In Loving Memory of Zlatko Kosović

*Tekst preveden na hrvatski jezik nalazi se pri dnu stranice.

September 16, 1951 – June 16, 2025

Zlatko Kosović, beloved husband, father, brother, engineer, and citizen of the world, passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025, in Miami, Florida, from complications during a bone marrow transplant—a procedure he bravely undertook in hopes of a new lease on life. He fought valiantly until the very end, never losing his trademark humor, optimism, or love for those around him.

Born on September 16, 1951, in the beautiful city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, Zlatko was a true man of the sea. Gifted with a brilliant mind and the hands of a master craftsman, he was endlessly curious and remarkably skilled—able to build, fix, and refine nearly anything, with patience and precision. He was passionate about ships, clocks, watches, and all things mechanical.

His professional life took him from Croatia to Spain, Singapore, Hong Kong, and ultimately to the United States, where he became a respected leader in the cruise industry. Over the last two decades, he held senior positions at Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Lines, overseeing the technical operations and safety of some of the world’s most iconic cruise ships. Among his proudest achievements were his roles in launching Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, then the largest cruise ships in the world. He was widely admired for his deep expertise, calm leadership, and tireless work ethic.

In addition to his work in corporate marine operations, Zlatko founded ZKonsulting Maritime Consulting, advising on ship repairs, safety compliance, drydock supervision, and more. His career began aboard Jadrolinija vessels, eventually leading to service as a Superintendent Engineer for the Croatian Coast Guard, where he oversaw patrol boat construction and fleet maintenance during a formative period for the service. He remained a steadfast ambassador of his homeland, even as he fully embraced his life in America.

Zlatko’s impact extended far beyond his technical achievements. A man of great humor, wit, and warmth, he brought joy and laughter to everyone who knew him. He loved animals—especially his dogs—and delighted in the rhythm of a well-kept engine and the tick of a perfect timepiece. He was a proud Croatian and a grateful American, a world traveler who found his greatest joy at home with family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Božena; his daughters, Petra and Iva; sons-in-law Louis Duvin and Alen Šestan; and his sister, Marija. He will be remembered for his brilliance, integrity, and devotion to the people and passions that defined his life.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Miami in the coming days; RSVP information will be shared soon. A commemoration in Croatia will be announced in the coming weeks.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly invites donations in Zlatko’s memory to the following causes:

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, in honor of his brave fight: https://diy.lls.org/ZlatkoKos…

Humane Society of Greater Miami, supporting animal welfare: https://bit.ly/ZlatkoKosovic

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U sjećanje na Zlatka Kosovića

16. rujna 1951. – 16. lipnja 2025.

Zlatko Kosović, voljeni suprug, otac, brat, inženjer i građanin svijeta, preminuo je u ponedjeljak, 16. lipnja 2025., u Miamiju na Floridi, od komplikacija tijekom transplantacije koštane srži – zahvata kojem se hrabro podvrgnuo u nadi za novi početak. Do samog kraja borio se s nevjerojatnom snagom, ne gubeći pritom svoj prepoznatljivi humor, optimizam i ljubav prema bližnjima.

Rođen 16. rujna 1951. u prelijepom Dubrovniku, Zlatko je bio pravi čovjek mora. Obdaren briljantnim umom i vještim rukama pravog majstora, bio je neizmjerno znatiželjan i izuzetno sposoban – sposoban izgraditi, popraviti i usavršiti gotovo sve, s velikom strpljivošću i preciznošću. Posebno je volio brodove, satove i sve što ima veze s mehanikom.

Njegova profesionalna karijera vodila ga je iz Hrvatske u Španjolsku, Singapur, Hong Kong i naposljetku u Sjedinjene Američke Države, gdje je postao cijenjeni lider u kruzerskoj industriji. Tijekom više od pet desetljeća, obnašao je visoke rukovodeće funkcije u Royal Caribbean International i Carnival Cruise Lines, gdje je nadgledao tehničke operacije i sigurnost nekih od najpoznatijih kruzera na svijetu. Među njegovim najvećim profesionalnim postignućima izdvajaju se lansiranja brodova Oasis of the Seas i Allure of the Seas, tada najvećih kruzera na svijetu. Bio je omiljen i poštovan zbog svog dubokog znanja, staloženog vodstva i neumornog rada.

Uz karijeru u velikim kompanijama, Zlatko je osnovao ZKonsulting Maritime Consulting, kroz koji je pružao savjete o remontima brodova, sigurnosnoj usklađenosti, nadzoru suhog doka i drugim aspektima tehničkog upravljanja. Karijeru je započeo na brodovima Jadrolinije, a potom je služio i kao glavni inženjer u Obalnoj straži Republike Hrvatske, gdje je nadgledao izgradnju ophodnih brodova i održavanje flote u ključnom razdoblju razvoja službe. Ostao je dosljedan ambasador svoje domovine, iako je u potpunosti prigrlio i svoj život u Americi.

Zlatkov utjecaj nadilazio je tehnička postignuća. Bio je čovjek vedrog duha, britkog uma i topla srca, koji je donosio radost i smijeh svima koji su ga poznavali. Volio je životinje – posebno svoje pse – i nalazio zadovoljstvo u ritmu dobro održavanog motora i otkucaju savršeno izrađenog sata. Bio je ponosan Hrvat i zahvalni Amerikanac, svjetski putnik koji je najveću sreću nalazio u krugu svoje obitelji.

Iza njega ostaju njegova voljena supruga Božena, s kojom je proveo 52 godine braka; kćeri Petra i Iva; zetovi Louis Duvin i Alen Šestan; te njegova sestra Marija. Ostat će zapamćen po svojoj briljantnosti, integritetu i predanosti ljudima i stvarima koje je volio.

Komemoracija i slavlje života održat će se uskoro u Miamiju; informacije o prijavi (RSVP) bit će uskoro podijeljene. Komemoracija u Hrvatskoj bit će najavljena u nadolazećim tjednima.

Umjesto cvijeća, obitelj moli da se donacije u Zlatkovo ime upute organizacijama koje su mu bile bliske:

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, u čast njegove hrabre borbe:

https://diy.lls.org/ZlatkoKos…

Humane Society of Greater Miami, u podršku dobrobiti životinja:

https://bit.ly/ZlatkoKosovic

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