Andrew Gilich

Upon his passing on Friday, June 27, 2014 at the age of 91, Biloxi lost another special part of its history and a key member of its ""greatest generation"". He was born in Biloxi June 24, 1923, as were many of that period, to parents who found their way to Biloxi from Croatia seeking a better life. He was educated in the Biloxi public schools. He played football at Biloxi High and for decades to follow without fail, he supported Biloxi High football. On the track team, he set a school record in the pole vault. Scoring many victories over his high school years, he was key member of a very successful Biloxi High boxing team.
After the 11th grade, he left Biloxi High to answer the call of his country during World War II. He served in the Navy in the Pacific theater. Because of experience on water in Biloxi, he was assigned to captain a LCM, a 59 foot class of landing craft used in nearly all areas of Pacific operations. Often he recalled his assignments and actions in Pearl Harbor, Samoa and Leyte Gulf in the Philippines.
He returned to Biloxi after the war. The course for the rest of his life was set when he married Jacobina Sekul . She was part of another large Croatian family and they were inseparable for 58 years until her death in January, 2003. The union of the families, the family and the extended families that they raised together meant everything to them. The saying ""the total is greater than the sum of its parts"" applies in their case. Throughout his life Andrew demonstrated his love and respect of family, especially his parents and siblings, his father-in-law Steve M. Sekul , his mother-in-law Elena Trebotich Sekul, all his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
In business together, they owned and operated City Hall Grocery. In 1948, Foodland Supermarket was opened, the first of its kind in Biloxi and it remained in operation for 38 years. They were successful in other business enterprises, including the development of a number of apartment buildings in Biloxi.
He began his passion for golf in the 1950's and was one of a group from the Coast who formed Sunkist Country Club. Because of business, he could only play golf on Sunday, and after attending Mass.
Playing until his 80's, he recorded 4 aces (hole-in-one) at 4 different Coast golf courses.
He was a devout Catholic and a member of Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral parish. Over the years, he supported without question, the Church, its Clergy and many projects deemed important to Nativity.
He was preceded in death by wife of 58 years Jacobina Sekul Gilich, and his parents Mike Sr. and Rosa Guich Gillich, his brothers Joseph Gillich, Rudolph Gillich and Mike Gillich, Jr, his sisters Anna Mae Gilich, Mary Agnes Gilich, son Stephen K. Wetzel, grandson Gregory Marco Gilich.
He is survived by sons Jim Wetzel and Andrew ""FoFo"" Gilich (Serena), daughters Andrea ""Tot"" Gilich, Sr. and Jaye Gilich Brice (C.A. ""Buddy""), daughter-in-law Brenda C. Wetzel, sister Lucille Gilich Barq, all from Biloxi and sister Frances Gillich Duke of St. Paul, Minnesota. He is also survived by brother-in-law William ""Bill"" Schaaf of Galveston, Texas and sister-in-law Clare Sekul Hornsby of Biloxi.
Surviving grandchildren all from Biloxi include James K. Wetzel (Garnette), Jamie Wetzel Morgan (Peter), Leigh Wetzel Adamson, Carol Wetzel Roybal (Mario), Stephen Kenneth Wetzel, Jr. (Dawn), Kathlene Wetzel Atkinson (Robert), Christopher Wetzel, Rachel Gilich Wade (Keith), Gretchen Marie Gilich, Andrew ""Andy"" Gilich (Michelle), Andrea Gilich, Jr., Johneen Gilich Buchignani (John), Jaqueline Gilich Wilson (Aaron). His great-grandchildren are Garner Wetzel, Jarrod Bigott, Anne Roybal Migues (Jeffrey), Brennan Roybal, Stephen Roybal, Elissa Roybal, Elizabeth Wetzel, Paul Wetzel, Stephen Wetzel, Wesley Atkinson, Ashley Atkinson, Landon Atkinson, John Wetzel, Michael Wetzel, David Wetzel, William Maxwell Wade, Zachary Gilich Wade, Caroline Jaye Wilson, Ansley Madeline Gilich, and one soon to arrive.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at Noon at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral, Biloxi, with a visitation for family and friends from 10:00 AM until the Mass. Burial will follow at Biloxi City Cemetery.
The family would like to express very special appreciation to those who provided care to him over his last months with us. Thank you to Select Specialty Hospital and staff, his physicians, Dr. Palov, Dr. Adkins, Dr. Baroudi, Dr. Kabir, Dr. Sultan, and Dr. Rikabi.
Memorial donations may be made to Nativity BVM Cathedral at 870 Howard Ave, Biloxi, MS 39530.
Riemann Family Funeral Home, 274 Beauvoir Road in Biloxi, is serving the family.
For more information, please call (228)388-9516.