter, Tyler Holland, Christina Holland; great
grandchild: Arabella Seretti, and numerous nieces and nephews hold his memory
and teachings close to their hearts.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers, Sam Vujovich and
John Vujovich.