Vladimir Alexandrovich Pleshakov

Vladimir (Vlado) Alexandrovich Pleshakov passed away at the age of 94 in Burnaby, British Columbia (BC) with his two daughters at his side. He was born on September 8, 1926 in Zemun, Yugoslavia, the only child of Elsa Sambunjak and Alexander Pleshakov. Vlado is survived by his children, Sanya (Murray) and Tamara (Edward), and his grandchildren, Nicolaas, Frank, Mirjana, and Lucien. He is also survived by his former wife and the mother of his children, Jo Pleshakov, who was also with him in his final days.

Vlado grew up in Belgrade, Yugoslavia in the loving home of his parents, excelling in school and spending his free time exploring the ramparts of his beloved Kalemegdan Park. He spoke fondly of his large, extended Sambunjak family and was close with his many aunts, uncles and cousins. Vlado enjoyed summer holidays on the Dalmatian Coast, which nurtured his lifelong love of the sea.

At 14, Vlado’s idyllic childhood was shattered by World War II—the Bombing of Belgrade, the German occupation, and near-starvation conditions. He was conscripted into Tito’s Yugoslav Army and sent to the front as a member of its anti-aircraft artillery division. After the war, Vlado returned to his studies, enrolling in aeronautical engineering at the University of Belgrade.

In 1950, the family fled communist Yugoslavia for the San Sabba refugee camp in Trieste, Italy. There, Vlado worked for the International Refugee Organization and Radio Free Europe. In 1953, he gained the opportunity to emigrate with a scholarship to study Engineering Physics at UBC. He chose Canada as it was one of the few places that would accept both him and his elderly parents, whom he refused to leave behind.

In Canada, Vlado worked for the BC Research Council. He later pursued a career in technical translation and interpretation, spending over 30 years translating scientific books and journals for Plenum Publishing Corporation. One of the highlights of his professional life was acting as court interpreter for the deadly 1970 collision between BC Ferries’ Queen of Victoria and a Russian freighter in Active Pass, BC.

In Vancouver, Vlado’s circle of friends affectionately called themselves “The Palazzo”—initially an informal group of Yugoslavs who engaged in song, drink, debate, and revelry. The Palazzo eventually included people from around the world, many of whom remained his lifelong friends. Vlado loved exploring the coastline of Howe Sound and the Gulf Islands. He named his motorboat Caramba (one of his favourite expressions), which his friends joked spent more time on land than at sea.

Vlado spoke seven languages and was a great reader and lover of books. He appreciated classical music—opera especially—and had an astonishing recall for historical facts and details. He painted prolifically, was a member of the Vancouver Art Guild, and spent his retirement years studying art at Langara College. You could often find Vlado in the evenings painting landscapes from his favourite spot at Jericho Beach. He adored his two daughters and was very proud of them. He delighted in his four grandchildren and took a great interest in their intellectual and artistic development.

The family extends sincere thanks to the staff at Courtyard Terrace Assisted Living for their exceptional care these past few years. Vlado’s final resting place will be Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Burnaby where his parents are buried.

Dear Family and Friends,

We would like to invite you and your family to a memorial service to honour our dad, Vladimir Pleshakov, on Friday, August 20th at the Burnaby Lake Rowing Pavilion, 6871 Roberts St, Burnaby, BC. Service will start promptly at 11:30am followed by a light lunch and reception with the opportunity to share memories. Wheelchair accessible with ample free parking available.

Kindly RSVP for you and you family by August 6th.

And the battery opened fire…