Mile Luburic

The world grew quieter on October 15, 2025, when Mile Luburić, in his 92nd year, gently left this earth, cradled in the love of those whose lives he touched so deeply.

Mile Luburić was born on December 27, 1933, in Omrčenica, Bosna and Herzegovina, and was baptized in Kongora. He was the youngest of seven children born to Janja and Frano Luburić. Mile’s early life was marked by both hardship and profound resilience.

During the turmoil of war, he suffered the loss of his father, a loss that would shape the path of his childhood. Raised by their strong and devoted mother, Mile and his siblings learned the values of perseverance in the face of adversity. After their home was burned to the ground, the family relocated to Gornji Radišići, where they began the difficult task of rebuilding. Though resources were scarce and daily life was a struggle, the Luburić household remained rich in love, unity, and enduring family bonds.

In October 1957, seeking freedom from the communist regime, Mile escaped to Austria with two of his friends. He spent a year in a refugee camp until, in 1958, he was given passage to Canada. He arrived in Montreal by ship, with no English, no family, and only a handshake and a “good luck” to guide him. Like so many refugees of the time, he faced the harsh beginnings of a new life alone. He found work in a gold mine in northern Quebec, and later moved to Elliot Lake to work in the uranium mines.

There are no words big enough to contain the giant life of a man like Mile. Steady as the earth, he was a beacon in the darkness, strong in all the ways that truly matter. His life was marked by hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication. Throughout his life, he remained committed to preserving his heritage and nurturing a vibrant Croatian community.

Mile was a man of the old world, but with the soul of someone forever young. He loved to laugh; he loved to partake in political debates. He was a timeless, complex character with both gravitas and vitality. He carried the weight of history in his voice, yet his spirit remained unstuck in time; curious, sharp, and endlessly engaged with the world around him. He was the kind of man who made you think deeper, feel more, and laugh harder. His gaze could say more than words ever could. His hands, built homes, carried burdens, and held his loved ones with care. He was a man of deep Christian faith; he lived simply, thought deeply, and was a voracious reader. He loved books. He gave much and left a mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him. We often wonder if he truly knew the depth of his impact, quietly and powerfully showing up for his family, his friends and for life itself. Mile carried a heart wide open to the world.

Mile met the love of his life, Ankica, before leaving for Austria. Though an ocean and years separated them, they stayed connected through letters, making plans for a life together in Canada. Because Ankica could only immigrate if they were married, the couple wed by proxy, with Mile’s brother Ante standing in for him, while Ante’s wife and son served as witnesses. Ankica arrived in Elliot Lake in December 1961, and in 1963, they settled in Oakville, where Mile began working at the Ford Motor Company of Canada.

Mile and Ankica were married for nearly 64 years. Through joy and sorrow, hardship and peace, they walked hand in hand, never letting go. Theirs was a love story written not in grand declarations, but in a shared life well lived, a testament to devotion, patience, and unwavering partnership.

As a father, Mile was our foundation and our hero. He showed his love through action. He ensured we never went without. He listened with presence, loved with strength, and led by example. He gave us everything he had and he gave it freely, joyfully and from the depths of his generous heart.

Mile is survived by his beloved wife Ankica, and his children: Marijan, Mary (Tom), Nina (Ljubo), and Mike (Elena). He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren: Natasha (Brodie), Tianna, Ante (Anica), Mile (Nicole), Ivana (Dylan), Niko (Adrianna), Maja, and Marko; and his great-grandchildren, Mile and Leif. Mourning his loss as well are his nephews, Frano and Zvonko, along with their families, his extended family in Hercegovina and Croatia, and all those he was blessed to call family or friend.

Now, in the hush that follows goodbye, we move forward, gentler, braver, and fuller, because our beloved father was here.

Rest softly, Tata. You were endlessly loved. You always will be.


FOTO: Private