Dusan SAULA

SAULA
DUSAN
Dusan Saula, 86, of North Versailles, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2011, with his wife and daughter by his side. Dusan was born on December 24, 1924, to Nikola and Danica (Fustar) Saula in West Wilmerding, PA. Dusan's parents immigrated to the United States from Vojnic, in Serbian Krajina. Although Dusan's birth certificate contained the generic term "Baby Boy Saula", he was anything but common; rather a shining, Serbian star was born. Dusan was the ninth of fourteen children born into the Saula family. In order they are Marko "Mike", Milos "Sos", Mihajlo "Mino", Dragica "Catherine", Ljuba, Milka "Millie", Stanka "Stella", Djuro "George", Dusan, Sava "Sara", Marta "Martha", Simo "Sam", Milan "Tim" and Sofija "Sophie". All seven sons and seven daughters were raised in the Serbian Orthodox tradition. Not far from the Saula homestead, lived Dusan's Cica Marko and Teta Sofija Saula who did not have children of their own, where Dusan spent a great deal of time. During his youth, Dusan was a member of the St. Nicholas Junior Choir and his brothers and sisters walked to Wilmerding for church services and choir practice. Once, when walking home from choir, Dusan was hit by a coal truck driven by a fellow Serb. He went home never receiving any medical treatment. No wonder his family remembers him as the "skinny and mischievous brother" who always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. At 17, Dusan lied about his age and enlisted in the armed services serving in the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division of the U.S. Army during WW II. Dusan participated in the invasion of Normandy, France and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Dusan served his country unharmed for 4 years, returning home at the age of 21. While in Belgium, he picked up Meatball, a homeless terrier. Because of his love for animals, Dusan was unable to leave the dog and snuck him back to the states in his duffel bag. 1n 1946, Dusan began playing in the Plavi Mjesec (Blue Moon) Tamburica Orchestra. A month prior to joining the orchestra, Dusan was given his only three bugarija lessons ever by John Pribanich, a fellow band member. For over 55 years, the popular Plavi Mjesec Orchestra, which included the most well known members of Dusan, George and Sam Saula, John Pribanich and 'Big Ed' Milovac, entertained generations of families with a unique unequaled blend of beautiful, melodic voices. One of the highlights of Dusan's life was a testimonial held in 1979 to honor the Plavi Mjesec Orchestra at the popular Holiday House, formerly in Monroeville. Also upon his return from Europe, Dusan, with his beautiful and powerful tenor voice, resumed singing in the St. Nicholas Serbian Church choir and joined the church's Male Chorus. During the 1950s, he began directing the choir in Church and in 1968 he assumed the responsibility of directing the concert choir as well. Dusan directed the Male Chorus for their incomparable and still popular 1963 recording "Sacred Music of the Serbian Orthodox Church." Under his direction, the St. Nicholas Serbian Church choir and the Male Chorus traveled throughout the East, Midwest and Canada to perform at concerts, churches and festivals. Dusan retired from directing the choir in 2000, and was both honored and humbled to attend a 'Tribute to Dusan Saula' held at Olympia Hall in East Pittsburgh. The highlight of the evening for Dusan was watching a documentary of his life produced by his beloved nephew Tim Pribanic. There wasn't a dry eye in the house as the documentary tracked the history of Dusan, the Saula family, Plavi Mjesec and the St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church and choir. Besides being a tambura player and choir director, Dusan graced the stage for many years with his acting abilities in the annual Noc u Vojnic (Night in Vojnic) parody comedies that were based on life in the Serbian village of Vojnic with reference to relatives who live in 'Vilmerdin' and "Valtz' (Wilmerding and Wall). These hilarious plays, which had their share of ad-libbing, were comically delivered in a combination of broken Serbian and broken English. Dusan always had one of the leading roles. In addition to his love of music, Dusan was a devoted fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a young man, Dusan would venture to Oakland several times each week to watch the Pittsburgh Pirates play at Forbes Field when they were in town. Dusan was also a proud and passionate Pittsburgh Steelers season ticket holder for nearly 40 years and never, ever missed a game. From 1950 to 1988 Dusan was employed as a foreman by Frank Kukurin and Sons Inc., a company that build water distribution systems. While on the job, Dusan exhibited his love for animals again when he gave mouth to mouth resuscitation to a chipmunk to save its life. On another occasion, he brought home a baby deer whose mother was killed. He kept it in the basement feeding it from a baby bottle until he was able to find it a suitable home. In 1952, Dusan was blessed with a wonderfully talented son Mark. A highlight in Dusan's tambura career was when Mark became the lead singer and cello player in the Plavi Mjesec Orchestra after the death of his brother George. In 1972, Dusan married his beloved wife Sava (Vukich) and one year later, the apple of his eye, daughter Tracy was born. Tracy is the mother of his two beloved grandsons, Dusan and Neven. In addition to his wife, son, daughter, grandsons, and siblings, Dusan is survived by nearly 100 nieces and nephews, kumovi and many friends. Dusan's life gives testimony to the statement "Ko Peva Zlo Ne Misli" (Whoever sings doesn't think bad thoughts). May God grant Him rest eternal in His Heavenly Kingdom. Vjecnaja Pamjat. Family and Friends are being received in the ALFIERI FUNERAL HOME INC., 201 Marguerite Ave Wilmerding PA 15148 (412) 824-4332 on Friday from 1-9 p.m. Pomen Friday at 8:00 p.m. Additional visitation in St. Nicholas Serbian E.O. Church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 noon. Interment will follow in Grandview Cemetery with full military honors.
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