IVAN (JOHN) JOSIPOVIC

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IVAN (JOHN) JOSIPOVIC February 6, 1930 - April 30, 2012 On Monday, April 30, 2012, at the Pine Falls Health Complex, Ivan (John) Josipovic peacefully passed away at the age of 82. John was born to Mato Josipovic and Eva Jurasinovic in Mackovac, Croatia on February 6, 1930. In 1956, at the age of 26, John managed to escape from his homeland in search of freedom and a better life. He made his way to Italy where he spent three years, together with Josip Jankac. He then took a boat to Canada... the land of the free. Interestingly, John didn't know a word of English at that time. After living in Winnipeg for a while, John was hired in 1962 to work in Thompson for INCO. He held the position of Bridgeman in the Refinery until his retirement in the mid-1990s. His only daughter Evica, and his wife Marija, made their way to Canada and joined John in the late 1960s. In 1971, John proudly gave Evica's hand in marriage to Dale Watson, and together they blessed John and Marija with two grandsons. After his retirement, John and his wife Marija moved to Winnipeg and enjoyed condo living, but spent their summers at the cottage in White Mud Falls. What a wonderful life it was! The air was often filled with the familiar smell of a pig roasting on the fire while John and Marija prepared to receive company. Living at the cottage reminded John of the old country, and the Winnipeg River felt like the Sava River in Mackovac. Although he never returned home, John always kept fond memories, and never stopped missing his Hrvatska. In his later years, after his wife and daughter's passing, John was regularly visited by Gary Winning (Evica's spouse) and Gerald Pelletier (Michelle Peaches ) who kept him company and helped him with various tasks. Mike Mikulic, John's cottage neighbor visited him many weekends. Many other good friends included Pero Milinkovic (Mary), Ivan Dujlovic (Marlene), Josip Jankac (Amalija), Mato Angelic (Manda), Mirko Katic (Ljubica), Ivan Kokan (Anna), Ivan Pisker, and Tony Radacic (Ruza), Andy Kraljevic (Anna), and their respective families. John is predeceased by his loving wife Marija Josipovic, his only daughter Evica Watson, his sister Ana Sekulic and his brother Juraj. John will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his grandsons, Gregory Watson (Dee and Ellie), Sean Watson (Darby), and their dad Dale Watson. John had only one great -grandson, Jaden Gregory Watson (Janice Bernardin - Jaden's Mom). Jaden held a very special place in his Stari Djed's heart. Ivan will be fondly remembered by his brother Josip Josipovic, by his sister Marija Baricevic, by his dear friend Jelka Vukovic and her family, by his brother-in-law Ivan Sekulic (Mae), nephew Zeljko Sekulic (Evelyn, Sam and Liam), Franjo Sekulic, the Jankac family, the Ranisavljevic family, the Mikulic family, the Watson family, and the Winning family. His many close friends are far too numerous to mention. The family would like to express sincere appreciation to the staff at the Pine Falls Health Complex. Prayers will be held at Friends Funeral Chapel, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, May 6, 2012. The funeral service will take place at Saint Nikola Tavelic Church, 2688 Main Street, Winnipeg at 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 7, 2012. Mass of the Eucharist will be officiated by the Very Reverend Robert Polz. John's body will be laid to rest beside his wife, Marija, at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens, 4477 Main Street.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 05, 2012