Carl Vaicek Sr.

VAICEK Sr., CARL WILBUR
Carl Vaicek Sr. passed away on October 9, 2007. He was born in Waukegan, Illinois on June 9, 1911. Carl grew up in Chicago. He attended Lane Tech High School where he pitched the baseball team and centered the basketball team to City Championships. Carl attended the University of Wisconsin on an athletic scholarship playing basketball and baseball. He then signed with the Chicago Cubs and pitched in that organization for three years. One of his favorite remembrances was going by train in the early 1930's through the orange groves of southern California on the way to Catalina Island for spring training. The bouquet of the orange blossoms was glorious. The Depression was a difficult period, but being a born salesman, he knew how to get the order. Starting by giving cooking parties to sell pots and pans, he advanced up the managerial ladder. Carl joined Grey Van Lines Long Distance Moving as Vice President of sales and remained with them through World War II and after. Then came executive sales positions with Easterling Sterling Silver and China and F.C. Russell Co. He then capped off his career spending 18 years as President of United Steel and Wire, the largest shopping cart and wire good supplier to the U.S. super market industry. He had a knack for picking good people and providing clear leadership. After retiring, Carl consulted in the wire goods industry for five years. He came to San Diego with his wife Margaret in 2000. She passed away in 2002. They were married 65 years. Carl is survived by his son Carl, Jr. and his wife Marcia of La Jolla and his daughter Sandra Grane of Atlanta, five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Carl will be remembered for his strong Catholic faith, loving dedication to his family, and his speeches and story telling. He will be greatly missed by not only his family, but by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Viewing will be at El Camino Memorial, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego on Thursday, October 11th, from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be on Friday, October 12th, at 1:00 p.m. at Our Mother of Confidence, 3131 Governor Drive, San Diego. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer's Association. Please sign the guest book at obituaries.uniontrib.com