1943
Mario
2022
Mario Zagar
May 20, 1943 — August 7, 2022
On Sunday, August 7, 2022, Mr. Mario Zagar, beloved husband of 55 years of Sandra Zagar from Calgary, Alberta passed away at the age of 79 years.
Mario was born in Racinj, Slovenia to Cristina and Jozef Zagar. He had an older sister and three younger brothers, all in Slovenia and Germany. Mario left Slovenia in 1962 and went to Italy. In April 1963 at the age of 19 years, he left Italy and emigrated to Canada. Mario arrived in Halifax on May 6, 1963, where he caught a train and headed west not knowing where he would end up. When Mario saw Calgary he decided that it would be a nice city to settle in. In 1965, Mario met his wife Sandra at Bowness Park. They got married on July 18, 1967. Mario worked as a labourer for different companies, including as a roofer. In 1970 he did cement work on the Crowchild Bridge and the Calgary Tower. When Mario was doing finishing work at the tower in 1971, his wife called to inform him that she had to go to the hospital, for it was time to give birth to his daughter, Cathy. When the foreman went to find Mario to inform him of the news, it was noticed that Mario and a couple of other guys were locked in a safe. By the time they got out, Mario got to the hospital and their daughter was born. Mario continued working in the construction industry. In 1974, his son Brian was born and Mario was able to be present for that.
In 1972, Mario’s brother Janko and wife Nada came to Canada. At that time Mario and Janko started to work together and formed “Zagar General Contractors”. When Mario’s brother went back home, he continued on by himself until the 1980’s, then Mario went back to work for other cement companies until he got hurt in 1996. At that time he retired.
Mario loved working on cars, and all his neighbors knew this so they would ask for his help to fix their vehicles. He also enjoyed playing the accordian, especially for his grandchildren to listen to when they were around. His passion to play this instrument continued until he got sick and couldn’t play anymore.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Mario’s family doctor, Dr. Kathy Savoia, for all that she has done.
Besides his loving wife Sandra, Mario will be lovingly remembered by his children Cathy (Craig) of Calgary, Brian (Chona) of Chestermere, Alberta; four grandchildren Bryanna (Max), Alexandria, Domonic (Chelsea) of Calgary, Tajana of Chestermere; one great grandson Atticus of Calgary; siblings, sister Aldina and family of Slovenia, brother Danilo of Germany, brother Boris (Marta) and family of Slovenia, sister-in-law Nada and family of Slovenia and Calgary; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family in Slovenia and Calgary.
Mario is predeceased by his parents Cristina and Jozef; brother Janko; mother-in-law Victoria Kiel; father-in-law John Nitz; and brother-in-law Boris Kenda.
A tea and celebration of Mario’s life will take place at the family residence. Cremation will be held at the Foothills Crematorium, Calgary.
If relatives and friends so desire, memorials may be made in Mario’s memory to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary (
https://www.alzheimercalgary.ca/
); Kidney Foundation of Canada, Southern Alberta Branch (
https://kidney.ca/
) or Crohn’s and Colitis Canada – Calgary Chapter (
https://crohnsandcolitis.ca
).
Mario was born in Racinj, Slovenia to Cristina and Jozef Zagar. He had an older sister and three younger brothers, all in Slovenia and Germany. Mario left Slovenia in 1962 and went to Italy. In April 1963 at the age of 19 years, he left Italy and emigrated to Canada. Mario arrived in Halifax on May 6, 1963, where he caught a train and headed west not knowing where he would end up. When Mario saw Calgary he decided that it would be a nice city to settle in. In 1965, Mario met his wife Sandra at Bowness Park. They got married on July 18, 1967. Mario worked as a labourer for different companies, including as a roofer. In 1970 he did cement work on the Crowchild Bridge and the Calgary Tower. When Mario was doing finishing work at the tower in 1971, his wife called to inform him that she had to go to the hospital, for it was time to give birth to his daughter, Cathy. When the foreman went to find Mario to inform him of the news, it was noticed that Mario and a couple of other guys were locked in a safe. By the time they got out, Mario got to the hospital and their daughter was born. Mario continued working in the construction industry. In 1974, his son Brian was born and Mario was able to be present for that.
In 1972, Mario’s brother Janko and wife Nada came to Canada. At that time Mario and Janko started to work together and formed “Zagar General Contractors”. When Mario’s brother went back home, he continued on by himself until the 1980’s, then Mario went back to work for other cement companies until he got hurt in 1996. At that time he retired.
Mario loved working on cars, and all his neighbors knew this so they would ask for his help to fix their vehicles. He also enjoyed playing the accordian, especially for his grandchildren to listen to when they were around. His passion to play this instrument continued until he got sick and couldn’t play anymore.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Mario’s family doctor, Dr. Kathy Savoia, for all that she has done.
Besides his loving wife Sandra, Mario will be lovingly remembered by his children Cathy (Craig) of Calgary, Brian (Chona) of Chestermere, Alberta; four grandchildren Bryanna (Max), Alexandria, Domonic (Chelsea) of Calgary, Tajana of Chestermere; one great grandson Atticus of Calgary; siblings, sister Aldina and family of Slovenia, brother Danilo of Germany, brother Boris (Marta) and family of Slovenia, sister-in-law Nada and family of Slovenia and Calgary; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family in Slovenia and Calgary.
Mario is predeceased by his parents Cristina and Jozef; brother Janko; mother-in-law Victoria Kiel; father-in-law John Nitz; and brother-in-law Boris Kenda.
A tea and celebration of Mario’s life will take place at the family residence. Cremation will be held at the Foothills Crematorium, Calgary.
If relatives and friends so desire, memorials may be made in Mario’s memory to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary (
https://www.alzheimercalgary.ca/
); Kidney Foundation of Canada, Southern Alberta Branch (
https://kidney.ca/
) or Crohn’s and Colitis Canada – Calgary Chapter (
https://crohnsandcolitis.ca
).
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mario Zagar, please visit our flower store.
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