Chris Kristich

1931 - 2025

Chris Kristich, a few months short of his 95th birthday, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. He was a long-time Watsonville apple grower and owner of Kristich Monterey Pipe Company.

A native of Croatia in the old Yugoslavia, he was the son of Kristo and Janja Kristich of Orahov Do, Herzegovina. Chris was the baby of a large family of seven siblings, all of whom are now deceased. He was educated in local schools and was drafted into the Yugoslav army. He later transferred to the Navy, where he served on President Tito's yacht. During his time at sea, he was chosen to be a rower on Tito's regatta.

Discouraged by the lack of opportunities in cold war Yugoslavia, Chris "borrowed "a small rowboat and, with a friend, made a dangerous winter crossing of the Adriatic Sea in 1956. Although it took two attempts, he finally landed safely in Bari, Italy. In the displaced persons facility, rumors of Croatians being deported to their homeland to face severe punishment inspired his escape to France. When the authorities captured him, it took several guards to keep him from absconding. He was sent back to Cremona, Italy.

At this point, his uncle, John Kristich of Watsonville, began the process of his immigration to America. Once here, he began working for his uncle in the concrete pipe business. He became a U.S. citizen and shortly thereafter, married Mary Ann Ivelich and started a family in Watsonville. Emulating his uncle John, Chris brought his niece, Maria, and his nephew, Kristo, to live with him. He always managed to visit Croatia nearly every summer, certainly enhancing his mother's last years.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his daughter, Anne Martellaro and her children, Nick and Mary Grace; his son, John of Sparks, Nevada and daughter, Christina; his niece, Maria and her husband, Ron Sherwood and their children, Jim Sherwood, Christine Sardelich and Christopher Sherwood and Kristo Kristich and his children, Kristen Kristich and Mato Kristich. He also has many living relatives in Croatia and California who mourn his passing.

Chris was an extremely strong and hard worker who did not sit in the office while employees carried the burden of manual labor. He was unfailingly generous to all of his family. He enjoyed playing cards, talking politics, old cowboy movies, bocce ball, animals, Dodger baseball, and most of all a well-cooked rack of lamb or prime rib. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.

The viewing and rosary will be held at St. Patrick's Church on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, beginning at 5:00 PM. The rosary will start at 6:00 PM, with the viewing ending at 8:30 PM. The funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick's Church, on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM, followed by the burial at Watsonville Catholic Cemetery.

Mehl's Colonial Chapel has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.