Skipper John Ivan Uljevic

with his family by his side. He is now re-joined by his wife Marija, his parents Pave and Albina, daughter Sheryl, sister Ivanica, brothers Ante, Vinko and Marin. Dad is survived by his four daughters, Albina (Jens), Janetta (David), Merica (Dale), Shannon (Vince) and his grandchildren Johnny, Christopher (Jada), Sean, Gabriella and Olivia, his brother Vlatko and Nikola along with many nieces and nephews both in Croatia and here.

John Ivan Uljevic was born Sunday Dec 16th 1928 in a small village of Arbanija, on the Island of Ciovo ( Trogir) in Croatia. As a youth John fished the Adriatic Sea with his grandfather and worked in the vino-grad with his father until he captured the opportunity to go to Brno, Czech to study engineering. He returned home and immediately got a job with the Yugoslav navy. Dad did not agree with the communist system in Yugoslavia and took the biggest risk of his life and escaped with friends on a small boat across the Adriatic and made it safely to Bari Italy. It was here many doors opened for Dad and he chose to come to Canada 1957 via Halifax.

In 1958 he brought his wife Marija & eldest daughter Albina to Canada to start a new life. He was generous in sponsoring many relatives and their respective families from Croatia to start a new life in Canada.

In his early working career he work for the Pacific Railway, Girling Automotive and Britannia Shipyards. But Dads big chance came when CF Todd Fisheries had a boat no one could fix, they asked Dad to fix it and HE DID, he was granted the chance to take the boat out for the up and coming Salmon Season and it was this opportunity that gave Dad his chance to prove to them he could do it - he was Top boat for CF Todd. Dad continued on this exciting path where he was able to buy his first own boat the Invercan No 4. He later bought 2 smaller boats but his pride and joy was the MV Merry Chase and he continued to fish for years until retirement (he was 80). Dad fished for The Canadian Fishing Company for years and was proud to be a part of their team. Years prior Dad fished for Ocean Fisheries and was equally proud. He had met many friends and colleagues along the way and they all respected Skipper John from the Merry Chase.

Dad was a well-respected member of the fishing community and Dad provided many job opportunities to many people.

Anyone who met Dad will tell you he was the most well liked respected Gentleman one could meet. Dad continued to amaze people with his knowledge and wisdom, he spoke four languages and can predict the future. He was amazing.

Dad also had a rare opportunity to capture orca whales for Oak Bay Marina in Victoria, it was such a honor and he was featured in Jacques Cousteau’s book "The Whale" as capturing a rare albino whale for scientific study.

Dad loved soccer and was so proud to watch Croatia evolve over the years as a world class soccer club. He enjoyed watching wrestling, hockey & spending time with his entire family. Dad made his own wine, he enjoyed growing grapes and figs and was always entertaining. Our family dinners were always special and the 1st annual Salmon Bbq of the year was something dad looked forward to. Dad enjoyed his glass of Courvosier Cognac and we salute you dad for being a wonderful father to all of us. He provided for us to pursue education and for his grandchildren’s education to ensure we all have a good life. Dad worked very hard and he made sure that his wife, children and grand-children never went without.

Dad, everyone you have touched in your life will miss you.

We love you so much and there are no words to express how special you were to us and the Family, we will continue in your foot steps and teach our children the values you instilled in us.

Your legacy will always live on - we are so proud to have you as our Father.

Bog i Hrvati