In the early morning hours of Thursday January 11th, Stavre Kostovski passed away peacefully surrounded by his devoted family.

He was born in Rudari, Aegean Macedonia to parents Stojan and Ristosija. He is survived by a loving wife of over 50 years Nevena, his two sons Sasho and Deyan, his brother Vangel, his wife Gena and their daughter Christina.

In 1948, as the civil war intensified, the children from his village and the surrounding areas were evacuated by the Red Cross and brought to safety. During this exodus, he would be separated from his parents and older brother. Stavre would grow up as a refugee child in several orphanages throughout the former Yugoslavia, spending his formative years in Bela Crkva.

A few years after finishing university in Skopje, Stavre made the rocky transatlantic journey in 1968 and began his Canadian dream like so many others by arriving at Pier 21 in Halifax.

He was passionate about community, and involved in many organizations. He was most proud of being an executive member of the Association of Refugee Children From Aegean Macedonia, co-founder of St. Ilija Macedonian Orthodox Church in Mississauga and a trustee of the parish park.

Stavre was a true family man, adoring husband and ensured that his two boys never missed a soccer practice or game.

Before retiring Stavre worked his entire professional life at Giffels Engineering. He leaves a lasting legacy with his fingerprints all over Toronto including projects like Skydome, Metro Toronto Zoo, Highways 410 and 407, as well as Pearson International Airport.