VASIĆ, VOJIN (CAPTAIN) & VASIĆ, MARIJANA (née JELIĆ): 

We announce with heavy hearts the passing in Toronto of our parents, Marijana on 25 August 2024, two weeks after Vojin (11 August 2024), almost exactly to the hour. A truly “Yugoslav” couple – Vojin was Serbian , Marijana was Croatian – they married in Split, Croatia in 1963. Vojin immigrated to Montreal in 1969, followed by Marijana and their daughter, Aleksandra, in 1970. The family, expanded to four with the birth of their son, Miloš, relocated to Toronto in 1974. Together, our parents cultivated a seemingly effortless ability to bridge ethnic divides, moving with ease and generosity within both Serbian and Croatian circles. In the process, they helped create something like pan-Slavic “salon” in this city, even as the wars of the 1990s raged. 

Their hospitality was matched by their generosity. With the success of the freight forwarding business (Euroworld Transportation) launched by Vojin in the early 80s, our parents helped us launch our own lives and families. They also provided support to extended family in the Balkans, and helped bring a number of families to their adopted country of Canada. 

They are survived by Aleksandra and Miloš, as well as by their five grandchildren: Sasha, Emma, Lili, Anaïs and Téo. They are predeceased by Vojin's older sister Rada Šivajokić and by Marijana's younger brothers, Dragan and Boženko Jelić, as well as an infant brother who perished in an Italian prisoner-of-war camp during WWII.

Already cremated, a celebration of their lives will take place at 2pm on Saturday, 28 September 2024 in St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral in Thorncliffe Park (Hall C), 76 Overlea Boulevard, next door to the retirement home where they spend their last days. Their ashes will be returned to Marijana’s birthplace, the island of Iž, Croatia, near the city of Zadar. Within hours of their respective deaths, the church bells on the island – half a world away – rang to mark their passing.

In lieu of flowers, Aleksandra and Miloš ask for contributions to the following organizations which helped immensely over the past several years as their health declined: the Jeff and Diane Ross Movement Disorders Clinic at Baycrest Hospital; Parkinson Canada; the Ajmera Transplant Centre at the University Health Network and the Ina Grafton Gage Long Term Care Home where Marijana spent the final year of her life.

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