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PAVLAKOVICH -- Nick Pavlakovich, 94, a resident of Albuquerque since 1954, passed away Wednesday, September 15, 2010 after a short illness. He was born in Gary, IN. on November 19, 1915. He was a 1st generation American, as his parents (Josip Frank Pavlakovich and Zlata (Goldie) Baksic) immigrated from Chesta, Croatia around the turn of the century. In 1928 after living in Chase, MI, Cleveland and Alliance OH, the family moved back to Gary, IN and with the help of friends and family, they built their home on Fillmore St. He graduated in 1934 from Lew Wallace High School. He was a member of the following organizations: Sphinx '33 and '34; Junior Honor Society; Track Team '33; Safety Committee '33, and Poetry Memory '32. He excelled in math and chemistry while in school. On the 23rd of September 1941 he joined the Army of the United States and left the Air Corps on November 2, 1945 as a 1st Lieutenant. During his service he was stationed in FL, Carlsbad and Deming NM. Most of his time was spent at Deming where he was an instructor for the Bombardier School. Some of his students left the following notes in the class books. "Thanks Nick for helping me over the humps around the end of the month" and "Nick - I think it is a privilege to be next to you in this book. Sure hope we can stick together and sweat this mess out". At Deming, he met his wife to be for 45 years, Etta Fae Eaves and they were married on May 27, 1944 in Mesilla Park, NM. After the military, his career was that as a master carpenter where he worked around the country on such jobs as; Tennessee Valley Authority Dam project in Tennessee, the school for the Navajo people at Keams Canyon, AZ; housing projects at Los Alamos, NM; the high school in Cuba, NM; the Four Corners power plant, the American Gypsum plant, Civic Plaza, and the FOP Lodge in Albuquerque, NM. He was a member of the Carpenter Local Union 1319 in town. He enjoyed bird hunting and fishing on the Brazos and particularly in the Rio Grande "Box" where he blazed his own trails to the river. At home his interests were gardening, crossword puzzles and playing chess. He was particularly proud of his climbing red rose bush and his apple tree on which he had grafted four different types of apples. His favorite hang out was the 4th Street Dunkin Donuts, where he would meet with his friends, everyday for coffee and a manager's special cinnamon roll. He is survived by his children: Nick Jr. and wife Tina, Henry J. and his wife Ann, Joseph R. and his wife Maxine and Barbara Ann Hale and her husband James; grandchildren, Alisa R. and her husband Rick Giron II, Daniel R., Brandy A., Mary E., Stephen E., Jocelyn H., Joseph R.II, Tamara N., Matthew A. and Jacob B.; great - grandchildren, Christopher M., Matthew R., Shalynn L., Julia F., Kimberly N., Constance E., Sydney E., Emilee G.; and his sisters, Katie, Rose and Dorothy. He was preceded in death by his parents (Josip '41 and Zlata '73); wife Etta Fae in 1989; brothers, Zonimar '13, John '15, Peter '27, Emil '75, Joseph '88; sisters, Anna '50 and Goldie 2003; nephew Joseph; and granddaughter Nancy Lydia 2003. Nick's family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staffs at Las Palomas Care and Rehabilitation Center, Ambercare, Preferred Assisted Living & Home Care and especially Vista Sandia for their comfort, professional care, concern and extended support to the family. A celebration of his life will be held at a future date. Services are in care of: Gabaldon Mortuary (505) 243-7861 - 1000 Old Coors Dr SW, Albuquerque, NM 87121.
        Published on: Sun September 19, 2010