Obituary for Paul Vlastelica
Paul Vlastelica, age 94, was born to Mary Svicarovich and George Vlastelica in Portland, Ore. on Sept. 9, 1924, and was raised in Aberdeen, Washington. He was the oldest of 10 children. He passed on to be with the Lord Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019, after a long illness.
Paul graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1942. He joined the U.S. Navy in May 1943 and was discharged in February 1946, after the termination of World War II.
On July 5, 1947, he married the love of his life, Eleanor Jeanette Krebs of Hoquiam at Our Lady of Good Help Church in Hoquiam and they have been married 71 years.
Paul was in the U.S. Navy Armed Guard Special Services as GM 2/C. This unit protected the Marine troops being transported to the various theatres of war. He served on the S.S. Mormacport, S.S. Koloa Victory, served as Brig Warden, guarding American prisoners for five months while being held prior to returning to the United States at the Fremantle Submarine Base in Australia and served aboard the S.S. Colusa.
After the war, he returned to Aberdeen and worked as a seasonal commercial fisherman and in various sawmills in Aberdeen and Hoquiam. He was elected Business Agent and Financial Secretary of Local 3099 Lumber, Production and Industrial Workers. He was re-elected 11 times for 22 years and served as Vice President of Northwest Council of Lumber Production and Industrial Workers for 12 years.
He was an Associate Member of the Pacific Northwest 2nd Marine Division, the Aberdeen VFW and B.P.O.E. Elks Club. He received four bronze stars for participation at Tarawa (1943), Saipan (1944), Tinian (1944) and Okinawa (1945).
Paul was an avid sports fisherman, loved clam digging at the beach, and was a karaoke singer. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling to outings and conventions with the Pacific Northwest Unit of Retired U.S. Navy Armed Guard.
Paul is survived by his wife, Eleanor; his son Dan (Sharon), his daughter, Connie McClary; grandchildren, Lisa Arbacauscus, Jodi Neil (Loren), Jacob Vlastelica; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Wendy and Alice Neil, Audrey and Caleb Arbacu; brothers and sisters, Pauline Moersch, Tony (Jo Anne) Vlastelica, George (Pat) Vlastelica, Mary Rushworth, Ann Vlastelica, Helen Burnett, John (Nancy) Vlastelica, Joanne Vlastelica, Rosemary Asplund (Mike) and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass was held at St. Mary Catholic Church on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. Paul was laid to rest at Fern Hill Cemetery in Aberdeen, Washington.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Mary Catholic Church.
To share memories or express condolences please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary in Aberdeen.
Paul graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1942. He joined the U.S. Navy in May 1943 and was discharged in February 1946, after the termination of World War II.
On July 5, 1947, he married the love of his life, Eleanor Jeanette Krebs of Hoquiam at Our Lady of Good Help Church in Hoquiam and they have been married 71 years.
Paul was in the U.S. Navy Armed Guard Special Services as GM 2/C. This unit protected the Marine troops being transported to the various theatres of war. He served on the S.S. Mormacport, S.S. Koloa Victory, served as Brig Warden, guarding American prisoners for five months while being held prior to returning to the United States at the Fremantle Submarine Base in Australia and served aboard the S.S. Colusa.
After the war, he returned to Aberdeen and worked as a seasonal commercial fisherman and in various sawmills in Aberdeen and Hoquiam. He was elected Business Agent and Financial Secretary of Local 3099 Lumber, Production and Industrial Workers. He was re-elected 11 times for 22 years and served as Vice President of Northwest Council of Lumber Production and Industrial Workers for 12 years.
He was an Associate Member of the Pacific Northwest 2nd Marine Division, the Aberdeen VFW and B.P.O.E. Elks Club. He received four bronze stars for participation at Tarawa (1943), Saipan (1944), Tinian (1944) and Okinawa (1945).
Paul was an avid sports fisherman, loved clam digging at the beach, and was a karaoke singer. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling to outings and conventions with the Pacific Northwest Unit of Retired U.S. Navy Armed Guard.
Paul is survived by his wife, Eleanor; his son Dan (Sharon), his daughter, Connie McClary; grandchildren, Lisa Arbacauscus, Jodi Neil (Loren), Jacob Vlastelica; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Wendy and Alice Neil, Audrey and Caleb Arbacu; brothers and sisters, Pauline Moersch, Tony (Jo Anne) Vlastelica, George (Pat) Vlastelica, Mary Rushworth, Ann Vlastelica, Helen Burnett, John (Nancy) Vlastelica, Joanne Vlastelica, Rosemary Asplund (Mike) and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass was held at St. Mary Catholic Church on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019. Paul was laid to rest at Fern Hill Cemetery in Aberdeen, Washington.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Mary Catholic Church.
To share memories or express condolences please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary in Aberdeen.