Mile Biondic

The fierce flame that was my father has been extinguished. For those that have been fortunate enough to have known him would know that he had been suffering for years with his illness, and now after decades, my father can finally be at peace and be reunited with his beautiful wife, Mira, in heaven. My father was born in a village called Vratnik in the country of Croatia. My parents met through family members in the east coast and they would eventually move to California. Before knowing each other, however, they shared a common dream. That dream was to come to the United States for opportunity and to raise a family. Which they would soon accomplish and give life to their two sons, Tommy and Michael.

My father was a man of few words and would rarely express emotion. However, there was no question that his family always came first, and only wanted the best for his boys. With any means necessary to achieve that dream, they succeeded in raising two men who would later carry those same values of placing their love and family first above all else. Before his illness, my father was an active man who would build things with his hands, had work ethic that can’t be matched in today’s generation, and made sure that his sons stayed on the right path in life. Those attributes would lay the foundation for my brother and I to grow up as men who will never forget those valuable life lessons that we carry into our lives today.

Tommy and I grew up in a two-story house and our parent’s bedroom was located directly above the family room downstairs. One of my fondest memories growing up is when my brother and I, or my friends would roughhouse in the family room a little too loud. A thundering boom would soon precede from above by him stomping on the floor with his foot from his bed to tell us boys to shut the hell up, and let me tell you, it sure worked. A prime example of a man with little words was able to clearly convey his message and scare us boys straight. I’m sure this is a memory that my friends will also never forget.

Even though he was suffering from his illness. I cannot express how satisfying it was for me to be able to have my father witness me graduate high school, serve in the military, have him come and stay in my first home and see his son marry his beautiful wife Marlena and witness him raise his own family just as he did.

I love my dad, and I miss my dad, and even though I remain selfish by wishing he was still here. Deep down in my heart, I know that it was time to see God’s plan through by allowing him to finally be at peace and to end the suffering that he had endured for as long as he did. We all will meet our faith, and all I can do is hope and pray that he left this earth knowing he raised two boys that will always love and be lucky enough to have Milan Biondič as their father. Thank you.

- Tommy and Michael Biondic