Obituary of Mike Matic

Obituary Mike Matic February 28, 1929 to March 26, 2022 It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Mike Matic, at 93 years of age. Mike was born on February 28, 1929, in Sveti Rok, Croatia and passed away peacefully in his home on March 26, 2022 in Fort St. John. Mike was born on February 28, 1929, the youngest son of seven, to Nikola and Kata Matic. Mike Matic was only able to complete Grade 2, due to the outbreak of World War II in Europe. His mother sent him to carpentry apprenticeship at the age of 15, a skill that served him well for the rest of his life. Mike escaped Communist Croatia in 1958 and was a refugee in an Austrian camp for a year. He made his way to Canada by boat in 1959, seeking freedom and new opportunities. He married Ivka Brkic on November 7, 1964, and together had four children, two daughters Mary and Kata, and two sons John and Mike. Upon his arrival in Canada, Mike first worked for the railway service in BC, then built houses for Indian Affairs in the Peace River region and starting in 1963 began a long career at the Fort St. John General Hospital until his retirement in 1994, where he was fondly known as Mr. Mike. Mike was an accomplished carpenter and gardener. As a hobby, he enjoyed building furniture for his family. Each child received a handmade cedar chest, that he proudly made with joy. Mike and Ivka lived in the home he built in 1964, until the time of his death. There are many homes in the community that have benefited from Mike’s carpentry skills. Many marveled at Mikes endless skills for renovation, including painting, plumbing, tiling and wiring. He was a fixture at the local hardware stores, known on a first name basis. Shoveling snow was both an obsession and a passion. Mike was a warm and generous soul, with a twinkle in his eye and a grin on his face. He always had sweets in his pocket to share with neighborhood kids. Friends and family will miss his laugh and kind-hearted nature. Mike was a devout Catholic and life time member of the Roman Catholic Church of the Resurrection. He enjoyed humming to the hymns every Saturday night. Mike was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, and four brothers. He is survived by his wife Ivka, daughter Mary (Kevin), daughter Kata (Mark), son John, son Mike, and his grandchildren, Luke, Jude, Noah and Lucy. There will be a service at the Church of the Resurrection on April 8, 2022, at 2pm. Services Memorial Mass Friday April 8, 2022 2:00 PM Church of the Resurrection 9504 100 Ave Fort St. John, BC V1J1X7 Interment to follow Friday April 8, 2022 Woodlawn Cemetery 12704 86 St Fort St. John, BC V1J 4M6