Victor Steve Kaloper
Obituary
Victor Vic Steve Kaloper passed away peacefully at 6:14 a.m. Saturday, November 27, 2010, at Swedish Medical Center. A native Seattleite, Vic was the youngest of two sons born to Matilda and Victor Kaloper, originally from the southern coastal region of Dalmatia, in Croatia. Raised in a strong Slavic community, Vic graduated from West Seattle High School after which he enlisted in the US Navy. His next venture would begin what was to become a long and successful entrepreneurial career in the grocery business, first at the Ken’s Market stores in the Greenwood and Queen Anne neighborhoods, Marketime Foods in Fremont, and then Apple Foods in Madison Park, where genuine customer appreciation and employee accolades reflected his ‘people first’ philosophy. With keeping busy as a mantra, Vic’s ‘pay it forward’ retirement included volunteering as a tutor for young readers at B. F. Day Elementary School. His ever positive attitude, strong ethics, relentless approach to work, genuine interest in others, and, unconditional generosity, were intrinsic to his character. He enjoyed vacationing with his family in Hawaii, boating excursions with his son to the San Juan Islands and on Lake Washington, and, visiting extended family in California. The Seahawks and Sonics may not have had a more ardent fan, one who would generously invite others, or, to whom he would give his season tickets, for rare games he, himself, could not attend. An avid reader versed in world history and geography, coupled with a long anticipated trip to his parents’ homeland where he met many relatives for the first time, became a treasured experience. A lifetime member of the Croatian Fraternal Union, Lodge 439, Vic enjoyed both the cuisine and music of his cultural heritage, and, could take an enviable turn on the dance floor. A loving husband, dedicated father, wonderful father-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, great uncle, cousin, respectful son-in-law, admired business partner and employer, ever gracious host, and, loyal friend to many from all walks of life, he will be missed beyond measure. He is survived by his wife Danica Antovich, son Bradley, daughter-in-law Yvette Colpitts, numerous sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and, cousins in Washington, California, and, Croatia. His father and mother, and, brother, John Kaloper, preceded him in death. May peace be with you, Victor, and, may your memory be eternal. Rosary Service, 7:30 p.m., Friday, December 3, 2010, St. Bridget Church, 4900 NE 50th ST, Seattle, WA. Funeral Mass, 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 4, 2010, St. Bridget Church. Interment, Holyrood Cemetery, 205 NE 205th ST, Shoreline, WA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to ‘Hope Heart Institute,’ Bellevue, WA, ‘Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation,’ Seattle, WA, ‘Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation,’ Seattle, WA, or a charity of your choice.
Dear Danica, Bradley, Yvette and family,
Sean, the kids and I were very sorry to hear of Vic’s passing. It was a pleasure and an honor to have known him. None of us will forget his elegance, charm, kindness and good humor. We will miss Vic. Please let us add our thoughts and prayers to the many, many others who are wishing all of you the best at this sad time.
Dear Danica, Bradley, Yvette and family,
Sean, the kids and I were very sorry to hear of Vic’s passing. It was a pleasure and an honor to have known him. None of us will forget his elegance, charm, kindness and good humor. We will miss Vic. Please let us add our thoughts and prayers to the many, many others who are wishing all of you the best at this sad time.
I met Vic in the 1970’s he always said hello when I would come to shop and never forgot my name. Vic sold us the champagne for our wedding, then watched my wife and I raise three children here in Fremont. Vic has a lot of friends like me, Fremont neighbors, he took good care of us, supplying good food for our families.
Rick and I met Vic just 3 years ago when our niece, Yvette, and Brad started dating. We were impressed with his gentleness and kindness. A few more trips to Seattle enabled us to share time with Vic and Danika and came to know him as a true gentle-man. Danika, Brad, Yvette..we know you will miss his presence in your lives but hold close the memory of his warm and loving heart.
God bless you! Rick and Esther Colpitts
I have shopped at Marketime for about 38 years. I remember Mr. Kaloper very well. He was always so pleasant and made you really feel food about shopping at a neighborhood store. I think his legacy lives on as the store is still a friendly, helpful place. He really made a difference. My prayers to his family.
Christine
In our hearts Vic you will never be forgotten. You are deeply loved by all of us. You will be deeply missed as a true friend, husband and father to Brad whom you were so proud of.
May you rest in peace
Love,
Jerry, Nickie, Gus & Renee Courounes
Vic was a wonderful and giving person. My condelences to Danika, Brad and Yvette for this loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I was a customer of Vic’s at Marketime in Fremont. My daughter worked there in high school. Vic was such a good friend to both of us! I was always so glad to come into the store and see Vic, if just for a minute. He was very caring, and he was also one of the hardest workers I’ve ever encountered. I am so thankful to have known him.
great boss,looked after our family in many ways. Grateful, grateful….
Vic. You were the gentlest of men, with a warm and generous heart. I’ll miss you greatly!
Dear Danika and Bradley-
I am sorry to hear of Victor’s passing. It’s impossible to think of him and not instantly recall his kind smile that was ever-present. My thoughts go out to all of you.
Sincerely,
Kaley Wallen Linton
Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. I learned more from Vic than I ever realized and respected him more than he knew. He was a very honorable man and I’m glad to have met him.
We will miss Vic very much. He was a gracious and loving gentleman who we were privileged to have known. The twenty years of friendship we have developed with his son Brad have given us such a precious glimpse of the deep bond Vson had to his family– as a husband, father, friend and role model. His generous spirit and kindness to family, friends and strangers will always be fondly remembered. Our hearts go out to Danica, Brad, and the whole Kaloper family.
Victorio is what I called him.He always made Jack and I feel welcomed in his home as I recall the many dinner parties vic an danica hosted.Danica I will be praying for you and Bradley for God to comfort you at this very difficult time.I will not be able to attend the service for vic but please know that I will be thinking of you. Love Jean Newell
Vic Kaloper was a true Gentlemen.
Our hearts go out to you and Bradley at this very difficult time.
Ritchie & joni Batttey
It was with a great sense of loss when we heard of Vic’s passing.
We wanted to let you know that you have our greatest sympathy and our hearts are truly saddened with your loss.
Vic was more than a wonderful person, he was always so kind and considerate to our family and we always welcomed seeing him at our family get togethers.
Vic will always remain within our hearts and we have included Vic and your family in our daily prayers.
Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you
The Perry Family,
Ed,Phyllis,Mike, Dennis & Karen
We’ve had the pleasure of knowing Vic since 1979 when we moved to Fremont. I always knew where in the store to find him every day — on his hands and knees stocking the wine selection with pristine care. He was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. If it wasn’t 5 minutes of talking back and forth, it was 15….. then back to stocking the wine! If by chance I didn’t see him, he always knew I’d been in, as he’d find my check in the till signed “Peter B. Mayor of Upper Fremont”.
It was a great friendship Vic, and you’ll be sorely missed by all.
peter b.
Mayor of Upper Fremont
Vic was a lifelong friend, a person who always greeted you with a smile and firm hand shake. I knew his family and interacted with them on many occasions.
I admired his accomplishments and his overwhelming compassion for his fellowman. He’s certainly going to be missed.
Frank Zuvela
Some of my earliest memories of being a new kid in Seattle include spending time at the Kalloper home, and Mr. Kalloper always made sure to let me know that I was welcome. My very first Seahawks game, where I got to watch Steve Largent and Jim Zorn in real life, was a result of the generosity of Mr. Kalloper, who took Brad and me to the Kingdome for a game one autumn. I’ll never forget his warm smile and gentle demeanor…I only hope to be able to emulate the high standard that he set. Your memory lives on in those of us who were paying attention…your efforts were appreciated. Rest in peace.
Deepest condolences to Danica, Bradley, and others on Vic’s passing. Vic will remain a very bright spot amongst all the people I’ve been privileged to know. Time spent with him was always interesting and educational, and I always looked forward to the luncheons we had with my brother Don when I’d get back to Seattle.
Vic’s passing leaves a big hole in many people and communities, but his life left a wonderful legacy — certainly in his family but also in the communities in which he worked, lived, and served — that will endure for a very long time. What a terrific guy.
Dear Danika and Bradley:
Linda and I are in Cabo until Saturday December 4, and I just received a message from my Sister about Vic’s passing. It is such sad news for all of us who loved and admired Vic. He was one of the great men of my life, and I enjoyed working for him more than for any other employer. He was interested in everything and everyone. We discussed history, sports, family, ethics, morality and just about everything. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was so much fun to be with.
He and Danika were always so proud of Bradley, and when I attended his marriage to his beautiful bride it was obvious what a wonderful and proud family you all had become.
Sadly, I will not be back in Seattle until after the Memorial service and Mass are completed; however, I am and will be with you in spirit. His loss is felt by all of us, though I know it is hardest on the ones he loved most: Danika, Bradley, and Bradley’s beautiful wife.
Don Lorentz and Family
Vic and his partner Ken hired me at Marketime in 1987 when I was in 10th grade. I have come to view Vic’s hiring me as a generous act of charity. Vic was patient, protective, vigilant, responsible, fair, and kind. He had a great sense of fun. I’ll always remember that he loved to dress up for Halloween. He got the whole crew in on it, even scheduling people to work for just an hour or two so we’d all have to come up with costumes. And he always wore a Santa hat with us at Christmas, too. Three years ago I finally called Vic to thank him. I wanted him to know that I still talk about my first job, and how much it taught me about life and how to treat people. I was happy to hear how much he was enjoying retirement and how well Bradley and Danica were doing. Vic was unique, and his family was the center of his world. I know you miss him and I’m so sorry he’s gone.