Obituary of Joseph Pavlovic

November 11, 1932 – Strosinjce, Croatia

November 10, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Joseph Pavlovic of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at the age of 88 years at the Dulcina Hospice in Calgary, AB.

At an early age in Croatia, Joseph left the family farm to apprentice as a shoemaker but that ended with the upheaval of WWII. After the war he was active in a flying club and completed an apprenticeship as a machinist. In 1956 at considerable risk of imprisonment, Joe joined his brother Elija and together they escaped to Italy. He emigrated from Italy and arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax on April 29, 1957 and then continued on to Alberta. After time farming and working in construction he resumed his career as a machinist until his retirement.

He was an active member of the Croatian Club as well as The Mountainview Sports & Handicapped Society. Joseph loved camping and building campfires. A really big campfire became known simply as a ‘Joe fire’. His other passion was skiing. A regular at Fernie for over 40 years, he was well known as the guy in the speedo every spring.

Joseph is survived by his sister Janja in Croatia, nephews in Calgary and Romania, a niece in Germany, and grandnephews and nieces in Germany and New Brunswick. Joseph was predeceased by his parents,  Marija and Ivan; his brother Elija and sister Anica. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his many friends throughout the world. 

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Joseph Pavlovic, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.