Oct. 10, 1935 – Aug. 30, 2019

Age 83

MILE “MIKE” PANIĆ was born in Gornji Furjan, Kordun, Croatia on October 10, 1935. He was predeceased by his father Ante and mother Jelena (Žgela); his sister Marica Halagić; brothers Jure, Franjo, and Josip all of Croatia.

His family in Canada are wife Marija (Verli) and children Maria Federmesser (Jim) and Michael (Cynthia). His niece Grozdana Crowe (Panić) and her family; Roger, Anton, and Goran reside in Calgary. His grandchildren are Melissa Federmesser and Ashley (Kuerschner); spouse Elijah, with his great-grandchildren Moses, Hollis, Harriet, and Iver.

Mile and Marija came to Canada in May 1961 settling in Coaldale, Alberta. Dad worked in his early days at Central Farms as a labourer and then took a position with the Canadian Pacific Railway laying new train tracks throughout southern Alberta. He worked, as a cement finisher, for several construction companies in Lethbridge from 1965 to his retirement in 1998.

Throughout his life in Canada, Mile (known as Mičo in his Croatian community) never forgot his Croatian heritage. He was an active member of the Lethbridge Canadian-Croatian Club, since its inception, in the early 1970s. Mile was known for his sense of humour and his love of his Croatian heritage.

Mile was also a very active member of St. Ambrose Parish in Coaldale. Throughout the many decades, dad, volunteered his time renovating the rectory, painting the church, replacing tiles in the grotto and taking care of some cement repairs; always happy to lend a hand for our Lord.

Dad loved life. He never stopped working. Always building, repairing and inventing; an engineer in his soul. He is now discussing with St. Peter how the Pearly Gates need to be upgraded and that he will get right on it with only the best and strongest materials. That’s our dad. Rest in Peace Tata.

Prayers will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at 7:00 P.M. with Deacon Ray & Ellen Wagner officiating. Mile’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. AMBROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1513 – 23 Avenue, Coaldale, AB on Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 10:30 A.M. with Father Ian Gagne celebrating. Interment to follow in the Coaldale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking our friends to donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, NWT & NU, 200-119 14 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1Z6.

 

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2019-08-30