Obituary of Nikola Markovic

Nikola “Nick” Markovic passed away peacefully in London, Ontario, on January 5, 2021, at the age of 82. Beloved husband to Mirjana “Mary” for 50 devoted years, Nick was a family man through and through, cherishing time with his two grandsons and holding close bonds with his six siblings.

Born in Vrbovac, Croatia, Nick had humble beginnings but displayed an early passion for engineering and innovation. His journey in tool and die making began in his teens, where he quickly earned a trade certification and rose to shop supervisor. But Nick’s ambitions led him beyond his hometown, sparking a lifelong pursuit of learning and advancement.

In his early 20s, Nick’s ingenuity was recognized at an aircraft manufacturing company, where he became the youngest innovator. While working by day, he pursued a degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Traffic Engineering by night, ultimately building a successful career leading numerous traffic engineering projects.

In his spare time, Nick found joy in woodworking, crafting with his hands, and immersing himself in history. He was full of life and looked forward to watching his grandsons grow, always showing remarkable resilience and optimism. Despite losing everything during the Balkan civil war, he held fast to his positive outlook and humor.

In his final months, Nick faced his health challenges with characteristic stoicism and strength. He leaves behind his wife Mary, daughter, son-in-law, two grandsons, three sisters, and many nieces and nephews, who will deeply miss his warm spirit. He is predeceased by one brother and two sisters.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at London Health Sciences Centre, the GI team at University Hospital, the Palliative Care team, St. Elizabeth Health Care, VON, and the South West LHIN for their compassionate care. Cremation has taken place, and a celebration of Nick’s life will be held at a later date.