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In Memory

Joseph Domnanovich - Class Of 1937 VIEW PROFILE

Joseph Domnanovich

Joseph J. Domnanovich

March 18, 1919 - Jan. 20, 2009
SOUTH BEND - Joseph John Domnanovich, of Birmingham, passed away on January 20, 2009 at Princeton Hospital at the age of 89. Mr. Domnanovich was born on March 18, 1919 in South Bend, IN, to Matthew Domnanovich and Ursula Griener.

He graduated from Riley High School and is a member of the Riley High School Football Hall of Fame. He was recruited to the University of Alabama by Coach Frank Thomas which he attended until his graduation in 1943. While at Alabama he earned three varsity letters, and played football from 1939 until 1943. The 1942 team elected him captain and he was a consensus All-American (including the Croatian All American team) center, outstanding two way player in 1942, and was named to the Orange Bowl's All-Time team after recording a safety in a come-from-behind win over Boston College in 1943. Mr. Domnanovich was selected to the All-Time Alabama Team for the first 50 years (1892-1942) of Crimson Tide Football.

After his time at college he served in the 3rd Army European Theater Special Services from 1943 to 1946. He served first as a PT instructor and later organized sporting events for the soldiers overseas. After his military service he played 6 years of professional football first with the Boston Yanks (1946-1948), the New York Bulldogs (1949), and finally the New York Yanks (1950-1951). After his football career he went to work for U.S. Steel retiring in 1981 after 30 years as a Supervisor. He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of fame in 1984 and the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1989. He was a member of the St. Mark United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Rudolph and his wife, Marge Domnanovich, his sister, Agnes and her husband John Billisitz, and his other sister, Helen and her husband George Tschida.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elizabeth E. Domnanovich; son, Joseph M. and his wife Joan Domnanovich; grandson, John David and his wife Kristy Domnanovich; granddaughter, Kathryn Marie Domnanovich; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held today, January 23, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Ridout's Elmwood Chapel with Rev. David Wallace and Rev. Jack Weisman officiating. Family and friends have met at the funeral home for procession to Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be at Ridout's Elmwood Chapel Thursday, January 22, 2009 from 5 to 7 p.m. Honorary Pallbearers will be his former Alabama teammates. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Jan. 23, 2009.

06/24/2023 EJS

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/southbendtribune/name/joseph-domnanovich-obituary?id=14532729



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