Croat community in mourning
The Sault’s Croatian community is mourning the passing of a lovable, well-liked countryman. Stipe Saric, better known as Pipa, passed away recently after a short battle with cancer.
A pleasant, kind-hearted individual, Pipa was just 64-years old at the time of his passing.
I had just seen Pipa not that long ago and was shocked to receive a phone call from fellow Croat, George Matejic, who informed me of Pipa’s passing.
Matejic, who is in his late 70s, said he had seen Saric at the hospital not that long ago.
“We were both undergoing treatment,” Matejic told me. “We chatted for a few minutes and gave best wishes to each other.
“Pipa was a wonderful young man,” Matejic continued. “He was very proud of everyone in his family, especially his wife, his kids and his grand kids. He was very proud of his Croatian heritage and he just loved sports, especially soccer and hockey. This is a very sad time.”
A Croatian immigrant, the man they called Pipa arrived in Sault Ste. Marie from Bosnia i Hercigovina in the late 1970s, bringing his considerable soccer skills with him.
The Sault Croatia Soccer Club was run by the late Joe Kin back then and Saric quickly became one of the star players on the powerhouse team. Saric would eventually take over from the late Mr. Kin as the head of the local Croatia Soccer Club.
Featuring the likes of keeper George Dvorak and forwards and mid fielders such as Barry Fera, Dennis Maninos, Mike Jurko, Joe Tomas, Vinko Saric and Tade Saric, Croatia — led by Pipa — kicked its way to countless local soccer championships for about 25 years, beginning in 1979.
I got to know Pipa over the years as a fellow Croat, first through soccer, then as a fan of the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.
After retiring as a player, Pipa remained heavily involved with the Soo Croatia Soccer Club, serving as an administrator, manager and he coach. He mentored the likes of players such as Richard Majic, Scott Majic, Sasa Jurko, David Culina, Matt DiBerardino, Matt Irving, Phil Ruicci, Richard Yendall, Robbie Green, Chris Siegman and many others.
Rest in peace, Pipa.
PHOTO: Pipa Saric (middle) during his Soo Croatia Soccer Club playing days with teammates Dennis Maninos and Barry Fera.