It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I must report that 26 year-old Marijan Čiklić, a very dear member of the CroatianSports.com family, passed away Monday, November 24th during a work trip as a merchant marine in Seattle, Washington. He is survived by his parents Boško and Femi, and brother Ivan.
In a sweat, I looked back to see Marijan and his dad Boško standing at the end of the bridge. I ran over to say hello and give them a hug, as I did not know they were in Zadar that day. It’s summer in Dalmacija and their first question was “kud ti se žuri?” I told them I was late for drinks with the General, pointed to the kafić a few meters down and told them I had to go. They both laughed at me and let me be on my way.
After 15 minutes of sitting and making small talk with General Gotovina in a tiny restaurant room, Marijan and Boško walk in nonchalantly just to say ‘hello’ to General Gotovina.
Marijan made a B-line to the General, firmly shook his hand, showed his respect and asked for a photo. After General Gotovina obliged, Marijan shuffled through his backpack with the entire table watching, only to pull out a large iPad 45 seconds later. With Gotovina expecting someone else to take the picture, Marijan quickly flipped the camera to take the most important “selfie” of his life- with the man who freed Croatia.
And just as we helped Croatian flood victims earlier in the year, donating $2500 to the Croatian Red Cross, we kindly ask for the same support as this tragedy hits closer to home.
*Donations will be forwarded to the Čiklić family
Primite nasu iskrenu sucut!
I must admit that I was a little skeptical about putting up this post on a sports website. However, I am happy to see that we have grown as a family here on CroatianSports.com and together we were able to contribute and support one of ours.
Marijan was someone that I greatly admired even though we wouldn’t get to see each other quite often. However, when we did see each other Marijan brought so much passion, wisdom, and humor to every conversation.
Major props to Ante for putting up this post and thanks to everyone for contributing. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Ciklic family.
**UPDATE**
I was with Bosko and Family last night. They are in good spirits and wanted me to share how thankful they are for all the love, donations and support they have received.
The funds were hand delivered to him with a list of all the donators.
If you would still like to contribute, it is not too late. Please use Paypal and I will make sure that the Ciklic family receives it immediately.
Dragi prijatelji,
Ne poznajem vas, ali saosecam s vama. Neka vam andjeli cuvaju sina. Molicu se za njegovu mladu dusu i za vas koji nosite taj tezak bol u srcu.
My condolences.
Sorry to read this news.My sympathies to all those that new Marijan and especially to his family.RIP brother Marijan.
My Condolences to his family and friends. R.I.P. brother
R.I.P. My condolences to his family and friends.
God bless him and my condolences to his family. 🙁
I an so sad to hear this news. I was lucky enough to have Ivan and Marijan , As students at Leland St School. I have often wondered what happened to them after they left Lelsnd, yet I was always sure they were doing great! My heart and prayers. Go out to the family!
Najdivniji ljudi u LA, Boshko & Femi su izgubili svoje drago dete, Marijana… nemi smo od bola I tuge kroz koju nashi dragi prijatelji prolaze… Vasheg dragog Sina ne mozemo vratiti, ali, bicemo, tu, uz vas, u svakom trenutku da vam olaksamo bol… Sve nashe molitve su upuchene vama, dragi nashi prijatelji…
Gordana Tosic& Bojan Blagojevic
Very sad news. RIP brother. Prayers for the family.
Teskog srca i duse primili smo vijest o gubitku divnog naseg prijatelja Marijana.Osobno sam njegovog oca upoznao davne 92-ge, te smo ostali u kontaktu cijelo vrijeme.Kako sam i zivio tamo bilo je bezbroj ljepih nezaboravnih druzenja, zajednickih nastupa.Marijan je jos bio mladji, tek se skolovao.Pozitivac i jedna fina dobra dusa.Marijan nikad nije skidao njegov prepoznatljiv osmjeh sa lica na smjesne situacije i razne zezancije kad bi se svi nasli kod njih doma povodom nekog slavlja ili blagdana. Sjecam se i njegovog prvog posjeta Zadru, gdje je maksimialno uzivao i obozavao svaki minut proveden u dalmaciji. Znam, kasnije da je zavrsio pomorsku skolu, te mu je uzitak bio biti na brodu. Zadnji sustret pamtim na aerodromu kad smo skupa sa vecom familijom i prijateljima docekali prvi dolazak Boska u Zadar nakon mnogo godina.Veselio se sto ce se ukrcati negdje na brod sa Jadranskog mora…Ova tuzna vijest gubitka mladog covjeka u cvatu zivota i karijere nas je potresla neizmjernih ramjera.Nemam snage nazvati svog dobrog prijetalja Boska ,Femi i divnog brata Ivana, jer ovo je nesto na sta covjek ostaje bez rijeci..Neka mu je laka zemlja i vjecni spokoj…. Alen Slavica
Iskrena sucut, neka mu je laka zemlja. Pocivaj u miru, Bog ga blagoslovio.
Dragi Marijan,
U tisini vjecnog mira neka te prate nase molitve. Mirno spavaj i neka te cuvaju nebeski andeli.
Iskrena sucut obitelji Ciklic.