STIPCEVICH
Joseph (Joso) Stipcevich, age 93 years of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully at Bethammi Nursing Home on Thursday, March 2, 2017, with his family by his side.
Born in Ploca (Zadar), Croatia on March 1, 1924, he served as a soldier in Italy during WWII, then as a POW in Germany for several years, later he worked on a farm in Italy for five years. He immigrated to Canada in 1950, working in bush camps and as a deckhand in Port Arthur, while supporting relatives in Croatia. In 1958, he married Mary Matesic and started a family. Later, he joined USW Local 6166 with INCO in Thompson, Manitoba, where the community’s people became a second family to “Joe.” After 31 years, while recording only five sick days, he retired in 1993.
Throughout his life, he acquired an incredible knowledge, and natural talent for horticulture, cultivating farmlands and nurturing gardens. He also developed a keen interest in international events and history, this inspired him to travel the Far East and Europe, prior to returning to Thunder Bay. Due to a medical condition, Grandview Lodge became home for the next 20 years, where he cared for the lodge’s gardens, wintering birds and ducks, before moving to Bethammi Nursing Home in 2015. He enjoyed home cooked meals with family, coffee with friends, factual conversation with acquaintances, and good luck at the casino. He attended St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Joseph was predeceased by his parents Ante and Stosa Stipcevich. Survived by sisters Christina Ostapovici of Thunder Bay and Angela Matesic of Vancover, devoted Mother of his children , Mary Stipcevich and daughter Lily (Mars) of Thunder Bay, son Peter and granddaughters Mateja and Evie of Toronto, many nieces and nephews in Croatia.
Joseph was a soft spoken, independent, generous man with a gentle soul – he will be missed by all who knew him.
Funeral Services were held on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 with family and friends gathering in Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church celebrated by Fr. Francesco Blazek.
Should friends so desire, donations made in memory of Joseph to St. Joseph’s Foundation of Thunder Bay would be greatly appreciated.
