Stephen Thomas Cvitovich

Obituary Stephen T. Cvitovich, Sr passed away on February 4, 2007 at the age of 88. Steve's parents, Toma and Kate, immigrated to Tacoma from Brac, Croatia in 1914. Steve was born in the Old Town section of Tacoma on October 13, 1918. He was the youngest of four children. Steve graduated from St. Patrick School in 1932, and Lincoln High School in 1936. He married Edith Louise Moyer in St. Patrick's Church on November 26, 1941. They had four sons - Steve, Jr., Tom, John and Tony - three daughters-in-law; Lani, Patty and Linda; seven grandchildren - Steve, Karen, Jennifer, Katherine, Amy, David and Martin; and three great-grandchildren - Amanda, Brady and Spencer. Steve and Edith were married for 50 years, 7 months and 4 days. Steve served in the U.S. Army during the Second World War. He was assigned to the European Theater and was at the Battle of Bastogne. He was discharged with the rank of Sergeant. After the war he returned home and was a commercial fisherman for several years before becoming a machinist at Precision Machine Works. He worked at Precision for 28 years working his way up from journeyman to foreman, inspector and supervisor. Steve was known for his craftsmanship and willingness to help. He loved volunteer work and spent years before and after retirement working with his friend Emmett McEntee fixing up, maintaining and improving the physical plant at St. Patrick School. He also spent many years working at St. Patrick Church with Tony Beretich, Jerry Rink, Al Polanski and George Boscovich. He was a ten gallon blood donor. He was actively involved in St. Vincent DePaul outreach with his friend Lori Dennett up to the time of his death. Steve was a member of St. Patrick Church for 85 years. He was proud to be a member of the machinists union for over 40 years, the Elks Lodge for 30 years, Knights of Columbus for 60 years and St. Vincent DePaul Society. Steve loved family gatherings most of all, and was still cooking holiday dinners for his clan up until a year ago. He was renowned for his smoked salmon, sauerkraut & sausage, and lasagna, but he could cook anything and make it great. He loved fishing and took great pride in catching the salmon that he smoked. His wife Edith, son Tony, daughter-in-law Patty and his three sisters - Pearl Vitalich, Kay Wooley and Lena Almquist, predeceased Steve. His sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Grace Ostrom and nieces and nephews survive Steve. He is also survived by his dear friend, caregiver and close companion Barbara Cleary and her family - the Prossers and the Clearys. Steve wants to give a special thank you to the wonderful medical team of doctors, nurses and aides who have assisted him, and to the fantastic staff at St. Joseph Dialysis Unit and St. Joseph Medical Center for all their care and attention. He also wants to thank all of his relatives, friends, co-workers and acquaintances for filling his life with friendship. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, February 8, 2007 at 11:00 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church and Interment at Calvary Cemetery. Rosary will be held on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 also at St. Patrick Catholic Church at 7:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick School and to the St. Vincent DePaul Society.