Petar Zanko, 75, passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his adoring family in Chesterfield, Missouri on April 22, 2020.
Petar is survived by his wife Ankica of 44 years; daughters Jelena Zanko and Angela (Nathan) Mall; son John Zanko and son-in-law Nathan Mall; grandchildren Madelyn, Christian, and Ava Mall; sister Maša (Ivan) Barać and Anka (Ivan) Barać; brothers Stipan (Zlata) Zanko and Luka Zanko; dear friend and brother-in-law Ivan Barać, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Petar was a loving husband, father, grandfather (dida), brother, uncle, cousin and dear friend to so many.
Petar was born in Obrovac Sinjski, Croatia in 1944 and lived in Paris, France for several years before ultimately moving to the United States in 1970. He was a hardworking, self-made man who created a career as a Master Plumber and entrepreneur, eventually starting his own small business which he oversaw until he retired. He had a great love for nature and the outdoors, choosing to spend beautiful days tending to his garden and yard, fishing with his beloved grandson Christian, playing buće ball with his Croatian pals or simply sitting in the sun. He also enjoyed cooking, spending time in “the country” (Christopher, IL), watching baseball and hockey games with his son John, and visiting his beloved homeland of Croatia with his wife, children and grandchildren.
A mass will be held at St. Joseph Croatian Catholic Church on Saturday, April 25th followed by a burial at Resurrection Cemetery, but due to COVID-19 these services must be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to the GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer (https://go2foundation.org/). Petar will be dearly missed, but we take comfort knowing he is eternally resting at peace and reunited with so many loved ones.
Angela even though I never had the pleasure of meeting your dear dad, I know he was a kind, caring and loving man, just by seeing the legacy he left in all of you.
Prayers and love to all of you.
Angela even though I never had the pleasure of meeting your dear dad, I know he was a kind, caring and loving man, just by seeing the legacy he left in all of you.
Prayers and love to all of you.
Our condolences in this trying time.
Our condolences in this trying time.
We feel blessed that we were able to share so many happy occasions with this wonderful father, grandfather and father in law these 20 years! We shared three beautiful grandchildren who adored their Dida and Baba! The last time he was visiting our house he insisted doing all of the thanksgiving dishes after the feast — which just shows you what an amazing man he was. Doing those dishes was a gift much appreciated. We will always remember the fun times we had all together and his many words of wisdom!! Sending lots of love and sympathy!
We feel blessed that we were able to share so many happy occasions with this wonderful father, grandfather and father in law these 20 years! We shared three beautiful grandchildren who adored their Dida and Baba! The last time he was visiting our house he insisted doing all of the thanksgiving dishes after the feast — which just shows you what an amazing man he was. Doing those dishes was a gift much appreciated. We will always remember the fun times we had all together and his many words of wisdom!! Sending lots of love and sympathy!
Please accept our condolences.
The Rukcic family
Please accept our condolences.
The Rukcic family
Prayers and Love ❤️ Sent to your amazing family during this difficult time… The memories are so many and so cherished by all that knew him. He was a cherish husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to all that had the pleasure of knowing him. He has left a profound impact on my life with his words of wisdom when they were needed along with his long friendship with my parents . It is not goodbye for ever, I believe it is hello to his family and friends in heaven were he will be celebrated again for his amazing humor and love of conversation, Boce ball and spirits…. Vicki Viduka Lewis / Dobrila Viduka
Prayers and Love ❤️ Sent to your amazing family during this difficult time… The memories are so many and so cherished by all that knew him. He was a cherish husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to all that had the pleasure of knowing him. He has left a profound impact on my life with his words of wisdom when they were needed along with his long friendship with my parents . It is not goodbye for ever, I believe it is hello to his family and friends in heaven were he will be celebrated again for his amazing humor and love of conversation, Boce ball and spirits…. Vicki Viduka Lewis / Dobrila Viduka
Please accept our condolences Kathy and Branko Ostrec
Please accept our condolences Kathy and Branko Ostrec
Prayers to your family. I have always heard nothing but wonderful things about Petar.
Prayers to your family. I have always heard nothing but wonderful things about Petar.