IVAN KUPRESAK

Condolences & Memories (5 entries)

• Dida was a larger than life man. His relationships with his family were complicated. A lot of the strife he experienced as a young man greatly affected how he lived his entire life. He gave his all to his community and did everything he could for the Croatian Community in Winnipeg. I knew him in an abstract way that did not allow me to fully understand, that what had happened to him truly affected him throughout his life until now. And how could it not? With age comes some kind of enlightenment or an ability to "walk a mile" in someone's shoes. Although, I will never know, hopefully, what he went through. I remember his talent as a carpenter, his smile and his big, booming voice. Forgiveness and reconciliation were the two things that gave him the most comfort at the end of his life. My mother cared for him and made sure he was cared for. That is the very least someone can do for a parent regardless of the past. Their relationship, though complicated was something different, a 'redo" if you will. As you grow older, your perspective about that changes. A lesson for all of us to learn. Rest in peace Dida. - Posted by: Aynsley Brown (Grand-daughter) on: Nov 29, 2016

• Memories of you Tata will never fades as well as all as my eldest siblings whom have brought fulfillment into my path through the years. On going is mama Francika who's candle will forever shine just as bright ...luv you all ...God bless ..see you soon dad - Posted by: Johnny Kupresak (youngest son ) on: Oct 01, 2015

• Hey Tata, Many years have gone and I still think of you. Remember ZDS? Sacrificed our health, lives and families for it. We wanted only what was ours, a land free of tyranny, to be able to worship God freely, to feed our families and not raise our children in a fearful environment. That's why we immigrated here; thank God for that. So many memories. Sixteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren. Still love you and miss you, and always will. Jelena - Posted by: Jelena Kupresak Orsanic (eldest daughter) on: Oct 28, 2013

• To my Father. Please rest in Peace at the side of our Lord, Jesus Christ. My Father spent his adult life fighting during the war and, after the war, working for the freedom of his Land of Birth, Croatia. If there is no other legacy to My Father, let it be that his constant struggle and belief that his Beloved Croatia would one day be free was like an anchor in his life. My Father was at his best and at peace when he was fishing and camping with his family. We were fortunate to have that time together and I will always remember the 6 a.m. wakeup to the smell of pancakes on the camp stove and the thrill that we would soon be on the lake. A small thing for some but big in our lives. Yes, My Father spoke 8 languages, had the gift of good communication and became a community leader but, in the end, his true accomplishments rest in his family, now in its third generation, since immigrating in 1954, that continues to move forward in a positive and war-free Country where we can all prosper. There is no doubt that My Father's family was always his First Love. That, my friends, is My Father, a Croatian-Canadian. We Love you Tata! Za dom spremni - Posted by: Steve Kupresak (Son) on: Mar 06, 2012

• My husband was born 1923 in Bosnia Croatia. He entered the Croatian army at the young age of nineteen to defend his homeland against communist dictatorship. He was caught by the communists in 1944 and imprisoned in the Russian zone of Austria and after one year managed to escape to the American zone. He was extremely underweight and weak and spent a few months in the hospital till he was able to stabilize his weight and strength. My husband spoke 8 languages which he learned in the prison camps and later in the refugee camp. We met while he was working for the American Military as an interpreter. We married and had four children, immigrated to Canada in 1954, had two more children, 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grand- children. A beautiful Canadian Legacy. May our Merciful God let You Rest In Peace. - Posted by: Francis Kupresak (wife) on: Mar 05, 2012