Joakim (Jack) Milanovic

Born 18 December 1926, Entered eternal life 1 September 2023

Following is the eulogy given by Jack’s daughter Maura at his funeral held at Our Holy Redeemer on 8 September 2023.

Jack (Joakim Milanovic), was born in Gracisce (Istra)  on December 18, 1926.  He was the first born of six children to Maria and Antonio, he also had two older step brothers.

Life was simple, with the family working on the land.

Jack attended school in Trieste – that ended with the outbreak of World War II.

At the age of 17½ Jack  was arrested by the Germans and served 18 months in concentration camps, some of that time in Dachau.  It was many years before he spoke of his experiences and even then, it was really only bits and pieces.  

After the war Jack left Yugoslavia and arrived in Melbourne in June 1949….he only had with him what he was wearing and a spare pair of socks.

Jack became a pastry cook by default. When he arrived in Australia he was not able to finish his apprenticeship as a welder.  Jack got a job with Gawith’s Biscuits where he worked for many years and the last 25 years of his working days at Susan Day Cakes.

Over the next couple of years he met Lia at the Palace Ballroom, he always said that when he met Lia he knew she was the one! They married and then I –  Maura – arrived.

Dad was a very good, honest, kind, loving and hardworking man (as was mum), and they bought a house in Rowena Parade Richmond. 

To make ends meet, Dad worked two jobs for many many years. In the early days he walked to and from his jobs.

Dad was also very stubborn, opinionated, had a good sense of humour and an excellent memory.

In 1961 dad got his licence and we had our first family car – Holden of course – he could never understand why anyone would drive any other car!

Dad never rode a bike but somehow he managed to teach us all how to ride one….

In 1962 my brother Eddy arrived and he finally had a soccer buddy, dad was passionate about soccer and he followed J.U.S.T. (Yugoslavia United Soccer Team) for many years.

In October 1963 we moved to Guildford Road Surrey Hills, dad had his Castle….”best house, best street and best suburb in the world”.

While mum looked after the “pretty flowers” dad mowed his lawn, pruned his trees and tended to his vegetable garden – potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, radicio and carrots.

Dad loved to sing… could not hold a tune.

Loved to dance… no matter what music was played, it was always the same steps and mum just went along.

Loved the beach… dad had never been to the beach until he arrived here and somehow in his stubbornness, he taught himself how to swim.  We spent all our summer holidays and weekends at Elwood Beach, family and friends all gathering together, we all had our allocated “trees”.

Loved his newspapers… dad religiously read the Herald Sun every day, he read the Globo and the Croation newspapers.

He enjoyed… red wine, chocolate, cheezels, beer and mums cooking – only mums cooking, and going for walks.

When dad retired – every morning he would walk to Whitehorse Road, go to Bakers Delight then to Balwyn Library where he would spend two to three hours reading The Age, The Australian and books on World War II.  When the Library was being refurbished he moved next door to McDonald‘s and spent a couple of hours each day reading the papers – never once in that time had he eaten McDonalds, they all knew him by name, he just sat at his usual table and read his papers.

He was also a local identity with the Canterbury Cricket Club and featured in their book celebrating their Centenary.  Saturday and Sunday he would be sitting out the front, watching the Cricket.  He knew many of the players (over many generations), and often you would see them coming over to chat to him.

He wasn’t overly interested in the footy but always knew who Canterbury was playing and who won.

Dad wasn’t a sophisticated person, he was happiest when we had family and friends visit.  

Christmas, New Year’s Day, Birthdays – eating, drinking, singing. 

We have wonderful childhood memories of all the times spent with our family and friends.

Dad moved into care in June this year – he wasn’t very happy when we took him – as a matter of fact he managed to somehow walk straight out the front door and make his way up the street.  We managed to talk him back inside… but we did have to take him home until Monday!

Mum has always loved and cared for us, the care that you gave dad over the past few years was incredible, you are a most remarkable lady and we thank and love you very much.

Dad always said I HAVE HAD A GOOD LIFE  – thanks to him we did too.

Mum, Eddy and I have been very fortunate to have had dad in our lives – we will always love and miss him.

Ciao Papa

See you dad…

Published: 22 September 2023