American Serb History 101

Three gentlemen from Aliquippa, PA who have since passed on to their Heavenly rewards, made a big impact on my life and I'd like to recognize them here.  I want to honor my dear friends, so they live forever by their deeds!

+Larry Maravich,

+George Pevac, and

+Mitch Trivanovich.

Our dear Larry, just like Czar Lazar for whom he was named, was a Leader of his Serbian people in Aliquippa, PA.  He was born Lazo (Lawrence) Maravich on Nov. 21, 1914, the son of Miladin and Sophia Maravich, in Gary, Indiana.  The family moved to Aliquippa, and Larry began his education at the Logstown School.  He graduated from Aliquippa High School in 1933.

Bright and talented, he had the help of a scholarship, but also worked a full-time job at the Aliquippa Works of Jones and Laughlin (J&L) Steel Corporation. He received his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Geneva College in 1938, and then earned his Master's Degree at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt). He continued learning, taking graduate courses in School Supervision and Administration.  He received his Siperintendent's Commission from the Department of Education in 1964.

Larry began teaching in Aliquippa in 1938, and became a Principal there in 1956.  He was elected Superintendent of the Aliquippa School District from 1966 until 1938, a career spanning 40 years.

Larry was a member of the Aliquippa Better Education Council, Aliquippa School-Community Relations Comittee, Citizens' Advisory Council, and TV station, WQED Educational Advisor.  He was Vice President of the Beaver County Chief School Administrators.

He had an extensive record of community and civil service.  He served on the Aliquippa Area Brotherhood Committee, was program chaiman for the Inter-Faith Exchange Services, was a member of the George Washington Carver Memorial Committe and the Greater Aliquiipa Area Chamber of Commerce.  He chaired the Greater Aliquippa United Way Campaign in 1969-70.  He served on the Board of Trustees with the Salvation Army and was a Director on the Board of the Aliquippa Y.M.C.A.  He was a Trustee of the B. F. Jones Memorial Library for 12 years, and served as VP for two years, and President for six years.

In 1980, Larry was named recipinet of the "Brotherhood" award by the Great Aliquippa Area Chamber of Commerce.  

He served on the Aliuqippa Hospital Board for 29 years as trustee and vice president of the board, active in fund-raising drives for the Aliuqippa Hosptial construction and expansion programs and served as chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee for the Project '90 Hospital Renovation.

Larry served as counselor-instructor for the Boy Scout "God and Country" Award Orthodox youth. He was a member of the Fraternal organization: Serb National Federation and the ALquippa B.P.O.E. (ELKS).  

Throughout all of this, Larry still found time to devote to his beloved St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa.  He was a life-long member and past vice president and president of the church.  He was also past president of the St. Elijah Church Choir and the St. Elijah's Men's Bible Study Group and taught Sunday school and Bible classes for both youth and adults.  He served on various committees during the church building program and construction of the Serbian Center.  He was on the church auditing committee and Boar of Trustees and chaired the program committee for the choir's 50th Anniversary celebration in 1980.

Lazo also narrated the live radio broadcast of St. Elijah's Christmas Eve service for many years.

Larry served 4.5 years in the U.S. Army in WWII (1941-1946).  He ended his service on the island of Luzon in the Philippines and was discharged from the Pacific Theater in 1946 with the rank of Captain, Army Medical Services.

Larry resided in Aliquippa his whole life.  At the time of his death on January 15, 2008, , he was survived by his loving wife, Mary (Viovich), two loving daughters, Jeanine and Laurene, a brother and sister-in-law, Eli and Nadine Maravich, a sister, Mae Zeljak a sister-in-law Mary C. Maravich, a brother and sister-in-law Nick and Josephine VIdovich, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Preceeding him in death were five brothers:  Nick, Robert, George, Michael and John, and a sister, Mary Traikoff.

Lazo represented the epitome of love, faith and goodness and will be deeply missed.

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The above information on Larry came from a yellowed newspaper Obituary clipping from the Beaver County Times of Thursday, January 17, 2008, carried around in a choir folder by Ron Markvan, as Ron and Larry were roommates on many a choir trip!  Larry still accompanies us on choir trips, and will be with us in spirit when we travel to Phoenix later this year!

Another section of the paper highlighted Larry's service and remembered him as the loving father and husband that he was.  "He was very outgoing and so sociable," remembered daughter Jeanine.  "He loved people genuinely," said daughter Laurene.  "It didn't matter what size, shape, color, religion.  He particularly liked young people. I guess that was the teacher in him."

Larry always gave this piece of advice to people:  "Hang tough!"  He did.  To the very end!

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