Vincent “Pesky” Paveskovich

Vincent Paveskovich Obituary

Well known former educator, local athlete and coach, Vincent J (Pesky) Paveskovich passed away on January 3, 2021. .

Vincent was born to Croatian immigrant parents, Jakov and Marija Paveskovich, and was known to many as Coach, Vince or Vinnie Pesky. He was born August 21, 1921 and was the youngest of a close knit baseball family.

His eldest brother Tony played semi-pro ball. Brother Johnny, who legally changed his name to Pesky, grew up playing baseball for American Legion, High School and Semi-Pro teams in Oregon before becoming a star player for the Boston Red Sox for many years. Vince’s three sisters were avid baseball fans.

Vince was confirmed at St. Patrick Church in Slabtown in NW Portland. He credited the nuns of St Patrick’s for his interest in sports as they made sure the students were involved in athletic activities. Vince graduated from St Patrick’s School in 1936 and Lincoln High School in 1940. Vince was coached by Wade W. Williams in American Legion baseball and at Lincoln. He also played ice hockey in the Journal Juniors ice hockey league and also for Lincoln High School. Vince was penalty timekeeper for the Portland Buckaroo hockey team in the 1960s.

Vince attended the University of Portland under a baseball scholarship. In 1942 he entered the Navy as a hospital apprentice and was stationed at the Naval Air Station(NAS) in Pasco Washington, where he also played baseball with many Pacific Coast League ballplayers. He learned the Gene Tunney Method of Physical Training at the Naval Training Station in Bainbridge Maryland. Vince was later transferred to the NAS at Seattle Washington where he also played baseball with Fred Hutchison. Vince was the master of ceremonies for Friday night dances at the NAS and gained a following for his quick wit and was compared to popular band leader of that day, Kay Kaiser. He also served in Hawaii and Guam before being discharged at Shoemaker California in 1946. Vince said “My highest rank was Athletic Specialist 1st Class, no medals, no honors, just did my job.” He completed his degree at University of Portland in 1948.

He signed with the New York Yankees farm system in 1948 and played for the Ventura Yankees and in 1949 for the Victoria Athletics. Vince coached the University of Portland Pilots in 1950 and was also the manager of a team in Calgary Alberta that same year. He continued playing and coaching semi-pro baseball until the early 1960s.

Vince taught at Irvington Elementary School and Lincoln High School while working towards his Master’s Degree at University of Portland State, which he attained in 1956. Following this, he was employed at Jefferson High School teaching and coaching alongside Andy Pienovi and Tom DeSylvia.

In 1960, he was hired by Gaynor Petrequin, principal of the new John Marshall High School, to be on the inaugural staff. That first year, Vince taught physical education and other classes and coached baseball, which he continued to do for several years. He later became an administrative assistant a position with many of the duties of a Vice-Principal. He was a guiding influence for many that needed direction. Vince was also a loaned executive to the United Way campaign in the mid-1980s. He retired in 1987.

Vince was one of a group of old NW Portland friends who started the Slabtown monthly breakfast gathering which was originally comprised of those who attended St. Patrick’s School and the University of Portland.

Vince was a member of the Old Timers Baseball Association of Portland, since 1943, and was a former president of the group. He was also a past member and president of the Ex-Newsboys Association.

He was an encourager and supportive to those he knew. Vince was appreciative of the loving caregivers and staff that had taken care of him at Regency Park since 2014.,

Vince was predeceased by his parents, brothers Marko, Tony, and Johnny, as well as his sisters Anne, Catherine, and Millie. He is survived by his nephew, David Pesky, and grand-nephew Patrick, numerous friends, and former students. He will be missed.

A private funeral mass will be held. Due to Covid occupancy limitations, attendees may only attend by reservation.

For reservation information, please call Kevin O’Connell 503 227- 2998.

This service will be live streamed here: https://www.facebook.com/events/146373227099417

Vince’s final resting place will be at Mt Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vincent “Pesky” Paveskovich, please visit our floral store.

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6 replies on “Vincent “Pesky” Paveskovich”

Vince and my dad, Max Horenstein, went to high school together.Â Mr. Pesky often gave my Dad and I free tickets to the Portland Buckaroos.Â I treasure those memories, Mr. Pesky, and the man who made it possible.Â Rest in peace.Â I have wonderful memories of you.Â

We called him “Mr. Pesky” at Marshall High School.Â I was in the graduating class of 1968.Â He became “Vince” to me in later life.Â He would stop in at my office on NW 22nd and Raleigh occasionally to shoot the breeze.Â The last time I saw him was at the closing of Marshall in the summer of 2011.Â He was sitting next to Dr. Petrequin just inside Marshall’sÂ front entry.Â He called me over and was still bubbling with positive energy and happy to see all of us.

I always loved the guy as did, I’m sure, many Marshall students.Â He always had a kind word; an unforgettable quality.Â I talked with my classmate Richard Sullivan today, who is too old school to use a computer.Â He asked me to say this for him:

“I was in his office on many an occasion, and he still liked me.”Â He also commented on how he had an exemplary life lived well.

R.I.P. Vince

Gordon Sheets

A tranquil light was purchased for the family of Vincent “Pesky” Paveskovich by David and Alison Pesky. Send Flowers

In loving memory
David and Alison Pesky

Vince didnâ€™t know us, but we knew who he was, being fans of baseball. Every time we saw him at a game, Pilots, Portland Beavers or the Hops, weâ€™d go talk. He was always gracious, kind and appreciative. He told us last time we chatted he was happy we came all the way from Astoria to watch baseball. He was a good man, and sad to learn of his passing. May he Rest In Peace.

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Had the pleasure of being at Jefferson High when Vince was there. He was the best of the best. Was sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to friends and family.

I grew up on the other side of the country from my amazing Uncle Vince. When our family visited from Boston I was shocked that he seemed to know everyone in Portland. On the street it was â€˜Hi Vince, how are you?â€™ every few minutes. Names were remembered, families inquired about and then we would walk on for a few steps before the next greeting. Why was this? As far as I know Vince never ran for public office and he wasnâ€™t in the newspapers every day, people just liked and respected him. I believe that his love of people and a lifetime of service to his community was the reason for the obvious respect of his fellow citizens.

My father Johnny, Vinceâ€™s brother, told lots of stories about growing up in Slabtown with his brothers and sisters. From these stories I came to understand that a loving family, the guidance of good people like Rocky Benevento and others, and athletics to give kids direction during the hard years of the Depression made Vince the person he was.

When his turn came Vince stepped up and continued the same kind of service for the next generation. Iâ€™m very proud of that and I expect Portland is proud as well. He will be missed.