We Remember

GORJANC, Anton (Tony)

—

Passed away at home with all his family by his side on Thursday, July 11, 2013 at the age of 84.  Survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Amelia; daughter Daniela (Ian) Macdonald; sons Louie (Sherri), Tony (Joanne); grandchildren Michael, Kenzie, Nicole, Devon, Megan; sister Maria Lenarcic and many, many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Alojs and Francisca Gorjanc, his brothers: Joseph, Louie and Ivan and his sister Teresa.

Grampa was born on January 6, 1929 in Tolsti Vrh, Slovenia.  He served in World War II with the partisans.  Shortly after the war, he made his way to Austria and other parts of Europe.  He immigrated to Canada in 1955, unable to speak English and with no money, making his way to Toronto, Winnipeg, Northern Alberta and Northern BC.  After several stops in Northern BC, he met the love of his life, Amelia, in Prince Rupert, where they raised their three children and where he worked at the Pulp Mill for 32 years.  Tony worked extra jobs in home construction and landscaping, where his strength and work ethic was demonstrated and admired.  He retired and moved to Kelowna in 1992, where he enjoyed his passions for the outdoors, hunting, gardening, collecting his own firewood and mushrooms, Bocce, Dominoes, Yahtzee, golfing, photography and most of all spending time with his family and friends.  Tony cherished all of his grandchildren and they treasured him in return.  Grampa was a big man in stature and had great strength.  With a simple hand shake he would crush one’s hand and would then shower one with tremendous hospitality, if they could still hold a glass!  The family wished to express their gratitude for the compassion, guidance and assistance of the nurses and staff of the Central Okanagan Hospice Palliative Care Program.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 19, 2013 at 1:00 pm at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.  If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”

Service
Friday, July 19, 2013 at 1:00 pm

Location
Springfield Funeral Home

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Service Information

Service Details


The service for GORJANC, Anton (Tony) is scheduled for Friday, July 19, 2013 at 1:00 pm . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

Springfield Funeral Home

2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC

Phone:

Special Requests:

None.

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Condolences

  • Victor Colussi says:
    July 15, 2013 at 10:52 pm

    We are sorry to hear of the passing away of Tony. To me Tony was a gentle giant and i felt Tony and Amelia were like my uncle and aunt, specially when they took me into their home for 10 months back in 1979 in Prince Rupert. AT first i thought that Tony was a big grizzly bear, but it did not take long to figure out that he was a big teddy bear. The last time i saw Tony was in July of 2012. I stopped by for a visit. As usual the hospitality was shared with food and drink. I remembered he was taking pictures of my 1970 Chevelle. The same car that sat in his driveway in 1979 in Prince Rupert. He sure admired it.
    Tony our gentle giant will be missed.
    Our thoughts and prayers go out to (Zia) Amelia, Daniela, Louie, Tonino, and the rest of the Family.

    Love Victor and laurie, Angela and Sergio Colussi

    Reply
  • Sam and Patti DiMaria says:
    July 16, 2013 at 3:01 am

    Dear Lou and family
    Our deepest condolences on the loss of your Dad. May your wonderful memories help give you peace at this time.
    God Bless
    Sam & Pàtti

    Reply
  • Helena Sulich Lee says:
    July 16, 2013 at 5:58 am

    Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your loved one.
    Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
    Lee and Sulich family

    Reply
  • Vicki Moore says:
    July 16, 2013 at 6:49 pm

    Louie – Sorry to hear about your father’s passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

    Vicki and Bruce

    Reply
  • wayne jennings says:
    July 17, 2013 at 10:18 pm

    Dear Daniela and family: I am so very sorry for the great loss of your wonderful dad. Thank you for sharing with me a little of the remarkable and truly heroic life that was lived by this extraordinary man. I only wish i could have met your dad .
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time

    wayne jennings

    Reply
  • Greg & Keri says:
    July 18, 2013 at 7:14 am

    We were very sorry to hear of Tony’s passing. He was a great neighbour and we sure will miss all our chats we had with him while we each did yard work. Amelia, if you need anything – we are here for you.

    Reply
  • Stella Georgeson says:
    July 18, 2013 at 8:32 am

    Our sincere condolences on the loss of a kind and gentle man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Stella & Ken Georgeson
    Peter & Doreen Gallant
    Mary Arneson

    Reply
  • Greg & Keri says:
    July 18, 2013 at 9:47 am

    We were very sorry to hear of Tony’s passing. He was a great neighbour and we will miss having our chats with him as we did our yard work.
    Greg & Keri Bardwell

    Reply
  • Adriano Magro says:
    July 18, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    Condolence from Adriano and Diane.
    Daniela, Louie, Tony, Amelia, please accept our heart felt condolences. He was a wonderful gentle man. He never lost a hand shake, I just wish he was still around for another one.

    Reply
  • Adriano Magro says:
    July 18, 2013 at 7:18 pm

    Here a few pictures I found in my parents photo albums, he was always having fun.

    Reply
  • Adriano Magro says:
    July 18, 2013 at 7:19 pm

    Looked good in a beard

    Reply
  • Adriano Magro says:
    July 18, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    One More

    Reply
  • Peter & Colette Martin says:
    July 18, 2013 at 8:38 pm

    Louie & Sherri/ Tony & Joanne -Our heartfelt condolences to you and your families. Though we never had a chance to meet your father, the stories and memories you have shared help us to feel a part of his journey.

    Thinking of you and your family especially today.

    Reply
  • Pat and Jim Harris says:
    July 19, 2013 at 9:22 am

    Dear Daniela and Ian,

    We were sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. He will always be with you, in the memories, smiles and all the good times you had together.

    May it help to know that others are thinking of you today.

    Love Jim and Pat Harris

    Reply
  • Emil and Nanja Nedeljak says:
    July 19, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    We are sorry to hear of Tony’s passing.
    It was always nice to have a chat with him when we were passing by on our walks or when he was running errands in his truck.
    Tony’s big grin and humor always brightened our day.
    Wishing you all peace and love.
    Emil and Nanja.

    Reply
  • Milena Cunial says:
    July 22, 2013 at 9:47 pm

    Dear Amelia and family:may you find strength in the love of family,and in the warm embrace of friends.
    With aurs deepest Simpathy aurs thoughts and prayers are with you all.
    Aurs dear friends Toni we will never forget him.
    From Luigi & Milena …

    Reply
  • Ardelle Polus says:
    December 8, 2013 at 6:37 pm

    My sincere condolences to all of the family. I remember your dad as a hard worker with strong morals. Ardelle

    Reply

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