JOHN ROBERT TELICH, Sr.

John Robert Telich Sr., 87, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2012 after a brief stay at the Hospice of the Western Reserve. He was born June 27, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio the son of Michael and Irma Glicker Telich. He is survived by his loving family: children, Patricia Telich; Michael Laura Telich II; John Jane Telich Jr.; Mary Jo Verne Taylor; Beth Gregory Potulski and grandchildren: Jessica Jakimowicz; Michael and Colin Telich; Courtney, Patrick and Joseph Telich; Christopher and Stanley Olup, Caroline, Chelsea, Gabrielle, Verne III, JohnMichael and James Taylor; Tara and Trevor Lauren Potulski; and his sister Irma Love; nephews Jeff Mary Love; Greg Barb Love. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 63 years Janet Town in 2010. He attended Euclid Shore School, excelled in football, track and hockey and graduated in 1943. He served 3 years in the U.S. Navy during WW II, receiving the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal, the American Area campaign Medal and the WW II Victory Medal. John married his high school sweetheart Janet Town in 1947. While attending Western Reserve University where he received his BBA Degree, John won the MidAmerican Conference discus championship for 3 years and also played Football and Hockey. After graduation, John served as Trustee of the Board of the Case Reserve Athletic Club two terms as President, chaired the CWRU visiting Committee on Physical Education and Athletics and served on the CWRU Council Board of Overseers. As a lifetime resident of Euclid, John was a chartered member of the Euclid Jaycee's Junior Chamber of Commerce. As President, he helped establish the Euclid Boys Baseball League Organization and his business was an active sponsor for 60 years. While serving as President, in 1951; he organized Euclid's first Fourth of July Fireworks celebration, held annually for over 55 years. John was an active member of the Euclid Chapter of Rotary International, and the Euclid Chapter of the FOPA. John was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Parish formerly Holy Cross Catholic Church since 1930 and served as lay reader for over 30 years. Upon graduation from Western Reserve University, in 1949, he followed his father into the Insurance and Financial Planning industry, a career in which he remained active until his passing. During this 64 year career he was an agent for Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, Sun Life Financial and brokered for numerous other companies. His career was a very successful one, winning numerous sales and production awards including the prestigious Million Dollar Roundtable designation. John continuously sought to enhance his knowledge base and skills, earning the Chartered Life Underwriter designation CLU, Masters of Science Degree in Financial Services MSFS and Chartered Financial Consultant ChFC certification. As a leader in the financial industry, he served as President of many organizations within the Insurance profession. He was elected the President of the Cleveland Association of Life Underwriters at the age of 30, served as President of the Ohio and Cleveland Chapter of CLUs and eventually the Regional Vice President of American Society of Charter Life Underwriters. John was also involved in many philanthropic activities. He was a key member of the CWRU Advisory Committee that raised $12 million for the CWRU Veale Center and was a major fundraiser for the American College of Life Underwriters Gold Key Society. John and his wife helped fund numerous Slovenian causes, youth sports, University related causes including the John and Jan Telich Alumni room at CWRU and The Telich Golf Technology Center at Cleveland State University, Veteran's Day annual luncheons, Rotary Youth Dictionary distribution, and other community programs. John was a fitness enthusiast, staying fit by being an avid jogger, biker, golfer and curler. For many years he was a member of Lozka Dolina Lodge, Slovenian National Home, Cleveland Athletic Club, the Mayfield Country Club and Mayfield Curling Club. John earned many honors and awards including the: Euclid Chamber of Commerce-Young man of the year, Euclid Schools Athletic Hall of fame, Slovenian National Home-Cleveland Man of the Year, Rotary International-Harris Fellowship Award numerous, Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada -Hall of Fame, Cleveland Life Underwriters-Third life Award, Sun Life Financial – SUNNY Award, CWRU-Campaign Leadership Award and the CWRU Newton D. Baker Alumnus - Distinguished Service Award. Most importantly John was a hard working, loving, caring husband, father and community member, one that will be gravely missed by his family, friends and the community. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Smile Train, P.O. Box 96127, Washington, D.C. 20090-6127; Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church or Rotary International. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 14, 2012 from 2 to 8 pm at Monreal Funeral Home 35400 Curtis Blvd., Eastlake. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 10:00 am in Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church formerly Holy Cross, 175 E 200th St, Euclid. Interment will be at All Souls Cemetery following the funeral mass.

JOHN ROBERT TELICH, Sr.

June 27, 1925 - December 9, 2012

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