Obituary Overview
Remembering Pave
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear Tata and Dida Pave (Paso) Kalic on August 25, 2018 at Middlechurch Personal Care Home.
Pave was born in Batnoga, Kordun, Croatia on April 17, 1932.
Pave was predeceased by his wife Mare in 2002, parents Jakov in World War II and Marija, brothers, Mate and Josip.
He is survived by daughter Mariana (Peter), son Mate (Lisa), five grandsons, Parker and Austin Kalic, Riley, Tyler and Brady Yourchenko, as well as family in Winnipeg, Toronto, Croatia and Australia.
Tata had a very hard life. Sadly, he and his older brother discovered their father whose life was taken in World War II. Left fatherless, there was a lot of work to be done around the family farm. Tata learned of a better land and decided to make his way there. It took him 3 tries to cross the Croatian border (on foot) into Austria and was imprisoned twice before succeeding. He came to Canada and started his career as a bricklayer. Living the single life was not easy either and he returned to Croatia where he met Mare and they married in 1970. They returned to Canada and started a family but never forgetting where he came from and always proud of his Croatian heritage which he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
Tata was a kind and generous man who would give you the shirt off his back and the last dollar in his pocket.
As a skilled bricklayer, his craftsmanship could be seen in Manitoba, Alberta and Ontario. He worked on major buildings, homes and churches including St. Nicholas Tavelich Croatian Church in Winnipeg and the Croatian Hall at the Croatian Picnic Grounds in St. Andrews. We always felt such pride, even as kids, when Tata would point out all the different buildings he worked on. We’re especially proud every time we go to church and look at the brick fence. It is amazing that he had such a long life considering how hard he worked and the conditions he worked in. He eventually retired from CP Rail and was able to enjoy a long retirement filled with outings to Garden City for coffee, bocce at Kildonan Park and Sundays at the Croatian Picnic Grounds.
Tata was a wonderful father. He and Mama gave us everything and every opportunity to have a better life than they had. Sadly, in 2002, Mare passed away and Tata was back to living the single life, but this time he had his children and grandchildren. His grandsons will remember him for his kindness, generosity and sense of humour!
Tata loved his family, watching hockey and the Price Is Right! When he retired and we needed to get a hold of him during the day (he never owned a cell phone) we knew we could find him at home Monday to Friday between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.!
Dragi Tata mi te puno volimo I nikad necemo te zaboraviti! Pocivaj u miru bozjem. Kazi Mami hi!
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Pave Paso Kalic 2018..
Décès pour la Ville: West St Paul, Province: Manitoba
