Ilija passed away peacefully in his 92nd year at Credit Valley Hospital with his wife Dragica by his side. Ilija and Dragica had just celebrated their 64th year of marriage earlier this month.

He was a devoted father to John (Natallia) and Dean (Ruza) and an amazing grandfather to Michelle, Diana, Nicole and Jessica.

He is predeceased by his parents, Jovo and Andja Smiciklas, his brothers Nikola, Jovo, Pero and sisters Jela and Anica.

In 1958, Ilija left his birthplace of Sopote, Croatia and made his way to Austria before making the final journey to Toronto, Canada that same year. It was there that he met his lovely wife, Dragica, and they got married in November 1959. In 1973 they moved to Mississauga living in the same house for the last 50 years.

He worked at Canada Packers until retirement in 1984. It was shortly thereafter that he embarked on his final career, being a grandfather. He was a long-time babysitter and had a hand in raising all four of his granddaughters. He could carry a baby to sleep like no other.

He was always an active member of the Croatian parish in Mississauga and sang in the church choir for over 30 years.

Ilija was one of the founding members of Drustvo Zumberak, and many summers were spent both at Zumberak Farm and Croatian Parish Park Father Kamber. He was an avid wine maker and was so proud to share it with his many friends.

He was always the glass half full kind of guy and was so happy enjoying his new found love for a Big Mac.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends both in Canada and Croatia.

A special thank you to the staff of the Credit Valley Renal Care Centre where Ilija went for dialysis and Credit Valley Hospital where he spent his final days.

The visitation will be at Turner & Porter "Peel" Chapel, 2180 Hurontario Street, Mississauga on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 2-4 & 6-9 p.m. Rosary prayer will be at 8pm.

The Funeral Mass will be held at Church of Croatian Martyrs, 4605 Mississauga Road, Mississauga on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 10 a.m. The mass will also be available on You Tube at the Croatian Martyrs channel.

Burial will follow at Assumption Cemetery.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the parish that Ilija adored so much, Church of Croatian Martyrs.