Martin Vignovich, a legend of the Signal Hill oilfields, passed away due to health complications on Friday, October 28, 2016, surrounded by his family. Born to Nikolai and Melicia Vignovich in Steubenville, Ohio on January 5, 1926, Martin was the 8th of 11 children. Following his father's death, Martin left the 4th grade to work at a bakery, a foundry, deliver papers and collect scraps of glass from the train tracks to support his widowed mother. Although Martin had three brothers serving in the armed forces, he was drafted into the navy at age 18. A broken foot landed him at the VA hospital in Long Beach. While recovering he met and fell in love with LaVeta Maxine Knous (Vetie) who made an impression on him as a car-hop waitress at the Tom Tom drive-in. They were married in 1947 and blessed with two children, Deborah Jean Vignovich (Debbie) in 1949 and Michael Ray Vignovich (Mike) in 1952. Martin worked most of the jobs one could in the oilfields and eventually founded his own company, Petroleum Solids Control, Inc. in 1956, which became a great success. For many years, he worked hard to expand his family business; his son Mike took over management in 1976 and the company is currently run by his grandson Derek Vignovich. In his retirement he traveled the world, often with Vetie, visiting Egypt, Canada, Alaska, Italy, Greece and many other countries. He was a dedicated member of Saint Steven's Serbian Orthodox Church and the last charter member of the Long Beach Petroleum Club. He was never afraid to voice his opinion, never forgot a face or a name, and was unfailingly charming with the ladies. Fiercely devoted to his family, he was predeceased by his wife, LaVeta Vignovich, his son Mike Vignovich, and survived by his sister Ann Lemke (Don), his daughter Deborah Vignovich, his daughter-in-law Ceal Vignovich, grandchildren Andie Atwood (Paul), Martin Vignovich (Lori Glenwinkel), Derek Vignovich and his great-grandson Cale Martin Atwood. Services will be held at the Memorial Chapel at Forest Lawn Long Beach, 1500 East San Antonio Dr. at 2:00 PM, Saturday, November 5, 2016, with a memorial service afterwards at the Long Beach Petroleum Club at 3636 Linden Ave. at 3:30 PM. Friends and family are welcome. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Saint Steven's Serbian Orthodox Cathedral
