Jovan Salapura
May 8, 1959 ~ August 13, 2011
It’s hard to believe that Jovan’s smiling face will now only be a memory for us all. His life was taken too quickly from this world on August 13th, 2011. He leaves behind his parents, Rade and Naida; his ‘three beautiful girls’: Megan (Mark), Katie and Jes; his partner, Shauna and her daughter Breanna; his sisters: Des (Ron), Nevenka (Keith), Bosiljka (Dave), Jovanka (Peter), and Branka (Dave); his nieces and nephews: Samantha, Niki, Keaton, Natalie, Dylan and Tara; as well as numerous other family and friends.?
Jovan was born in Port Alberni May 8th, 1959 and moved to Cedar at the age of nine. He had a life-long passion for heavy duty equipment, getting his first backhoe in his early teens. Once he got on an excavator it become an extension of himself and his skill and talent on the machines was well known in the contracting community. If the job was tricky or dangerous they called on him. Perhaps your property’s foundation was excavated by Jovan Salapura. He was a friend and mentor to many operators.
As much as he loved to work he also loved his family and friends, often with a dry sarcastic sense of humour. He was a man of character and honour, and was known for his generosity and his heart of gold.
A church service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, August 27th at St.Philips Anglican Church, 1797 Cedar Road. After a private graveside service, a reception will follow at the Cedar Community Hall, 2388 Cedar Road.?
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ‘Jovan Salapura Memorial Award’ at VIU for an enthusiastic and deserving heavy equipment operator student by calling 250-740-6214.
Sands Nanaimo (250)753-2032