As the last few notes of “Dante’s Prayer” faded away at the exact hour he would have left for work back home, Vince passed away surrounded by his family’s love in Victoria Hospice after a very short, courageous battle with a rare form of kidney cancer.
To Vince, his family and friends were the foundation of his life. The love he bestowed upon them was immeasurable and returned by all who knew him. Vince is now at peace, knowing he has imparted a strong legacy based on his integrity, values, and love of life.
Vince was born in Žejane, a village on the Istrian Peninsula in what is today Croatia. For the past 55 years, he has been a proud resident of Cranbrook, BC. Vince was predeceased by his parents Anton and Maria and his brother Tony earlier this year. He leaves behind the love of his life, his wife Anna of almost 57 years, as well as his children: Tony (Anna) Cranbrook; Mary (Don) Victoria; Rob, Cranbrook; Walter (Patti) Cranbrook, and Eddie (Tammy) Mission. Papa is survived by his 15 grandchildren: Danielle, Brittany, Toni-Marie; Kendra, Michael, Eric, Daniel; Jordan, Matthew, Nathan; Raeanne, Joey; Johnathen, Vincent, and Ashley. He is also survived by his brothers Mike of Cranbrook and Vlado in Žejane and families.
Vince was a well-known and respected master builder of quality homes in Cranbrook and the East Kootenays. Over the course of six decades, he built hundreds of homes to exacting standards based on quality, commitment, and loyalty to his customers. Vince had a tremendous work ethic and was in the process of building a house when illness took hold. He treated his customers as friends, and Vince’s handshake was his word: strong, honest, and enduring. Vince loved the outdoors. He often took his children and grandchildren to experience the majestic mountains, lakes, and rivers of the Kootenays.
Vince had the quality to see the good in all people. He believed everyone had a gift to offer the world and could see their strengths and inner beauty when they themselves could not.
Vince and family extend heartfelt thanks to his many close friends for their support, in particular his long-time friends Terry Segarty and Dr. Lawrence Jewett of Cranbrook. Their love, commitment, and support are greatly appreciated. The family would also like to acknowledge staff at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital, BC Cancer Agency, Royal Jubilee Hospital, Victoria Hospice and, in particular, Drs. Andrew Attwell, David Brook, and Greg and Cecile Andreas, all of whom treated Vince with dignity, care, and respect.
A celebration of Vince’s life will be held at the church he helped build in Cranbrook, Christ the Servant Parish (1100 -14th Avenue South) on Monday, December 22, 2014 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cranbrook and Kimberley Hospice Society (#230 20-23rd Avenue South, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 5V1) for the hospice Vince wanted to build on his return back home. To send a condolence, please visit www.earthsoption.com.