Peacefully, on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Georgetown Hospital, at the age of 88. Devoted husband of Danica for 66 years. Adored father of Maryann Perkovic (Branko), John (Mira) and Suzie Perkovic (Mladen). Adored grandfather to Robi (Nancy), Damir (Megan), Sandy (Roko), Tanya (Jay), Jasna, Martina (Dean), Nikolina, Daniel, and great grandfather to Marko, Iva, Lily, Noah, Marina, Luka, Jelena and Everleigh.
Vinko was born March 18, 1935, in Rakitno, Hercegovina to his mother, Marija (Mihalj – deceased), and to Father Ivan (deceased). As a young child, together with his brother Dragan (deceased), sister Milica (deceased), and parents, they moved to Strazeman (Slavonska Pozega) where they embarked on a new chapter of their lives.

His stay was short-lived as he was forced as a young man to flee his homeland of Croatia to seek a safer passage from the war-torn communist regime. He made it to an Austrian camp where he met the love of his life – Danica. They were separated for a while, but as fate would have it, they found each other again and married in 1957. With one suitcase in hand, they boarded a ship that sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to begin their new life in an unknown country with an unknown language.

With humble beginnings and their love for each other, they were blessed with three children. His family was his life, it is what kept his heart beating to the very end. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. It was never too late to have coffee and toast which was his favorite meal. He was a man who was looked up to by all who knew him and will be remembered as a loving and caring person who shared stories of bravery and determination that encompassed the strong-willed individual he was. Hugs and kisses were always in great supply. He was kind and generous and it didn’t matter who you were, if you needed help, he was always there. His fingerprints are forever embedded in all our hearts.

Vinko loved hockey (Montreal Canadians), and soccer (anything Croatian) and he liked to hunt, although the carcass would sometimes have a “Canada Packers” stamp embossed on it, but we went along with the game. He loved playing cards with his friends. He loved his white Cadillac. He loved his green grass! He lived his life to the fullest and always on his own terms.

He was a pillar in the Croatian community. His love of his homeland was portrayed in his devotion to two organizations in particular – the Toronto Croatia Soccer Club and the Croatian Seniors of Mississauga Organization. His life passion was to bring a piece of his homeland to Canada and to share the adventures with all those who knew him.

His love for us will forever continue and his legacy lives within all of us and will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Queen of Peace Croatian Franciscan Centre, Norval, ON.

In Loving Memory
of our
Wonderful Dad

Of all the special gifts in life however great or small, to have you as our Dad was the greatest gift of all.

May the winds of love blow softly and whisper in your ear
"We love and miss you Dad and wish that you were here."

Deep in our hearts, your life is kept to love and cherish, not forget. No more tomorrows we can share but yesterdays are always there.

A silent thought, a secret tear keeps your memory ever near in our hearts forever.
XXX


Friends may call at the Turner and Porter Neweduk- Erin Mills Chapel, 1981 Dundas Street West, Mississauga on Tuesday from 2-4 & 6-9 p.m. Prayers 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 9118 Winston Churchill Dr., Norval, on Wednesday January 10, 2024, at 10 a.m. Interment Assumption Cemetery.