Alexander Churchich

Alexander Churchich was born on November 1, 1941, in Lojanice, Serbia, son of Kata and Marko Curcic. He was born in a schoolhouse where his mother and five older siblings fled as refugees after forced to leave their beloved home in Ilmin Dvor, Slavonija. After the war ended, Alexander and his family returned to Slavonija where he spent his childhood and schooldays while working as a butcher’s apprentice to survive. At 15, he followed his older brothers to Zemun, Serbia, where they continued to train him in their craft to become a butcher. After serving his military requirement, life was difficult and money was tight, but Alexander remained focused and completed his formal schooling in child development and education, Serbian literature, and language. He continued to work as a butcher with his older brothers until, at the age of twenty-four, he met his future wife Vida when she entered the shop as a customer to make a purchase for her aunt. Vida happened to be visiting from America where she had already emigrated seven years prior with her parents. They married and stayed in Zemun briefly until they left for Merrillville, Indiana, to join Vida’s family in January 1966. Alexander first worked as a butcher in Gary, Indiana, then soon moved to work at Continental Can Company in Portage, Indiana, and Vida worked as a seamstress. The couple worked hard to save enough to purchase a small home in Glen Park, Indiana and later moved to Hobart. They welcomed their first child Katarina in 1969 and their son Marko in 1975. Alexander was active in the church community at St. Sava in Gary and Hobart, serving as church secretary and Sunday School teacher. Alexander built a life in Northwest Indiana filled with friends, family and many beloved kumovi.

In the early 80s, Alexander took the opportunity for a new start and moved his family to Phoenix, AZ, following his kumovi who had also moved there from Indiana. He had built a home and purchased a small commercial office building and soon after, started a 40-year career as a realtor. Through this role, Alexander met many people within our community and helped incoming families to find and purchase a home – sometimes donating his commission just so they could complete the sale. Based on his difficult childhood, often in poverty, Alexander had an unending focus and desire to help people who were struggling. Besides creating a foundation in his parents’ name, he collaborated with other humanitarians which resulted in shipping millions of dollars’ worth of medical equipment to his war-ravaged country.

When not working, Alexander was an avid reader. He enjoyed history and knew it well by memory. He wrote and recited poetry which he learned as a child. His love for classical music was known to all who rode in a car with him or spent any time with him at home.

Despite a dynamic life across continents, professions and much change, Alexander’s absolute first love and joy were his five grandchildren. Infinitely proud, he beamed as he often presented a string of photos from his wallet and updated his friends (and all local

grocery cashiers) on the latest accomplishments of his beloved grandchildren. They were “deda’s banda” and he and they were so fortunate to spend time together, often on a daily basis and during special visits. He attended every ballet recital, folklore performance, school event and track meet, eagerly shouting from the stands or proudly applauding from the audience. He practiced St. Sava Day poems with them. He took them “out” for meals only with him and created a special bond unlike no other.

He cherished the summer of 2023 when he was able to travel with his two children and wife to his childhood village, a special and unique opportunity given busy schedules. His son Marko made this dream come true, brought them to Serbia and together with his sister and nephew, the five of them toured Slavonija, Bosna and Serbia exploring all the places so dear to him as a child. He reveled in seeing family and places he loved so much.

Alexander is survived by his wife of 58 years, Vida, son Marko (Kalene), daughter Katarina (Dusan) and grandchildren Yelena, Natalya, Nastasya, Anica and his namesake, Aleksandar, along with many family friends and kumovi across the globe.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 26, 2024, at St. Nikola Serbian Orthodox Church in Phoenix, 11640 N. 16th Place, 85020. Visitation will begin at 10:00am, service to take place at 10:30. We will proceed afterwards for burial service at Phoenix Memorial Park, 200 West Beardsley, Phoenix, AZ, 85027. Daca (mercy meal) will take place immediately after the graveside service on the cemetery premises in the reception hall.

Given Alexander’s desire to help others, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Serbian churches, monasteries, and humanitarian organizations in his memory.