It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Zvonko Turkalj of Mississauga who died on October 7 at the age of 88 years following a long illness.
Zvonko was born July 25 1937 in Vrbovsko Croatia, son of Danijel and Vjekoslava (nee Muhvic) Turkalj. Following World War II his family relocated to Osijek, Croatia, then he went on to Zagreb where he studied veterinary medicine. He returned to Osijek and married Ruza in October 1965. In 1970 Zvonko moved to Peel region in Canada to get away from communist Yugoslavia and provide better opportunities for his family. Ruza and the children joined him in 1971. Speaking no English, Zvonko took odd jobs to support the family while studying to learn a new language and pass the required exams to get his veterinary certificate. He worked for Agriculture Canada as a food inspector at various cattle, pork and poultry processing plants and retired in 1998.
Zvonko was proud of his heritage, participating in many Croatian cultural groups and events in Mississauga, and passed on that pride in Croatian tradition to his children and grandchildren. He was one of the original parish members of the Croatian Martyrs church and coached a boys soccer team. He loved reading, travelling and spending time at the cottage where he greatly enjoyed the outdoors and worked continuously on many improvement projects. Zvonko was always generous in helping out family, enjoyed playing with grandkids, and spent countless hours driving his children and grandchildren to school and extra-curricular activities. He was a trusted and loyal friend, a man with a strong moral compass.
Zvonko is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Ruza, daughters Ksenija and Aleksandra and son-in-law Milan and son Danijel Turkalj (Brenda). He is preceded in death by his parents and loving sister Francika. He was grandfather to Jasmina Barker (Jordan), Viktor Spanovic (Jen), Dominique Spanovic (Leo), Jerome Turkalj (Alicia) and Maja and Eva Turkalj. Great-grandfather to Mila and Jack Barker, Kolt and Jagger Spanovic and Eden and Olivia Turkalj.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday October 14th at The Simple Alternative Funeral Center (1535 South Gateway Road Mississauga) from 5-8 PM. A bilingual mass (English and Croatian) will take place Wednesday October 15th at Croatian Martyrs Church (4605 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga) at 10 AM followed by internment at Assumption Cemetery (6933 Tomken Rd, Mississauga). Full details are below. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke foundation.

“Allow the light and the healing presence of Christ to shine brightly through your lives. In that way, all those who come in contact with you will discover the loving kindness of God.”
— St. Pope John Paul II