Obituary of Ivan Stephen Polancec

June 7, 1940 – Zagreb, Croatia

February 28, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Ivan Polancec of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at the age of 83 years.

Ivan was born in Zagreb, Croatia on June 7, 1940. He was one of thirteen siblings. He lost his beloved father in WWII, and his mother in 1987. He was predeceased by eleven of his siblings.

He immigrated to Canada in 1973, with his wife Ankica and two children and in 1978, Ivan and Ankica realized their dream of having their third child, Annemarie. He worked three jobs to provide and save up money for a house. In 1980, he risked it all and started his own company, Adrico Machine Works, a machine shop that was one of the top shops of its kind in Calgary for over three decades. He was an exceptional entrepreneur and as the years went by, he purchased and started a dozen different companies which all complimented one another and operated under the Panila Group of Companies umbrella. He employed thousands of people over the years. By 2015, he had sold off all but two of his companies and decided to close Adrico. It was time to retire.

Ivan's greatest achievement was the invention and consequent US/CDN patent of the V Gear Pump. His legacy continues to be honored by the continued manufacture of the pump by his son-in-law and oldest daughter.

Ivan was an avid fisherman. He spent many a day on the water fishing for trout, whitefish, or anything that would bite. In the early 1980s, he started to fish for salmon and other ocean creatures off the coast of Vancouver Island. Along with Ankica, they purchased a condominium in Campbell River and spent many wonderful days there fishing, exploring, and enjoying the fruits of their labour. The family would gather there for fishing excursions and boat outings. Ivan also enjoyed camping (glamping) with his family, going to the casino, and traveling around the world. He especially delighted in visiting Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta. Ivan was very much a family man and loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his beloved four-legged companion, Sally, an English Chocolate Lab, who was his shadow and best girl from 2003-2013.

Ivan was an intelligent, kind, loyal and very generous man. He was his family's greatest treasure. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Lidija and Javier and Annemarie and Wayne; eight grandchildren, Mitchell (Caroline), Andy, Christopher, Marko, Aletheia, Haddon, Jessica (Elvis), and Adrian (Monique); and two great-grandchildren, Ethan and Jacob. He is also survived by his sister Vida of Croatia, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Ivan was predeceased by his loving wife Ankica and his son Nenad.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to a charity of their choice, or a visit to a casino to play some Keno for Ivan.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Ivan’s family here.

In living memory of Ivan Polancec, 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.