Obituary of Sam M. Evanovich Sr.

Sam M. Evanovich, Sr. October 5, 1917 - May 16, 2011 Sam M. Evanovich, Sr. passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on May 16, 2011. He was born on October 5, 1917 in Biloxi, Mississippi, one of the youngest of six children. Sam's parents, John and Vicina, were from the country once known as Yugoslavia. When Sam was only 8 years old, he and his two older brothers built, owned, and ran a fleet of shrimp boats on the Gulf of Mexico. He earned his 100-ton vessel certification even before he had a driver's license. After working on the shrimp boats in his youth, he never had the desire to fish or go out on a boat again. However, each of his three sons enjoy these hobbies to this day. Sam served in the U.S. Navy in World War II as a signal corpsman and instructor on a navy ship and while stationed in Pensacola, Florida. One of Sam's students was famous baseball player Ted Williams, who Sam always said was one of his best and brightest students. After being discharge from the Navy in Alameda, CA, he traveled to Cupertino to visit his sister. Sister Katie ran a grocery store where destiny played her hand. A young woman named Violet came into the grocery store while Sam was visiting, and six months later, Sam and Violet were married at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Cupertino. They had enjoyed 63 wonderful years of marriage together. Sam and Violet moved to Santa Cruz in 1959 and later welcomed three sons; Sam Jr., Paul, and Michael. Sam was very proud of his profession as a carpenter. He was a member of the Carpenters Local 505 and a 70-year member of the International Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners. Many of the jobs he worked on are landmarks in Santa Cruz County; the remodel of Star of the Sea Church, UC Santa Cruz, and the Seacliff sea wall. He was also a general contractor and built numerous ranch-style homes found on the westside of Santa Cruz. When Sam retired in 1980, he and Violet enjoyed traveling in Canada, Hawaii, and Italy. Because Violet is Italian, and speaks Italian fluently, Sam tried his hand at learning the language in preparation for several of their trips to Italy. True to his character, he studied hard, and was able to speak Italian well enough to converse with the locals and Violet's relatives. In his retirement Sam also volunteered his time in the community. He and several Harbor High School parents built a house in Scotts Valley as a fundraiser to benefit the Harbor High School Athletics Program. He also volunteered his time to put up temporary shelters for downtown business owners after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Sam is survived by his beloved wife Violet, sons Sam Evanovich, Jr. and wife Liz (Darrow) of Santa Cruz, Paul Evanovich of Santa Cruz, and Michael Evanovich and wife Kim Bingham of Shanghai, China. He is also survived by four grandchildren: John, Nichole, Devon and Celeste Evanovich. Sam was known for his fairness, honesty, quiet nature, and love of family. He had a kind, gentle smile for anyone he ever met, and will be deeply missed by all who loved him. Friends may pay their respects on Sunday, May 22, 2011 at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel from 12 noon until 6 p.m. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 p.m. at the chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 23rd at Holy Cross Church (126 High Street in Santa Cruz ) beginning at 11 a.m. with a committal service to follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum 2271 7th Ave., Santa Cruz) In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Sam's memory to Holy Cross Church, 126 High Street, Santa Cruz, or to a charity of your choice.