Obituary for Steven Jelich
Our hearts are broken as we sadly announce the sudden passing of Steven Jelich at the age of 55, on March 31, 2023, in London, Ontario. His loving and kind heart failed him during his happiest time - completely elated and content with life along with his hopes and dreams for the future with his wife Jelena (Sarapa) and daughter Danijela.
Steven was born on December 9, 1967 to the most loving parents Sylvia (Vukanovich) and the late Dusan Jelich in Windsor, Ontario. When his father passed away suddenly at the age of 54, Steven held strong and affectionately took care of his mother and his two younger brothers... becoming the father figure to them as well. He often teased his mother, which he tended to do with people that he loved. She teased right back, chuckled and would often say “Oh Steven, stop it!” Steven loved his mother with every bit of his heart and would often recall the special memories he had of his father and mother growing up.
Steven was the oldest and best big brother to Andrew (Mara) and David (Mira); sister-in-law Nada Tremblay (Donovan); brother-in-law Milan Sarapa (Deanna). The bond he had with his brothers Andrew and David along with his cousin Adam was unbreakable. Daily chats teasing each other with Steven often being the biggest offender. They loved each other wholeheartedly. When he visited Windsor, he would often stay with his younger brother David and family where his mom also resided. He enjoyed that special time with his brother, each taking a sofa and watching their favourite movies, particularly James Bond. Whereas visits with his brother Andrew were always in anticipation of finding a way to receive one of Andrew’s famous massages. The three brothers had a very special bond, never having to use words - there was an unspoken love that was always there and interpreted.
Steven deeply respected his father and mother-in-law, Dmitar and Milica Sarapa as they were a source of love, support, and guidance to him as a husband and father. His father-in-law loved when Steve was the apprentice on many home projects, teaching him how to build a fence, do small jobs around the house, and how to perfect his game in UNO. His mother-in-law who he affectionately called “Ma” always ensured that he was properly fed (her lasagna was his favourite), and she would often comment on how handsome he looked.
The love he had for his nieces and nephews was tremendous. His affection and humour was always there for Maja, Ana, Mila, Dmitri, Donovan, Dejan and Mileja. Just recently, he dressed up as a Leprechaun for his youngest niece Mileja, which brought her the biggest smile – that was Steve.
Steven will be sadly missed by many relatives – including aunts, uncles, cousins, and Kumovi and many friends with strong friendships made over the years.
Steven was born and raised in Windsor, moving to North Bay and then London over the past several years. He was known as a family man - family always came first. He radiated with his exaggerated expressions of stories he told about his family, which always brought a twinkle to his eye.
After graduating Massey High School, he received his Honours Bachelor Comm from the University of Windsor, and his MBA from Wayne State University. Steve began his 27- year career at Union Gas (Enbridge Gas Inc.) in 1995, working in many parts of the organization, progressing to more senior leadership roles including Director South West Operations and most recently as Director Contract Market Harmonization Program. He committed to numerous extracurricular activities supporting the company’s community programs including active roles as the United Way Vice-Chair and Chair 2014 and 2015, First Robotics contest Judge, and Director of the Board of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Chair of the Advocacy Committee. Steven was well-respected for his collaborative and professional style and made a significant impact on people with his great ability to build strong relationships over his career. His unique sense of humour and ability to make people smile will be missed by many.
As an active member of the Windsor-Essex Serbian community, he met his beautiful wife and true love Jelena (Sarapa) and wed on September 23, 2000, and became a very proud Tata, welcoming his precious Zlato, Danijela on April 19, 2003. The three were known as the Three Musketeers, doing everything together whether it was travelling to Danijela’s skating competitions or moving to different parts of Ontario for business, they were a true team.
Steven loved soccer, tennis (Novak Djokovic!), football (Detroit Lions!) and his love for Elvis impersonations were like nothing else. He was an avid reader but there is one book that held a special place in his heart, given to him by his father – a Dale Carnegie book of poetry and special quotes.
“All men have fears, but the brave put down their fears and go forward, sometimes to death, but always to victory.” – Dale Carnegie
Visitation will be held on Tuesday April 4, 2023 from 2- 5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at:
Families First Funeral Home
1065 Lauzon Rd, Windsor ON
(519-969-5841)
with prayers at 7:30 p.m.
Divine Liturgy and Funeral Service on Wednesday April 5, 2023 will be held at:
Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Church
1960 Meldrum Road, Windsor ON
9:00 – 11:00 a.m. the family will receive guests for their final respects during Divine Liturgy with Funeral Service to begin at 11:00 a.m., officiated by V. Rev. Vladimir Vranic followed by interment at Windsor Memorial Gardens.
If you wish to honour Steven’s memory, donations may be made to Gracanica Orthodox Church or Serbs for Serbs Canada, 635 The Queensway LL, Etobicoke, ON M8Y 1K6, Canada, website accepts credit card donations. (www.serbsforserbs.ca)
E-TRANSFER DONATIONS
Email: donate@serbsforserbs.ca
DONATION BY CHEQUE
Write a cheque payable to Serbs for Serbs Canada and mail it to:
Serbs for Serbs Canada
635 The Queensway, Lower Level
Toronto, ON
M8Y 1K6
or via Funeral Home website "Serbs Serbs" (mytribute.org)
Steven was born on December 9, 1967 to the most loving parents Sylvia (Vukanovich) and the late Dusan Jelich in Windsor, Ontario. When his father passed away suddenly at the age of 54, Steven held strong and affectionately took care of his mother and his two younger brothers... becoming the father figure to them as well. He often teased his mother, which he tended to do with people that he loved. She teased right back, chuckled and would often say “Oh Steven, stop it!” Steven loved his mother with every bit of his heart and would often recall the special memories he had of his father and mother growing up.
Steven was the oldest and best big brother to Andrew (Mara) and David (Mira); sister-in-law Nada Tremblay (Donovan); brother-in-law Milan Sarapa (Deanna). The bond he had with his brothers Andrew and David along with his cousin Adam was unbreakable. Daily chats teasing each other with Steven often being the biggest offender. They loved each other wholeheartedly. When he visited Windsor, he would often stay with his younger brother David and family where his mom also resided. He enjoyed that special time with his brother, each taking a sofa and watching their favourite movies, particularly James Bond. Whereas visits with his brother Andrew were always in anticipation of finding a way to receive one of Andrew’s famous massages. The three brothers had a very special bond, never having to use words - there was an unspoken love that was always there and interpreted.
Steven deeply respected his father and mother-in-law, Dmitar and Milica Sarapa as they were a source of love, support, and guidance to him as a husband and father. His father-in-law loved when Steve was the apprentice on many home projects, teaching him how to build a fence, do small jobs around the house, and how to perfect his game in UNO. His mother-in-law who he affectionately called “Ma” always ensured that he was properly fed (her lasagna was his favourite), and she would often comment on how handsome he looked.
The love he had for his nieces and nephews was tremendous. His affection and humour was always there for Maja, Ana, Mila, Dmitri, Donovan, Dejan and Mileja. Just recently, he dressed up as a Leprechaun for his youngest niece Mileja, which brought her the biggest smile – that was Steve.
Steven will be sadly missed by many relatives – including aunts, uncles, cousins, and Kumovi and many friends with strong friendships made over the years.
Steven was born and raised in Windsor, moving to North Bay and then London over the past several years. He was known as a family man - family always came first. He radiated with his exaggerated expressions of stories he told about his family, which always brought a twinkle to his eye.
After graduating Massey High School, he received his Honours Bachelor Comm from the University of Windsor, and his MBA from Wayne State University. Steve began his 27- year career at Union Gas (Enbridge Gas Inc.) in 1995, working in many parts of the organization, progressing to more senior leadership roles including Director South West Operations and most recently as Director Contract Market Harmonization Program. He committed to numerous extracurricular activities supporting the company’s community programs including active roles as the United Way Vice-Chair and Chair 2014 and 2015, First Robotics contest Judge, and Director of the Board of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Chair of the Advocacy Committee. Steven was well-respected for his collaborative and professional style and made a significant impact on people with his great ability to build strong relationships over his career. His unique sense of humour and ability to make people smile will be missed by many.
As an active member of the Windsor-Essex Serbian community, he met his beautiful wife and true love Jelena (Sarapa) and wed on September 23, 2000, and became a very proud Tata, welcoming his precious Zlato, Danijela on April 19, 2003. The three were known as the Three Musketeers, doing everything together whether it was travelling to Danijela’s skating competitions or moving to different parts of Ontario for business, they were a true team.
Steven loved soccer, tennis (Novak Djokovic!), football (Detroit Lions!) and his love for Elvis impersonations were like nothing else. He was an avid reader but there is one book that held a special place in his heart, given to him by his father – a Dale Carnegie book of poetry and special quotes.
“All men have fears, but the brave put down their fears and go forward, sometimes to death, but always to victory.” – Dale Carnegie
Visitation will be held on Tuesday April 4, 2023 from 2- 5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at:
Families First Funeral Home
1065 Lauzon Rd, Windsor ON
(519-969-5841)
with prayers at 7:30 p.m.
Divine Liturgy and Funeral Service on Wednesday April 5, 2023 will be held at:
Gracanica Serbian Orthodox Church
1960 Meldrum Road, Windsor ON
9:00 – 11:00 a.m. the family will receive guests for their final respects during Divine Liturgy with Funeral Service to begin at 11:00 a.m., officiated by V. Rev. Vladimir Vranic followed by interment at Windsor Memorial Gardens.
If you wish to honour Steven’s memory, donations may be made to Gracanica Orthodox Church or Serbs for Serbs Canada, 635 The Queensway LL, Etobicoke, ON M8Y 1K6, Canada, website accepts credit card donations. (www.serbsforserbs.ca)
E-TRANSFER DONATIONS
Email: donate@serbsforserbs.ca
DONATION BY CHEQUE
Write a cheque payable to Serbs for Serbs Canada and mail it to:
Serbs for Serbs Canada
635 The Queensway, Lower Level
Toronto, ON
M8Y 1K6
or via Funeral Home website "Serbs Serbs" (mytribute.org)