Note: I published this in 2021. But it is time I publish it again because she is an extraordinary person whom I love dearly: For over forty years my essential soul mate and I have been married. She has endured it all with a response of patience, love and understanding. I can say with total honesty and accuracy she has been an equal partner in every achievement I claim for myself . The same is true with regard to every…
My sister, Anita Luvera Mayer, has had an amazing life of achievements. From high school, where she was an outstanding student, to the University of Washington where she continued to excel in every area. She has always set the example in our family for success through creativity, preparation and determination to succeed. There were three children in our family who were blessed with parents who worked hard and cared for us. The fact that they were part of immigrant families, Italy and Yugoslavia, caused…
Hollis Hall Barnett was born May 3, 1907 and died in Puyallup, Washington at the age of 83 on March 22nd, 1990. He was my wife Lita’s father and a very unique and wonderful man. You can read about his Lita’s mother Betty Barnett and more about this extraordinary couple I quickly grew to love. https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2010/03/i-write-this-in-memory-of-my-wifes-father-hollis-hall-barnett-whodied-in-puyallup-washington-on-march-22-1990-at-the-a.html Hollis was born in Buckley, Washington on May 3, 1907 and spent his younger years at Mt. Rainier National Park where his father, Herman…
My maternal grandfather Peter (Petar) Babarovich died the year I was born – 1935. I was born on February 21st of 1935, but he died a month later on March 5th of that year. As a result, I never knew this unique man. Nonno Babarovich was born April 12, 1861 in the village of Splitska on the island of Brac in Croatia off the coast of Split in the Adriatic Sea. Peter was the second child of his father, Ernest…
At age 87 years, my memory of childhood is far from perfect, but some things stand out. I was reflecting on how blessed our family was for living along the shoreline of Guemes Channel and a childhood before summers were totally occupied by children’s commitments of their summer vacation time. These are a few memories I was reflecting upon that I’ll share. There is nothing profound here. Just pleasant thoughts that were significant to me. Anacortes Fish Canneries I was…
On August 8, 1953 my maternal grandmother, Marija Babarovich died in Anacortes, Washington at age 90. It was the year of my high school graduation at Anacortes. She was born September 21, 1863 in Splitska, Brac, Croatia. She was a woman of great courage, faith and personal sacrifice. Her husband, my grandfather, Peter, had died the year I was born in 1935 at Anacortes. He was born in 1861. I remember her vividly. A tall, erect woman with hair piled…
Here is a collection of photos from the Anacortes History Museum collection regarding the Luvera family Paul, Anita & Phyllis Luvera Anacortes High School 1952 varsity basketball team.Pat Adams, sophomore guard Gerald Guthrie, junior guard Tom Rowan, senior guard Bill Card, senior forward Don Francin, freshman forward Dale Brannon, senior forward Paul Luvera, Jr., junior center (No. 88) Jim Berentson, sophomore forward Gale Marrs, sophomore guard Larry Lunsford, senior guard, team captain Gordon Hill, senior guard Duane Breckenridge, senior Coach…
At 86 years of age I have some childhood memories of growing up in Anacortes Washington. Memories that have no particular significance but which have stayed with me. For example, when I was a youngster, Anacortes had a large commercial salmon fishing fleet. The skippers of the purse seine boats used cotton nets which had to be tarred for preservation during the fishing season. Later the cotton nets were replaced with Nylon that did not need treatment. There was a…
On August 8, 1953 my maternal grandmother, Marija Babarovich died in Anacortes, Washington at age 90. It was the year of my high school graduation at Anacortes. She was born September 21, 1863 in Splitska, Brac, Croatia. She was a woman of great courage, faith and personal sacrifice. Her husband, my grandfather, Peter, had died the year I was born in 1935 at Anacortes. He was born in 1861. I remember her vividly. A tall, erect woman with hair piled…
On an early Friday morning, July 7th 2000, my mother Mary Thelma Babarovich, died in her sleep at the San Juan Care Center. Her death was not unexpected. After all, she was born on December 28, 1905 and was ninety four years old when she died. She had been in failing health for some time. Her passing was, in fact, a personal blessing to her as she had been ready to meet her maker for some time. She and dad…
