We Remember

HALUSKA, Ivan

April 6, 1946 — July 16, 2024

It is with deep and profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Husband, Dad, Papa, Dida and friend Ivan Haluska. Ivan unexpectedly passed away on July 16, 2024, at the age of 78.

Ivan was predeceased by both his parents, Antun and Marija; siblings, Joseph, Antuny, and Kata; in-laws Molly and Fred; and son, our brother, Antuny Charles. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife Kathy, his children, Marija (Walter), Terezija (Angelo), David (Chelsea) and the loves of his life, his grandchildren, Tariq (Tiarra), Mekhila, Isabella, Gabriel, and Khalil.

Ivan was born in Novi Mikanovici, Croatia. He left his country to make a better life for himself at the age of 18. He had amazing stories of this time and eventually made his way to Flin Flon, MB, where he met his beautiful wife of 55 years, Kathy. Ivan and Kathy settled in Winnipeg, where they welcomed their children. In 1980, they made their way to the Okanagan and never looked back. Ivan took so much joy in all the fruit and veggies available. We all have wonderful memories of going to orchards, gardens, and farms with him. He always took great satisfaction in growing food for his family and for the community.

Ivan’s cultural pride remained strong and was most notably displayed during the soccer world cup. He remained a dedicated, devoted and highly respected member of the Croatian Club, earning him distinction as a lifetime member. He loved to entertain and his pig roasts were legendary. If you didn’t leave a roast a little tipsy or a little too full, you must have been hiding from him. One of his most prized possessions was a plaque naming him “Best Croatian Cook” awarded to him by the club.

Ivan was a hardworking plumber, highly respected for his skills and integrity. He was immensely proud of owning and running his own business, Alpine Mechanical. Ivan was a handyman to anyone in need, until the day he passed. He loved to serve others – whether through his work with the Knights of Columbus, coaching minor sports, park clean-ups or dinners to feed hundreds, Ivan always found the time to help.

Ivan was big-hearted, silly and generous. A kid at heart, he was the favourite playmate of his children, grandchildren and most of the neighbourhood. Ivan remained the number one fan of his grandchildren, attending hockey, soccer, football, basketball, baseball, and softball games whenever possible. He proudly declared them the best players (without bias) to anyone who would listen. Many in Kelowna may have seen him making friends and distributing lollipops not long ago at a basketball tournament. He took immense pride in his role as a founding member and builder of the Kelowna Bocce Club. Much of his joy came from working in the bocce club yard, one of his truly happy places.

We miss him dearly, unsure how to proceed without our beloved “Ivan the Terrible”. From the simplest acts of kindness to the grandest gestures, Ivan’s spirit will continue to guide us. Each game we attend, every lollipop we hand out and every bocce ball we roll, will be a tribute to the man who taught us the true meaning of dedication and fun. It is our turn to carry forward his traditions, to foster the same sense of community and to live each day with the same generosity he so effortlessly embodied. Rest in peace, Ivan.

A Funeral Service will take place on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024, at 11:00 AM, at CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH (formally St. Theresa’s), 750 Rutland Rd N, Kelowna, BC. A reception will be held with the Catholic Woman’s League in the basement of the Church.
AND
A celebration of his life will take place Thursday, August 22, 2024, starting at 3:00 pm at the Kelowna Bocce Club, 2340 Aberdeen St, Kelowna, BC. Come and go as you please, meat will be served at 5:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the family for a memorial bench on the mission green way so we can visit him always in a place that was filled with hours of play and laughter. Additionally, we kindly request that you perform an act of service for someone in his honour. Ivan’s most heartfelt way of showing care and love was through acts of kindness.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

Service
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024, at 11:00 AM

Location
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH (formally St. Teresa's), 750 Rutland Road N, Kelowna, BC

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Contribute to family for a memorial bench on the Mission Creek Greenway, and perform an act of service for someone in Ivan's honour

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for HALUSKA, Ivan is scheduled for WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH (formally St. Teresa's), 750 Rutland Road N, Kelowna, BC

750 Rutland Road N, Kelowna, BC

Phone:


Special Requests:

None.


Funeral Pointers:

 


Condolences

  • Sabina Sakic says:

    I am sorry for your loss.

  • Ron Gill says:

    My condolences to the family. Ivan was a good man who everyone will remember for his kindness and charity.

  • Denise Paley says:

    Dear Kathy, Marija, Tasie, David and families.
    We are so very sorry for this deep loss. A loss to your family and our community as a whole. I have many memories of your dad and yes, many of them are intertwined with him giving of us his time and heart. A family man who cherished his wife and children but who came alive like never before when his grandchildren came along. All that pride and love he had for his own children seemed to expand ten fold when the grands came along and his huge capacity to love them all grew a little more with each one. His patience and kindness and generosity are all a legacy of how to be a better person that he leaves behind. I know there are no words that I can offer to take away this tremendous pain. I’ve come to learn that grief is the high price to pay when you’ve had a great love. Hold on to one another, lean on each other and you will get through this together. Cherish the memories of this amazing man. May he rest now in eternal peace.
    Much love,
    Denise and Darrin Paley

  • Marija Buric says:

    My deepest condolences to Kathy and all family.

  • Rose Jurkic says:

    Dear Kathy and family.,
    My condolences on your loss. My late husband Ilija and I greatly admired Ivan. He was always ready to help and showed that in the many ways he volunteered his time, energy and knowledge to serve his community.. I have fond memories of him bringing his grandchildren to the library. He was the proudest Dida and loved to regal me with their many accomplishments. My deepest sympathy..

  • Irma and Dave Baker says:

    Kathy and family, thinking of you all at this sad time. Cherish all the beautiful memories of him. Good bye to our wonderful, dear friend, Ivan. We will miss you.

  • Linda McLaughlin says:

    Please accept my deepest condolences
    We did not know Ivan. Dave is a good friend of my son John. He was at our home many times. I remember him bringing things from his Dad’s garden a few times. A beautiful obituary. Sounds like a wonderful man! What a great loss.💔

  • Mike Krekic and Slavica Krekic says:

    So sorry you have lost Ivan, too soon to be gone. He was a super nice guy and a good person. Please accept heartfelt condolences from Mike and Slavica (Louise) Krekic from Penticton.

  • NELLA says:

    Dear Kathy and family and close friends,
    I am so sorry to hear the loss of your husband father and best friend and grandparents,
    Ivan was a kind person I have never seen him getting mad at anyone he will be
    sadly missed.
    Always remember all the happy and fun times that we all shared when Ivan was alive.
    Stay strong and remember Ivan will always be with all of us.
    Your whole family will be in my thoughts and prayers, I think of you all often every single day.
    RIP Ivan.
    From Nella and Jake and Ray our Cane Corso Bullie X dogs says 🐺

  • Ivica Sarac for Croatian Club says:

    On behalf of the Okanagan Croatian Club we send our deepest sympathy to the family of Ivan Haluška. Ivan was a long time member and truly helped the Club in every possible way.
    We will miss him.
    Počivao u miru Božijem!!

  • Colleen and Brian Elder says:

    Dear Kathy and family,
    We want to send out deepest sympathy to you at this very difficult time. We will cherish all the fun we had together playing cards in the evenings. Our daughter has never forgotten Ivan teaching her how to carve a spoon. She now carves frequently,

  • Colleen & Brian Elder says:

    Dear Kathy and family, We want to send out deepest sympathy to you at this very difficult time. We will cherish all the fun we had together playing cards in the evenings. Our daughter has never forgotten Ivan teaching her how to carve a spoon. She now carves frequently,
    Ivan was a kind, caring man who was always there if you needed him. He will be truly missed.

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