Obituary for Milan Kutlesa
It is with broken hearts that we announce that Milan Kutlesa, age 87, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2023 at TBRHSC, with his family by his side.
Milan was born on January 20th, 1936 to Ivan and Bozica Kutlesa in Selo Ducic, Prisoje, Bosnia. He was the 2nd youngest of 7 siblings, 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Milan immigrated to Canada in 1960, first arriving in Quebec, then Sudbury, and eventually landing in Port Arthur upon finding a job at Great Lakes Forest Products, working in the bush camps. He retired from the same company in 1994 under the new name Bowater.
In 1968, he met the love of his life, Danica Mandaric, and they married on November 30th, 1968. Together they were blessed with 2 children, John and Susan. Milan was a loving husband and father, and although work required him to be away from his family during the week, weekends were devoted to family time. Many fond memories were made with regular family gatherings and Sunday picnics at the Croatian “farm” after church.
Upon retirement, and with his own children grown, Milan found great joy in his new role as “Pa”, as he was affectionately called by his first-born grandson Jayden. Milan beamed with love and pride when he first laid eyes on Jayden, and their bond remained strong always. To his 2nd and 3rd born grandchildren, Emmerson and Jack, he was “Dida”, and boy did they love their Dida! In recent years, as his health began to fail, his dedicated wife Danica looked after her husband with such love and devotion. He was lucky to have her and she was lucky to have him. Their bond and love was like no other. Milan will be greatly missed, but we find comfort in knowing he is now at peace in God’s loving arms.
Milan was predeceased by his parents Ivan and Bozica Kutlesa, his siblings, Jakov, Josep, Ante, Mate, Zorka and Matija, and his mother and father in law, Jakov and Mara Mandaric.
He is survived by his wife, Danica Kutlesa, his children John (Ivan) Kutlesa and Susan Gervis (Neil), and his grandchildren Jayden, Emmerson and Jack. Milan is also survived by many extended family and friends in Thunder Bay, Southern Ontario, California, Croatia and across Europe.
A funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at 11 am, at the Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary Church. Interment following in St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
If friends so choose, contributions are suggested to the TBRHSC – Northern Cardiac Fund in memory of Milan.
Online condolences may be left at www.sargentandson.com.
Milan was born on January 20th, 1936 to Ivan and Bozica Kutlesa in Selo Ducic, Prisoje, Bosnia. He was the 2nd youngest of 7 siblings, 4 brothers and 2 sisters. Milan immigrated to Canada in 1960, first arriving in Quebec, then Sudbury, and eventually landing in Port Arthur upon finding a job at Great Lakes Forest Products, working in the bush camps. He retired from the same company in 1994 under the new name Bowater.
In 1968, he met the love of his life, Danica Mandaric, and they married on November 30th, 1968. Together they were blessed with 2 children, John and Susan. Milan was a loving husband and father, and although work required him to be away from his family during the week, weekends were devoted to family time. Many fond memories were made with regular family gatherings and Sunday picnics at the Croatian “farm” after church.
Upon retirement, and with his own children grown, Milan found great joy in his new role as “Pa”, as he was affectionately called by his first-born grandson Jayden. Milan beamed with love and pride when he first laid eyes on Jayden, and their bond remained strong always. To his 2nd and 3rd born grandchildren, Emmerson and Jack, he was “Dida”, and boy did they love their Dida! In recent years, as his health began to fail, his dedicated wife Danica looked after her husband with such love and devotion. He was lucky to have her and she was lucky to have him. Their bond and love was like no other. Milan will be greatly missed, but we find comfort in knowing he is now at peace in God’s loving arms.
Milan was predeceased by his parents Ivan and Bozica Kutlesa, his siblings, Jakov, Josep, Ante, Mate, Zorka and Matija, and his mother and father in law, Jakov and Mara Mandaric.
He is survived by his wife, Danica Kutlesa, his children John (Ivan) Kutlesa and Susan Gervis (Neil), and his grandchildren Jayden, Emmerson and Jack. Milan is also survived by many extended family and friends in Thunder Bay, Southern Ontario, California, Croatia and across Europe.
A funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at 11 am, at the Assumption Of The Blessed Virgin Mary Church. Interment following in St. Andrew’s Cemetery.
If friends so choose, contributions are suggested to the TBRHSC – Northern Cardiac Fund in memory of Milan.
Online condolences may be left at www.sargentandson.com.