Sam J. Knezvich; Salesman, Karate Enthusiast

Sam J. Knezvich, a veteran real estate salesman who studied karate, died Friday in a Ventura hospital after a brief illness. He was 76.

Knezvich was born Oct. 23, 1919, in Youngstown, Ohio. He moved to Ventura County from Detroit 35 years ago.

Knezvich sold real estate for three decades. In his spare time, he volunteered at the West Park Community Center in Ventura, teaching youths karate.

Knezvich had taken up karate two years ago. He trained hard and shared his skills, time and money with the local youth, said his teacher, Barbara Hale of Kenpo Karate in Ventura.

“He was full of life,” Hale said. “There was a shine in his eyes. He was in great shape--very strong for a man his age.”

Hale said Knezvich helped her teach at gang prevention karate workshops she staged in west Ventura. He was always donating money for the program and for uniforms for the kids, she said. His latest project was organizing a golf tournament to raise money for his students.

“He was a great guy, a real philanthropist,” she said.

Knezvich was also a 25-year Mason and a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Camarillo.

He is survived by his son, Bill Knezvich, and three grandchildren in Tacoma, Wash., and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Ted Mawr Funeral Home in Ventura. The Rev. Cyril Loeb of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to the church at 400 Skyway Drive, Camarillo, or to the Westpark Community Center, c/o Ventura Recreation Department, 501 Poli St., Ventura.

Ted Mawr Funeral Home in Ventura will handle cremation arrangements.