Roy (Milivoj) Viducich

Roy (Milivoj) Viducich, 84, of Smithtown, NY passed from this life into eternal life on August 12, 2021. He battled brain cancer (glioblastoma) for more than a year and a half including two brain surgeries. He passed peacefully in his home of 45 years, surrounded by his loving family.

Roy was born on June 21, 1937 on Dugi Otok (translates to Long island) off the coast of Zadar, Croatia. He was the son of Luka Viducic and MilkaNekic. He was the youngest of five children. He was preceded in death by his brother Marijan, and two sisters, Slavicza and Ljubica. He is survived by his sister Blazenka (New Jersey). He immigrated to the United States in May 1954. He graduated from AJ Demarest High School (same HS as Frank Sinatra) and entered the United States Navy. Roy proudly served for four years as a navigator on the USS Albany, a cruiser. He was also proud to have had John McCain Sr. as his captain. 

Roy subsequently attended City College of New York (aka Harvard-on-the Hudson) on the GI Bill and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. He continued his engineering studies at SUNY at Stony Brook. Over his career, Roy worked on sophisticated air defense systems and was one of the developers of auto pilot for airplanes. In the latter stages of his career he was a founding member of the Department of Homeland Security and worked on defense projects for the US Coast Guard. He retired from electronic engineering at age 75.

In August 1964, Roy married Francesca (Franca) Pignatelli (of Rome, Italy) in Brooklyn, NY. Roy and Francesca have been married for nearly 57 years! Together they were blessed to have three children and five grandchildren. In 1975, Roy, Francesca, and their three children moved from an apartment in Brooklyn, NY to their current home on another Long Island, in Smithtown. 

Roy is survived by his dedicated and loving spouse Francesca, son Raymond and daughter-in-law Debbie (Pittsburgh, PA), son Robert and daughter-in-law Caroline (New York, NY), daughter Stephanie and son-in-law Wayne Wilson (Wading River, NY). Roy is also survived by his devoted grandchildren Isabella and Angela Viducich, and Jake, Natalie, and Ryan Wilson.

Roy was very proud of his Croatian heritage and jokingly referred to himself as “the Dalmatian Pearl.” He was quite social and frequently inquired about the heritage of others. He was a faithful Catholic and a dedicated family man. He had an immense love for his kids and animals(especially our dog Tiffany). He was also an ardent fan and supporter of the University of Notre Dame, a true subway alumnus! Roy was a thinker. His main interests included politics, history, and sports. He loved to exultthe accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Dido (grandfather in Croatian) will be greatly missed by his family and friends. 

Funeral services will be held at St. James Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at Saints Philip and James Roman Catholic Church in St. James, NY. His final resting place will be Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton (Wading River), NY. The Viducich family would like to express our sincere thanks and gratitude for the wonderful care provided by Dr. Bien, Dr. Castagnino, Dr. Chesler, and Good Shepherd Hospice.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, friends may make a memorial contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org) or the North Shore Animal League America (www.animalleague.org).