Stanley J. Bezich

Sergeant Stanley J. Bezich was born in 1921, the first child born in America to Luca D. (Louis D.) and Jozica (Josephine) Bezich, who had immigrated to the United States from Austria-Hungary in 1909 with their son Toma (Thomas). In 1930 the family owned the home at 414 Webster Street in Camden NJ. Daughter Carmelia came in 1923, and Anthony in 1925.

Stanley Bezich grew up on Webster Street. His next door neighbor at 416 Webster was Robert Miles. Stanley attended the John W. Mickle School at South 6th and Van Hook Street and Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden. After he left school, he operated a record shop at 608 Ferry Avenue in Camden. He was a member of the Croatian Union social organization.

Stanley Bezich was inducted into the United States Army on February 22, 1943. In March of 1944, he married Ada Anacich. He went overseas on June 5, 1944. He was killed in action on November 27, 1944, at the age of 22. His body was returned to the United States after the war and he was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Delaware Township (Cherry Hill) NJ on April 12, 1948, where he rests with his parents, brother Toma, and sister-in-law Mary C. Bezich.

Stanley Bezich was survived by his wife, Ada; his parents; his sister Carmelia; and his two brothers, Anthony, who served in the Navy, and Thomas.

Mary Begich and Raymond Kline, members of the 8A graduating class at Mickle School, Sixth and Van Hook Streets, were honored as recipients of American Legion Award medals at graduation exercises.

The exercises were conducted by Mark G. Messinger, principal of the school. Commander John Henderson, of the Post Office American Legion Post, presented the awards. Mary Begich had the additional honor of possessing a perfect report for the past school term.

Members of the class are:

Mary Begich, Pauline Berkeschuk, Elsie Bock, Doris Bonaker, Palmina Delphidio, Betty Fine, Dorothy Goncheroff, Grace Lauria, Teresa Mascio, Milda Melfi, Filomena Parisi, Marian Van Stine, Elizabeth Vitale, Mary Vitale, Vera Waters; Ernest Anthony, Stanley Bezich, James Brandemarte, Martin Di Carlantonio, Carmen Di Gracomo, George Gordon, Raymond Kline, Michael Macorsky, Michael Mekich, Vedice Romond, Louis Severance, Samuel Shute, Joseph Sohocki and Leonard Sonnenberg.