With great sadness we wish to announce LUKA (LOUIE) DEVCIC, beloved husband of Neda Devcic of Lethbridge, passed away with his family at his side at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge on Monday, January 30, 2012 at the age of 81 years. Luka was born October 17, 1930 in Lukaovo Sugarije on the Croatian Coast, close to Zadar. He was attending gymnasium in Gospic, Croatia, during World War Two. The circumstances of war forced him to return home to work on his family’s boat. Here he worked until September 1956, when he, his bride to be Neda and her two cousins made the bold decision to flee communist repression in his beloved homeland. They rowed a small boat across the Adriatic Sea to Ancona, Italy, in a perilous, four day journey. He and Neda were marred in the Vatican on January 25, 1957. Neda and Luka celebrated their 55th anniversary only five days before he passed. After they were married, the young couple began to work on a luxury yacht on the south of France. At the end of the year, they moved to Germany, where their son was born. They decided to immigrate to Canada to being a new life, where they finally joined relatives in Picture Butte in 1960. In 1963, soon after their daughter was born, they moved to Lethbridge where Luka took a job at the Lethbridge Brewery Gardens. Here he worked for the next 27 years, ensuring that the entrance to our city was immaculate. He retired when the brewery closed in 1989. Luka was a cheerful, loving man, loyal to his faith, his family, his friends and his nation. He loved and appreciated nature, pouring his heart into the gardens he cared for. He was skilful with his hands and generous with the beautiful artifacts he lovingly made. The Catholic churches in Lethbridge and the homes of his friends attest to this with his nativity scenes and candleholders that he leaves behind. His family and friends will forever remember him by these works of art. Besides his loving wife Neda he is also remembered by his daughter, Catherine (Doug) Romanchuk of Lethbridge. He is survived by one brother and two sisters Marijan (Nada) Devcic, Nada Baric, of Croatia, Mica (Dane) Saric, of Australia, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many good friends. He was predeceased by his son Steve, father Marko, mother Luca, three brothers Miton, Rude, and Srecko, and one sister Mara. A Prayer Service will be held at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405-12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, on Friday, February 3, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2405-12 Avenue South, Lethbridge, on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend John Koehler celebrant. Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery. In memory of Louie, donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Lethbridge Chapter, 400, 740 - 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 0N9. Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca