HRVOJE MATEJ SIME PERIC

March 6, 1976- April 11, 2014
Hrvoje Matej Sime Peric of Medicine Hat AB, beloved husband of Natalia Peric and loving father to Kristjan, Stefen and Davor Peric passed away unexpectedly of heart failure on Friday, April 11, 2014 in Medicine Hat. Hrvoje is also survived by his loving parents Janko and Biba Peric of Cambridge, Ontario, bothers Tvrtko and Neven (Jordana) Peric, sister Nevenka (Timothy) Livingstone, nieces Kica Peric and Aria Livingstone, nephew Mark Joseph Livingstone, parents-in-law Kenneth and Teresa Murdoch of Calgary, a large extended family of in-laws, best friend Daniel Clemens and many relatives in Croatia, Germany and Australia. Hrvoje was born in Kitchener, ON and grew up in Hespeler, ON. His lifelong passion for music began with piano lessons and singing in the Cambridge Kiwanis Boys Choir. As a youth he enjoyed playing soccer and wrestling. He loved hockey and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hrvoje attended the arts program at Eastwood Collegiate Institute in Kitchener, ON.  He received a B.Mus in piano performance from Wilfrid Laurier University and a diploma in conducting from the Musicka Academia in Zagreb Croatia. He studied conducting with Timothy Vernon in London, ON before moving to Calgary in August 2000. In Calgary he was an active choral and orchestral conductor, church music director and piano teacher. It was in Calgary that he met Natalia. They were married in 2006, in 2007 they moved to Montreal where Hrvoje supported his wife’s pursuit of graduate studies.  In 2009 they moved to Ottawa with their two sons and had a third son there. While in Montreal and Ottawa, Hrvoje taught piano and had positions as church music director and organist. In 2012 the family moved to Medicine Hat, AB where Hrvoje joined the music faculty of the Medicine Hat College Conservatory of Music. It was here that Hrvoje found his niche. He taught music theory, piano and worked as a vocal and instrumental coach and accompanist. He was greatly appreciated by his students and colleagues. Hrvoje had a sharp mind and wit, fantastic sense of humour and was a devout Catholic and defender of his faith. He loved reading, learning, discussing religion, politics, anything music related and hockey. He was fiercely loyal to his family and friends. His family always came first, he was a fantastic father, husband, brother, son, and friend. Hrvoje will be immensely missed. Memorial Masses will be held at Holy Family Church (1451 Strachan Road SE) in Medicine Hat on Monday, April 21, 2014 at 3:00pm and at Holy Family Croatian Parish (180 Schweitzer St.) in Kitchener, Ontario on Friday, April 25, 2014 at 6:00pm. In lieu of flowers, a trust fund will be set up for the education of his children. For information contact Natalia Peric at nataliait@yahoo.com. Photos, memories and condolences may be shared through www.evanjstrong.com. Arrangements in care of EVAN J. STRONG FUNERAL SERVICES 403-265-1199.