MR. DON MIRKOVICH 1927 ~ 2014 Mr. Don Mirkovich, beloved husband of Sasha (nee Ponomar) Mirkovich of Lethbridge, AB, passed away peacefully with his loving wife at his side at Edith Cavell nursing home on Friday, May 9,2014 at the age of 86 years. He is the loving Father of Gord (Mary Ann) Mirkovich, Perry (Sharmaine) Mirkovich. Don has four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Don is predeceased by his parents Milorad and Janika as well as three sisters and one brother. Don was born in Kragujevac, Serbia on October 18, 1927 growing up and living in a very turbulent time of World War II. Fighting for the Serbian Army and the Allies at the age of fifteen and then lived through Communism after the war Don escaped to Canada to settle in Lethbridge. Don created a new prosperous life with his new found freedom. Don started working, as many refugees did, on a sugar beet farm and then moved onto operating heavy equipment in the logging industry. Don then started his trucking business that he operated until he retired after thirty three years. During those years he also built houses doing most of the work himself. Don always seemed to know how to do everything. From concrete work to electrical to cabinet building his self taught knowledge and work ethic was hard to keep up with. Don had a zest for life and loved to dance, play cards and especially entertain his many friends. Don's main focus in life was his family and was determined that his two boys and his wife of sixty one years would never go without as he did in his early years. Don greatly enjoyed wintering at his home in Vegas and taking family trips to his homeland. We mourn his passing but celebrate his life and values. He died as he lived, with honesty, integrity and compassion. Vigil Rites will be held for Don at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at the MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610-4th Street South, Lethbridge, AB A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at the MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL with Father Taras Krochak, officiating. Interment will follow the service in the Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Box 2211 Lethbrige, Alberta T1J 4K7.