Passed away peacefully in his 81st year at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, with his family by his side. Beloved husband of Paulina for over 51 years, loving father to Nick Bakaric (Malgorzata) and Mary Bukovcan (Mike); proud grandfather "Dida" of Paul, Rebecca, Christina and Martina. He is survived by his sister Zlata Tkalac of Croatia.

Born in Vrhovac, Croatia, Augustin was a proud Croat and devout Catholic who also loved his second homeland Canada, the country that welcomed him as a penniless young man and provided him with the freedom and opportunity to achieve many wonderful things. He was able to not only raise his family in the Croatian Catholic tradition, but also helped bring other family members to freedom in Canada. He will be deeply missed by many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law as well as his numerous nieces and nephews. He will be fondly remembered by his family members in his beloved Croatia with whom he spent many happy summers. Augustin's family was further enlarged by extended family and friends who were very close to him.

Augustin was a founding member of Holy Trinity Croatian Catholic Parish in Oakville, Ontario. His contributions went well beyond time and financial support. He even put his carpentry and engineering skills to work by building the first altar used for Holy Masses in Catholic school gymnasiums when the parish was founded. When the church was built, assisted by his son, he constructed the cross that graces the present day exterior.

Augustin was a risk-taker who never feared a challenge, he dreamed big and trusted God. After several life-threatening attempts to escape the former Yugoslavia, he would tell you that God led him to freedom. He came to Canada empty-handed, but persevered courageously through all challenges. His fierce love of independence led him to start his own business. He was a talented, creative, inventive entrepreneur who spent many hours solving engineering challenges. His innovative technical solutions can be found in many cars on the road today as his businesses primarily served the automotive industry.

He was a man who experienced life to the fullest. His lifetime pet project was working on developing a perpetual motion machine, while keeping himself in motion through his love of all forms of vehicles from his 20+ cars to boats to motorcycles to scooters he built himself! He was a lover of music (self taught tamburaš, pianist, violinist, accordionist and long-time church choir member and proud audience to his children and grandchildren), jack-of-all-trades, especially carpentry. He built go-carts for his kids and a cottage to which all were always welcome and at which many happy memories were made.

Augustin made an indelible mark on this world. He will be remembered for many things, not the least of which would be his clever wit, ability to make people laugh, compassion and giving nature.

Family and friends may pay their respects at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville (one block east of Kerr, 905-844-2600) on Monday, February 16, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Augustin's life will take place on Tuesday, February 17, 2015 at Holy Trinity Croatian Catholic Church (2110 Trafalgar Road North, Oakville) at 10 a.m. Interment following mass at Trafalgar Lawn Cemetary in Oakville. Following the service at the cemetery, the family will receive guests at Holy Trinity Croatian Parish Hall (2110 Trafalgar Road North, Oakville) for lunch and to share memories of our dear husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law and friend, Augustin.

In lieu of flowers, the family will graciously accept donations to Augustin's chosen charities, namely, the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and Holy Trinity Croatian Parish.

Sincerest thanks to Dr. Greg Thomson, Dr. Russell Mao, the nurses and all the staff at OTMH. Special gratitude to Augustin's nurse practitioner Eileen McDonald Karcz…your kindness is greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten. May God continue to Bless You in your vocation to continue to so faithfully provide strength and compassion to all those who are fortunate enough to know you.