Ilija Malesevic

Ilija was born July 8, 1939 in Bosnia, Croatia where he lived most of his childhood. In the early 1960’s Ilija travelled and worked in Australia as a Millwright for approximately 5 years. Once leaving Australia he then travelled to Canada where he continued to work as a Millwright at a steel company while living in Toronto. It wasn’t until 1970 that Ilija made his way to British Columbia where he lived first in Vancouver, continuing to work as a Millwright and later moving his way to Penticton, then Princeton, which is where he lived the remainder of his years.

Ilija loved to be outside with nature and often was seen feeding the wildlife bread and bird seed. Ilija would ride his electric scooter to the local coffee shop, aka A&W, for coffee nearly every morning regardless if it was raining or snowing, he just had to be there. Ilija shared that being at the coffee shop was one of the highlights of his morning, he loved to people watch and talk to strangers plus the locals that knew him.

Ilija was loved by everyone that met him; he had a kindness that shined through his smile and a personality that melted your heart.

Ilija passed away on March 31, 2022 in the comfort of his bed surrounded by those that loved him and cared deeply for him. Ilija will be missed and remembered by those that knew and loved him. RIP dear friend.