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John Mitovich Obituary

MITOVICH John Mitovich, age 80, died Tuesday, May 29, 2007 in Shelton, after a long battle with Alzheimers Disease. His loving family was at his side. Born February 8, 1927 in Youngstown, Ohio, John was the son of the late Jovan and Roska Mitovich, immigrants from Yugoslavia. He was aso predeceased by a brother, Nicholas and two sisters, Viola Pacic and Sophia LaPolla. He grew up in Youngstown, where he was an all star guard for the Cheney High School championship team and received a B.S. in Journalism from Ohio University. He served as a private first class in the Merchant Marines and in the U.S. Marine Corps ffrom 1952- 1954, honorably discharged as a sergeant. After years of employment with General Electric (1954-1966) he moved to Rockford, Illinois to serve as President of the Chamber of Commerce. He was named in "Who's Who in America" for his outstanding service in public relations , business and community leadership. In 1973 he returned to Connecticut as President of the Stamford Area Commerce and Industry Association. He retired from SACIA in 1990 and moved to Albuquerue, New Mexico. In 1997 he returned to Connecticut where he lived for the rest of his life. John loved traveling, camping with his family and spending sun filled days at Wingersheek Beach in Cape Ann, MA and Clearwater Beach, FL. He had apassion for reading and always told his children, "The man who reads is the man who leads." John was an active member of the United Methodist Church. John leaves behind Rebecca Mitovich, mother of their six children; Jon (Karla) Mitovich of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Rosemary (Eugene) Kovacs of Stamford, CT., Victoria (Peter) Choma of Stratford, CT, Janet (William) O'Neal of Sewell, New Jersey, Martha (Chris) Leiss of Hurst, Texas and Matthew (Jennifer) Mitovich of Woodlake Cliff, New Jersey. He aso leaves behind sixteen grandchildren; Corey Walker, Chase and Alex Mitovich, Phoenix, Caroline, Zachary, Blaise Kovacs, Kalyn and Peter Choma, Eric, and Jonathan O'Neal, Whitley, Willie and Micah Leiss, Jacob and Jared Mitovich and great grandson Jude Walker. Friends may call on Friday, June 1, 2007 at the Pistey Funeral Home, 2155 Main St., Stratford. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2007 at 3 p.m. DIRECTLY at Stratford United Methodist, 2600 Main St., Stratford. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. The family would like to thank Dr. Kenneth Ward and all the staff of Gardner Heights whose care he was truly blessed to be in. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in John's memory to, Gardner Heights Cedar Unit, 172 Rocky Rest Rd., Shelton, Ct 06484.

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Published by Connecticut Post on May 31, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for John Mitovich

15 Entries

Nicholas Mitovich Jr and Joann Mitovich

May 25, 2022

Vje´cnaja Pamjat! May his memory be eternal. With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Thy servant, +John, where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting.

Howard Bell

June 5, 2007

My wife Nadine and I were friends of John and Becky in Rockford IL where he headed our Chamber of Commerce. I was proud and pleased to serve on its Board and as its President at the time. He was a breath of fresh air in the business community for many of us, while irritating the old guard who protected the status quo. I traveled with John to Chamber events in Washington DC and to appear before a retreat of the Dubuque IA Chamber, among other times we were together. I hated to see him leave Rockford. He made a positive impression there just as he has left a legacy of service and respect for his survivors. We have lived in FL now for some years in retirement but each time we return to Rockford, I vividly recall how he mentored me in Volunteerism. May God bless John for what he believed and provide happy memories for the family as he has for us.

Whitley Leiss

June 2, 2007

There are so many things I will never forget. The memories I have of Punka only consist of the best ones, the good ones. This makes me so happy, that not one memory or thought of Punka isn't one that makes me smile.
Punka was a great grandfather. His visits are some of my fondest memories--i can find their details in my 3rd grade diary! Haha. He was so special to all of us and always did whatever he could to let us have a good time, or a good laugh.
His love for the Lord was astounding. I'll never forget singing How Great Thou Art to him in his nursery home, and him suddenly remembering the words and singing along. If that wasn't a God moment, I don't know what is.
I am so blessed to have had Punka in my life. I know that he is in God's hands and in heaven, praising Him eternally. And he can remember--he can look down and know his children and his family and his friends. And he can smile and watch over us as we grow and continue to love one another.
We were the "great searchers"...always and forever.

Nick Mitovich, Jr

June 2, 2007

June 2, 2007, on this day of his funeral, I humbly offer in his memory, the traditional Orthodox prayer sung during funeral services and Prayer Services for the Dead (Parastos). In English: "Among the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of thy servant where no pain exists, nor grief, nor sighing, but life everlasting." In Serbian: "So svjatimi u pokoj, Hriste dusu raba tvojego, idjeze njest boljezan ni pecal ni vozdihanije no zizah bezko ne cnaja." Truly a wonderful man, my Uncle John will always remain as one of my most respected and most unforgetable persons ever. He loved his family and he loved life. He suffered in death but he is now at peace and suffers no more as he has truly fallen asleep in our Lord Jesus Christ. Vecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!

Christopher Leiss

June 2, 2007

The world lost a true soldier in the passing of John Mitovich. He dearly loved his God , his country and his family. He was a great example to his family and to his friends. My first memory of John was when I met him for the first time in Texas. He had such a great presence and confidence that exuded from him. You knew he was a man of importance. But most of all it was his love he exuded for his family. John was also so generous and loving to all his grandchildren whom he loved so much...and it showed. They all adored him. I am proud to have known him and to have had the privelige of marrying his beloved youngest daughter, Martha, who dearly loved him for who he was, and will always cherish her father eternally. My childeren will miss him greatly, but will have many fond memories of John as he sang to them and played with them. What a great legacy he has left with his children, grandkids, and friends....they have all been blessed and are better people because of this man. May God bless and keep you until we greet you again...I love you MR MITOVICH.

Your Texas Son-In-Law,
Chris Leiss

James LaPolla

June 2, 2007

My Uncle John with his passing brings up special memories for me. My mother Sophia always told me of how proud she was of her youngest brother. He was the only one to go to college and set a great example for his nieces and nephews. My uncle would often come to visit our family in clearwater florida. He was really good with kids and my children would always be so entertained when he visited.

Uncle John, I know you are at peace now. I am so proud to have been your nephew.

My sincere condolences to all of his family

Cheryl (Strada) Cornelio

June 1, 2007

I was so saddened to hear of John's passing. I will never forget my first venture in the "working world" working at SACIA for John. He was the epitome of what a "employer/boss" should be. I enjoyed every day I spent working with him and will never forget the reference he gave to my current employer upon my moving to Hartford..."if I only had a helicopter to fly Cheryl back and forth to work I would". I got the job based on his reference and am still here 20 years later. "Thank you John for being a wonderful human being and for making me truly believe that you can work hard and be productive....and yet still have fun and laugh. I still follow that belief today. I am so grateful to you."

My thoughts are with the Mitovich family in their time of grief.
Love,

Roman Fountains--ABQ

June 1, 2007

We are so sadden by the death of Jon's Father. Please know that our thoughts and prayers for the entire family are with you in your time of grief. We know that your memories will bring you comfort.

Beth Kelly

June 1, 2007

Vicki, Peter, Kalyn and Peter--I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your father/grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Betty Ruth Hollander

June 1, 2007

John, you were the best of the best.
Your tenure as CEO of SACIA left the bar so high among your peers, no one has ever matched it.
You will always represent the devoted,focused business leader.
Rest in peace my friend

Sandy Mitovich-Beam

May 31, 2007

Our family has always been so proud of our Uncle John. He never forgot his roots and his love for Youngstown, Ohio was always a part of who he was. It can cetainly be said that although Uncle John left Youngstown - Youngstown never left his heart. As the youngest daughter of Nick and Lola Mitovich I have such wonderful memories of trips Uncle John and Aunt Becky made to Youngsstown with all six of our wonderful cousins. I can remember how thrilled our Baba was when 'Johnnie' was coming to visit.
My love, thoughts and prayers.
Cousin Sandy Mitoivich-Beam
Youngstown, OH

Sharon Tudino

May 31, 2007

Vicki, Pete, Kalyn and Peter- We are so sorry to hear the news about your dad/grandpa. Always keep the happy memories with you. You're in our prayers.
The Tudino Family- Frank, Sharon, Nick, Andrew and Eric

Nicholas Mitovich, Jr.

May 31, 2007

A very special uncle, my father's brother will always be remembered in my thoughts and prayers; truly a brilliant man, the first in our family to graduate from college. I leave him with our traditional Serbian Orthodox saying, "Vecnaja Pamjat! Memory Eternal!

Deborah McCullough

May 31, 2007

John was my beloved Uncle and a great influence on me; he was the first in our family to attend college and instilled in me the love for reading and learning that has become my life's work-- a librarian. I was devoted to him as a child and was devastated when he left for college. He took me for many hikes in Mill Creek Park. I still go there and think of him. He always kept in touch with his family back in Youngstown and visited when he could. I, in turn, tooks trips to see him in the Northeast and was accompanied by my grandmother and aunts; we took the train! He never failed to tell me how much he loved me and how proud he was of my accomplishments. It was a privilege to be his niece. I will hold him in my heart forever.

Wendell and Ginger Smith

May 31, 2007

We are saddened to hear of John's passing and know was a great contributor to the community.

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