Marcel Dragin
July 28, 1914 - January 13, 2009
Obituary
Marcel was born in Zman, a small village on the island of Dugi Otok in Croatia, to parents Mate and Marija Dragin. Marcel was the oldest male in a family of 9 children. He spent his early life farming and fishing with his family.
In the early 1940s, Marcel left Croatia to work on a cargo ship. He spent many years traveling the globe on cargo ships visiting Europe, South America, and Africa. He came to America in the late 40s, and settled in San Pedro, CA where he worked as a commercial fisherman, mainly fishing in Mexico. He spent his free time bowling in a league and acting in plays at the Yugoslav Club in San Pedro.
Marcel went back to Croatia to visit in 1952 and married Violet on August 13 of that year. Violet joined Marcel in San Pedro in 1956 and they began their happy life together. They enjoyed going out dancing, socializing with Croatian friends and family, and raising their three daughters, Diane, Lory, and Julie. Marcel continued to work as a commercial fisherman and was the designated cook on the boat. His fellow fisherman loved his cooking! The family moved to Seattle in 1976 where Marcel semi-retired. He did, however, continue working by mending fishing nets and doing occasional commercial fishing.
Marcel enjoyed cooking, gardening especially planting fig trees and tomatoes, making his 100% pure homemade wine, spending summers in Croatia, and telling fishing and family stories. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and getting to know his grandchildren Dylan and Jude.
Marcel is survived by his wife of 56 years, Violet; daughters Diane Mark, Lory Michael, and Julie Wes; grandchildren Dylan and Jude; and sisters Regina and Anka.
We will love and miss him longer than forever.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John Church in Zman, Croatia c/o the family.
Draga Ljubica i obitelj,
Primite svi skupa nase duboko i iskreno saucesce.
Kalina i Venko
Marcel was a very generous man. He was always willing to share his thoughts and recipes. I remember staying with the family one summer at his house in Zman and he made me feel right at home. Everytime I pass by his house I remember the good times we all shared.
I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda – Ballard Senior Center
I wish I had known this handsome guy in his younger years, but am so happy to have met him more recently. I enjoyed his passion and memories of fishing and cooking on the ship. He always so generously asked about the well being of my father even though he was struggling with health issues himself. Violet, Lory, Diane, and Julie, you couldn’t have done more to enrich his life. He delighted in his love for you, his sons in law and, of course, Dylan and Jude. I know your loss is huge, but I hope many colorful and warm family memories will help fill the void. My best wishes to you for peace at this sad time. Fondly, Nancy
We are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Dear Ljubica, Julie, Diane, and Lory, I’m so sorry for your loss and am thinking about you during this difficult time.
Love,
Lali
To Julie and your family: I only met your dad twice and didn’t have much opportunity to talk to him and get to know him, but what I did have the opportunity to witness was the love that you all had for him. It was evident in how you cared for him and were so devoted to spending time with him. Jude was so lucky to have had this time with his grandfather. My heart goes out to you and I’m thinking of you all at this sad time.
– Rebecca