Lorin Janovich

The Band of Brothers has significant meaning in the Janovich household. One day two boys – Jacob and Zach Janovich, are horsing around like two peas in a pod in their backyard. Years later they’re both headed off to boot camp and then getting pinned following their successful completion to advance to the next level. The glue in the middle? Two very patriotic parents.

Love of country is a value Lorin and her husband, Pete, role modeled for their sons long before their sons joined the United States Marine Corps. Both sides of the Janovich family have contributed to America’s freedom. Lorin’s Father Dr. Saul Levine, served with the U.S. Army as an optometrist in military hospitals in Japan after the Korean War. Lorin’s Uncle, Harvey Francis Levine from Santa Cruz, paid the ultimate sacrifice at age 20 while serving in the US Marine Corps (USMC) during the Korean War. Lorin’s Uncle by marriage, her Father-In-Law’s twin, was aboard the U.S.S. Tennessee on December 7, 1941 during the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The U.S.S. Tennessee was tied up at the dock next to the U.S.S. Arizona, which today is memorialized in Honolulu as the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines who were killed on the U.S.S. Arizona during the attack. Lorin’s Father-In-Law’s twin, fortunately, survived the attack on Pearl Harbor, although word didn’t travel back to mainland U.S. for some time that he was alive. Lorin’s future Father-In-Law was propelled to leave his job with the “farm team” Cleveland Indians to enlist in the military, which he did on December 8th, 1941, the day after the attack on our nation. Pearl Harbor, no doubt, holds vivid memories in the Janovich family. And that date will continue to live on for another significant reason… Lorin’s son Jacob was born on the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, a birthday he celebrates in common with his Grandfather.

9/11 is another vivid memory for the Janovich Family. Jacob and Zach Janovich watched the Twin Towers go down on television. September 11th 2001 was an emotional day for all the Janovich’s as it was similarly an emotional day for most Americans. Akin to Lorin’s Father-In-Law who changed careers with the events of Pearl Harbor, the events of 9/11 propelled Lorin’s sons to take action, join the Marines and devote the next few years of their lives to supporting America. Is there any wonder given the value system exposure the Janovich boys had growing up why they saw a purposeful future in the military?

Lorin Janovich was born and raised in San Jose where her parents have lived and for more than the last six decades, continue to occupy the home in which Lorin was raised. Lorin’s interest in food and her cooking talent branched to her pursuit of an Associates degree in Arts and Sciences with a specialty in Food Science at Cabrillo College. Following college, Lorin took her catering and entrepreneurial skills to the market. She operated her own business as a catering business owner – Something Special Catering, a business she conducted for years in Los Gatos, and for over three decades ran a private chef enterprise, Assistant Chef. In addition to her catering business, Lorin supported the family’s second business, one operated by Pete Janovich, Anderson – Janovich, a division of Bill Brown Construction, where she has served as an Administrative Assistant and worked together with Peter for nearly three decades.

Lorin managed to keep audiences laughing with her great sense of humor, her charismatic demeanor, and spark plug personality. To no surprise, Lorin was always passionate about supporting veterans and more than anything else, adored spending time with her two USMC sons, today classified as veterans who completed their terms of duty. Jacob Janovich served in Afghanistan. Zach Janovich served in America. Both Zach and Jacob entered as Privates, advanced to Sergeants before leaving the military and returned safely back to America from their respective missions. Lorin and Peter were able to enjoy the peace of mind that accompanies being reunited with family upon their respective return.

Lorin Janovich was an active member of the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation. She supported the Foundation with her catering talent. And she supported the Foundation’s desire to erect The Flame of Liberty Memorial upon the Los Gatos Civic Center Lawn. Lorin would be seen in front of a Town Council microphone at Council meetings articulating the critical importance behind Silicon Valley demonstrating its support of America’s service members and veterans. In Lorin’s own words “I’ve had a blessed life because of my freedom. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be without freedom. And for that alone, I know whom to thank and for whom to pray.”

Lorin Janovich was an advocate in the fight against Pancreatic Cancer, a disease which eventually took her life in November 2022. Her firecracker personality and limitless patriotism is gravely missed by the Veterans Memorial & Support Foundation members at our table.