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December 24, 1930 - November 8, 2020
Bozo (Bob) Devcic was born on December 24th, 1930 and died on November 8th, 2020. After a few years of declining health, Bozo died peacefully at home as he had wished.
Bozo was born in Crni Dabar, Lika in Croatia. Bozo comes from the Croatian name, Bozidar, which means divine or Christmas gift. He was proud to be from the mountains of Lika and enjoyed all that went with that.
Bozo arrived in Canada on June 6th, 1957 after escaping from the former Yugoslavia into Austria. After working in Austria for a year, he was given an Austrian passport, on which he travelled to Canada.
His first job in Canada was in Kitimat working on the construction of the Anderson Creek Bridge. When that job finished up, he went on to Smithers where he worked as a labourer in a sawmill.
His good fortune didn't end there, the owner of the sawmill he worked for convinced him to buy a lot in Smithers and lent him the money to do so. After that, the man generously taught and helped him to build his first of many houses.
A year after arriving in Smithers, Bob brought his wife, Ana, out of Yugoslavia to Smithers to a new house. In March of 1962, Bozo moved to Terrace and worked at Skeena Sawmills. Bob stayed at Skeena Sawmills until his retirement. A proud and competent union man, I.W.A, local 1-425, he advocated for many people during this time.
Bob was a man with an incandescent smile and a big heart who could light up a room. He did not drive, but logged many steps on foot before we understood that walking 10,000 steps was part of a healthy lifestyle. After retirement, he could often be found exercising at the pool gym and meeting his friends at the coffee shop. Bozo was a very social person, he loved talking with everyone.
Bob leaves behind his daughters Kayo (Anton Brook-Harte) Devcic, Gina (Daniel) Belisle, and son Tom (Sandra) Devcic and his grandchildren Gevan (Gigi), Mariah, Farren, and Shawn. He also leaves behind his brothers and sister in Hamilton, Ivica,Tomo, Ika well as and Nikola, Mico and Drago in Croatia along with many nieces and nephews and extended family. Bob is joining his beloved wife Ana and first daughter Kata.
He was cared for with the utmost love, compassion, respect, and professionalism by Susan Graham, to whom we will always be most grateful for her kindness and help.
Bob knew that there is only one true happiness in life: to love and be loved. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His regular phone calls are already missed.
Zbogom (go with god) dad/Bozo


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