Michael Sivulich Jr

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Michael Sivulich Jr. September 28, 1937- October 8, 2012

Michael Sivulich Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, October 8, 2012 after a long hard battle with CBD (Corticobasal Degeneration). He was born on September 28, 1937 in Masury, OH to and Michael Sr and Mary Taczak Sivulich. He was the third eldest of 10 children and he and his brothers and sisters learned the value and importance of hard work at an early age; an attribute for which he was renowned for throughout his life. He often spoke about his childhood memories working in the family garden, goofing around with friends and playing sports. After graduating from Brookfield High School, Mike enlisted in the United States Navy, where he specialized in bookkeeping as well as piloting Naval Minesweepers in and out of port and most importantly playing on the Naval basketball team, while stationed at Long Beach, CA.

In 1959, Mike moved across the country to Ogden, UT where he was given a full athletic scholarship to play basketball for Weber State Junior College and then later Weber State College. He was known for his extreme quickness and speed, not to mention his tenacious defense and hustle. Mike was named a "Little All American" during his time at WSC. He was later inducted into the Weber State University Athletic Hall of Fame for his success on the hardwood!

After being baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Mike married his college sweetheart Nancy Cox, in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. They were sealed for all time and eternity on August 2, 1966.

After college, Mike started his career with the Amalgamated Sugar Company. Thereafter, his entrepreneurial spirit, inspired him to start "Sivulich Travel Inc." where he set up shop behind the Newgate Mall. His hard work and never give up attitude were apparent in his business and it became a huge success. He later merged and created Fishburn a€"Sivulich Travel which later became Morris Travel. Mike also founded Sivulich Brokerage and represented the Amalgamated Sugar Company as a Sugar Broker for almost 30 years. This explains his "Sweet Tooth". Mike always loved pastries, pies and dessert.

He played a vital role in the Ogden Community serving in various civic and university organizations throughout his life. He was a member of the Ogden Rotary Club, Charter President of the Mount Ogden Rotary Club, member of the Ogden Chamber of Commerce as well as the Ogden Spikers Organization. He was a Board Member of the Weber State University Alumni Association, member of the Weber State University Wildcat Club and President of the Weber State University Backcourt Club.

Mike loved to travel and used this business opportunity to see the world. His favorite vacation spot was definitely Hawaii, but Palm Springs, Phoenix and Mexico were not far down the list! He also looked forward to his annual fishing trip in Alaska. Every September Mike and a group of fishermen could be found catching Silver Salmon. There were a lot of fish stories told each year, however Mike was always the best fisherman of them all.

Throughout his life, he was a great example of service and an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, serving in many capacities including Stake High Councilman, 2nd counselor in the Bishopric and Youth Quorum Advisor to mention a few. He cherished his neighbors and friends and insisted on going to church up until the last month of his life.

Mike is a man who will never be forgotten and a person who never needed an introduction. When the Lord created Mike Sivulich, he broke the mold. What an amazing person of integrity, honesty, love and happiness. He never had a bad day and was always upbeat and positive about life! He was "a Man with a Million friends" and treated everyone with kindness and respect. He enjoyed working in the yard, especially on his annual vegetable garden, where fresh tomatoes, corn and cucumbers were always abundant. He had an extreme passion for sports and competition and always gave 110% no matter what he did. He enjoyed good food including bologna sandwiches, raisin toast, fresh salmon, razzleberry pie and of course Pepsi. He loved to whistle and enjoyed good music, but most of all he was the world''s greatest Dad!

Mike is survived by his wife Nancy Lynn Cox Sivulich; three children, Michael III (Sue Ellen Reid), David (Kelly Ashby), Staci (Tuffer Patrick); 8 grandchildren (Brock, Nick, Sierra, Sam, Dayton, Gabe, Sophia and Dax); brothers, Steve, Nick, Joe, Jerry, Jim; sisters, Jane Jansco, Ann Wortman and Mary Kloss. Mike is preceded in death by his parents Michael and Mary Sivulich, his brother Frank and his Father and Mother in law, Howard and Marian Cox.

Our family wishes to express a special thanks and gratitude to friends, family and neighbors who have given countless hours of unselfish service to support Mike and Nancy over the past many years. We express deep gratitude to Garth Manning, Alan Brown, Val & Claudia Weathers, Rex Lammers, Vista Care Hospice and all of Mike''s nurses and care givers.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 1 p.m. at the Ogden Utah Weber Stake Center, 5855 South Skyline. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Saturday from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. at the church.

Interment, Hooper City Cemetery.