Obituary of Mate Bilić

BILIĆ Mate (Matko)

October 23, 1948 - Studenci, Dalmacija, Croatia

March 24, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Mate Bilic beloved husband of 46 years to Franka Bilic, the love of his life, and a loving brother, son-in-law, uncle and friend, of Calgary, AB passed away peacefully after a brief battle with brain cancer at the Foothills Medical Centre on Thursday, March 24, 2022, at the age of 73 years old.

Mate was born in Studenci, Croatia on October 23, 1948, He married Franka, his princess as he called her in 1976 in Croatia, before moving to Germany together, then finally moving to Calgary, AB, Canada in 1977; where they would establish a loving home and create memories with friends and family.

Mate was a hard worker and successful entrepreneur; he was a quick learner and wanted to understand how things worked from the ground up. Mate was the guy that would also be there to help when called upon. Mate will most be remembered for his quiet demeanor and funny sense of humor. Mate was a proud member of the Croatian Community and loved visiting his homeland whenever he got the chance. Whenever Mate had the opportunity, he and Franka would enjoy taking road trips to explore Alberta's natural beauties and surroundings.

Mate was predeceased by his parents Ivan and Iva and his brother Tomislav. He is survived by his loving wife Franka, brothers Father Ante and Stipan "Zeko"; sisters Katica (Milan) and Marija and sister- in-law Branka and their families. His mother-in-law Filipa and brothers-in-law; Nikola (Marija), Ivan (Anka), Ante (Zdravka), Mate (Dijana), Stipe (Marija) and Petar (Marija) and their families. Mate leaves behind countless nieces, nephews and friends in Canada and Croatia.

Relatives and friends are invited to the funeral mass at Our Lady of Marija Bistrica Croatian Catholic Church (14680 Deer Ridge Drive S.E.) on Saturday April 2, 2022, at 1:00 pm. Final burial will take place in Studence, Croatia. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

The family wishes to thank the Nurses and Doctors of the Neurology ward at the Foothills Hospital for the loving care they provided during Mates Illness. A special thank you to our family friend Dr. David for all his help and support he provided during this time. Thank you to Rev. Domin Vladic for all his prayers and continued support.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please remember Mate's life and generosity by giving to a charity of your choice.

In living memory of Mate Bilic, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.

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Mate (Matko) Bilić

23. listopada 1948. – Studenci, Dalmacija, Hrvatska

24. ožujka 2022. – Calgary, AB Kanada

Teška srca objavljujemo preranu smrt Mate Bilića, voljenog supruga 46 godina, Franke Bilić, ljubavi njegovog života, i voljenog brat, zet, stric, ujak, tetak i prijatelj iz Calgaryja, AB, koji je mirno preminuo nakon kratke borbe s rakom mozga u Foothills Dom zdravlja 24. ožujka 2022. u 73. godini života.

Mate je rođen u Studencima, Hrvatska 23. listopada 1948. godine. Oženio se 1976. s Frankom, svojom princezom, kako ju je nazivao u Hrvatskoj, prije nego što su se zajedno preselili u Njemačku, a zatim se konačno preselili u Calgary Alberta Canada 1977. gdje bi uspostavili dom pun ljubavi i stvarali uspomene s prijateljima i obitelji.

Mate je bio vrijedan radnik i uspješan poduzetnik; brzo je učio i želio je razumjeti kako stvari funkcioniraju iz temelja.  Također je bio tu da pomogne kad bi zatrebalo.  Najviše ce ostati zapamcen po svom tihom držanju i smiješnom smislu za humor. Mate je bio ponosni član Hrvatske zajednice i volio je posjećivati ​​domovinu kad god mu se pružila prilika.

Kad god bi Mate bio u prilici, on i Franka bi uzivali na putovanjima istrazivajuci prirodne ljepote i okolicu Alberte.

Prije Mate su preminuli roditelji Ivan i Iva, te brat Tomislav. Iza njega su ostali ozalosceni voljena supruga Franka, braća Fra Ante i Stipan "Zeko", sestre Katica (Milan) i Marija, te jetrva Branka i njihove obitelji. Njegova punica Filipa i surjaci Nikola (Marija), Ivan (Anka), Ante (Zdravka), Mate (Dijana), Stipe (Marija) i Petar (Marija) i njihove obitelji. Mate takoder iza sebe ostavlja bezbroj nećakinja, nećaka i prijatelja u Kanadi i Hrvatskoj.

Rodbina i prijatelji pozvani su na misu zadušnicu u Hrvatsku katoličku crkvu Gospe od Marije Bistrice (14680 Deer Ridge Drive S.E.) u subotu 2. travnja 2022. u 13 sati. Završni pokop će se obaviti u mjestu Studenci, Hrvatska.

Obitelj želi zahvaliti medicinskim sestrama i liječnicima neurološkog odjela u bolnici Foothills na njezi i ljubavi koju su im pružili tijekom Matine bolesti. Posebno zahvaljujemo našem obiteljskom prijatelju dr. Davidu za svu njegovu pomoć i podršku koju je pružio tijekom ovog vremena. Također zahvaljujemo Vlč. Dominu Vladiću za sve njegove molitve i kontinuiranu podršku.

Umjesto cvijeća, molimo da se prisjetite Matinog života i velikodušnosti dajući u dobrotvorne svrhe po svom izboru.

U uspomenu na Mate Bilića, u Cross Conservation Area zasadit će stablo McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.

Click Here to View Mate Bilic's Memorial Card