INDIAN WELLS, CA - California’s Coachella Valley was well-loved by Michael “Mike” Bozick of table grape grower Richard Bagdasarian, who has left an indelible mark on the community. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we report the industry great’s recent passing on December 22, 2022.
Bozick was born in Masontown, Pennsylvania, to Nicholas and Minnie Bozick, and was the sixth of seven children. He enlisted in the Navy at 17, where he played football on North Island, Coronado, during the Korean War. After the Navy, he attended San Bernardino Valley College where he continued his enjoyment of football. During his time there, he met his wife, Bobbie Jean Tidwell.
The two later moved to Los Angeles, California, where Bozick attended USC using the G.I. Bill. He tutored athletes and Bobbie worked at the admissions office. An announcement from the California Fresh Fruit Association stated that he graduated from USC with a Bachelor's of Science in Business in and went to work in the electronics industry. During their time in Los Angeles, they had two children, Nick and Cindy.
In 1966, Bozick went to work with Bobbie’s mother, Lucille, at table grape grower Richard Bagdasarian in Mecca. He and Bobbie moved their family to the Coachella Valley to join the family business, and Bozick quickly learned and grew the company. He was known for loving spending time in the fields and discovering new methods to grow grapes. He found great joy in his customers, employees, colleagues, and industry organizations. He was in the industry for 53 years until his retirement in 2020.
Bozick is preceded in death by his six siblings. He is survived by his loving wife Bobbie; their two children; his daughter-in-law Stephanie; his four grandchildren, Alexandra, Michael, Nicholas, and Tate; and one great-grandchild, Margot.
A Celebration of Life will be held on January 13, 2023, at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort in Indian Wells, California. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please send donations to the Boys and Girls Club of the Coachella Valley in his honor.
Our thoughts are with those closest to Michael Bozick during this difficult time.
