Bozidar Simich

Bozidar D. Simich, 94 (but he would tell you he was 95, because, after all, he was working on his 95th year) has died. As his beloved children, we are a little irritated, he said he'd live to be 100. You almost made it Boz, we forgive you! And already, we miss you terribly and are so very sad. Mr. Simich was born in Gunjaci, Yugoslavia. At 19 he was sent off to World War II as part of the Yugoslav Army. But alas, he ended up fighting with the Allies. His mother always told him that America was the place to make a good life for himself so he was going to fight for America. Along the way he ended up in a German Prison camp for 49 months. When the war ended he was liberated by Russian troops and traveled Europe for four years before emigrating to the U.S. He got on the boat and got off in Boston and pledged his allegiance to his new country. From there he made his way to Akron, Ohio where he had a sponsor with the Serbian Orthodox Church. Did we mention how proud he was to be Serbian? After arriving in Akron Mr. Simich joined the Serbian church and made a life for himself. He got a job, built a lovely, although modest home that was on an acre and a half of land that reminded him of his beloved homeland. He planted a garden, some trees, and oh yeah, met a nice Serbian girl. He pursued Helen Perich for months but she avoided his calls. Then one day she was home alone, answered the phone, and was too nice to say no when he asked her to go to the Serbian Club for a dance. Helen came home from that dance and told her mother "I am going to marry that man". And she did six months later. After their retirement he and Helen fled the cold winters of Akron for Sun City, AZ where they lived together until Helen's death in 1999. While there he became a member of St. Nikolas Serbian Orthodox Church and served as President for several years. Mr. Simich is survived by children, Zivodarka and Zivan, both of Yugoslavia, Tamara, of West Jordan, UT, Tomislav of Bath Township, OH, numerous grand- and great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law Doris Perich and Ruth Perich, brother-in-law Merle Boll, numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly, and long-time companion Judith Shea. Friends may call at the Menke Funeral & Cremation Center in Sun City, AZ, Monday from 3:30 to 5 PM, where parastas service will be held at 4:30 PM. Funeral service will be held Tuesday at 10 AM, at St. Nikolas Serbian Orthodox Church, 11633 N. 16th St. in Phoenix with Fr Dragomir Tuba officiating. Interment at Phoenix Memorial Park.