Joseph Michael Vijuk, 68, Co-Founder of Vijuk Equipment, Passes

CHICAGO—August 11, 2014—Joseph "Joe" Michael Vijuk, a co-founder of Vijuk Equipment, has passed away at 68, at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, FL, on July 2. Mr. Vijuk was born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and as a young child, his family escaped Yugoslavia to Canada. He was raised in Windsor, Ontario, where he excelled in sports. Mr. Vijuk earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Hillsdale College, and then went on to play in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Mr. Vijuk then started a family business with his father, Vijuk Equipment, a leading distributor of folding and finishing equipment in Elmhurst, IL. Mr. Vijuk grew the business into an international company, while also being granted over 40 patents for personal inventions. After 40 successful years, in 2012, Mr. Vijuk sold the company and started JMV Industries of Amelia Island, a company that acquired and managed commercial real estate. Mr. Vijuk served as president and CEO of JMV Industries until his passing.

Mr. Vijuk is survived by his wife Drenda Lee Vijuk, a nephew and two nieces.