Victor Bruce Vrbancic's Obituary
Victor Bruce Vrbancic, 78, of Amherst, Ohio, passed away peacefully at his home on April 24, 2026. Born September 12, 1947, in Lorain, Ohio, he was the son of the late Victor G. and Elizabeth (née Kirvan) Vrbancic.
A 1965 graduate of Lorain High School, Vic proudly served his country in the United States Military. A PFC in the Army, stationed in both Vietnam & Korea, earning the National Defense Service & Armed Forces Expeditionary medals. After an honorable discharge, he went to work at U.S. Steel, like his father, where he built a dedicated career as an electrician, from an apprentice to a Teamlead, until the late 90’s.
In retirement, Vic lived a life grounded in simple pleasures. He found joy in travel, boating and perch fishing, tending to his garden, cheering on his favorite teams, and sharing it all with his friends & family. A devoted fan, he rarely missed a chance to support the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cleveland Browns, holding season tickets for the latter for many years. He donated his time, sitting on the board of a college scholarship committee, and gave back to his fellow veterans as a proud member of the Amherst VA Honor Guard.
He is survived by his children, Heather Gerrasch, Victor A. (Brandy) Vrbancic, and Michael (Stacy) Vrbancic; his treasured grandchildren, Lili, Keagan, Dominic, Andrew, Luca, and Jacob; and his sister-in-law, Jeanne Vrbancic.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his dear brother, Barry Vrbancic, and longtime companion, Dorothy (Dottie) Butchko.
A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 4–7 PM at Dovin & Reber Jones Funeral and Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, Ohio 44001. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 10 AM at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Victor’s memory to the scholarship fund; American Legion Post 118, 921 North Lake St., Amherst, OH 44001, Attn: Scholarship Fund.
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