Anthony J. Vukov, age 82, died unexpectedly on August 22, 2010, in Kirkland, WA, after four weeks of diagnosis and treatment at Evergreen Hospital where he received outstanding care by the doctors and nurses there. He was born September 23, 1927 – in Zlarin, Croatia (the former Yugoslavia). Parents Maria Alfier Vukov and father Nikola Vukov predeceased him as did his wife of 20 years, Sandra Vukov,
Anthony and his sister Sonja Rossman taken at their 50th College Reunion at Seattle University in 2009
Surviving are his sister Sonja Rossman and brother-in-law Thomas Rossman, Bellevue, WA; nephew and Godson Mark Rossman, Las Vegas, NV; niece Lisa Rossman, Seattle, WA; nephew Nicholas Rossman, Kirkland, WA; daughter Noelle Kawaguchi and two grand-children, cousins here in the U. S.; in Croatia, Vukov family patriarch Cousin Ivica Vukov, wife Heda, their children Srecka Vukov Buljan and Kresho Vukov and families, and other cousins.
Anthony Vukov and sister Sonja Rossman. Taken at Croatia Fest, Seattle Center, October 2009. In front of display featuring the immigrant story of mother Maria Alfier Vukov, father Nikola Vukov and Anthony Vukov
Anthony attended school in Zlarin until the age of 9 when he and his mother joined his father in the U. S. who had immigrated there earlier. He completed grammar school at Holy Rosary Grade School in West Seattle and then graduated from West Seattle High School in 1945.
He received an Education degree from Seattle University in 1959; and he completed graduate work in history at both Seattle U. and the University of Washington. Anthony was a veteran of the U. S. Army having served in Germany during the Korean War in the 1950s.
He retired from the Edmonds School District after 30 years of teaching. He was a beloved high school history teacher at both Edmonds and Woodway high schools. A recent letter from an appreciative former student was found prominently displayed at his home. He greatly enjoyed bringing alive world and European history to his students and they often communicated their appreciation to him through the years for the solid educational foundation he imparted to them.
Family gathers at display of Croatian Immigrant Women featuring Anthony's mother, Maria Alfier Vukov. Taken at Croatia Fest, October 2009
His proudest lifetime achievement was as co-founder and president of the Croatian American Foundation which worked for the independence of the Republic of Croatia. His work with the CAF gave Anthony great satisfaction. He traveled yearly to Croatia and cherished visiting his extended Vukov family both in Zagreb and on the island of Zlarin.
He was a member of the Edmonds Teachers Assn, the NEA, and the CFU. Anthony was an avid contract bridge player playing up until his hospitalization and was a long-time member of the American Contract Bridge League. He also enjoyed playing poker with a group of “old pals.”
Other memberships included the Edmonds Teachers Assn, the NEA, and the CFU. He was a benefactor of the Pacific NW Ballet, and had a life-long love of the Arts.
He also enjoyed playing golf and loved watching golf matches and major league baseball – especially the Seattle Mariners.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 2, 2010, at 10:30 AM, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9622 20th Ave. SW, Seattle 98106. Sea committal will take place later in Croatia. Memorial donations may be made to the village church on Zlarin, Mary’s Assumption Church (Crkva Marijinog Uznešenja), c/o Rossmans, 13605 SE 1st St., Bellevue, WA 98005.