Andrew "Andy" Joseph Vitaljic

Andrew Joseph Vitaljic was born October 15th, 1932, in Bellingham, WA to Joseph and Nina (Razovic) Vitaljic. On September 23rd, 2024, three weeks before his 92nd birthday, Andy unexpectedly passed away with his wife at his side. Andy is a third-generation fisherman of proud Croation heritage. He started his career in the fish business at age 14 with a one-quarter share of the catch as a deck hand on the Red Feather fishing boat. Andy was always excited about the next opportunity, next invention, and next big idea. He designed and built king crab pots for the Alaska fisheries, the “bubbleator” for faster tempering of fish, and an automatic “descaler” for salmon. His mind never stopped figuring out how to improve processes, make things run more efficiently, and buy more salmon, up until the very last hour of his life. Andy Married Alice Olson and together they raised three daughters. He married his second wife, Jill Acuff, and they shared 37 years before her ill-timed passing. Andy married his third wife, Erin Ossewarde, in 2009 and together they shared his remaining years running their business’ with profits towards feeding the hungry and animal advocacy and conservation. One of Andy’s proudest accomplishments was bringing to fruition his life-long dream of “Feeding the Hungry.” Together with hundreds of volunteers from Christ the King Church, they grew hundreds of thousands of pounds of fruits and vegetables, on land donated at Hannegan Properties, for food banks in Whatcom County. His legacy will live on. Andy is survived by his wife, Erin Vitaljic; sister Katherine Reynolds; daughters Karen Evich (Tom); Susan Springmeyer (Steve), Linda Vitaljic (Mike), grandchildren Jordan Evich (Helena), Cresey Gratteau (Evan); great grandchildren Henry, Elenor, Tatum, Harper and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, first and second wives, and sisters Joann (Ed) Nelson, Vera (Harlan) Todahl. Andy was a kind and generous man. He loved deeply and cared for his family and friends with unconditional love. Along with his passion for feeding the hungry, and commitment to forty-nine consecutive years marshaling the Desert Classic Charity golf tournament, he had three other interests: fish, fishing, and the fish business. If there were such a thing as reincarnation, no doubt Andy would return to the sea as an enormous Chinook Salmon in all his glory. We lost our loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, friend, and partner. Heavy hearts have Peace knowing that Andy has achieved all of God’s Glory and is in Heaven with Jesus Christ his Lord and Savior. Funeral Services will be Tuesday, October 15, 2024 @ 1:00pm at Moles Farewell Tributes – Bayview Chapel located at 2465 Lakeway Dr. Bellingham, WA. 98229. All are welcome to join in the celebration of this legendary man’s extraordinary life.

Andrew "Andy" Joseph Vitaljic

October 15, 1932 - September 23, 2024