Paul Luvera Journal

My sister Phyllis Ennes died on January 7, 2013. She was the oldest of the three children with Anita Mayer in the middle and I as the youngest. For my previous post about Phyllis see https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2013/01/phyllis-luvera-ennes-1928-2013.htm Born to Paul and Mary Luvera in Anacortes she graduated from Anacortes High School in 1946 with honors and attended the University of Washington where hs obtained a degree in English. In 1953, the year I graduated from high school, she earned a teaching…

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My friend and mentor Walter Deierlein died October 22, 2010. When I got out of law school in 1959 I couldn't get a job. Jack (we called him Jack) was the Skagit & Island County Prosecuting Attorney and out of the kindness of his heart he hired me as a second deputy prosecuting attorney. Harry Follman, who later became a judge, was the other deputy. I think he created the job because he and my dad were friends, but I was happy to…

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My maternal grandmother Marija Vulic died on August 8th, 1953. She died the year I graduated from high school in Anacortes, Washington. Her life story is one of great courage and sacrifice involving immigration to America while not being able to speak English. I've previously talked about that in writing about my mother. https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2010/07/mary-thelma-luvera-.html.html I remember her vividly. A tall erect woman with hair piled high on her head, she looked regal and carried herself in a way that projected dignity…

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Early Friday morning, July 7th 2000, my mother Mary Thelma Babarovich Luvera, 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. Never the less, it…

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My grandfather, Nicola Luvera died in Anacortes on Independence Day, July 4, 1956 after living more then ninety years. His story is one of courage and determination. After working in a slaughter house in Italy for twenty cents a day he decided to try to find a better life for his family in America. He managed to borrow money from relatives to sail to the “new world” where his relatives had found work. In 1902, he left and made his…

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William "Bill" Taylor was one of Anacortes most successful basketball coaches. He also was a positive influence in so many young men's lives, including mine.  January 24th, was the annversary of the death of a great coach and mentor to me, William Taylor. I've published a full account of my high school relationship to this great coach and his profound influence in my life: https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2013/01/william-taylor.html . In addition, I published a background of this unique man who was so important in guiding my life….

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My sister Phyllis Ennes died on January 7, 2013. She was the oldest of the three children with Anita Mayer in the middle and I as the youngest. For my previous post about Phyllis see  https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2013/01/phyllis-luvera-ennes-1928-2013.htm  Born to Paul and Mary Luvera in Anacortes she graduated from Anacortes High School in 1946 with honors and attended the University of Washington where hs obtained a degree in English. In 1953, the year I graduated from high school, she earned a teaching certicate from Western…

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My friend Nick J.  Petrish died in Anacortes on December 19, 2011. We had a long friendship. We went from grade school through high school together. We worked together from 1977 until his illness in 2011. He was a friend and a good man. I've written about him previously: https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2012/12/nicholas-petrish-dec-19-2011.html.html  I think about  him during this Christmas season. May he  rest  in peace.

My grandmother, dad's mother, died December 20, 1946 in Anacortes. She was born in Italy and followed her husband Nicola with dad and the other children after he immigrated to America. She  was a classic looking Italian grandmother who looked and sounded like what an Italian grandmother should. she spoke virtually no English but she  was a a wonderful cook who was always feeding us children something whenever we visited. I've written about her before: https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2013/12/phyllis-flippa-luvera-1870-1946.html.htm  In the photo is Nonna, my sisters Phyllis, Anita, me and my grandfather Nicola Luvera….

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Dr. Joseph Voegtlin MD was born in Seattle in 1926. He died in Skagit County on November 5, 2011. He was my long time friend and family physician until his retirement in 1992. He graduated from the University  of Washington in 1954 with  honors. He was instrumental in opening the hospital in Mount Vernon where he served as Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery.  Joe had a gift for diagnosing problems and was a skillful surgeon as well. He was a great medical expert witness and…

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