Raos, Mate
(December 9, 1921 - April 9, 2019)

After an extraordinary life spanning nearly a century, Mate passed away peacefully at St. Mary's Hospital surrounded by the love of his family. Mate is now happily reunited with his beloved wife Iva (Granic), who predeceased him in 2015.

Mate was a loving father (tata), grandfather (dida) and great-grandfather (pradida). He leaves behind his children: Ivan (Mladenka), Ante (Suzana), Slavko, and Nada (Mirko). His grandchildren Mate (Elisabeth), Ante (Maya), Iva (Bernard), Toma, Marija (Eric), and Mirko (Samantha). He will be missed by his great-grandchildren Angelina, Ivana, Karmela, Milan and Sebastian. Mate was predeceased by his son Milan (in infancy) and granddaughter Daniela. He is fondly remembered by the families of his late brother Ante Raos and late sisters Kata Brstilo and Iva Baleta. Mate will also be missed by his sister-in-law Marija Cagalj, brothers-in-law Slavko Granic (Marija), and Petar Granic (Angela) together with their families, as well as many other relatives and friends in Canada and Croatia.

Mate was born in Medov Dolac, Croatia. He met all the challenges in his long life with quiet dignity, hard work, and faith. He was a devout Catholic, praying the rosary daily. His honesty and willingness to help anyone in need was endearing to all. Mate immigrated to Canada on his own in 1966, worked as a bricklayer and had his family join him in 1968. He would often tell his family stories about his early life, the hardships he endured under communism and instilled in his children and grandchildren the appreciation of how lucky we are to live in Canada, but that we should never forget our Croatian roots.

We are sad for our loss, but also feel very blessed and grateful that we had Mate in our lives for as long as we did. His mind was clear and sharp until the end. A special thank you to his nephew Predrag who was there to offer company, comfort and assistance. The family would also like to thank all of the nurses on the 4th floor who provided wonderful care and compassion to us all. A special thank you to Angela.

Mate's family will receive relatives and friends from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Holy Rosary at 8 p.m.) on Friday, April 12, 2019 (today) at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick St., Kitchener. Prayers will be offered in the funeral chapel at 9:20 a.m., Saturday, April 13, 2019 followed by a procession to Holy Family Croatian Parish, 180 Schweitzer Street, Kitchener, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Fr. Miro Grubisic officiating. Interment at Parkview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's Hospital Foundation.

Visit www.henrywalser.com for Mate's memorial.