John G. "Hack" Radich

August 6, 2015 – John G. “Hack” Radich crossed the great divide and entered the valleys of peace. He is now home with his many loved ones. He was born April 12, 1932 to the late Captain Petar J. Radich and Mary Guich (Rawdika) Radich, both from Croatia. Hack was preceded in death by his 4 brothers and 5 sisters, Nick (Razoo) Radich, Andrew (Amos) Radich, Peter (Blake) Radich, Tony (Mac) Radich, Nic (Willy) Strayham, Etta (Yid) Radich, Peggy Radich, Victoria Radich, and Stella Radich; his wife Delores Romero Radich; and his grandson Jared Anthony Radich. Hack is survived by his 3 sons John M. Radich, Greg P. (Elisa) Radich, and Marc Radich; his 6 grandchildren, Derek (Shari) Radich, Nicky Radich, Jimmy (Jenna) Radich, Linsey Radich, Chad (Christy) Radich, and Anna Radich; his 8 great grandchildren Kaylee Lizana, Piper Radich, Greenlee Radich, Silas Radich, Alexia Radich, Aliyah Radich, Lily Radich, and Ty Radich. May 31, 1952 he married the best looking redhead on the point, and the 1949 BHS homecoming queen. Delores Romero Radich was the daughter of Edvard and Edith (Noo-Noon) Romero. This union blessed them with 3 sons, John, Greg (Elisa), and Marc. The house was full of grand and great grandchildren. Hack and Doe were maw maw and paw paw to all and many more and have always considered themselves extremely blessed with very loving family. Hack was an extremely talented athlete playing red-line, caddy, swimming, rowing, baseball, softball, and football-very little basketball. He built his muscles with a shovel and wheelbarrow at the factories shoveling oysters and shrimp. The park on the point had swings and exercise bars, a regulation softball diamond was cut out by the point kids and the clay and bleachers were supplied by the city. They were set to play ball. The Point Caddy team, with Hack, 16, as catcher and Matt Kuluz, 15, as Pitcher went on to win several championships around the state in many different leagues. Hack graduated from St. Michael’s Sister school class of 1946-47. He went on as a freshman to Biloxi Junior High (Uptown School). It was the beginning of a rewarding athletic career and a costly career with a serious injury. His sophomore year he was a starter on the BHS football team, which belonged to the big 8 conference. As a fullback his junior year he was mentioned All-Big 8 and in 1949 he was All-Big 8 running back and linebacker. He missed 8 games his senior year due to injuries, one of which cost him 8 teeth. Dr. Steve “Chick” Pitalo performed medical wonders on his mouth. After many surgeries Hack was fitted with 2 plates and Chick said “damn you look good”. The 1949 homecoming game was a bad one for Hack. Who was sitting on the sideline as homecoming queen? None other than the beautiful redhead from the point, Hack’s bride to be, Delores Romero. The first Mississippi High School North/South game was played in Jackson in 1950. Hack was a member of the south team as a running-back/linebacker. The teams were coached by college coaches, Yale’s Herman Hickman and Florida’s Bob Woodruff. One coach on Herman Hickman’s staff was a Yugoslav and he would speak to Hack in Juga and sometimes yell at him. The other players would look at Hack and say “do you understand him?” and Hack would nod back saying “yes”. This went on even during the all-star game, it was fun for everybody. Hack was courted by several schools. He chose to go to Mississippi State. He did well on the football fields but not so hot in the classrooms. He left at the semesters end and Perk offered him a baseball scholarship. He attended Perk for 1 year playing baseball and football. His presence was not well seen in the classrooms. He joked about his report card 1 F, 1 D, 1 C, and 2 V’s, it was asked “what’s the V’s for?”, “visitor” he replied. On March 17, 1952 Hack fulfilled an early childhood dream that started when he saw all the WWII heroes coming home that had marked his memory. He joined the United States Marines. After boot camp and combat training, he was sent to his first and only duty station, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. After just a few short months he was sent to a high tech aviation (engine) school, yes “SCHOOL”. It was not well received by Hack, but all that would change on the first day of class by a Tech Sergeant that had a very low tolerance for foolishness. Hack was not only a student, but a good one. He topped out in his class and all other schools later on. That was the beginning of his new outlook on the books. Right at his second active year he was a Buck Sergeant, his rank came quickly. 1954, Spring Time, Captain JJ Quinn put the squadron fast pitch softball team together, who were very good with a good record. The team had good ball players, some with pro experience. Captain Quinn entered the team in the New Bern City League, a very competitive league, and they came in first. The bleachers were always full and not friendly to the Marine team. Hack was the catcher on the team and hit a lot of home-runs, sometimes 2 in a game. The feelings towards the Marines were about to change. Locals found out the catcher that was hitting all the home-runs was from Mississippi and he and his wife lived in New Bern. The locals adopted Hack and Doe even though he had a strange last name and a different accent. Captain Quinn talked to Hack about the Cherry Point Flyers baseball team. Hack signed up and was assigned to special services. At Flyer’s practice the press was there every day interviewing 2 players. One played with a Philly’s farm team and the other was all Japan. Both were considered hot prospects. Both played left field, were good, and they knew it. They had little to say to the other players, and that was all the motivation that Hack needed. He told the Manager he was trying out for left field, he laughed. He asked “did you read the papers?”, and Hack replied “I did and that’s why I decided to try out for left field”. Hack started in left field. The first game against Connecticut University, he had a double in 3 at bats. At the next practice, Hack, while at bat (no helmet) was hit in the left temple with a pitched ball, fracturing his skull and injuring his neck. He was hospitalized 27 days, a close call. His baseball career was over. Two highlights, he saw Captain Ted Williams and Willie Mays while at Cherry Point. Willie was with an Army team, and he was great then. Ted, a fighter pilot. While in Cherry Point, NC, Hack’s 2 oldest boys John and Greg were born (Tarheels). Later in 2005, Greg’s son, Staff Sergeant Chad Radich and wife Christy were stationed there also, and their first baby girl Alexia was born in the same hospital. Hack, Doe, and their 2 Tarheels returned to Biloxi in 1955 making their home on Point Caddy. He was employed at Keesler Air Force Base as an engine technician. A reduction in force later ended his Keesler Air Force Base career. He then opened up Hack’s Standard Service on Howard Avenue. The re-routing of traffic from Howard Avenue to the beach was a big blow to the business. In 1963 Hack was hired by the Bellingrath Foundation Coca-Cola plant in Ocean Springs. He also spent some time working at the Vancleave warehouse, and worked the last 8 years with the company out of Mobile, Alabama. He came up through the ranks from production to vending technician to shop foreman and then retired as manager of the refurbishing department. In 1963 Hack and Doe also moved across Back Bay to the St. Martin community. They were very active in school, summer programs, and church. He was also a member of the D’Iberville Knights of Columbus Council 9094. He served as financial secretary for 7 years. He also worked the Sacred Heart Bazaar drink booth for 25 years. In 1976 Hack was elected to the Jackson County Board of Education with Arthur Quave and Tommy Brodnax. People were looking for changes, and they got them. Hack served 6 years and was later appointed to the board 2 times for a total of 9 years. St. Martin, Vancleave, and East Central were close to the bottom of the 162 state school districts even though they were in the second richest county in the state. Changes were necessary, especially at St. Martin, and they were made. Top administrators were replaced, and in just a short time 3 new schools and a vo-tech were built. These major changes within the district elevated the performance of the Jackson County Schools, and these schools are still recognized as some of the State’s best to this day. The new St. Martin school was designated with a full house of supporters. Hack was recognized for his service by the district’s dedication of the new high school library now named John G. Radich Library. While Hack lived life to the fullest, he also touched the lives of many around him. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 10, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. The Howard Avenue Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.