Obituary of Josip Nizetic

Josip Nižetić was athletic, funny, charming, incredibly kind to everyone he met and passionate about all he undertook. Whether it was soccer, working with wood, finding just the right tires for Canadian winters, building an artful charcuterie board or spending time with his family and many friends, Josip was all-in. He died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 55.

 

Born and raised in Selca on the island of Brač, Croatia, Josip was the adored youngest of six siblings. He grew up swimming in the Adriatic Sea, dreaming of a career in soccer while playing for the local club NK Postira. He helped on his family farm where they harvested and pressed their own olives, and eagerly gathered at family celebrations around a roasted lamb. To Josip, it wasn’t a special occasion if lamb wasn’t on the menu!

 

With limited career opportunities available once he finished high school, Josip decided to study Hotel Management in the town of Bol. It was a decision that led him to an eight-year career aboard luxury cruise ships, set a standard for hospitality that graced every dinner party he ever gave, and paved the way to a new life in Canada.

 

It was aboard a ship that Josip first set eyes on the love of his life – Alison Clarke. She was there as the ship’s doctor, enjoying the warmth of the Caribbean during a Canadian winter. A romance blossomed. And while Josip didn’t have a lot of spare time in his job, he spent all of it getting to know her.

 

When Alison’s contract on the ship was up, plans took shape for Josip to visit her in Strathmore. Before long, he’d left ship life behind and they married in January of 1998. Josip joyfully embraced life in Canada, from the long summer nights around a fire, to all that winter had to offer including skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. In 2001, Josip became a Canadian citizen, proudly answering the many, many exam questions that people raised in Canada would have a tough time getting right.

 

Before long, their first son, Nikolas, was born. Two years later, Luka joined the family. Josip’s love for his family was limitless. To Alison he was a true partner as she pursued her medical career. Josip was home with the boys until they went to school, and was there everyday when they returned, full of stories of their day. He instilled in his sons a love for soccer, the outdoors and cured meats – especially the prosciutto Josip aged himself. He also ensured they learned to honour their commitments, whether that was being ready to give it all in a soccer game, or being the best friend they could be to those they spend time with.

 

Josip’s friends were many. He remained connected with some from his cruise ship days and was sought after by many soccer teams in Calgary who wanted Josip to help stack their player’s lists; he developed great bonds with many of the other players. He also had cherished friends in the Calgary Croatian community, many of whom overlapped with his soccer world.

 

The family cabin in Waiparous, Alberta, just north of Cochrane, was Josip’s happy place. He had traveled to almost all the corners of the globe, but it was in this quiet, pine-scented spot where he was most at home. With his beloved dog Panda by his side (and later, Fly), he would build, repair, beautify, hike, kayak and stack firewood. There could never be too much firewood, either at home in Strathmore or at the cabin. His epic fires appeared before guests just as effortlessly as his charcuterie boards.

 

Josip leaves a gaping hole in the lives of his life partner, Alison Clarke, their two adult sons, Nikolas and Luka, his siblings Katija, Perica, Anka, Pero and Tončica, his mother-in-law, Frances Clarke, the entire Village of Selca, Croatia, and countless extended family and friends. He will be forever missed by all who were lucky enough to have known him.

 

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Lord of All Lutheran Church at 2:00 p.m. Father Cristino Bouvette officiating.

 

To watch a live stream of the service, click here.