Valley remembers Sharkey

Milos S. "Sharkey" Begovich was remembered Thursday by Carson Valley residents in downtown Minden as a generous man with a great knack for telling stories.

Begovich died of cancer Aug. 9 at the age of 76.

The service was attended by about 250 friends and family members, customers and people who said Sharkey had touched their lives in some way.

During a memorial service Thursday at the CVIC Hall in Minden, Gardnerville musician Garn Littledyke said he always enjoyed playing music for Sharkey.

And no matter how late it was, Littledyke said he would tell his band it was important to play well for Sharkey.

"You're playing for the chief," he would tell the band.

Casino owner John Ascuaga said after the memorial Sharkey was successful because he tended to his customers.

"He's one of the last great casino men," Ascuaga said. "He knew every one of his customers."

Bruce Dewing, president and chief operating officer of Holder Group Inc., said a celebration of Sharkey's life is scheduled for 2D6 p.m. Sunday at the casino.

"We're going to celebrate this man's life," Dewing said. "Sharkey touched a lot of people's lives. A lot of the prominent business people in Minden and Gardnerville, worked for Sharkey in their formative years."

A prayer service is today at 7 p.m. at Daneri Mortuary Chapel in Jackson, Calif. Graveside services are at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cemetery in Jackson.