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Zdravko (Fred) Horvatincic was born in Gusakovec, Croatia on September 24, 1930. He was the 13th child and last child born to his parents, Mijo and Dragica. He passed away on July 30, 2015 at the Penticton Hospital from a sudden and unexpected heart attack. He was happy, healthy and very active to his last day enjoying the outdoors and his retired lifestyle.


He was born in a small town in Croatia that was vibrant with farms and vineyards. He grew up around horses and enjoyed animals and farm life. He learned to be very hard working from his father. When he was of age he went to fulfill his duty in the army in Croatia. He was part of the army that was supposed to be on cross country skis but it never snowed that year. After he finished his military term he crossed the border into Austria with a few friends. He worked in Austria for a few years and then he heard about the opening to leave for Canada. Out of 13 siblings he was the only one to leave Croatia and go to Canada to seek employment and adventure. He left by boat on a very long trip and it was then that he realized how sea-sick he could get. To his last day he really never liked to ride in a boat. Once in Vancouver, the immigration office sent him to Parson BC to work in a mill.


He came to Canada on August 8, 1958 and although knowing none of the English language and only with a half empty suitcase he found work in Parson BC at the mill for two years and then after 2 years he got a job at the Evans Plywood Plant in Golden BC. He worked for two weeks at both places double shifts until he decided that he wanted to work in Golden at the plywood plant and he continued to work there until his proud and respectful retirement in 1995 at age 65. It was there in Golden that he met his wife Fanika. She was working in what was called the mercantile store. They dated for a year and got married on December 31, 1966 and would have been married 50 years next year. Dad worked hard his whole life and took all of his vacation during his working years in the summer. They had vacationed in Penticton many summers and they decided to buy a retirement home here where they have lived for the past 20 years. He always maintained his devotion to his family in Croatia, he was a member of the Okanagan Croatian Club. He was a proud Croatian Canadian and always stayed true to his roots, making sure to reflect the same pride onto his two daughters. His greatest pride was his family and he was a good teacher, he gave good advice and although he was stern, he was always very loving too..


His passion of gardening, growing fruit tress and breeding European Goldfinches and canaries grew during his retirement. He enjoyed playing Bocce, doing things in his yard, making wine, travelling to Croatia, travelling to tropical places like Hawaii and meeting his friends for coffee. He was a wonderful husband and devoted father.


He is survived by his wife of 49 years Fanika and his daughters; Katherine (Randy) and Mary (Matt).


Zdravko will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.


Prayers Fri. August 7, 2015 7:00 pm and Funeral Sat. August 8, 2015 10:30 am at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Penticton, B.C.



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