Our family is heartbroken to announce the passing of our wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, Mike Sikich. Mike was born at VGH on October 13, 1940. He spent one year living in Croatia when he was 8 years old but never found the time to return. His high school years were spent at Templeton and Britannia, and he received his B. Comm. from UBC. He began his almost 40 year career for American Can while attending university at which time he and his wife, Kathy, had their first 2 children, with the third arriving the following year. It’s a wonder he was able to graduate with all the noise in the house, but he loved it. American Can became Ball Packaging a few years later and he ended his career in 2005 as director of sales for Western Canada and the United States. Mike was very active with the Kiwanis Club of the Pacific where he was president of the club for 35 years. He was chairperson for Project Advance at St. Helens from day 1 and when the family started attending Our Lady of Sorrows, the job followed him to his new parish. After his first stroke in 2008, he passed it on to younger parishioners. He was an usher until 2015, but he missed his volunteer work when his health started to fail. He was predeceased by his parents Karlo and Nada, his first wife, Shirley, his sisters Millie Kosovic and Lubie Gemma and nephews George, Dennis, and David. He leaves behind his devoted family; his wife of 55 years, Kathy, 3 children, and 9 grandchildren. Daughter, Kacey Caldarella (John) Loren, Jonathan, and Katie. Son, Michael Sikich (Carlyn) Luca, Eva, Dante, and Mattea. Daughter, Karli Sikich (Tyrone Vahedi) Connor, and Ronan, and niece Louann Haynes (Fred). We were blessed to have him in our lives, and he will be remembered with the greatest of love and admiration.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on August 11th at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Sorrows, 555 Slocan Street. A private family burial will be held the following day at Gardens of Gethsemani.
Mike always said when any of us were wearing black “Do you think you’re going to a funeral”? So, for those attending, please feel free to wear comfortable summer clothing, as that is what he would have wanted.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.