Milo Braich

Milo was born in the village of Pobori, Budva, Montenegro to Stevo and Marija Braic. He was the eldest of their five children. Milo had dreamed of coming to America since he was a small child, and his dream came true when he escaped in 1959, after serving three years in the navy, with his cousin Ivo and another man from the former Yugoslavia. They left in a small boat with a motor from Budva to Bar, then across the Adriatic Sea to Bari, Italy. They almost didn't make it! Milo and his cousin arrived in America in January of 1960 after spending six months in an Interpol refugee camp. Milo's uncle Rade, who was Ivo's father, sponsored them.

Milo worked many jobs, sending money back to his family in Montenegro while attending school to learn English. He was a machinist for Oregon Steel Mills for twenty years, and worked for Coe Manufacturing for fifteen years. Milo met his wife Sally Green in 1967 at a German dance; they were married in the Greek Holy Trinity Church in 1968. They were married fifty-one years prior to Milo's passing. They were blessed with two children, Jeanne and Stephen. Milo was one of the founders, along with Sally, of St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church; he served as President for five years. Many services and picnics were held in their back yard. Milo and his wife Sally sponsored six refugees from the former Yugoslavia in their home in 1994 and 1995. In 1995, they were asked to go with Northwest Medical Teams to Mexico in their efforts to get medical supplies and clothing to the women and children of the former Yugoslavia.

Milo loved dancing, soccer, taking long walks, playing cards, traveling, and enjoying his many nieces and nephews here and in Montenegro. Milo loved and cherished his two grandchildren Leia and Alex. He is survived by his wife Sally; children Jeanne Braich and Stephen Braich; and brother George and sister Vukosava. His parents, sister Stane, and brother Goijko predeceased him.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Stephen would be greatly appreciated by Milo’s family.