Vinko “Vincent” Stefancic

VINKO “VINCENT” STEFANCIC age 92, beloved husband for 54 years of Maria “Mimi” (nee Zakelj); loving father of Donna Vombergar and Marta Futey (husband Joe); devoted grandfather of Ana, Kati, Lexi, and Vince Vombergar and Joey, Maria and Tommy Futey; cherished son of the late Janez and Marija (nee Merhar) Stefancic; dearest brother of the late Slavka Gril, Joze and Janez Stefancic and Micka Vogel; dear uncle, great uncle and friend of many.

Vinko / Vincent Stefancic was born in Ribnica Slovenia on January 23, 1930. He lived on a simple farm where he learned the skills that he would use to provide for his family in the future. He left Slovenia after World War II with his mother and sister and settled in Cleveland, Ohio in 1949. After working briefly in Collinwood as a brickmaker, he was employed as a meat cutter for many years. He later moved to Euclid with his wife Mimi and raised 2 daughters. While living there, he worked for some time as a butcher before becoming a machinist. In 1990 the family moved to Willoughby Hills where Vinko would spend the next 32 years of his life. He enjoyed tending a large garden, raising fruit trees, and using his ingenuity to create tools for his garden and around his home. He took great pride in being able to keep his family warm through the winter with wood he had split entirely by hand himself. Vinko will be remembered for his enjoyment of the simple things in his life. He valued time spent with his neighbors, family, and friends at home or making koline (Slovenian sausages) with the pensioners at Slovenska Pristava. Always a farmer at heart, a trip to his brother-in-law’s farm in New York was one of his favorite activities. A well-played polka or cold beer on a hot day always brought a smile to his face. That smile and glint in his eye will live on in our hearts until we meet him again.

Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 12 Noon at St. Vitus Catholic Church, 6019 Lausche Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44103. Burial following at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Vinko at THE ZEVNIK – COSIC FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) FRIDAY 4-8 PM.