Ivan Lusicic, Sr. (1897-1964) Inducted - St. Louis 1972
	Born in Grizane, Yugoslavia, where he was a tamburas with a number of tamburitza bands.  He came to St. Louis in 1924.  A sculptor and stone carver by trade, his greatest love was tambura.  He immediately became a member of Hrvatski Sokol Tamburitza group and also became very active in dramatic and cultural groups.
	Some of these were Singing Society Slavulj, Jadran, Iskra Slobode, Primorac and Jedinstvo.  In 1942 he was selected by Croatian Sokol Dalmacija as Musical Director, a post he held until his death.
	Some of the Tamburitza groups he directed were Frankopan, LaBud, Walnut Park Jrs., Primorac, and Hrvatski Pomlodak.  He originated and directed the first Croatian Radio Hour in 1938.  In 1961 he gathered 28 children at his home and formed the Croatian Juniors.  Over the next 12 years, over 200 children were members of this group.
	Honors too numerous to mention have been bestowed upon this great tamburas, organizer and director.  A bronze plaque has been placed at the Duquesne University Tamburitza Cultural Center in Pittsburgh, PA.  A gold cross has been placed atop the bell tower at St. Joseph's Croatian Church at 12th and Russell in St. Louis.  It is estimated that in his tambura-dedicated lifetime there have been 500 individuals who have been taught by this outstanding individual.
	Although his accomplishments have been many in the field of sculpture and music, his greatest legacy is the family he left in Mrs. Ann Lusicic (formerly Ann Deranja), Ivan Lusicic, Jr., and Eleanora (Lusicic) Eaves.  All these individuals have been engaged in the promotion of tamburitza music.  In a supreme tribute to this extraordinary individual, it can be said Mr. Lusicic, Sr., with his equally outstanding family, have been responsible for a resurgence of interest in our cultural heritage through the Tamburitza.
	Zivili nam svi Tamburasi!
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