ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Zarko Draganic, born on October 1, 1966 and passed away on March 6, 2014. We will remember him forever. Please share your thoughts and stories here.

March 6, 2018
March 6, 2018
Zarko,

My fun & gentle flatmate at University of Waterloo.

Miss you man

Leon Gerard Vandenberg
March 6, 2018
March 6, 2018
Dear Nelly, Vivvie and Sam,
The only really vivid memory of Zarko I have is when he was at Aunt Becky's memorial...a beautiful, warm, quiet man with a thoughtful air and a beautiful smile. Thinking of you three today and sending lots of love, Ginio
October 1, 2017
October 1, 2017
Dear Zarko, I remember you as a gentle person who very much loved his wife and daughter and was a loving stepfather to his stepson.
October 1, 2017
October 1, 2017
Dear Zarko,
Your kind, gentle soul and legacy remains with us today and will be remembered forever more.
Sondra
October 1, 2017
October 1, 2017
Zarko, We miss you. Sitting here Paris, wishing we could tell you about it.
September 6, 2017
September 6, 2017
Zarko-san
I am sorry to come here late.
You have been and are still living in my heart. I remember your gentle
voice calling me an old friend when I visited your AltoCom office.
Actually, you have been a legend among our engineers since late 90's.
Thank you for your all warm welcomes.
ex-Mitsubishi Ele-Japan, S.KINO
June 17, 2017
June 17, 2017
I was telling stories of my days in the Jaguar group at Apple in the early 90s and started wondering "whatever happened to ...".

I am just so shocked to hear of Zarko's passing. He was always a fun, wonderful guy to work with and to hang out with. My condolences to his family and friends at his loss...

- yeff
March 23, 2017
March 23, 2017
I am in shock. I just learned of Zarko's passing. We were friends in high school with a common passion for technology. We used to hang out now and then, often making a trip to the local Radio Shack. Zarko was a brilliant guy and someone that I looked up to. I had only been in touch with him a few times over the years. I'm just shocked that he's not with us anymore. Can't express how sad this leaves me. Rest in peace my friend.
March 6, 2017
March 6, 2017
Remembering Zarko today, and sending our love to those he left behind.

The Wirts Family
March 6, 2017
March 6, 2017
Z, we miss you so much. Our little community has such a hole without you. It is taking everything I have to not spend my day crying. I love you with all of my heart and I hope that you are sailing through the clouds.
March 6, 2017
March 6, 2017
Z, I looked up to you so much when I started my career and you were there to guide me. I'm sure I annoyed the heck out of you at times, being a young new-to-the-job engineer, but you always made time for me. You didn't just make me a better technologist, you made me a better person. I wish you were still here.
October 1, 2016
October 1, 2016
Zarko-we miss you often but never more than this summer while cruising in Croatia...we had planned to go together...your original homeland is a beautiful place...but sad without you...
March 6, 2016
March 6, 2016
Dear Nellie and Sam and Vivvie, am sending you much love on this day. I know you must be sad and am just sending you each a big hug, love Ginio
March 6, 2016
March 6, 2016
Dear Nellie, Sam, and Vivi, We love you. Zarko is sorely missed.

The Wirts Family
March 6, 2016
March 6, 2016
Still sad that you are not here still.
Blessings upon you!
March 6, 2016
March 6, 2016
Heaven has gained a brilliant, innovative, generous angel. I am sure you are teaching angels to sail with you in the deep blue sky :-).
January 28, 2016
January 28, 2016
Zarko had an incredible reach and plenty of passion. I am sure he touched many lives other than mine. The world has lost one of its bright lights. Sailing to Havana with you is one of the highlights of my life. Reminds me again of Hemingway's description: "it's ninety miles to Havana from Key West, but brother it's ninety miles! The world misses you.
October 12, 2015
October 12, 2015
I have not seen you in over 20 years but do miss you as I teach in the halls of TISS, our old high school here in Brockville. I still mention you and our old classmates and to my physics classes. I speak of your warm smile and love of science. A framed 1984 photo of you smiling, sitting at an early, school IBM desk top computer with some words bragging about you being the school's first student to attend the World Science fair in London, England proudly adorn's my classroom. You are a shining light for many old friends and classmates. I do wish your family peace and best wishes.
October 2, 2015
October 2, 2015
Z, JJ & I miss you terribly. I hope you have found peace. You will never be forgotten and will always be deeply loved by us.
October 1, 2015
October 1, 2015
Nellie, am wishing you a beautiful day in memory of Zarko- on his birthday... Love, , Ginio
October 1, 2015
October 1, 2015
Zarko - best wishes in the land of free food, student heaven.
August 24, 2015
August 24, 2015
I'm a bit late as I just stumbled upon this news. I knew Zarko many years ago. For someone as talented and gifted as he was he always exuded a humbleness that I've never forgotten. This news has truly shook me. I hadn't seen him in years nor did I ever meet his family but I hope that your grief is subdued somewhat just by realizing what a gift you had, even if it was only temporary. When my son was born on Oct 1st 1996, 3 years after the last time I'd seen Zarko, the coincidence did not escape me. I vividly remember them handing me my beautiful little boy and thinking he was born on Zarkos Birthday.  That happy thought now means 100x more. My heart truly hurts :(
July 26, 2015
July 26, 2015
To the family of Zarko Draganic, please accept my deepest condolences.
I learned only yesterday of Zarko’s death at a gathering of old friends. Unfortunately I lost touch with Zarko many years ago. We were childhood friends back in Brockville, Ontario in the 1970s and early 80s. A whole circle of us---Zarko, Tom Mitten, Dean Logie, Travis Cauley, Bill McCracken, myself, and some others---grew up together, from kindergarden at Brittania Heights through the elementary and high school years. Zarko was much loved by all of us. From the age of 5 when I met him he was full of life, a very smart kid and so funny. He kept us laughing in his inimitable way, jokes I still remember 40 years later, that twinkle in his eye and an infectious laugh. We had so much fun together. I’ll never forget the times we would hang out at his house, where he introduced me to such new inventions as the CD and the computer, that magical blue-screen Wordperfect. I was amazed to see him demonstrate how you can throw a CD at a wall without damaging it---you could never do that with LPs!
Life takes us in different directions and Zarko (we always called him Jock, sometimes Zark) and I lost touch by the university years, but I think I speak for all of our old group when I say I’ll always remember him with great fondness. I remember him as a happy kid, very intelligent, always ready with some witty remark or out of left field joke. It doesn’t surprise me to learn what a success he made of his life. I didn’t know Zarko the man---how I wish we had kept in touch---but the boy I will never forget. Rest in peace, my old friend.
To his wife and children, I am very sorry for your loss. If the man was anything like the boy---and when is that not the case?---then he was a great man indeed.
April 7, 2015
April 7, 2015
I think about you often and we miss you, buddy. I was on a road trip in a Tesla recently, and you were the first one to extol the virtues of electric cars, and Teslas in particularl to everyone that would listen. You were so excited and evangelical about everything new and cool. And I remembered fondly our trip from Biarritz to Nice and how much fun we had. I hope you are driving fast cars and boats with all your new buddies upstairs.
Peter
March 7, 2015
March 7, 2015
Rest in peace my dear friend. Your smile will be forever in our hearts. You had touched so many so profoundly... And even when gone you are still part of our lives. Sad, sad occasion...
March 6, 2015
March 6, 2015
Dear Nellie, We think of you often and send our prayers of comfort.
Dear Z, not a day goes by........ Still heartbroken.
May you all find comforts among those near you to stride through today and the days to come. Xoxo
March 6, 2015
March 6, 2015
Dear Sam, Nellie, and Vivi,
We send our love your way today.
The Wirts Family
March 6, 2015
March 6, 2015
Dear Nellie, Sam and Vivi, Thinking about you all today. Not a day goes by without thinking about Zarko and how much he is missed. He gave me strength when i needed it the most and I am so saddened that I couldn't give it to him when he needed it. I will always be heartbroken. With love, Dee
March 6, 2015
March 6, 2015
The feel of the wind, the warmth of the sun, the reality dawning-an unimaginable pain, may his love for you and your love him be forever tucked away in your heart." Dear Nellie, sending comforting prayers and gentle hugs to you and the kids.
March 6, 2015
March 6, 2015
It's been a year today. Hard to believe. I keep thinking you'll post some new sailing pics on Facebook! Well...maybe you will. Be well my friend.
March 6, 2015
March 6, 2015
i cant believe its been a year since we saw you last. i think of you often. you where one of the kindest, smartest man i have ever known. it was great having coffee with you while be were painting your homes for the past decade. we will have coffee again some day. our thoughts are with your family.
October 2, 2014
October 2, 2014
Dear Nellie, I am so sorry that I was not able to attend the Eight Bells ceremony for Z yesterday. I was there in spirit. I am sure it was a beautiful day, one that Z would have loved being out on the water. My heart will always have an empty spot for him. I miss him.....there are just no words for what we have all lost. --dee
October 1, 2014
October 1, 2014
dear Nellie , Sam and Vivvie- thinking of you today and
sending love to all three- xo xo Ginio
October 1, 2014
October 1, 2014
Today is your birthday. And a great day for sailing wherever you are.
October 1, 2014
October 1, 2014
So weird to get a birthday notice for Zarko from LinkedIn today.
I still don't know what took you Zarko, but I guess it really doesn't matter. RIP Zarko.
October 1, 2014
October 1, 2014
Zarko,

A sad day when we cannot join the boats on the bay for you. I wish I could row in the line, but am pleased to leave this thought for you, Nellie, Sam Vivi and all your many friends.

We miss you very much. The office is much emptier without your ever returning to show me how to make decent espresso. I can barely manage a row past Point Blunt without you.

Ellen, the Ganesha crew and I have all our best thoughts with you.

I am posting a picture of my only art work in 40 plus years I did a few days after we lost you. It is not clear but it quotes one of my favorite eecommings poems and asks "How do you like your blue eyce boy now Mr Death?" Not half as much as we do.

All our love
July 1, 2014
July 1, 2014
Zarko...first off you were an inspiring figure in my iLife when i first met you at my father's business in Mississauga ON. CANADA circa. 1989...we shared many views of world travel within South East Asia, you helped me sort out my ambitions to finally choose the simple less complicated solution to all of my inhibitions...Furthermore, Following an awesome conversation with my 9 year old daughter this evening which involved a lot of content...I said to her...you wouldn't believe it...but I met a guy named Zarko, friend of your uncle Steven who he studied with at Waterloo University and changed the world forever!...she replied...how did he do that?...I said...he cared!!!

Cheers, Zarko,

Not sure if the above makes a lot of sense...but I think you know what I am getting @...Love, Greg, Sharon, Danielle & Richelle
April 4, 2014
April 4, 2014
"Zarko the Magnificent"
We first met Zarko during Telecom 88 in Geneva. He was sleeping on the floor to get everything for the NT/BNR/Apple alliance working. We loved his passion, talent, and enthusiasm so much it wasn't long before he was with us in Cupertino where he soon earned the nickname "the magnificent"
To us, this is how we will always remember him.
March 27, 2014
March 27, 2014
Zarko, your life, and the way you touched people's lives and inspired so many, are enduring examples from which to learn. Thank you for showing me how much living can fit into a life.
March 24, 2014
March 24, 2014
Although I did not know you personally you will be dearly missed by Henry Mechanical. I appreciated your patience and understanding through the job process. It's a rarity to find a customer like you!
Laura
March 24, 2014
March 24, 2014
Dearest Nelli,

There are no words sweet girl. What a beautiful memorial and tribute for a beautiful man. He was so loved and touched so many people in his short life.

After I left yesterday and my heart and head were filled with Zarko, you, and the children, I thought of the poem that Meryl Steep read at the funeral in “Out of Africa”...here's to Zarko.

Sending you all my love and strength,
Amy


To An Athlete Dying Young, By A.E. Housman

The time you won your town the race

We chaired you through the market-place;

Man and boy stood cheering by,

And home we brought you shoulder-high.
To-day, the road all runners come,

Shoulder-high we bring you home,

And set you at your threshold down,

Townsman of a stiller town.

Smart lad, to slip betimes away

From fields were glory does not stay

And early though the laurel grows

It withers quicker than the rose.
Eyes the shady night has shut

Cannot see the record cut,


And silence sounds no worse than cheers

After earth has stopped the ears:
Now you will not swell the rout

Of lads that wore their honours out,

Runners whom renown outran

And the name died before the man.

So set, before its echoes fade,

The fleet foot on the sill of shade,

And hold to the low lintel up

The still-defended challenge-cup.
And round that early-laurelled head

Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,

And find unwithered on its curls

The garland briefer than a girl's.
March 24, 2014
March 24, 2014
Zarko and I were standing in the school's parking lot, and he thanked me for the work we'd nearly completed--installing air conditioning units in some of the admin offices--I hadn't done much more than watch and advise (hahahahahahaha). Zarko certainly knew more than the techy guy who had delivered the units. He hopped into his Prius and waited to enter Paradise Drive. He waited. And waited. Then, at seemingly the last possible moment, he pulled directly in front of a car with the driver honking and screeching his brakes. I think profanity was involved, too. First thing when I saw Zarko the next morning I couldn't but ask, "You know, Zarko, I noticed yesterday the guy driving that car nearly collided with you when you pulled out of the parking lot..." "Yeah," he answered calmly, "they all drive too fast past the school, so I've started my own campaign to slow everyone down."
March 23, 2014
March 23, 2014
Dear Nellie, Sam and Vivvi,
Am sending lots and lots of love to you three today at Zarko's Memorial, and sending love and light out to the spirit of Zarko, who will forever be remembered as a bright, unique, creative and loving presence in this world. Love , Ginio
March 23, 2014
March 23, 2014
Zarko, his huge smile, his understanding look, his warm and generous being. Nellie, Sam and Vivi, my heart is with you all right now.
March 23, 2014
March 23, 2014
Zarko, I have never known anyone who lived better than you. You were generous, brilliant, and passionate - like no other. I will never forget your face - that Cheshire Cat smile of yours when you had been up all night working on an idea or when you were sharing something you loved, as only you could. It never occurred to me that you would leave us. I always thought there was time to ask you questions and hear your stories. Today is the day when so many people will bid you farewell but you will never be forgotten. Sarah x
March 22, 2014
March 22, 2014
I remember so many things about Zarko from General Magic days. His customized cubicle with sleeping accommodations. Draeger’s sourdough cheese bread: “ah, this is the good stuff”. Him recording juicy bits from the group meetings and playing them back as Magic Cap sounds. The Boxster and Ducati appearing in the parking lot. Most of all, his kindness and friendliness. No gnarly technical problem fazed him. My favorite quote, when someone said they were waiting for documentation before they could proceed with a task, “you don’t need a manual, just make it work!”. The image I have of Zarko is that he could indeed force undocumented and recalcitrant pieces of technology to operate by the sheer force of his will. I have thought of him frequently over the intervening years, but never got back in touch, to my regret. My condolences to his loved ones for their terrible loss.
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Recent Tributes
March 6
March 6
Thoughts of Z early this morning driving my daughter to school, even before I realized what today is the anniversary of — I remarked to her how Z was mourned and is missed by so many and who knew him in so many different ways. It still makes no sense to me that the world no longer has Z’s shining smile, his childlike sense of wonder, his enthusiasm, friendliness, generosity, and good cheer. He was, in so many ways, brilliant and extraordinary.
March 6
March 6
Ten years later. Still feeling the loss. The world is not quite as wonderful without you Z!
March 6
March 6
Dear Zarko, love to your spirit, and love to Nellie, Vivvie and Sam on this day.
Recent stories

McKeeby Lodge computer camp, circa 1984

June 26, 2015

Zark0 again.

My brother Matthew is the guy in the green shirt goofing for the camera in the front row.

McKeeby Lodge computer camp, circa 1984

June 26, 2015

Zark0 mugging in the back row. As usual.

Zark0 was a counsellor here for a couple of years. I had him as my cabin counsellor in McKeeby's very first year. And although he was only a couple of years older than me, I still thought he was a pretty cool dude.

I remember one time when Zark0 had gone home during the break between weeks, he came back with his motorcycle, and gave me a ride on the back. (My first and last time, I think.)

He did have a very infectious energy, and I have fond memories of him.

I was pleased when I read in 2000 that he had such success in Silicon Valley, and had made the big score, cashing in when he sold his company. And it looks like he had a lot of fun times traveling, sailing, driving hot cars and spending time with his family and friends.

Still, I guess depression can get the best of us, and maybe, like the late Robin Williams, the most enthusiastic and energetic folks may be the ones for whom the black dogs of depression are the hardest to shake off.

My condolences go to Zark0's family and friends.

Remembering

March 25, 2014

Back in high school (TISS), some 30 years ago I had a friend and his name was Zarko. A tall, thin boy with a huge smile and a kind way about him. So full of life and energetic. He was smart, ambitious, and curious as I remember and a friend to many. His lab notes in chemistry class helped me on more than one occasion! 
Our time in high school came to an end and we went our separate ways out into the world. Over the years when I've thought of those high school days, I'd remember Zarko with fondness and memories that brought a smile to my face. 
In reading all of these beautiful tributes here it's plain to see that in his all-too-short-life he touched many people with those very same qualities that I remember.
I have been so saddened to hear of his passing. To his family and friends, my deepest sympathies for your terrible loss. Zarko, rest in peace.  Kathy Uniacke (Edgley)

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