It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Zdenko Stanislav Kocijancic, affectionately known by most as “Stan the Man” and by his girls as “Tata”, has passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026, at age 82.
Zdenko was born to Adela Ferencevic and Daniel Kocijancic in the town of Ilok, Croatia, where he spent his youth swimming across the Danube River. As a young man, he achieved local champion status in skydiving and continued to live adventurously, moving from his home country of Croatia to Germany, and then Canada where he started his family.
He built an incredible life in Canada through hard work while raising his children, having spent over three decades at Ford and running a successful landscaping business in his ‘spare time.’
Zdenko, who often reminded us he was “born good,” had an infinite capacity for love and zest for life. He was friendly to everyone he met, offering a warm smile to those who would be entertained by his unlimited ability for storytelling. He always showed extraordinary courage and bravery, and in his final weeks and days, he never lost his optimism and gratitude for life, in the face of his battle with cancer.
An avid nature enthusiast who loved to be in the sunshine and the water, Zdenko swam as often as he could at the local pool in Stoney Creek and Adriatic Sea in Novalja on the island of Pag, in Croatia. He enjoyed sports, particularly hockey and soccer, and was very proud of having been the goalie of the Hamilton Croatian Soccer team in 1968. He also cared deeply for animals, cherishing his walks with his dog Archie and feeding his birds in the garden where he nurtured his pride and joy – an array of plants, flowers and his beloved yellow magnolia tree.
His love of nature, animals, sports and good food, was only surpassed by his endless love for his family, whose presence would make him light up with pride, joy and laughter over Burek or a ‘double double.’ He is survived by his wife Branka Kocijancic, his daughters or “girls” Brigette, Erica and Maya Kocijancic, and Branka’s daughter, Dubravka Uchman, as well as his sons-in-law Paul Harrington (Brigette) and Hugo De Almeida (Erica). He will be greatly missed by his granddaughter Ella Grace (Erica) Kocijancic-Silk and Dubravka’s children Fallon and Jasper Uchman. His incredible legacy of love will live on in his family and friends forever more.
We are consoled by the fact that he rejoins his dear mother Adela and father Daniel in Heaven. As per his wishes, he will be buried in Ilok, Croatia with his beloved mother.
Heaven has gained an earthly celebrity and angel in “Stan the Man”, and we wait for the day we meet him again. Until then, we know he’ll fondly watch over us through his everlasting celestial presence.
FOTO: Private
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