JOZE (JOE) CASAR

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JOZE (JOE) CASAR

August 28, 1938 - April 14, 2025

We are absolutely heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear husband, father, and grandfather, Joze (Joe) Casar, with family by his side, he passed into the arms of the Lord on April 14, 2025. He was predeceased by his parents, Stefan and Marija Casar, and his four siblings Janez, Stefan, Vendel, and Ilonka.

He will forever be remembered by his wife of 56 years, Olga (Darka); his children, Linda (Dave), Sandra, and Edward (Kylie); and by his grandchildren, Caleb, Ariel, Logan, Cole, and Parker. Survived by his sister, Cecilija Casar; his family in Slovenia and Chicago.

Joze was born in Cepinci, Slovenia on August 28, 1938. Joze left Slovenia on Easter Monday of 1957 when he was only 17 years old. He escaped a then communist country (former Yugoslavia) with his friend Janez Crnko, his wife, and two small children to start a new life in Canada. They crossed the border into Austria and then took the ship Arosa Sun, travelling for 12 days on it. They reached Montreal, then proceeded to take a train to Winnipeg.

He worked at a variety of places such as CN, CP, Arlington Builders, Catelli, Northwest Design, International Fiberglass, Glass Tech lastly ending his career as a foreman at Carlsons.

He married his wife, Olga, on November 9, 1968. They started their family shortly after with the birth of their first child, Linda, then later came their second child Sandra and then Edward.

Joze was a man who loved life and enjoyed socializing with family, the Slovenian community, and all his children’s friends. He welcomed everyone into his home, always offering something to eat, drink, and a great story.

Throughout the years, he volunteered with his children’s activities, either being a coach or taking the children to catechism, hockey, music lessons, dance practices, and any other extracurricular activities they would have.

He belonged to the Canadian Slovenian Cultural Society and volunteered with many community events. Such as Folklorama, either BBQ the pork, volunteering at the bar, or at the Slovenian picnic grounds.

Joze loved nature, going to the bush to pick mushrooms or blueberries. He would take a branch using his Swiss army knife and turn it into a whistle, which awed not only the grandchildren but adults around him as well.

In the spring and summer, he loved to sit outside and tend to his garden, BBQ, chat, and play cards with family members.

He had a passion for cooking, making sausages (klobasa), smoking meats, pickling and making slivovitz. He was a man of many talents from making homemade sauerkraut, wine and slivovitz. Joze was also known as Mr. Fix-it. Anytime the children or grandchildren needed something fixed, he would jump in and solve the problem right away.

One outdoor game he loved to play was lawn bowling, something that he used to do back home and did many times at the Slovenian picnic grounds.

Joze especially had a love for animals and was very soft-hearted and compassionate when an animal didn’t have a home to belong to, he would let his children keep whatever pets they brought home.

Joze was a man with a welcoming smile, a kind heart that was contagious to everyone he met. He will truly be missed by everyone. The heavens have not only gained a new angel but someone who will truly continue to shine the light on all of us.

A heartfelt thanks to Dr. D. Vergara, the palliative care nurses Angela, Tamara, Bobby, and coordinator Cori Yakiwchuk. As well as the home care nurse Mark and all the others who provided us support through this difficult time, your visits always brightened his day.

A full mass and a Celebration of Life for family and close friends will take place on Wednesday, April 30, at 11:00 a.m. The service will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 95 MacDonald Ave.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to either Before the Bridge Senior K9 Rescue or Plant a Tree in remembrance of Joze at www.alivingtribute.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 26, 2025