Milan Jovic
July 4, 1921 ~ January 7, 2013
Milan, our beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather quietly slipped away from us in dignity and comfort on January 7, 2013 in Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. He bore the pain of his cancer stoically and courageously. In deepest sorrow, he leaves his daughters, Draga, Nada (Hans); grandson, Eric (Moraine); granddaughter, Justine and baby great-granddaughter, Emmeline. Also in sorrow are his sisters, Borka in Bosnia and Bosa in Serbia as well as his niece, Stana in Melbourne, Australia. The family dogs, Tia and Kodi are very sad too.
Milan was born in a small Serbian village in Bosnia and emigrated to Hamilton, Ontario in 1952 where he lived until moving to Nanaimo in 1994. Milan, a humble and quiet man, lived his life always with the priority of providing for his family. With very little formal education, Milan arrived with his wife, baby daughter Nada and just a few pennies in his pocket. On his own, he built the first family home and thereafter an apartment building and restaurant all within seven years of his arrival. He also successfully bought and sold real estate for a number of years as well as working for National Steel Car as a labourer.
“Papa” loved his family from the depths of his heart and soul and was an amazing grandfather to Eric and Justine throughout their childhood and adulthood. We will forever miss his shy smile, his strength of character and his enduring love for his family.
A Serbian Orthodox funeral service for family and friends was held at St. George’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Victoria, BC on January 12, 2013.
Dearest Papa,
We love you and will miss you forever.