October 30, 2019
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved father and grandfather (Dida ) early in the morning of October 30, in Nanaimo,BC.
He is survived by his sons, Mario and Andjelko Sertic, daughters- in-law, Renate and Tania, his four adoring grandchildren, Nick, Nadia, Bella, and Nika, and his brother Marko and family. He is predeceased by his wife of 46 years, Draga (Babic), his parents Petar and Tonka (Matovina), and all of his brothers and sisters in Croatia.
Ante was born on October 31, 1942, in the middle of WWII, in Sertic Poljana, Croatia, right beside the beautiful Plitvice Lakes. He was the youngest of 13 children. At age 15 he moved to Zagreb where he attended trade school to become a bricklayer and stone mason, and what a master of his craft he was. In 1975 he decided to emigrate to Canada to provide a better life for his family, and for this we are eternally grateful.
Ante loved the outdoors, whether it was fishing, hunting, or swimming at Parksville beach. He was also very serious and competitive when it came to bocce! He loved the company of good people, was very active in the Croatian Community on Vancouver Island, and enjoyed spending time with his friends at the Boar's Head. We have many fond memories of family vacations in Mexico, one of his favorite places. He absolutely adored his grandchildren and every visit, soccer game, and dance recital was sure to bring a Lindt chocolate bar or ice cream treat.
He was a lovable teddy bear of a man, with a gentle soul and a generous heart as big as the smile on his face and as bright as the twinkle in his eyes. His spirit touched the lives of many. He supported us in all of our endeavors, and instilled in us the value of hard work, honesty, and integrity, and the importance of family. His loss leaves a giant void, but we feel blessed to have had him in our lives. Mass of a Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, November 4, 2019, at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Nanaimo, BC, followed by an interment at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens.
He will be loved and missed forever.
Your Loving Family