Boris Popovich of Chicago, IL passed away peacefully at his home on Dec. 25th, 2024. Boris was born on July 11, 1936 in the village of Biskupija in Yugoslavia. He grew up in lean times during the 2nd World War in Europe, attended University of Belgrade for several years and then fled communism and escaped into Italy. There he met his future Kum, Branko Vidic, and lived as a refugee for 2 years until he was sponsored by his Uncle Lazo Popovich to come to America. Shortly after arriving in the US, he joined the Army and was assigned to a guard post on the western side of the Berlin wall, where he would often converse in Russian with the Soviet troops on the eastern side of the wall. The Army then transferred him to Italy where he worked as a translator. He received his US citizenship shortly after his honorable discharge. He worked as a machinist for many years at Serbian-owned Great Lakes Runway Co and then worked 25+ years at Switchcraft Corp as a Tool & Die maker and injection mold maker. He retired from Switchcraft at the ripe old age of 79. He began playing golf in his mid-50s and got hooked. On his 80th birthday he shot even par on the front 9 at Indian Boundary golf course. In his retired years, he spent ample time with his grandchildren, who he loved very much. Boris is the son of Djuro and Marija Popovich of Biskupija. He was preceded in death by his sister Milica and brothers Filip, Petar and Vasilje. He was always so happy that he was able to sponsor his brother for entry into the US, where Vaso had a wonderful and prosperous life. He is survived by his dear aunt Draga Milich and all his cousins in the Milich family. Also, his beloved sister-in-law Milka; nieces & nephews Philip, Stephen, Greg, Michael, Natalie and David; his Kumovi in Canada – Branko and Nela Vidic and their children Boris (Carmela), Dmitar and Milena (Jeffery) Litherland; and his other Kumovi – Zagorka James and her children Adam (☦) and Christina of Hobart, Indiana, and his young Kum Stevo, who was always like a 2nd son to him, and Stevo’s wife and children Maria, Alex, and Cristina. He is the loving father of Peter & his wife Sheny, and daughters Maria and Gina (Piotr). He is the doting grandfather of Frank, Joey, Julia, Kristjan, Dejan, Sheny and Lilijana. Boris was a long time member of the Serbian National Federation and Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church in Chicago of which he was a founding member. He served his church as a member of the board and as a Serbian School language instructor for many years. His Serbian ancestry was very close to his heart and he loved to regale his grandchildren with stories of old Serbian poets, kings, war battles and Nikola Tesla. He also looked forward to attending the SNF Mid-winter Golf Classic every year. He will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by family and friends.
Friends are invited to visit with Boris’s family on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at the Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, Il. from 9:00 A.M. until 10:00 A.M. Funeral Service beginning at 10:00 at Holy Resurrection Cathedral (5701 N Redwood Dr Chicago, Il). Burial to follow at the St. Sava Cemetery Libertyville, Il. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:St. Jude’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1999, Memphis, TN 38101 (or online) Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 5701 N. Redwood Dr., Chicago, IL 60631
