ADOLF A. KRIZMANICH , age 99.  Beloved son of the deceased Josip and Rosalija "Ružica" (nee Koska) Krizmanić, devoted husband of Judith (deceased), loving father of Rosemarie "Cookie", Judith Zivic (Ronald), Joseph, and Randolph (Susan - deceased); grandfather of Dominic Andrew (deceased); brother-in-law to Mary Ann Ščurec; uncle to many nieces and nephews, peacefully passed away surrounded by his children on May 24, 2024, his eldest's birthday.

After serving in the Croatian Navy, Adolf left his beloved Croatia, along with thousands of others escaping Communism in May 1945, and spent 5 years in Displaced Persons camps throughout Italy. While in Camp Fermo, some of his fellow refugees - accomplished Croatian authors, actors, and musicians - formed a theater group where Adolf played his accordion and entertained the thousands of people living under desperate conditions. He held off emigrating, hoping for a United States sponsor, and was extremely grateful to God and so proud when he was received into the U.S. in New York City on May 15, 1950. Continually blessed, he was assigned to Marymount College in Arlington, VA, where he chauffeured diplomats' daughters, and where the good nuns of the Sacred Heart of Mary helped him assimilate into American life.

Eventually, he reconnected with his Croatian community by joining St. Paul's Croatian Catholic Church in Cleveland, where he remained a parishioner until his death. There he met his sweetheart Judy, and they raised their family in the Catholic faith, and instilled in them high moral standards and a deep affinity for their ancestral homeland Croatia. He knew well the desperate life of a refugee. Several of his Letters-to-the-Editor of the PD were published, and he wrote two books about his experiences, so that his children and friends could truly understand just how lucky they are to be born Americans, and that they should never take anything for granted.

A lover of cartoon art and inspired by Walt Disney, Adolf attended Cooper School of Art and Fenn College in Cleveland, becoming a Tool & Die Designer. An accomplished artist specializing in watercolors, his painting, Low Tide, was exhibited at the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown. A member of Ohio Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society of America, Greenbriar Art League, and Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, he was also delighted to be invited into the Whiskey Painters' Association where he produced many tiny paintings for their exhibits. He generously supported WVIZ's annual auction with donated paintings, and he exhibited at many juried local and regional shows, winning several awards. His works are in private collections throughout the U.S. and Europe. Adolf was a voracious reader, always seeking more knowledge. In his final years, his iPad was his constant companion and best friend. He shared his love of art, nature, animals, classical music, travel, adventure, cooking, and patriotism with his children and friends, and was truly a beloved and admired father and friend. Počivaj u miru, Dolfi.

Friends may call at LATEK & RYBICKI, A GOLDEN RULE FUNERAL HOME, 7906 BROADVIEW RD. (corner of Broadview and Sprague Rds.) for VISITING HOURS: THURSDAY, MAY 30, 3-8 PM . Mass of Christian Burial will be held FRIDAY, MAY 31, at 11:00 AM, at St. Paul's Croatian Roman Catholic Church, 1369 East 40th Street, Cleveland. Please meet at the church. Private inurnment at Holy Spirit Byzantine Catholic Cemetery in Parma. Family suggests memorial donations to Hospice of the Western Reserve or Cleveland Animal Protective League .

ARRANGEMENTS BY GOLUB FUNERAL HOME, (216) 391-0357.