Predeceased by Parents Ivan & Ivanica (nee: Popov), and Siblings: Sime, Marija, Ika, Katica, Kreso, Tona and Ivica in Croatia, as well as Egypt, Canada, Germany & Netherlands. Vlado was the last, surviving sibling of a total of 11 children of his Father’s (including those of his first wife).
He is survived by his devoted Wife, Helga, of 64 years; Daughters Lydia Weaver (Bill), Kathy Porcher, and Son, Ivica Parac (Ivanka). Vlado was also blessed with 10 Grandchildren: Kelina, Bruce (Nancy) & Steven Weaver; Taylor Vogel (Tyler), Max, Jimmy & Victoria Porcher; Ante, Anna-Katarina & Dominik Parac, and 3 Great-Grandchildren: Fiona Weaver, Ember & Kayne Matsuda.
As a young child, his family was evacuated to Egypt during the WWII for a time. As a boy, Vlado helped with the family income in rowing a boat from their village to the next town of Sibenik on a regular basis, which gained him a pair of very strong lungs! He later escaped the tyranny of Communism as a teenager (along with two other boys) and rowed a boat all the way to Italy, barely sustaining the voyage over the Adriatic Sea. He later made his way to Germany, where he met his future Bride, and became Father to his two Daughters. After six years, he moved the family to Canada, residing on the West Coast of the Country, and after another 5 years, fathered his third child, his only son. In later years, he returned to Germany for a decade and ran a successful restaurant with Wife & Son, before returning to Port Alberni.
Vlado’s art was working with wood (a Cabinet Maker by trade); he worked in the Plywood Mill in the 1960’s-’70’s and later in life, becoming co-owner of AV Woodcrafts in the 1970’s; a Commercial Fisherman in the ’80’s; and a Restaunteur of The Canadian Experience, his pride & joy, in the 1990’s. Vlado enjoyed his gardening and Grapevines in his latter years, making wine almost all of his adult life.
He was a very patriotic man, always concerning himself over his fellow countrymen back in his homeland, and a very knowledgeable historian. As a devoted son, he brought his mother to live with his family for 18 years after her paralyzing strokes. He loved to play with his children, and especially with all those grandchildren when they were little, and even got to enjoy his great-grandchildren in his latter years.
He will be sorely missed!
Funeral Mass to be held at Holy Family Notre Dame Church on Thursday December 15, 2022 at 11:00 am
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