Milo Peyovich

1929 - 2022

Milo Peyovich

1929 - 2022

Milo Peyovich passed away of natural causes on April 7, 2022, at the age of 93. Milo is survived by his wife of over 71 years, Norene; daughter, Sharon (Glenn) Workman; six grandchildren, Joanne (Gino) Zucca, Lisa (Vasco) Morelli; Dan (Sarah) Workman; and eight great-grandchildren: Justin, Dominic, & Ali Zucca; Milo & Madison Morelli; Taylor, Connor, and Grady Workman. He was predeceased by his son, Michael Peyovich, and five siblings, Ralph Pejovich, Tom Pejovich, Millie Galvan, John Peyovich, and Eleanor Merrick.

Milo was born on April 3, 1929, in Sacramento, CA, to Milo and Annie Pejovich. He was the third of six children. His father was employed at the Argonaut Mine in Jackson, CA, and the Pejovich family was proud to call Jackson their home. Milo's mother died in a house fire in 1936, and his father passed away in 1941 from lung disease he acquired while working in the mines. Milo and his siblings learned to survive as orphans. They lived with other families and in foster homes, sometimes together, but often apart. At age 16, Milo was released to the custody of his 18-year-old brother, Tom. He joined Tom in the Merchant Marines and spent several years on and off a merchant vessel at sea. In 1946, after a chance meeting at the bus stop on the corner of Shattuck and University Avenues in Berkeley, Milo met and fell in love with Lorna Norene Snyder. They married in Reno, Nevada on June 8, 1950. Their son, Michael, was born in 1952, and their daughter, Sharon, was born in 1954. Milo and his family eventually settled in El Sobrante, CA, where he and Norene raised their children and cherished the joys of parenthood. The door to Milo and Norene's home was always open to extended family, friends and neighbors. Milo was known as having pride in two things: his family and his yard.

Milo suffered another loss in 1973 when his son, Mike, died at the age of 21. We will never understand the heartbreak and sorrow that Milo felt; and we will always admire the grace with which he handled these feelings while remaining a steady husband and father, and eventually grandfather and great-grandfather. Twin granddaughters were born in 1976 and a grandson in 1980. Milo and Norene moved to Napa in 1980 to be closer to their daughter and three grandkids. They designed and built their dream home in 1982 on a hill with a view from which they enjoyed nightly sunsets.

Milo worked as a Teamster from 1950 until his retirement in 1991. Once retired, he spent the rest of his life caring for his family, attending his grandchildren's sporting events, making people laugh, and manicuring his amazing yard. He maintained an incredible amount of energy, wit, and wisdom even as he aged. Milo will be remembered for his strength, resilience, and amazing sense of humor. He was a friend and mentor to many and had a special way of connecting with people. Although separated at times during their childhood, Milo had an amazing bond with his five siblings that extended to his nieces and nephews, and the term "Uncle Milo" was always spoken with love, respect, and admiration. As a father and grandfather, his support, encouragement and praise gave his family the confidence to work hard, dream big, and feel loved and supported every step of the way. He lived an incredible life and leaves behind a family that loved him beyond words and misses him dearly.

Four days after his 93rd birthday, Milo died peacefully at the home he designed and built over 40 years ago. Memorial service for Milo is pending.