Valerio Dobrich

Valerio Dobrich, 81, of Harrisburg, NC passed away Saturday, June 22, 2024 while traveling in Pula, Croatia.

Valerio was born August 20, 1942 in Brovinje, Croatia, to the late Vladimiro Dobrich and the late Ida Dobrich.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Ann Dobrich of Harrisburg, NC; son David (Amanda) Dobrich of Mint Hill, NC; daughter Andrea Dobrich of Harrisburg, NC; grandsons James “Drew” Dobrich and Carter Moorman-Dobrich; brother Marino Dobrich of Bronx, NY; sister Linda (Richard) Sperl of Shoreham, NY; and countless extended family, friends and loved ones.

At the age of 8, Valerio emigrated from Croatia to Trieste, Italy where he lived until age 14, when the family immigrated to the US and lived in Queens, NY. He became a United States citizen at 19 and was drafted into the US Army at 22.

Valerio served in Vietnam in the 1st Cavalry Division as a combat medic, earning 2 Bronze Service Stars. After completing his service, he worked as an electrician for 39 years, including 23 years for the NYC Transit Authority, owning his own business, Dobrich Electric in Cobleskill NY, and serving as an electrical inspector in Albany NY.

He was a lifelong learner, always pursuing new skills and ideas and reading broadly. Val was an avid gardener who enjoyed growing his own food, especially figs and radicchio. He was particularly interested in genealogy, researching the history of his family and home region of Istria, Croatia, for over 20 years and writing a book for his family about his findings.

He will be remembered for his gentle spirit, his sly humor, the joy he took in the world and people around him, and his deep love for his family and pets.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm Tuesday, July 16, 2024, followed by a memorial service at 7:00 pm, at Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg, 12115 University City Blvd., Harrisburg, NC 28075. The cemetery service with military honors will take place at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 17 at Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury, NC followed by a luncheon at Hartsell Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans (www.dav.org), or the charity closest to your heart.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Dobrich family.