Obituary of Sime Olich

Sime Olich, 81, husband of Zorka Vrankovic Olich died peacefully on Thursday, April 30, 2020 at his home in Roanoke, Virginia. Born and raised in Vlasici, Croatia he was the son of the late Jure Olic and the late Ane Vucetic Olic. Mr. Olich was one of eight children who grew up in the republic of Croatia, which was part of post WWII Yugoslavia before it gained its independence in 1991. As a young man, Mr. Olich emigrated to Sydney, Australia to build a better life with his wife. Sime and Zorka had a son and after a few years the family emigrated to the United States where they lived in Ossining, New York before moving to Salem, Virginia and then settling in Roanoke. Mr. Olich worked as a waiter most of his life and owned a restaurant in New York. He worked at the Hotel Roanoke Conference Center for 17 years before retiring at the age of 74. During his retirement he enjoyed working in his garden, cooking, playing with his grandchildren and watching tennis and soccer. He was very proud that the Croatian soccer team was runner up at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. In addition to his wife of 55 years he is survived by his son Robert Olich, daughter-in-law Snjezana Jurisic Olich, his grandchildren Dorian and Katarina, his brothers Jako, Ante, and Mile, and his sisters Siko and Marica. He was preceded in death by his sisters Milka and Ivanka. There will be no services held at this time.