STANKO "STAN" KLEMENCIC

KLEMENCIC, STANKO "STAN" With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Stan at his residence in Trenton, on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at the age of 94. Son of the late France and Marija Klemencic. Beloved husband and best friend to Paula Klemencic (nee Se?nik). Cherished father of Tony Klemencic (Aline) of Toronto, Mark Klemencic (Joanne) of Trenton, Andy Klemencic (Carolyn) of Trenton, Barb Toffelmire (Steve) of Trenton and Tim Klemencic (Ida) of Trenton. Stan was predeceased by his siblings France, Mimi, Tone, and Lojze all of Slovenia. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Nora (Konrad), Frances (Luke), Jane (Brian), Pauline (Mike); Adam, Chris (Jade), Nathan (Stefanie), Julia; Jordan, Ryan; Erika (Cameron), Ben, Leah, Hannah; Megan (Brett), Sarah and by great-grandchildren James, Nicholas, Carl, Faye, Louise, Gloria, George, Matthew, Robert, Ainsley, Bale, and Levi. Beloved uncle of many nieces and nephews in Ontario and Slovenia. Born in Trebelno, Slovenia (former Yugoslavia), Stan fled the communist regime of his home country at the end of World War II. From a Displaced Persons Camp in Austria, he was accepted as a refugee by Canada. Stan's first employment in Canada was at the Bata Shoe Company, where he lived in a factory-owned bunkhouse. He always had a second job on the side, and building a house was one of those. His first build turned into a lifelong career of building homes, developing land and building and managing apartments throughout the Quinte area. The success of his building and developing business allowed him to pursue some of the passions that were instilled into him as a child growing up on a farm in Slovenia. He purchased farms and raised herds of Charolais beef cattle for many years. He was a well-known fixture at local sales barns where he always enjoyed the camaraderie of others in the cattle industry, and was regularly shipping cattle to the Ontario Stockyards, anxious to see how well his cattle would sell. But his greatest passion was horses, specifically standard-bred race horses, for which we was known throughout the racing industry as a well-respected owner and breeder of quality racehorses for several decades. He was inducted into the Quinte West Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his achievements in the sport of harness racing. Although never having played the game, Stan loved hockey, and in addition to being a loyal supporter of his sons' minor hockey teams, he was an owner and operator of the local Junior B hockey team for several years. Stan was self-taught in his various ventures in life, and reached a high level of success in whatever he undertook, through a combination of research, hard work, strong determination to succeed, and good fortune. Along with his wonderful wife, Paula, he raised his 5 children with the goal of getting a solid education for all and assisting each in getting a good start to careers of their own, another goal that was successfully achieved. He subsequently became grandfather to sixteen, and great-grandfather to twelve. Friends are invited to attend a drive-through visitation at the RUSHNELL FUNERAL CENTRE, 60 Division St., Trenton (613-392-2111), on Friday, June 18th from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Those who are attending are required to remain in their vehicles with a mask on. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private family Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Trenton, on Saturday, June 19, 2021. Service will be livestreamed and the link will be available at www.rushnellfamilyservices.com. Rite of Committal will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Trenton, following the service. If desired, donations in Stan's memory to the Heart & Home Building Campaign for Hospice Quinte, Dom Lipa (Slovenian Nursing Home in Etobicoke) or St. Peter's Church in Trenton, would be greatly appreciated by the family.