Our Dido was born on June 17th 1933 in Zagreb, Croatia. Dido was the third oldest of 13 in his family. When dido was a young child in Grade 1, he met a girl that would become the love of his life, Nevenka, or as most of us know her, Nancy or Baki. Dido lived a life that to most would seem like something out of a movie. Dido was active in world war 2 as a radio specialist, dealing with morse code.
One of Didos greatest prides in life was Baki. Baki and Dido shared a beautiful relationship with each other and very often enjoyed dancing together and going to movies together. Baki and Dido would eventually get married in 1956 and build a beautiful family together. First welcoming their oldest daughter, Xenia in Zagreb, Croatia. Not long after when dido was just 25 years old in 1958, and with dido wanting to give his family the best life possible, he came to Canada and would welcome the arrival of his second daughter Cecilija Mary shortly after. Dido and Baki came to Canada and started a life from scratch, they left behind their family and life as they knew it. Dido arrived in Niagara Falls with his family, and to make ends meet, he would shovel driveways. Being new to Canada was not easy, as Dido was unable to speak any English. In fact, while at a grocery store, dido bought cat food as he thought it was tuna. Dido being the smart and ambitious man that he was, would go on to teach not only himself English, but also Baki.
Dido eventually would find himself working in the mines in Elliot Lake, where he would make the long drives back and forth so that he could be with his family. Dido's jobs would have the family moving to Oshawa, Toronto and eventually back to Oshawa when Dido landed his job at GM and the family found their forever home at Dianne Drive, a home that would go onto welcome many friends and family.
The family grew with the arrival of dido's third child and first son, Robert. And a few years later the family was complete with the birth of Richard. Didos family would continue to grow when his three eldest children got married and his two daughters would welcome their children. Dido was a grandfather to 4, and the best that any could ask for. He first gained the label "dido" with the arrival of his first granddaughter from his eldest daughter. In 1984 Jennifer made our dido a dido, and then again in 1988, he welcomed his second granddaughter, Kristen. Lastly, in 1991 dido welcomed his final two grandkids, the twins, Jeremy and Jessica. Didos grandkids were the light of his life, he loved them all so very much. It was also so important for dido to be there for his grandkids, he was their shoulder to lean on, their words of wisdom, voice of reason, biggest fan, he was their storyteller, sharing with them stories about his life in Croatia and often times teaching them how to speak Croatian. Dido also got the opportunity to be a great dido, he was a great dido to Scarlet, Alister, Avery and Victoria. Not only was he proud of his family, dido also loved all of the animals in his family. He had just as much of a special bond with the animals as he did with his family.
Dido took pride in his family, he was the epitome of a family man. Its true that dido would do anything for his family and friends, he was the most selfless and generous person. Dido was happiest when he was surrounded by his family, often having pig roasts, visits to the cottage, Sunday dinners, and large celebrations for holidays. Everything Dido did was done with his family in mind and being the first priority. Everything dido did was to create a better life for his family.
Dido taught us a lot during his life, but most importantly he taught us all how valuable life is, how valuable family is, he taught us all how to be a good people and how to live life to the fullest.
Dido lived a very full life, he experienced so much, that to most would seem unreal. He lived each and every single day with meaning and to the fullest. He was the best dad, Dido, father in law, brother, son, great dido and friend. When you were around dido, you felt at home, you felt welcomed and as though you were part of his family.
Dido was a fighter, he fought until the very end. Even while he was sick, he still tried to be there for his family. Dido was a very special person, one that had our hearts our entire lives. With him, he took a part of our hearts, but we will live each day and make choices in life that will always make dido proud.
We will carry on didos name, his stories, his love and his heart in everything that we do.
