Dr. Milos M. Vujnovich

Dr. Milos M. Vujnovich, age 87, died peacefully at home on October 31, 2011, 60 years to the day he first met his beloved wife of 58 years, Vera. He was born in Sucuraj, Croatia, immigrated to the United States at the age of 14, and was a resident of New Orleans and Metairie, Louisiana for many years. Dr. Vujnovich, also known as Mike, Uncle Mimi, and Dide, is survived by his wife Vera Perret Vujnovich, and their children Dr. Wendy Jamison, George Vujnovich, Sandra Lorenzo, and Janice Wolff. He was the father-in-law of Michael Jamison, Joseph Lorenzo and Keith Wolff, and the proud grandfather of Jessica Jamison Higgins, Michelle Jamison, Marissa and Madison Vujnovich, Joelle and Elizabeth Lorenzo, and Alexander, Evan and Sarah Wolff, and great-grandfather of Michael John Higgins, Jr. He is also survived by his sister Theodora “Tade” Jurisich, several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Captain George and Ana Vujnovich, and siblings Ante, Peter, and Vilka Vujnovich Barisich.

During WW II as a Sergeant in the US Army Signal Corps, Psychological Warfare Branch, European Theater, Dr. Vujnovich was awarded 5 battle stars. He attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana, and earned a B.S. degree in education with a physics and mathematics major. He also earned a M.E. degree from LSU, a M.S. degree from Loyola University, and a Ph.D. degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. He taught physics, mathematics and trades science for 24 years as a Professor at Delgado Community College in New Orleans, where he chaired the Science Department and retired as Dean of the Occupational Trades Division. In 1974, he was the Delgado Alumni Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year. In addition to the education of his children, perhaps his proudest accomplishment was the publishing of his book Yugoslavs in Louisiana, one of the many respected works he authored and published in American and Croatian journals on the history of Croatian immigration to the United States and Louisiana. He was a member of the United Slavonian Benevolent Association, n/k/a Croatian Benevolent Association, serving a term as President and also as Recording Secretary for 50 years. He also held offices in the Louisiana Oyster Dealers and Growers Association and the Yugoslav American Club, and was a member of the Louisiana Committee for a Free Croatia, Knights of Columbus, Gentilly and Marquette Councils, the Croatian American Society, the Slavonian Pleasure Club, the Croatian Fraternal Union, the American Physics Association, Phi Delta Kappa, and Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. A man of great intellect, Dr. Vujnovich had a deep love for his wife and family, a thirst for knowledge, a keen sense of humor, and an abiding faith in God.

The family would like to thank the medical team at East Jefferson General Hospital and all those who cared for him for the past seven months. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Clement of Rome Church in Metairie on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at noon. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 4, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, and on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at St. Clement of Rome Church from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Internment will follow in St. Louis No. 3 Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Masses may be offered or contributions made to the Dr. Milos “Mike” Vujnovich Scholarship Fund, Delgado Community College Foundation, 615 City Park Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119. Condolences may be expressed online at www.schoencanalstreet.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Schoen Funeral Home, New Orleans, LA.