John Antone Banovich peacefully passed away July 7th 2016 .
John was born to Nika and Antone Banovich. He was the youngest of 5 brothers, William " Bo" Grmoljez, Nick Grmoljez, Mathew " Zowie" Grmoljez, and Eli Banovich. John was raised on the East Side, Sacred Heart Parish and spent most his life in Butte Montana. He married the love of his life Mary "Cass" Rafferty July 5th 1951. They spent the next 65 years making each other laugh.
John graduated from Butte Central High School where he was an All-state football player. He went to St Mary's College on a football scholarship. And played football on a scholarship at Portland University John later joined the Army and then returned home where he began working as a lineman for the Montana Power Company. He ended his work career as a Supervisor with Mountain Bell Phone Company.
John was fortunate enough to retire early so he could focus on the true loves of his life, his family, fishing, hunting, and pull-tabs. Nothing meant more to John than his family. If you ever talked to John he was sure to tell you a joke and about one of his kids or grandkids.
John spent many a day fishing the many rivers in Southwest Montana and in his later years Georgetown lake. John and his great friend Fran Johnson spent many hours talking about fishing as well as actually fishing. He had many hunting partners in his 70 plus years of hunting, but his best times hunting were with his family sons John and Tony, Grandson Tim Walsh and Nephews Dr. Paul Grmoljez and Bill Grmoljez.
John was known for his quick wit and amazing sense of humor. He was always ready with a joke or a sly remark. A conversation with John was sure to include lots of laughs, sometimes at your own expense.
John is preceded in death by his parents Nika and Antone Banovich, brothers and sisters-in-laws, William "Bo" (Mayme) Grmoljez, Mathew "Zowie" (Ginger) Gromljez, Nick (Mary Kay) Grmoljez, Eli (Betty) Banovich, and granddaughters Nika Therese Walsh, and Brylee Banovich.
John is survived by his wife Mary Catherine "Cass" Banovich, Daughter Teri Walsh and son-in-law John Walsh, Son Tony Banovich and Daughter-in-law Erin McCarthy, Son John Banovich and daughter-in-law Amy Banovich, Daughter Cathy Cooper, Grandson Dr. Dan Walsh and his wife Dr. Julie Kikuchi, Grandson Tim Walsh, Grandson Chris Walsh and his wife Jana Walsh, Grandson Jake Banovich and his wife Amanda Banovich, Granddaughter Mary Reddick, Grandson Nick Banovich and his wife Katy Banovich, Granddaughter Zoe Banovich and her fiancé Nick Villasenor, Granddaughters Sianna Banovich and Mara Banovich, Great grandkids Jeffrey Franklin, Isaac Franklin, Anthony Franklin, Briana Franklin, Eli Reddick, Molly Walsh, Katie Walsh, Cody Walsh, Shea Banovich and Korbin Banovich, Emery Banovich and Greyson Banovich and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends are asked to join the family on Monday after 5:00 PM in the Duggan Dolan Mortuary Chapel. Parish vigil will be recited at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11:00 am in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, located on Majors Avenue. numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers donations are requested to Butte Food Bank or charity of donor's choice.
As John would tell you, "Take her slow and Watch me Go"