In memoriam Štefan Srnec (1929-2018)

Štefan Srnec, born August 20th 1929 in the beautiful Prlekija region of Slovenia, passed away in Melbourne on Monday, 6th of August 2018. The Slovenian Community in Victoria mourns the sad passing of this kind and humble man, and very proud Slovenian, who is regarded by many as being one of the pillars of the Slovenian Community in Melbourne! Štefan was married to very well respected Slovenian language teacher and cultural worker, Mrs Lucija Srnec for over 52 years, up until his death, and the family is very respected within the Slovenian Community in Australia. Štefan arrived in Australia in 1956, and immediately became involved within the Slovenian Community. He helped with the establishment of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Slovenian Catholic Mission and Church in Kew, was active within the Slovenian Assocation Melbourne, Slovenian Assocation Planica, Slovenian Welfare and Information Office in Melbourne and the Council of Slovenian Organizations in Victoria. He participated in countless cultural events within the Slovenian Community, including all 16 bi-annual Slovenian Festivals under the auspices of the CSOV. His funeral, attended by hundreds of mourners was held at the Saints Cyril and Methodius Slovenian Church in Kew on Tuesday, August 14th 2018. A wake was held in the church hall after his requiem Mass. SBS Slovenian pays tribute to this remarkable man, who did so much good within the Slovenian Community in Victoria for over 60 years, since arriving in Australia from Slovenia with his two sisters. Mrs Draga Gelt OAM, Mr Peter Mandelj OAM JP, Mrs Frances Urbas Johnson and Mr Milan Kokol share their fondest memories of a true gentleman, who had Slovenia and the Slovenian Community in his heart! May he rest in God's peace!

Source: SBS Slovenian