Dr. Mirko Kovacevic passed away on March 25 peacefully at his home surrounded by the love of his devoted wife Bosiljka, and children Miro and Dubravka. His greatest joy was his grandchildren, Mattie, Mia, Mariana, Liam, and Lucas. He loved his brother Vlado, who predeceased him, his sister-in-law Nada, daughter-in-law Gina, niece Darija, her husband David, nephew Karl, great-nieces, Danielle and Lucy, great-nephew Darcy and great-great niece, Eve.

Dr Kovac, as he was known professionally, served the Canadian and Croatian community for over sixty years after immigrating to Canada in the late 50s. Mirko was born in Vinkovci, Croatia in 1924 to Maria and Josip Kovacevic. His father's work eventually moved the family to Zagreb where Mirko flourished academically, ultimately graduating from medical school in 1951. As a newly graduated Doctor he was posted to several small towns in Croatia where he met several other Doctors who shared his love of singing. They remained lifelong friends.

When the time came to make the difficult decision to leave his beloved Croatia, he made a daring escape to France. In what he would often describe as one of the most fortunate events of his life, he secured a role as a Doctor in the American Army hospital in Fontainebleau.

After making the crossing to Toronto, Canada in 1958, he worked in Toronto East General Hospital and St Joseph's assigned to the emergency room where the hours were long and the pay modest. His hard work paid off and he was accepted to complete his Ophthalmology residency in Buffalo. There he sang in the Buffalo Mendelssohn choir as first tenor. He could sing Handel's Messiah in its entirety without ever looking at the music.

He launched his practice in the Medical Arts building on St George at Bloor and worked in various hospitals around the city. His practice grew to over ten thousand patients representing the cultural mosaic that is Canada.

His bachelor days came to an end in 1965 when he met Bosiljka, a beautiful Croatian architect who became the love of his life. Family life was full of travel, sports and singing. In the 70s, Mirko and Bosiljka bought a second home in Acapulco, Mexico where he and the family would travel every year right up to the pandemic. His skills as a tennis player were legendary - playing as many as three times a week until he was in his late 80s. His favourite pastime was singing in male choirs, where he combined his passions for all things Croatian - music, good food and friends. He even produced his own show on CHIN Radio in the 80's dedicated to celebrating his heritage.

Mirko had an innate sense of justice and was always advocating for freedom and equality. A true gentleman, he will be missed dearly by everyone whose life he touched.