STEVEN (STIPE) BALJKAS (STEVE)

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STEVEN (STIPE) BALJKAS
December 26, 1931 - October 17, 2020

It is with great sadness we announce Steve's passing on October 17, 2020, at St. Andrew's Terrace (Cambridge, Ontario), surrounded by his closest family.
Beloved husband of the late Ollie Baljkas, and loving father of John Baljkas (Margaret McKinnon) and Steven F. Baljkas. Steve was predeceased by his parents, Spiro and Anaci (nee Stancic) Baljkas, and by his brothers, Marijan and Josip Baljkas.
Born in Sibenik, Croatia, Steve had a remarkable life marked by difficult circumstances, personal strength, and an enduring will to survive. His earliest childhood memories were of surviving the Second World War under foreign occupation. In 1956, Steve and two friends secretly built a boat and fled Yugoslavia in the middle of the night in search of new lives abroad. Their sudden departure protected beloved family members from government reprisal. Over the next years, Steve was a refugee and worked in Italy, moved to Germany and worked, and eventually applied to live in Canada. When Canada accepted his immigration application, he asked the Canadian immigration officer to "send me somewhere warm" - and he landed in Winnipeg. In Winnipeg, he met his wife Ollie, designed and built his first home, and had two sons. Steve lived, worked, met lifelong friends, enjoyed chess and his pet corgis, coached soccer, and had many fishing and blueberry picking adventures around Trout Lake over the next 50+ years. Steve was incredibility proud of his "kids" for overcoming their difficulties, obtaining graduate degrees, and becoming engaged, ethical, and contributing members in their communities.
In retirement, Steve and Ollie travelled to meet long-time friends and see new places from New Zealand, to Hawaii, to Canada's east and west coasts. In his later years, Steve moved to Cambridge, Ontario and lived in peace and tranquility with John, Margaret, and Stella. After 60 years, Steve returned to his birth place to be reunited with his family: sister-in-law Marijana Baljkas, and nephews, Robert, Stipe and Josko Baljkas, and a warm, extended family in Croatia.
Our family wishes to acknowledge the exceptional care Steve received at St. Andrew's Terrace. Steve passed away peacefully, with his family, at St. Andrew's Terrace in Cambridge. Ontario. He always reminded us to smile.
In accordance with Steve's wishes, cremation has taken place, followed by a private family gathering.
In memory of Steve, donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation, or a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 19, 2020