Vinko Pavlovic

Vinko Pavlovic was born on June 13, 1941, in Veljaci, a small village near the border of present-day Hercegovina and Croatia. Growing up amidst the challenges of a post-WWII war-torn Yugoslavia, Vinko, fueled by youthful ambition, made a daring escape from his homeland with nothing more than the clothes on his back and an unwavering determination to build a better future.

After numerous attempts, evading border guards in heart-pounding pursuits, he initially found refuge in an Italian camp, where he spent many months, working any odd job he could find, and formed many fond memories. He eventually made his way to Canada, reuniting with his brother Ranko and other relatives in Kamloops, and through their help, was able to immigrate and build the foundation for the life he dreamed of.

Eager to get ahead in a foreign country, despite not speaking any English, he jumped at the first opportunity he could find and began working as a dishwasher for a local Chinese restaurant. This was short lived however, as he soon joined his brother working for the CN railway followed by employment at the TOLKO sawmill. The thirst for entrepreneurship enticed the two brothers and joining forces with Vinko’s brother-in-law, Vince, they purchased a window fabricating shop on 8th street and ran a successful business for several years.

Eventually the business was sold and the partners pursued their own separate ventures, and in a shop on Ord Road, Vinko started his business selling and manufacturing canopies for trucks, which he continued to do for 30+ years and is the business he was probably best known for. His brand, Supertop Canopies, sold throughout Western Canada, and to this day many past customers will continue to show up at that location (which is now a car lot), asking about him and reminiscing on the memorable service and deals he gave.

For the past 20 years, retirement was never on his mind. He pursued his passion buying and selling real-estate, many times doing so with his brother Vito. He was always looking for good opportunities and enjoyed helping others by lending or investing in their passion projects and partnering on many big developments – many of which are still underway that he would have loved to see completed. Even in his last days, he would be coming up with new ideas and dreaming a vision of what he could still accomplish.

Vinko was a family man and a people person. Everywhere he went he knew someone or someone knew him. He loved meeting and engaging with people from all different walks of life and was always eager to learn about their outlook on life, and whatever it was that excited them.

"Cheeko-Beeko" enjoyed sitting around with family and friends, having good conversations and laughs. He was someone people would turn to for advice, support, or just to be around his kindness, his wisdom, or his vivacious spirit.

Vinko Pavlovic passed away peacefully on March 14, 2024 at the Kamloops Hospice. He spent his final days surrounded by his loving family and friends, whose presence was a source of great comfort and joy right up to the end.

He was predeceased by his father Jure, mother Milica, brothers Ivan and Ranko, and sister Nevenka. Vinko was loved and will be dearly missed by his his wife Ljilja (Lilly), sons Brian and Kevin, daughter Anita, brother Vito, sisters-in-law Linda and Milenka, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins here in Kamloops and in the Old Country.

Our family would like to thank, in Vinko’s own words, his guardian angels: Doctors Montalbetti, Pwint, and Matanaj, all the fantastic staff at the Kamloops Hospice, his good friend and pharmacist Missagh Manshadi, Pearl and the nursing staff at RIH floor GT-8, the compassionate Fr. Derrick Cameron and Fr. Rajesh Madtha, and to all our friends and relatives here and far, for their loving care, prayers & support.

We will all miss Vinko’s kind and considerate ways, his humor, his advice, his take on things, his love for family, and his unique outlook on life. Zivjeli dad. RIP


FOTO: Private