MARKO PAVLOVIC

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MARKO PAVLOVIC Marko Pavlovic, aged 65, died suddenly on Saturday, August 18, 2007 in Winnipeg. Marko's parents were Milan and Draginja Pavlovic (nee Belic). He is survived by his wife Andjelka, daughter Lana and step-daughter Marija; his brother Slobodan, his wife Sofija and their children, Jelena, Milan and Branislava. At the time of death, Marko lived at 993 A Grosvenor Ave. in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was born in Belgrade, Serbia, but he grew up in the small town of Cuprija and lived there until the end of high school. In the immediate years after the Second World War, many Belgradian professionals, including Marko's Dad, were sent to smaller towns in the country to help build up hospitals and industry. It was in Cuprija that Marko met his wife, Andjelka Stefanovic. They were high school sweethearts. Andjelka's parents returned to live in Belgrade after her own father's project was finished in Cuprija. Marko's family stayed behind, but Marko soon left for Belgrade to start university. He looked her up as soon as he arrived to Belgrade, but -- as he would complain until his last day -- her parents were very strict and would not let her date him; slowly, they lost contact completely. Marko's parents frowned on his wish to become an actor, and so he graduated in 1968 as a highway and transport engineer and for years later worked as a city inspector for Highways and Traffic Department, making sure that the Belgrade roads were safe and well-maintained. He got married to someone else, and it was not a very happy union. When he met Andjelka again at the dinner party organized by a school friend who knew them both, they each had an unsuccessful marriage behind them. They were still very young and very much in love with one another. Their wedding took place within a couple of months. Marko's only brother, Slobodan Pavlovic, immigrated to Canada with his young family in the early 70s. Almost a decade later, Marko followed with his second wife and family. He has lived in Canada since December 1983. He never again had the opportunity to work as an engineer: rigid requirements from the Canadian Professional Association of Engineers made it expensive and difficult for him to have his credentials recognized. He took odd jobs to help support his family. Not having an appropriate outlet for the mathematical and technical part of his mind could not have been easy, but he maintained his resilient spirit by continuing to enjoy trips to nature, fishing and hiking. Both Marko and Andjelka were fond of giving dinner parties; with friends over, he would naturally slip into laughter and good times. Marko had a great talent for mimicry and an evening would often turn into a burlesque show, with guests left roaring. He delighted in the same talent well-evident in his daughter Lana. Occasionally, his temper would get the better of him; like a natural storm, it would pass quickly and leave behind a clear, sunny disposition. Not everyone enjoys storms, and there would be some debris left, too. Still, his family and close friends knew that he could never stay angry or sad for a very long time; the incredible zest for life would somehow always take over and make you want to come back to him. Marko died surrounded by his closest family and full of happy plans for the September move into the new home for him and his wife. His death was sudden and shocking for those left behind, but momentary and painless. His remains will be cremated and his place of final rest will be announced at a later time. A memorial service in his honour will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 25, 2007 at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home at 4000 Portage Ave. in Winnipeg. Relatives and friends are welcome to a reception after the service in the reception area at Chapel Lawn Facilities. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Heart and Stroke Foundation, 6 Donald St., Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 0K6, (204) 949-2000. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 23, 2007