Obituary of Michael Rozovich

Michael Rozovich, Sr., 95, of Lexington, died on June 9, 2023. He is survived by Janis Stephens Rozovich, his wife of 70 years. Born on July 27, 1927, in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was the son of Gus and Mary Savin Rozovich. Mike graduated from Lafayette High School in 1946 and went on to serve in the United States Army, driving a truck for the USO throughout Allied-occupied Germany. In 1982, he retired from the U.S. Postal Service after a 34-year career and enjoyed a long and happy retirement.

Having grown up on a farm, Mike liked vegetable gardening and always aspired to pick his first vine-ripened tomato of the summer by the Fourth of July. He boasted the biggest compost heap in the neighborhood and was more than happy to share his “black gold” with anyone who asked.

Born with a great sense of rhythm, Mike played the drums in his high school band (and beyond), and he had such fun keeping the beat. He was a music lover with eclectic tastes and amassed an enviable collection of 78’s, vinyl and CD’s.

Always interested in sports, Mike closely followed the UK Wildcats and was a lifelong fan of the Cincinnati Reds. Although he never wielded a club, he enjoyed watching golf on TV and, much to his delight, was once able to attend a final round at The Masters.

In his younger days, Mike was a member of several bowling leagues, and he brought home many trophies that he proudly displayed (though a perfect game eluded him).

Mike was also an avid reader with a strong preference for non-fiction written on any interesting topic. This wide-ranging curiosity endowed him with a vast store of factoids that made him almost unbeatable in a game of trivia.

An adventurous eater, Mike appreciated good food. Although he had an unfortunate tendency to cook (and burn) everything on high heat on a kitchen stove, he was a master of his classic Weber Kettle (as well as his smoker) and delighted in grilling up delicious meals all summer long.

Mike loved to travel and experience the wider world. In addition to several trips to Mediterranean Europe and a few cruises in the Caribbean, one summer he and a friend embarked on a month-long, cross-country road trip in a vintage 1957 T-Bird.

Although he went to many far-flung places, the trips Mike enjoyed most were the many holidays he spent with his family on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, relishing the quiet beauty of the beach in the off-season and creating some wonderful memories to cherish.

Mike never met a stranger and made friends easily with his outgoing and gregarious ways. His sunny personality will be missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two children, Michael Rozovich II (Jennifer) of Aiken, South Carolina, and Mona Rozovich (Lee Irwin) of Lexington, Kentucky; one grandchild, Lindsay Brooke Rozovich (Ronny Bates); two great grandchildren, Audrey Rozovich and Ruby Nell Bates; and his sister, Mary Elaine Mathews, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Adam Michael Rozovich.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Bluegrass Care Navigators.