Obituary of Ivan Gradijan

Ivan (John) Gradijan of Calgary, passed away at the Rockyview General Hospital on Saturday, December 6, 2003, at the age of 80 years. John was born October 24, 1923 in Velika Peratovica, Croatia. He immigrated to Canada in 1949 with his three best friends Steve Kurtović, Joseph Rich, and Ivan Ponjavić. He settled in Calgary and worked twenty-nine years as a carpenter. John was a member of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. His passions in life were visiting with friends over coffee, and hunting. John was an excellent marksman. He was a good friend to the birds and squirrels in his neighbourhood who appreciated the peanuts he left out for them. Another love was his cat. He also enjoyed talking about Croatia and going to Croatian picnics and functions. John is survived by a sister-in-law Stefica Gradijan; a niece, Marija Gradijan; and school friends Vladimer and Slavica Vrazić all of Croatia. His best friend Ivan’s, family, has become his Canadian family and he will be fondly remembered by Marlene Ponjavić, Dan Ponjavić, and Darlene Ponjavić-Vornbrock and their families. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady Of Marija Bistrica Croatian Catholic Church (14680 Deer Ridge Drive S.E.) on Saturday, December 13, 2003 at 12:00 P.M. with the Rev. Domin Vladic, Presider. Graveside Service to follow in “Mount Calvary Section” at Mountainview Cemetery, (Lethbridge, AB) on Monday, December 15, 2003 at 3:00 P.M. To forward condolences go to www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Humane Society (S.P.C.A.), 1323 – 36 Avenue N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 6T6. Telephone: (403) 250-7722 ext. 309 or to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N2. Telephone: (403) 944-2433. In living memory of John Gradijan, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W., CALGARY, TELEPHONE: (403) 243-8200.