Ranko Cucuz, age 79, of Brighton, Michigan, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Memory Eternal.
Nikola “Ranko” Cucuz was born on January 5, 1944, in Knin, Croatia, to Marko and Smilja Cucuz (née Dobrijevic). Born during World War II amidst the civil war in Former Yugoslavia, Ranko was separated from his parents at just ten months old, due to a Partisan communist blockade. Marko and Smilja fled Yugoslavia with thousands of others, living in refugee camps for five years before immigrating to the United States in Gary, IN.
When Ranko was separated from his parents, Ljubica Jovanovic became his mother and raised him as her own, changing his name from Nikola Cucuz to Ranko Jovanovic to ensure his safety. Ranko and Ljubica returned to the family’s home village of Bosanko Grahovo after the war ended. When Ranko turned 10, Ljubica revealed that his birth parents were Marko and Smilja Cucuz, and that his family lived in the United States. At this time, Ljubica changed Ranko’s last name back to Cucuz. Ranko completed the equivalent of Junior High School in Grahovo and later attended a Gymnasium (college preparatory school) in Sarajevo, where he completed 10th grade.
Ranko reunited with his parents in August 1959, finally meeting his brother Peter and sisters Milka and Slavojka for the first time. Despite the challenges he faced growing up, Ranko proved to be a quick learner and graduated from Horace Mann High School in Gary, Indiana at the age of 17. He attended Purdue University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering1966 and a Master of Business Administration 1972. During the late 1960s, Ranko served in the United States Army Reserve in San Antonio, Texas.
On February 2, 1967, Ranko married Velinka Zorljenac. They bought their first home in Griffith, Indiana, where they welcomed their sons Mark and Tommy and daughter Tanja. Ranko’s career took off rapidly; he skillfully climbed the ladder of success from his humble beginnings. He started his career at LaSalle and US Steel, and quickly moved up the ranks, earning numerous promotions, including Plant Manager, Vice President, and eventually President and CEO at Acco Babcock Industries. Later, he joined as the President at Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. and soon after became the company’s CEO and Chairman of the Board. In addition, Ranko served on several corporate boards throughout his career. Ranko’s career success led to transfers to various places, including South Bend, Indiana, Adrian, Michigan, and Brighton, Michigan, where the family ultimately made their permanent home today.
Ranko was a passionate Purdue sports fan and had a deep love for his Boilermakers, both in football and basketball. He developed a strong interest in soccer and enjoyed playing both at Purdue University and with the Serbian soccer club, White Eagles. Ranko passed his love for soccer to his sons and coached their youth soccer teams to numerous winning seasons in South Bend, Indiana.
Once Ranko retired, he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He placed great importance on instilling in them the value of education and a love for mathematics, known as “Deda Math”. He was his grandchildren’s number #1 soccer fan on the sidelines, attending most if not all their practices and games. In addition, he enjoyed spending time at his Florida home with family during the fall and winter months and fishing trips to Canada with his friends. Ranko was passionate about discussing and debating “World” politics and religion, particularly Serbian politics. Ranko loved spending his life with his wife Velinka, his children, his grandchildren, his extended family, including The Orthodox Church, Serbian National Federation, Golf, Purdue Sports and Soccer, throughout the years.
Ranko is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Velinka née Zorljenac Cucuz. He is also survived by his sons Mark Cucuz and Tommy (Mira) Cucuz, daughter Tanja (Tilvis) Bolen, and four grandchildren Nina Cucuz, Gabriella Bolen, Garrett Bolen, and Nikola Cucuz. Additionally, he is survived by his sisters Milka Sollano and Slavojka Sheehan, uncle Stevo Dobrijevic, nieces Dina and Natalie, nephews Michael and David, and many cousins, relatives, Kumovi and friendships. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marko and Smilja Cucuz, “Majka” Ljubica Jovanovic, and his brother, Peter Cucuz, brother in-law Ely Sollano and in-laws Stojan and Sofja Zorljenac.
Visitation from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., with funeral service (Opelo) immediately to follow at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 29th, at St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 8700 W Taft St, Merrillville, IN 46410, (219) 769-2122. Interment will follow at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cemetery, 32377 N. IL Route 21, Libertyville, Illinois. Daca (luncheon) at New Gracanica Serbian Monastery 35240 W. Grant Ave Lake Villa, IL 60046, (847) 223-4300.
For more information, call Lincoln Ridge Funeral Home (219) 322-6616.
In lieu of flowers,
The family kindly requests monetary gifts be provided to:
St. Elijah Church
