February 7, 2012

Jim Bozich dead at 44

James Bozich, owner of United Pacific Structures in Gig Harbor, died on Jan. 29 after a four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 44 years old.

Bozich

Bozich grew up in Gig Harbor, graduating from Bellarmine Preparatory School in 1986. After high school, he worked several jobs and started a concrete company called Foundations Limited. He also volunteered for Pierce County Fire District No. 5 in Gig Harbor, and later joined Washington State University as a student firefighter.

At WSU, Bozich earned a bachelor's degree in construction management and met his future wife, Melissa.

They lived near Spokane after college, where Bozich volunteered as a firefighter for Newman Lake Fire & Rescue District No. 13.

In 1999, they started United Pacific Structures, a general contracting company based in Gig Harbor, and joined the Southern District of the Associated General Contractors of Washington.

“He was an extremely active member of the AGC,” said Tim Attebery, AGC Southern District manager. “It was amazing how he poured himself into the AGC, even as he was battling cancer.”

Bozich served for two years as the Southern District president and was active in the government affairs and property management committees.

Sue Larsen, the Southern District's membership and events coordinator, said she has worked at the association for 39 years and remembers the first time she met Bozich. Larsen said he was in a panic because he was concerned the AGC was closing its plan center. She said she was afraid he would drop his membership, but he ended up coming to every dinner meeting along with Melissa.

“They immediately got involved with the AGC from day one,” Larsen said. “They're family to me (now).”

Attebery said he was at an AGC meeting with the Bozichs when a retired member mentioned he was having problems with his deck.

“Jim and Melissa were out the next morning at his house, stabilizing the guy's deck,” Attebery said. “There's an example of the selflessness that we don't see today but probably should.”

Attebery said Bozich was well liked at the AGC. Last week a fundraiser in his honor brought in $8,000 for the St. Charles Food Bank.

The Southern District recently dedicated a boardroom at its Fife headquarters to Bozich. The door has a plaque and a photo of Bozich wearing a hard hat with “Cougars” on the side.

Attebery said he was amazed to see how AGC members rallied around Bozich while he was undergoing treatment. “It makes the AGC more of a family than a trade association,” he said.

Bozich had no children. He is also survived by his mother, Marilyn Bozich of Gig Harbor; his father, John I. Bozich of Lacey; and his brother, John G. Bozich of Gig Harbor.

A celebration of his life will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, 7700 Skansie Ave., Gig Harbor. For online condolences go to http://www.havenrest.com. Donations can be made to the Washington State University Foundation, Bozich Construction Management Student Impact/Excellence Fund, P.O. Box 641925, Pullman, WA 99164-1925.