Milton Christopher Vucinich

Milton Christopher Vucinich passed away on December 14th. He is survived by his wife Vera, who he was married to for 65 years, his son Jeff, daughter- in-law Sharyn and his daughter Kristine Olsen. Milt was born on November 1st, 1920 in San Francisco to Yugoslav immigrants. He was a child of the Great Depression. His father died at a young age and Milt went to work during high school to support his mother and younger sister while attending Lowell High School. His athletic prowess would open doors for him. He graduated from Lowell in 1938 where he was captain of the football team. The local newspapers referred to him as "The Gem of his Generation" because of his athletic ability. Later he would be inducted into the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame. He attended Stanford University on an athletic scholarship where he played both football and baseball. He excelled at football and played both fullback and linebacker. He also played on Stanford's only undefeated football team that beat Nebraska in the Rose Bowl in 1941. They were known as the "WOW" Boys. When the war broke out, he enlisted in the Navy. He also married his high school sweetheart Vera Angelich who he met when they were both sixteen. She was the love of his life. During the war he served as Skipper of a PT boat in the South Pacific. He fought in the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands and the Philippines. Many of the battles he fought in are now the subject of books and documentaries. His squadron escorted General Douglas MacAthur back to Corregidor. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V". After the war, he had to follow up on a pre war commitment to football. He had been recruited by George Halas of the Chicago Bears and spent the next year playing linebacker for the Bears. The following year a new franchise formed in San Francisco and while he would have preferred to play with his many friends on the Forty Niners football team, he had to honor his commitment to Mr. Halas. Thus he decided to enter the business world and return to San Francisco. Milt had a long and successful career in the insurance business working until age 72. He also had a minor interest as one of the original owners of a basketball team then known as the San Francisco Warriors. Among his many business accounts were the San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors. A list of Milts close friends and associates going back in time would read like a Who"s Who of the Bay Area. He had many friends in San Francisco from the old days, Stanford University, the Navy, sports, business and through golf, especially from the Calfornia Golf Club where he was a member for 41 years. He led a great life and was always happy for the success of others. He was a man of great personality and integrity who always had a smile on his face. At his request, there will be no services. However, his family requests that if you can, please make a donation to your favorite charity in his name. He would like that.