MICHAEL ROBERT "MICKEY" DELOVICH PASSES AWAY

 

Michael Robert Delovich, whose nickname was Mickey, passed away Tuesday, October 5 from COVID complications. He was 81 years old.

He was a son of Mary and Alec Delovich. Mickey’s siblings were Homer Delovich, Class of 1948; Ronnie Delovich, Class of 1952; and Emma Jean Delovich. 

Mickey’s children are Michelle Delovich, a Baltimore County social worker specializing in child abuse cases; Dana Delovich Pepersack, who lives in Joppa, Maryland; and Evelyn Delovich-Wood, a 1980 Joppatown High graduate. Mickey has 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

His daughter, Dana, when I requested information, wrote such a great response that I am posting it verbatim as a loving tribute from a daughter to her father:

Good morning John! My father’s full name was Michael Robert Delovich. Date of birth 3/25/40 Monongah WV.

Mickey was a nickname that he received in childhood,on account of his ears being so big like Mickey Mouse (or so he said, he was known to tell a tall take or two )

His parents’ names were Mary and Alec Delovich. He was the youngest of 4, the order went from Homer then Ronnie then Emma Jean then my father.

He moved to Baltimore in the late 50s early 60s and married Penny Tetrick and had 2 children Evelyn (1962) and Robert (1964) (Robert died in a car accident in 1980).

In the 1960s he went to work for Dependable Machine Company and apprenticed under the owner Don Musacchio. Machining would come to be a great source of pride for him.

He and Penny divorced in the early 70s and by the late 70s he ended up marrying Don Musacchio’s daughter Donna and had 2 more children with her Michelle 1978 and myself Dana in 1980.

He took over ownership of Dependable Machine in 80s and built the company throughout the 80s and 90s providing a great financial life for his family working on contracts with some companies, such as GM and also doing a lot of work for NASA. (He also played a lot of golf )

He and Donna divorced in 2005 He would eventually come to have 6 grandchildren/ Robert Mills 82’, Michael Mills 84’ (deceased in 2012), Loy Clements 2000’ , Aurora Elliott 04’ , Cecelia Pepersack 05’ , and Madilyn Finnerty 05’. He also is survived by 2 great grandchildren RJ Mills 05’, and Little Michael Mills 09’ .

He died from complications due to covid on October 5 2021.

He was surrounded by his 3 surviving daughters (Evelyn, Michelle, and Dana) who were able to hold his hand until the end. We were also able to video in all of his surviving grandchildren/great grandchildren and both of his ex wife’s Penny and Donna (both of whom he remained dear friends with until the end) to be with him in his final moments.

He was surrounded with love in the end because he continually gave us all love throughout our lives.

His grandson Loy (my oldest son) is currently on his way home from the Army to take over Mickey’s machine shop, which has since been renamed Optimus Precision Machine. It is a legacy that he wanted so desperately to leave for us children and grandchildren.

He was a great man! As a father he was a wonderful provider, an amazing mentor, a kind teacher, and great source of humor for every family event. He will truly be missed.

He also worked until the end (amazing work ethic) and continued to golf. He was vaccinated, but it was a breakthrough infection and still did too much damage.

Here is Mickey's official obituary:

ichael "Micky" Robert Delovich, 81, was born in Monongah West Virginia on March 25th, 1940. Mike passed due to a breakout infection of Covid 19 on October 5, 2021, in Baltimore, Maryland. In the last twenty years, he lived between Baltimore and his condo at River Run Golf Course in Berlin, Maryland. "Micky" was his childhood nickname, which he still was affectionately called by his family and friends in West Virginia.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mary (Palavich) Delovich and Alec Delovich, his brothers Homer and Ronald Delovich, his beloved son Robert Michael Delovich, cherished grandson Michael Kelly Mills, and honored sons-in-law Gregg Wood & Charles Pepersack. He is survived by his daughters Evelyn Delovich-Wood, Michelle Delovich Finnerty, and Dana Delovich; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren Robert, Loy, Aurora, Cecelia, Madeline, RJ, Michael, Heather, Courtney, Kyleigh, Brian, and Elizabeth; his sister Emma Jean Mike, brother-in-law Frank Mike; his former wives and close friends Penny Delovich and Donna Heimberger; his son-in-law Wayne Finnerty and many much-loved nieces and nephews.

In the 1960s, "Micky" moved from West Virginia to Baltimore, Maryland to pursue work and eventually became an apprentice with Dependable Machine Company. Precision metal machining would come to be a great source of pride for him. He eventually became an owner of Dependable Machine. He later came out of retirement to co-own Optimus Precision Machine with his grandson Michael, and later his grandson Loy.

Mike had a passion for sports which included playing pool. He especially loved golf and enjoyed playing with friends and family. He became quite accomplished, including winning numerous championships where he would play. He spent many weekends on the links and taught his family the game.

Both of Mike's parents had roots in Bosnia and Croatia. In the 1990s, his brother, Homer, sponsored their 1st and 2nd cousins to come to the United States as refugees from the Bosnian War. Mike became a support to his Bosnian family and other Bosnian refugees as they established roots in this county. In the past 14 years, he was able to visit Bosnia and Croatia and his father's hometown - Cazin, Bosnia Herzegovina. He was always a welcomed guest in Bosnia and was able to experience the culture of his forbearers through the extensive family that continues to reside there.

As a friend and family member, Mike was generous with his time and resources. As a father and grandfather, he was a wonderful provider, teacher, and the guy who was always in our corner. As a boss, he was tough but fair. He loved to tinker and discuss inventions he created in the machine shop. He was a great source of humor and companionship for all who knew him. He is forever in our hearts.

A memorial service for friends and family will be held on October 17, 2021, at 2:00 pm. Please email mdelovich@gmail.com for location and directions. Interment will be held at Mohammedan Cemetery in Monongah West Virginia at a date to be determined.