Draga Klara i Obitelji Zelim izraziti iskrenu sucut povodom smrti ANTE-a kolege iz McGilla, vaznog suradnika medecinske zajednice, talentiranog  glazbenika i najdrazeg hrvatskog prijatelja. Sjecanena njega uvijek ce ostati sa mnom.
Chere Klara et famille, je vous offre mes sinceres condolences a la  suite du deces d'ANTE, collegue de McGill, figure importante de la communaute medicale, musicien de talent et ami croate tres cher. Son souvenir restira  a jamais grave dans ma memoire.
Dear Klara and family, I want to offer my sincere condolences on the passing of ANTE, a McGill colleague,  great contributor to the medical community, talented musician, and a most dear Croatian friend, His memory always will remain with me ANTE Angelich

Ante was a friend and colleague of mine, and I will miss him greatly. He was a man of great passion and broad culture, bridging creatively the worlds of music and science. Thank you for letting me be part of the first dozen or so strings that founded the “I Medici” orchestra. Thank you for the duos, trios and quartets that you invited me to play with you! As a scientist and colleague at the Department of Pharmacology, I admired your passion in training young scientists at our university and in developing countries, through your international school for young neuroscientists from Africa and Latin America. My life as well as the lives of so many others were enriched by sharing your passion for science and music. We will always remember you very dearly!

Ante Padjen was the President of the McGill University Retirees Association (MURA), 2021-to 2025 and a member of the McGill Association of University Teachers (MAUT) Retiree Affairs Committee (RAC). Many of us will remember Ante for his enthusiasm, sunny outlook, warmth, wit and wisdom. His life embodied both science and art – a neuropharmacologist by profession and a musician by passion. He had boundless energy and enthusiasm for MURA/RAC and all our members. On behalf of MURA/RAC, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Ante’s family, friends and colleagues.  He will be missed but fondly remembered.

To the Padjen Family,

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ante Padjen.  He played a pivotal role in my journey to medical school, offering guidance and support at a time when it made all the difference. His encouragement and belief in me left a lasting imprint, both personally and professionally.

Ante was not only an exceptional teacher and medical researcher but also a man of quiet dignity and generosity—qualities that reflected his proud Croatian roots. His influence extended well beyond the walls of the classroom; he shaped the character and compassion of those who had the privilege of learning from him.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Ante's legacy will live on through the countless students whose lives he touched.

With sincere sympathy and respect, Family Adrian Macek.

Dear Angie, Petar and family,
My deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your beloved father-in-law. He truly had the biggest heart, with an immense love for his family and for music that touched everyone around him. His warmth and spirit will be deeply missed, but his love will continue to live on through all of you.
Keeping you and your family close in my thoughts during this difficult time.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Alice and Family.

My good friend Ante was a gifted neuroscientist, a devoted teacher, and a passionate viola player. In 1989, he founded the I Medici di McGill Orchestra, “the Doctors’ Orchestra,” and led it with dedication ever since. He also taught at McGill and helped create an international school for young neuroscientists from Africa and Latin America, where his guidance inspired new generations. His wide-ranging curiosity and deep knowledge enriched the lives of all who knew him. We will remember Ante not only for what he knew, but for the joy he shared in every conversation and every note of music. I miss him and will not forget him.

I was deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Padjen’s passing. He was a remarkable person who embraced life with warmth and generosity, and who loved his family, Canada, and his homeland, Croatia. His compassion for others touched everyone who knew him. My heartfelt condolences go out to his entire family — he will be profoundly missed.

On behalf of everyone at the McGill Faculty Club,  we send you our sympathies.
 
He was a loyal member and we enjoyed his cheerfulness and his love for music.  He will be missed.

Having grown up next door to the Padjens, I have many fond memories of Ante. From a young age, it was clear how intelligent and hardworking he was. Long before most people even knew what a modem was — let alone owned a computer — Ante had at least three. I remember him working away on his computers in the basement, but allowing Petar and me to play games on them too.   Back then, he could easily have been mistaken for an IT professional, but I think his facility with technology was just an example of how naturally skilled and knowledgeable he was in so many areas. 

Ante let Petar and me play hockey on his driveway for years — often at the expense of his garage door.  More importantly, he was there for my family during one of our most difficult times.  When my father passed away suddenly many years ago, Ante stepped in to help, even taking on the difficult task of informing our relatives in India.  I’ll remember him as a kind, helpful, and exceptionally smart person — the kind of neighbor anyone would be lucky to have.

My sincere condolences to Klara, Iva, Marija, Petar and the entire family.

Vik Radhakrishna

Dear Klara and the family,
Primite nase duboko i iskreno sucesce. Znali smo za Antu jos dok smo bili u Zagrebu i pohadali muzicku skolu. Postali smo prijatelji dok smo zivili u Montrealu, druzili se i stanovali kao susjedi na  Nun's Island-u. Bezbroj uspomena naseg boravka u Montrealu vezana su za Antu i Klaru i krug Zagrebcana s kojima smo dijelili sretne i vazne dozivljaje nasih zivota. Neizbjezan odlazak nasek Ante, neizbjezno nas ostavlja s tugom u srcu.
Pocivao u miru. Svetlost vjecna svijetlila mu.
Verica, Marijan i Gospodnetic familija

Jean-Pierre Julien (Ph.D.) and Jasna Kriz (M.D., Ph.D.) met for the first time in Ante's laboratory at McIntire McGill. Jasna was a student from Croatia working under the supervision of Ante on the electric conductivity of transgenic mice generated by Jean-Pierre's lab at the MGH Research Institute.  Their collaboration produced landmark publications and...electric sparks which ended up in a wedding at McGill Faculty club on December 2002. Ante played the violin on that beautiful memorable day. We are so grateful to Ante and especially because without him, we would have never met!  
Rest rest in peace Ante. We will miss you very much but your wisdom will guide us always.            
Jean-Pierre and Jasna

Zelim Duboko Saucesce, cjeloj familiji 
Jako mi je zal , takav divan covjek 🥀
We met at MCLL , he knew my family from Zagreb ( Dr Zelimir Stiegler )
In sorrow
Vesna Stiegler Tabah

My deepest sympathies to Klara, Iva, Marija, Petar and respective extended families. 

It is rare to meet someone like Ante, and I feel lucky to have known him. Growing up in the ‘70s, our family spent so much time with the Padjens that I honestly thought we were related. We were actually several families in this unique situation with the Padjens and we would often gather at their house for celebrations. While all of us kids would be in the  basement (and the girls, who were a bit older than me, were watching soaps on TV), I would pick up Ante’s distinct voice resonating from the upstairs dining room table during a heated debate, laughing boisterously with friends or joining a chorus of Croatian song.

Over the years, I realized just how special this man was. Every interaction with Ante became an inspiration. No matter what you thought you knew, it turned out he knew more. Science. Medicine. Music. History. Politics. Economics. Religion. Croatia. Basically, before Wikipedia, there was Ante. And he was almost as enigmatic in his answers as he was encyclopedic in his knowledge. Yet always kind, welcoming and available. Ante and I also crossed paths professionally, an additional bond that we reminisced upon for many years.

Not long ago, the "old timers" had one of their gatherings. I happened to be present, and I got to feel Ante’s aura, unchanged, the same one I had been fortunate to experience for over 50 years. 

Ante nikad nije bio daleko od mojih misli i razmišljanja, i njegov odlazak to neće promijeniti.

Sanro

Tužna sam zbog vijesti o Antinoj smrti. Prvi put sam ga upoznala dok sam pjevala s Concerto Della Donna u Montrealu, na koncertu s I Medici. Bio je presretan što je upoznao još jednu Hrvaticu i kasnije nam je puno pomogao tijekom našeg zborskog putovanja u Hrvatskoj.

Ante je bio topla i velikodušna duša — uvijek ljubazan, uvijek se raspitivao kako sam i kako je moja obitelj. Pravi domaćin i divna osoba. Moje iskrene sućuti njegovoj obitelji i prijateljima. Neka počiva u miru.

We were deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Padjen’s passing. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.

We're grateful he had his moment on stage at the White Coat Ceremony few weeks ago — it was a meaningful occasion, and we were fortunate to capture some beautiful photos of him that day. His presence, warmth, and contributions will be remembered fondly by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Our thoughts are with you and everyone who is mourning this loss. Wishing you comfort and peace during this difficult time.

Warm regards,

The McGill White Coat Ceremony Organizing Committee

A great loss of a very close friend, since 1969. Ante and I had many collaborations and adventures together, from canoe trips to conferences to research. He was the co-founder of the Canadian Epilepsy Research Initiative with me. For me he was my go-to well of knowledge for research ideas and advice.  We could talk endlessly about world affairs, science, philosophy, life in general, sometimes while smoking cigars. When I would travel to Montreal, I would usually stay with Ante, and of course the wonderful Clara. Finally, our friendship was based on continually laughing at everything and each other. 
Profound condolesences from me and my wife, Sarah, to his patient and loving wife,  his warm and large family, and his wide circle of friends. I will miss him greatly.

I am so sorry to hear that we have lost Ante. 
He was such a kind and gentle man.
My sincere condolences to the family.
May your family find peace and comfort as you remember
the beautiful person that he was.
May his soul rest in peace.
Carlette

Cijeloj obitelji iskreno saučešće. Ante, počivaj u miru Božjem🙏
Božo iVladimira Rimac

Draga Klara i familija, primite duboko i iskreno saučešće od vaše daljnje ali i bliske familije Beck.

Dear Marija, Mike, Simon, and Petar,

We are very sorry to hear of the loss of your father/grandfather. Our thoughts are with you and your whole extended family during this time. 
Love from Joanna, Steve, Elspeth, and Violet

Sorry to hear this sad news.   I have many happy memories of making music with Ante.


Michael Rasminsky

Ours sincere condolences to all the family dr.Padjen was a great and wonderful men let his soul rest in peace 🙏

Good friends and wonderful neighbours for 27 years, our prayers are with you Klara and with Iva, Maria and Petar during these days. We send you our love.  Eva and Phil

Dear family,

I want to offer you my sincere condolences. I will remember Dr. Padjen as an optimistic, joyful person, dedicated to share his passion of music with others. I hope that sweet memories and time spent with friends and loved ones will help to ease this difficult time. Sincerely,

Dragi prijatelju uzivaj s Andjelima u vjecnoj muzici koju si toliko volio; te s velikom tugom u srcu zelim cijeloj familiji i prijateljima izraziti iskrenu sucut!

Dear Iva ,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. We are never grown up enough to lose a parent . Though I only met your dad once or twice , I feel like I knew him through all of the stories Lorraine shared with me over the years . My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time . I hope you can take solace in the beautiful memories you have . 
Love ,
Colleen Xo

My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ante. He was a wonderful friend to my father for many years and always had a smile for the audience at concerts. He will be missed.

OBITUARY

Ante L. Padjen

4 February, 1942 – 3 November, 2025

Résidences funéraires Collins Clarke MacGillivray White Funeral Homes & Columbarium Collins Clarke MacGillivray White

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