Obituary of Matija Abramovic
ABRAMOVIC, MATIJA “MATTHEW”
October 27, 1921 – October 29, 2013
After a brief illness, Matthew passed away peacefully at Pasqua Hospital at the age of 92. He was predeceased by his father Frank and mother Katerina; his little brother Ivan; and his older brother Luka. Left to mourn his loss with sadness and heavy hearts are his wife Anna; son Frank (Janet) and their children, Thomas and Katie; sister-in-law Elizabeth Abramovic; cousin George Kesic and family in British Columbia, cousins and friends in Croatia; as well as brothers and sisters-in-law and nephews in Slovenia. Matt spent the early years of his life as a farmer. When not working the fields, his spare time was spent swimming, fishing and embracing life on the River Una. His fondest memories of childhood were spent on and near the river two blocks from the family home. Matt lived through and survived WWII. By the time the war was over, his life had taken a drastic turn and he decided to take up tailoring. Matt completed his education and apprenticeship, and became a Master Tailor. He could design and create whatever his customers would envision. In 1957 he met and married Anna. In 1958 Matt and Anna and their baby son came to Canada. He started his working life in Regina at New York Tailors, later and until his retirement tailoring at the RCMP Training Academy. Matt and Anna loved to travel. After retirement they travelled extensively in Canada, Hawaii and particularly Europe. They were fortunate to be in good health in their retirement and made several trips overseas to visit family and friends throughout Europe. Once their grandchildren became a part of their lives, they began cutting short their yearly adventures from six months to only two or three months. They just couldn’t be gone too long from Thomas and Katie. While Thomas and Katie attended grade school, Matt would pick them up every day at lunch so they could enjoy Baba’s awesome cooking. He was devoted to his grandchildren and they loved him so. Matt always called Thomas “The Boss” and Katie “His Star.” Their last trip overseas was in 2010 after which time Matt was no longer able to fly due to health reasons. Nonetheless, Matt still tended to his garden every day and frequently enjoyed trips to the cottage where he loved to get in touch with the beauty of nature. He could never get enough of the beauty and mystery of the natural world around him. Matt was a lifelong fisherman and enjoyed shoreline fishing right up until he took ill in August of this year. Following Matt’s wishes, there will be a private family service and his cremated remains will be taken to his place of birth in Croatia. Father Marian Ogorek of St Anthony’s Parish officiating. Flowers gratefully declined. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com
