OBITUARY
Drago Vranic
May 8, 1938 – December 14, 2018
Drago Vranic – Obituary
Drago left us on Friday, December 14, 2018, with his beloved wife, Bare (Barbara) and son Arlen by his side. He is finally at peace after many years of struggle related to stroke and dementia.
Born on May 8, 1938, in Maletic, Croatia, Drago moved to Canada in 1958 to seek a better life. Like many European immigrants, he made his way over the border via a perilous journey to Austria, where he applied to the Canadian Government for acceptance to a new home of opportunity. Newly arrived and placed in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Drago began his new life working on a farm for a year. He later moved to his uncle and aunt’s home town of Niagara Falls, Ontario where he began to grow his roots with other Croatians in the community. The romantic that he was, he wrote letters to the love of his life, Bare (Barbara) for a few years and asked her to come be with him in Canada. They were married and began a new life together. They settled in Oshawa, Ontario where they both worked in the automotive industry. They moved to White Rock, BC in 2001 when they retired to be closer to their children, Arlen and Pauline.
Drago was a perfectionist who loved his work as a millwright, first at Houdaille and then at General Motors for 40 years. He enjoyed problem-solving and creating inventions to pass his time when he was not working at his day job. Drago loved the outdoors, whether it was hunting, skiing or landscaping the backyard on Taunton Road. Drago also loved to hang out with “the boys” from GM.
Drago loved life and his family and felt he had accomplished everything and more than was expected of him. He is survived by his wife, Bare (Barbara), son Arlen and daughter Pauline Tolan. (nee Vranic), brother Tomo, sister-in-law Ana, nephew Dennis, niece Kristina Spudic (nee Vranic) of Sydney, Australia, sister, Nena Krtic (nee Vranic), nephew Damir of Duga Resa and niece, Irena Stura (nee Krtic) of Zadar, nephew Peter Sargant of Calgary, Alberta and his life-time friends the Charlie Vinski family of Los Angeles, California.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to one’s favourite charity in Drago’s memory.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Drago Vranic 2018..
Source: Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre
Death notice for the town of: surrey, Province: Colombie britanique
My deepest condolences to Barbara and her family for their loss. I had the pleasure of meeting Drago when I worked in Peace Arch Residential Care. Drago was a good man and was always so patient. We would often talk about where we both came from; Drago would tell me stories about Croatia and how he came to Canada while he would ask me about my life and immigration from the Philippines.
I always admired how Barbara and the family were so devoted to him, and I sincerely wish them the best, especially Barbara who I had the pleasure to meet while I was helping care for Drago. May God bless this family and give them strength.
Maria de Gracia