Dies in His 90th Year Few men attain their 90th year, and fewer still can say they have lived the life they have chosen. When Vojislav died on June 17, 2004, at Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, he was supported by his wife and daughters, as well as the caring staff. Born in Montenegro on September 17, 1914, he went on to lead an incredible and adventurous life before settling in San Diego more than 50 years ago. Vojislav (Vojo to his family and friends) entered the United States in December 1950, at Ellis Island, New York, with his wife, her brother, and two young daughters. Like so many immigrants after WWII, they were full of hope and great excitement in coming to the U.S., and with Vojo, this pride in his new country never left him. He and his family were eager to become U.S. citizens, which they achieved five years later. For the next 50 years, he never missed an opportunity to vote (even by absentee ballot in his last months of illness), and he instilled in his family a love of country and a sense of responsibility to the community. Vojo loved both his countries, the Yugoslavia of his youth and the United States where he lived for 54 years. As a veteran of WWII, Vojo experienced a harrowing escape from Belgrade in 1941 as a First Lieutenant in the Royal Guards of King Peter of Yugoslavia. Next, he made his way to North Africa where he joined up with British forces. In 1945, at a European refugee camp near Suez, he met his future wife, Eleonora Ivicevic, and her parents and brother. They wed on Veterans' Day, November 11, of that year, and two of their daughters were born there. After a two-year stay in Italy, they were sponsored by Eleonora's maternal aunt and her husband in Palo Alto, California, and immigrated to the U.S.; they then made their way to San Diego in 1951, seeking work. Once settled in San Diego with his young family and in-laws, Vojo loved the city and never wanted to relocate. Long before it was called "America's Finest City," Vojo was convinced of this and never lost an opportunity to praise his new home to friends. Because he had a college degree in electronics from the Royal Military Academy in Belgrade, Vojo's search for work ended in a position at Convair; he later worked at General Dynamics on missile programs for more than 20 years. We are happy to say that his love of the space program and all things electronic has been passed on to his 8-year-old grandson, Alex, who had a close bond with his grandfather. European history was his avocation, in which he was well versed. One of his heroes was Nikola Tesla, a Yugoslav genius from the turn of the century who pioneered many early experiments in electricity, immigrated to New York, and became known as the man who "lighted the world." Vojo was proud of his heritage and had a great passion for reading and literature, which he passed on to his three daughters and three grandchildren. Active in his Eastern Orthodox faith, he served alternatively as president, secretary, and treasurer of his church, Our Venerable Mother St. Angelina, and was later involved with St. George's Serbian Orthodox Church. Vojo also worked tirelessly on behalf of various U.S.-based charities that aided Yugoslavian immigrants, helped seniors in need, and awarded student scholarships, such as Brothers Help in Chicago. Vojo's wife, three daughters, three grandchildren, and both sons-in-law will always remember his integrity, great sense of humor, love of nature and animals (he especially loved the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park), and the delight he took in his family. We'll always miss his love, support, intellect, laughter, and great heart. Vojo is survived by his wife of 59 years, Eleonora; daughters Drs. Connie Joy of Long Beach, Mary Sekulovich of San Diego, and Rose Sekulovich of Del Mar; granddaughters Luba Collins and Roxanne Powell and grandson Alexander Powell; and sons-in-law Joseph Collins and Fred Powell.

Burial at at El Camino Memorial Park