We Remember

LUCOVIC, Simon

June 25, 1939 — March 19, 2026

With profound love and gratitude, we announce the passing of Simon Lucovic — our devoted father, husband, grandfather, neighbour, and friend — who left us peacefully in his sleep on March 19, 2026, with family close by to shepherd him home.

Born in the village of Rakitno in Hercegovina to Anica and Joseph, Simon grew up in a bustling household of eight children. His early years were spent playing soccer, tending to farm chores, and learning the values that would define his life: hard work, loyalty to family, and living within one’s means. Though he excelled in school, grade eight marked the end of his formal education, and as a teenager he joined his brothers working on construction projects in Slovenia. Growing up in the shadow of World War II shaped his resilience and his unwavering commitment to providing for those he loved.

In 1959, at just 20 years old, Simon fled communist Yugoslavia, crossing treacherous terrain through northern Slovenia into Austria. A year later, with little more than the shirt on his back, he arrived in Canada determined to build a new life.

Simon quickly found work and began what would become a remarkable career with INCO in the new frontier town of Thompson, Manitoba. Starting in the nickel mines, he rose steadily through the ranks of the smelter. In 1984, he embraced a bold three-year assignment leading the smelter at INCO’s operation in Indonesia. After receiving the Golden Handshake in 1992, he continued consulting internationally, becoming a world renowned smelter technician. Companies in Colombia, Australia, and Japan sought him out to solve their most complex engineering challenges.

While Simon’s professional accomplishments were extraordinary, it was his love for family that defined him. With the help of a 1962 Chevy Impala convertible, he won the heart of Pauline, the love of his life. They married in 1963 and shared 55 years of partnership until her passing in 2018. Together they raised two spirited boys who kept them on their toes, while also gifting them the joys of fishing, hockey, and the steady guidance of a stoic father and a warm, devoted mother.

In 1995, Simon and Pauline settled into their dream retirement home in sunny Kelowna, BC.

Simon never forgot the family he left behind. He regularly sent money — and even insulin when it was scarce — to support loved ones in his homeland. After nearly two decades apart, he returned in 1977 with his young family to reunite with his parents. One of his final acts of generosity, alongside his brother, was funding proper gravestones and monuments for family members in Rakitno.

Simon embraced Canadian life wholeheartedly: the cold winters, Labatt’s Blue, fishing in every season, and even a brief stint at hunting. A lifelong soccer fan, he quickly adopted hockey and became a proud Montreal Canadiens supporter. He even laced up for the INCO shift league — though his playing career was short-lived — and later coached minor hockey in Thompson.

In retirement, Simon cherished walking with his coffee buddies, golfing at Michaelbrook, debating politics, playing cards and dice with family, and helping with projects in his yard or in the orchards where the “Croatian Mafia” is always up to something.

Despite becoming a proud Canadian, Simon held tightly to his Croatian roots. Though he eventually lost his accent, he remained fluent in the language and spoke — often loudly — with family and friends every day. Technology was never his strong suit, but he mastered his iPhone, Skype, Viber, and WhatsApp to stay connected across continents. He was an active member of the Kelowna Croatian community and found renewed strength in his Catholic faith through St. Charles Garnier parish.

Simon was an avid gardener, tending tomatoes, cabbage, kale, squash, garlic, and nurturing apple and plum trees. He took great pride in making sour cabbage in his shed and crafting Rakia, the beloved Balkan plum brandy. He loved cooking cabbage rolls and Raštika — a hearty blend of kale, potatoes, garlic, and butter, always seasoned with Vegeta. He enjoyed any cut of red meat, and the secrets of his legendary “Simon’s Salad” remain largely unsolved.

Simon was universally loved — by friends, neighbours, golf buddies, and anyone fortunate enough to experience his charm. Children and his grandchildren especially adored him. He shared a special bond with his best friend Andy Kraljevic and his wife Ana; his neighbour Kenton Campbell and his wife Sharon; his sister-in-law Pat Crerar; and his niece Tanya and her husband Louie Cormier.

Simon was predeceased by his beloved wife Pauline; his brothers Zvonko, Stipe, and Ante; and his sister Ruza, who passed away in childhood.

He is survived by his sons Stanley (Debbie) and Danny (Christine); his grandchildren Andrew, Sarah (Danny), and Steven (Mika); his step grandchild Nicholas; and the many pets who brought him joy, including the unforgettable 007. He is also survived by his siblings Vinko (Lucia), Slavko (Chris), and Mara (Ante); Pauline’s sisters Pat, Phyllis, and Sandy (Harold); and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family is deeply grateful for the exceptional care Simon received over the past two years from the Interior Health and BC Cancer teams in Kelowna.

A Prayer Service will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 7:00 pm, located at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC.

A Funeral Service celebrating Simon’s life will follow on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 10:30 am, located at St. Charles Garnier Church, 3645 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna, BC, with a reception in the church hall. 

Following the service, Simon will be laid to rest at 2:30 PM, located at Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery, 1991 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, BC

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) Foundation.

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

LIVESTREAM PROVIDED BY ST. CHARLES GARNIER PARISH:

Prayer Service
Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 7:00 PM

Service
Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 10:30 AM

Location
St. Charles Garnier Parish

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Canadian Cancer Society or Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) Foundation Link: www.cancer.ca, www.kghfoundation.com

 


Service Information

Service Details

The prayer service for LUCOVIC, Simon is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 7:00 PM at located at 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC, .


The service for LUCOVIC, Simon is scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at 10:30 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:

St. Charles Garnier Parish

3645 Benvoulin Road, Kelowna, BC

Phone:

Special Requests:

None.

Funeral Pointers:

 


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