John Nicholas Becic

John Nicholas Becic was born at home on Oct. 20, 1930, the first born son of Croatian immigrants. They settled in Northwest Portland, a block away from the old Vaughn Street baseball stadium. He attended St. Patrick's Grade School, where he learned English and made his best friends for life; Lincoln High School, where he honed his baseball talent; and University of Portland, graduating with a degree in accounting. He served his country in Korea 1953-54, as a sergeant in the finance dept. and playing baseball. During college, he met the love of his life, Inez, at the Quality Pie Shop and they married in November 1954. John joined a regional, successful CPA firm and spent his entire career with this one company. John and Inez had twin girls in 1955 and later moved to SE Portland, adding two more daughters in 1958 and 1965. The family moved to Medford so John could manage the CPA office there. Outside of work, John and Inez and their girls vacationed yearly with their relatives at the beach and Lake Shasta. And ski trips with family and friends was the favored wintertime activity. In 1984 John and Inez returned to Portland, when John was appointed managing partner of his firm. They built their dream home with a view of the sunsets. John volunteered for several organizations including Meals on Wheels, Rotary Int’l, and UP service projects. When John retired, he still played, but also took on new responsibilities like grocery shopping and cooking meals. He was a loving caregiver for Inez for many years. Shortly after Inez passed in late 2019, he moved in with daughter Carolyn, Erik and Lucia. Still somewhat independent, he did require caregivers after a fall. We found assistants in Monica and Nadia, who loved John like a grandfather. He was a devout Catholic, as an altar boy, Eucharist minister and lector. John loved life, his family and friends. For this eternal optimist, every day was a “bluebird” day. 

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 John is survived by his children, Susan (David) Wainwright, Sandra (Matthew) Obradovich, Joanne (Randy) Stormberg, Carolyn Becic (Erik Hopkins); sister Lucille Becic Martin (Gerald); thirteen devoted grandchildren; six adorable great-grandchildren; and numerous close-knit nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his loving wife, Inez (Olson) Becic; his parents, Ivan and Lucy Tomic Becic from Croatia; and brother Thomas and wife, Marilyn. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the John N Becic Endowed Scholarship at the University of Portland.