Bozdar Bulovic
Boz Bulovic was born at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago, Illinois on June 29, 1922 to Nikola and Rose Bulovic. He departed this life on April 22, 2020. Except for several years during WWII, Boz lived in the Chicago area for his entire life. Boz was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ann, and his brother Milan. Boz is survived by his son Mark (Laureen), many nieces and nephews, and friends across the country and around the world.
Boz graduated from Tilden Technical High School at the top of his class. After working as a tool and die maker in war related industry, he received a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He then “cruised” the Pacific in the engine room of a tanker hauling aviation fuel to allied flyers in New Guinea and India. He received a degree in marine engineering from the Academy, earning the Bailey Award given each year to the:
“Marine Engineering Midshipman who has consistently manifested the qualities characteristic of a mature officer such as loyalty, integrity, leadership, bearing and aptitude for service with the highest GPA . . . .”
Boz returned to Chicago in 1946 and enrolled at Northwestern University, completing a degree in mechanical engineering in less than three years while again working as a machinist. He also married Ann (nee’ Rogulic) whom he had known since grammar school, and to whom he was married for 70 years until she died in his arms in 2017.
In 1949, Boz joined the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. as an engineer in its Chicago chewing gum factory. Over a 37 year career there, he rose through the ranks to retire as Executive Vice President and a Director of the company.
During his free time, Boz enjoyed a wide range of activities. He was a competitive swimmer and judoka. He was among the first Chicagoans to take up scuba diving and underwater cinematography in the early 1950s. He was an avid sailor, fisherman, sculptor, painter, and magician. He loved music. He loved to travel. He loved to design, build, and repair things. He was insatiably curious about our world. And above all, he loved to laugh.
Because of the current pandemic, we must defer a celebration of Boz’s life. However, we welcome anyone who cares to share a story about Boz to send it to bulo@comcast.net. Please indicate whether the family is free to share the stories with others.
Ms. Berteli Puey deserves special thanks. She cared for the late Ann Bulovic, and then stayed on to care for Boz through the final minutes of his life with competence, patience, and devotion.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside at 708-352-6500.
My condolences to Mark and family to the lost of his
Father , he was a good man and I learned a lot from him while working with him, he use to tell me save money for my self . Thank you 🙏 Boz for l the good times that you shared to us , no more pain and you
Have a better place in heaven with Ann now.
Boz was one of those rare individuals who had time for everyone and gave everyone equal time. He taught me to be succinct, a lesson I passed on to my son’s. It was an honor to have worked and fished with you Boz.
Wm. M. Piet
I had the pleasure to serve as Director of Life Enrichment at Plymouth Place. for 8 years. Boz welcomed me the first day I began and enriched my life with his friendship. He will be missed! My condolences to his family.
I had the honor of working with Mr. Bulovic at the Wrigley Company in the 80s and 90s. He was alsways kind, generous with his time and absolutely unpretentious. Over time we discovered that Boz and Ann had lived in an apartment in a three flat that my Grandfather owned in Evergreen Park in the late 40s or early 50s. We had other connections as well – my dad went to Tilden, worked as a machinist and went to night school to get his degree. He was a true gentleman and I feel lucky to have known him.