John Miles Vuich

John Miles Vuich, 76, suddenly passed away on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 while returning home from a two-week vacation in Eastern Europe.

John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Irene, of New Bern, NC; son, Christopher of New Hampshire, his wife, Lisa and her sons, James and Ben; son, Gregory and his wife, Cathleen of New Bern; and their children, Steven, Jack and Lilly. John was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian and Adolph.

John was born in Yonkers, NY and spent the first 52 years of his life in the New York area and attended Lincoln High School. He also attended the New York Maritime Academy, wanting to be a tug boat captain, until his father's death when he left to support his mother. At that time, John joined IBM in White Plains, NY, as a computer operator, where he met and married Irene. John moved on to work for the Credit Data Corporation in NYC; he also purchased a dry-cleaning store in Scarsdale, NY. On weekends he continued to work for Gaynor News newspaper delivery, where at the age of 16, his father taught him the business. He eventually worked full time, as a foreman for the NY Times. John and Irene bought a sailboat and joined the Cortlandt Yacht Club in Montrose, NY, sailing the Hudson River, Long Island Sound, Block Island and eventually the Bahamas. He was also a die-hard Yankee fan, and as a young boy and teenager went to many games at Yankee Stadium with his dad (who always rooted for the other team)!

Twenty-five years ago, John and Irene retired from their careers, sold their house in Yorktown, NY, and moved onto their sailboat "Earth Angel." A friend had a timeshare in Fairfield Harbour and said they should look into settling there. It was a perfect fit for a boat-owning, homeless couple! Eventually, Chris and Greg moved to New Bern and worked at the Harvey Mansion, while living on "Earth Angel". Greg stayed in New Bern and became a skilled carpenter and Chris moved back north to an Executive Chef position in Boston. The rest is history.

However, retirement was not yet in John's plans. He drove a flatbed tractor trailer during the building of the Neuse River Bridge; he delivered boats all over the US for Deep Water Transit, freight of all kinds for Schneider Trucking and US mail to California and back. Trucking was in his blood and he lamented the day he officially became too old to renew his CDL.

Needless to say, John developed a wide, eclectic group of friends and kept in contact with many of them no matter how far back they were in his past. John was also a Mason.

He was a true and beloved friend. Plus, he was fun to be around. What everyone who knew John well will attest to was his very rare, and often irreverent, sense of humor. Always the jokester who found humor in life's simple pleasures, causing even little kids laugh! A few times a week he would ride to St. Paul's on his motorcycle to serve lunch to the children. He and his grandchildren volunteered each year to help with New Bern's Bike MS.

John also volunteered at the Cath Lab in the Carolina East Medical Center and was called upon frequently by the Caring Hearts organization to speak to those undergoing or recuperating from heart surgery. John was also a member of the Southern Gentlemen Barbershop Chorus for many years. He and Irene bought a sailboat for their grandchildren and joined Blackbeard Sailing Club, most recently hosting a Valentine's Day auction with Lilly and Jack. John was also a long-time member of the Fairfield Harbour YC and was looking forward to helping with springtime racing activities.

Irene and John considered themselves so lucky to have their son Greg and his family just a mile away. He talked to both of his sons weekly, and sometimes daily, just to keep in touch.

John led a full life and loved his family first and foremost; he will be deeply missed by many. His little dog, Dufo, waits patiently at the door for his return.

A private "Celebration of Life" for John will be held in May.

Donations in John's name to the American Heart Association will be greatly appreciated.

Arrangements by Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory of New Bern, NC.