Andrew “Andy” Doboga and his wife Rae were close friends of Beth and Jack, as well as John P. Elcik. A recently rediscovered newspaper clipping—found by Beth while going through old photographs—helped preserve the story of Andy’s early military service and lifelong friendship.
Friendship and Shared Service
They’ve both passed, but they always talked about what good friends Andy and your dad were and that they went in the service simultaneously.
Beth
Beth recalls that Andrew Doboga spent twenty years in the service, just as John P. Elcik did. While details about Jean remain uncertain, Andy’s naval career was a defining part of his life.
After retiring from the Navy, Andy and Rae returned to Lisbon, where they lived until their deaths. Andy was remembered as one of the funniest men anyone knew. He was Slovak, and he and Jack shared countless stories about their heritage. Their bond grew into a brother-like friendship that left a lasting impression on everyone who knew them.
They were like brothers, and we miss the heck out of him and Rae.
Beth
Newspaper Clipping — Navy Enlistment
Join Navy — John P. Elcik, son of Mr. and Mrs. John P. Elcik of Main Street, Lisbon Falls; Andrew Doboga, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Doboga, Sr. of Enterprise Street; and Jean P. Marquis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul N. Marquis of Maple Street, left Thursday to report to the Navy Recruiting Office in Portland. From there, they expected to leave for the Navy Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois.
The three youths were classmates at Lisbon High School, from which they graduated in June.
— Newspaper