Zivota Komatovich
October 26, 1919 — January 30, 2013
Zivota Komatovich, son of Mileta and Smiljana, was born on October 26, 1919 in Ravanica, Serbia (near Kraljevo). He was baptized in Cukujevac, at Sveta Bogorodica church.
Zivota's education was limited to grade school since he had to work daily with his parents and siblings tending to their land and livestock.
At the young age of 20, Zivota's life's journey took him away from his otadžbina never to return again to see his parents or any of his family. Zivota was drafted into the army at the outset of WWII but was soon taken to Germany as a POW where he remained until liberation.
After liberation from the POW camp, Zivota stayed in Germany for another 4 years working in reconstruction until December of 1949 when he sailed to America. After a long, ten-day voyage across the Atlantic, Zivota arrived in New York, along with many other displaced people. He was immediately transported to the Chicago area where steel industry was thriving and in need of hard laborers.
Zivota started working at Inland Steel Co. in 1950, working hard jobs and many hours of shift work, all the while helping his family back in Serbia.
In 1962, Zivota met Milica and they were soon married at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in East Chicago, Indiana where they made their home, raised their family, and were active church members.
After 33 years of hard work, Zivota retired from Inland Steel and soon after moved to California with his wife Milica to be near and to help their children. They spent most of their time gardening at their new home, the place she called "Paradise on Earth".
While in California, Zivota and Milica continued their Orthodox traditions by first becoming members of St. Peter of Cetinje church in Sylmar and than the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos church in Orange County.
Zivota enjoyed reading and keeping up with the current events. He had a great memory and always remembered everyone's birthday and other memorable events. He was a very serious person and a hard worker. Zivota was a great provider for his entire family. He also upheld our Serbian traditions wherever his life took him and until the end.
In October, 2010, after 48 years of marriage, his wife Milica died and after a brief stay in the hospital, he too died on January 30, 2013 in Westminster, CA.
Zivota is survived by son Dragi Petrovich (Connie) of Huntington Beach, CA and daughter Dushanka Bulatovich (Božidar) of Schererville, IN. He also leaves behind four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren along with many relatives in both America and Serbia.
Condolences may be sent to the family through our web site.
Zivota's education was limited to grade school since he had to work daily with his parents and siblings tending to their land and livestock.
At the young age of 20, Zivota's life's journey took him away from his otadžbina never to return again to see his parents or any of his family. Zivota was drafted into the army at the outset of WWII but was soon taken to Germany as a POW where he remained until liberation.
After liberation from the POW camp, Zivota stayed in Germany for another 4 years working in reconstruction until December of 1949 when he sailed to America. After a long, ten-day voyage across the Atlantic, Zivota arrived in New York, along with many other displaced people. He was immediately transported to the Chicago area where steel industry was thriving and in need of hard laborers.
Zivota started working at Inland Steel Co. in 1950, working hard jobs and many hours of shift work, all the while helping his family back in Serbia.
In 1962, Zivota met Milica and they were soon married at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in East Chicago, Indiana where they made their home, raised their family, and were active church members.
After 33 years of hard work, Zivota retired from Inland Steel and soon after moved to California with his wife Milica to be near and to help their children. They spent most of their time gardening at their new home, the place she called "Paradise on Earth".
While in California, Zivota and Milica continued their Orthodox traditions by first becoming members of St. Peter of Cetinje church in Sylmar and than the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos church in Orange County.
Zivota enjoyed reading and keeping up with the current events. He had a great memory and always remembered everyone's birthday and other memorable events. He was a very serious person and a hard worker. Zivota was a great provider for his entire family. He also upheld our Serbian traditions wherever his life took him and until the end.
In October, 2010, after 48 years of marriage, his wife Milica died and after a brief stay in the hospital, he too died on January 30, 2013 in Westminster, CA.
Zivota is survived by son Dragi Petrovich (Connie) of Huntington Beach, CA and daughter Dushanka Bulatovich (Božidar) of Schererville, IN. He also leaves behind four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren along with many relatives in both America and Serbia.
Condolences may be sent to the family through our web site.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Zivota Komatovich, please visit our flower store.
Funeral Service
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Starts at 10:00 am (Pacific time)
Graveside Service
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Starts at 11:00 am (Pacific time)