Gilbert J. Popovich

Goyko Gilbert J. Popovich was born on March 29, 1927 in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California and passed away in Pasadena, California on December 5, 2025 at the age of 98.

Gilbert's parents, Jovan and Mara Popovich had a family of ten children; five boys and five girls. Gilbert was the sixth child to be born in his family and he was grateful to have had as his godparents, Gjurica and Mara Radich.

Gilbert attended Roosevelt High School from 1943 – 1945. During WWII, a Victory Garden Contest was held at the school. Gilbert won first prize. His gift was a pitchfork which is still in use today.

In 1945, his senior year, Gilbert enlisted in the Navy. He left the Los Angeles Union Station and headed towards Bayonne, New Jersey for basic training. This trip, via a gas lit train, took three days. After basic training, Gilbert was assigned to the USS Breckenridge. This ship carried 5,000 servicemen from New York to Marseille, France. After the war was over Gilbert returned to the United States. New York greeted him with many fireboats spraying tons of water everywhere. On his last voyage he took 5,000 troops to the Philippines. War was over. The ship docked in Long Beach, California. Gilbert was discharged in San Pedro, California.

Gilbert decided to continue his education and used the “G.I. bill” to earn a Bachelors of Arts at UCLA and then went on to earn a Masters of Arts Degree at USC in education. Gilbert's career in education began in 1952. Gilbert was assigned as a teacher at the Fourth Street Elementary School in Los Angeles. Gilbert became a training teacher and went on to become a teacher’s consultant for grades 3 - 6 for the East District, eventually becoming Vice Principal at Belvedere and Telfair Elementary Schools. Finally, he took the position as Principal of the 68th Street School before becoming Principal at (then) Loreto Elementary School. Gilbert retired after 31 years of service in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

At Saint Stevens Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, Gilbert worked with the catering group. Gilbert specialized in making appetizers for weddings, Slavas and birthdays. When the Cathedral held Bingos, Gilbert worked for years, once a week, in the kitchen preparing food for the players. For three years Gilbert was appointed the first Camp Director for Saint Sava Church located in Jackson, California. For eight years Gilbert has been President for the Saint Stevens Senior Club. Working for the Serbian United Benevolent Society, Gilbert held every office and for years and as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Gilbert enjoyed hosting parties which he held with his lifelong companion Dr. Jack R. McClellan. They traveled all over the world together and even went into the antique business for five years with Dr. Jack.

Gilbert leaves a large extended family members and friends. A Funeral Liturgy will be held at Saint Stevens Orthodox Cathedral, 1621 West Garvey Avenue, Alhambra, CA on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 11:00am. Burial will immediately follow the Funeral Liturgy at the Serbian Cemetery, 4355 East Second Street, Los Angeles. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jack McClellan and Gilbert Popovich Endowment Fund at Saint Steven Orthodox Cathedral or to the Mausoleum Fund of the Serbian United Benevolent Society, P.O. Box 1086, Alhambra, California 91801.