Ante Kutlesa Hamilton ON Obituary, Death: With hearts full of sorrow and remembrance, we mourn the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Ante Stanko Kutlesa, who passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 7, 2025, in Hamilton, Ontario. He was just 51 years old. A son, a brother, a father, an uncle, a friend—Ante was many things to many people, and his presence will be deeply missed by everyone who had the honor of knowing him.
Ante was born on January 9, 1974, a child of Croatian roots, deeply connected to the heritage and traditions of his homeland, which he carried with him throughout his life. Though life led him across borders and continents, he remained grounded by the strong values instilled in him by his late parents, Mara and Stanko, and his beloved late sister, Nancy, whose memories he held close to his heart. Ante’s life was not one lived in the spotlight, but it was rich in devotion, quiet strength, and boundless love for those he cherished.
He was a man of integrity, deeply loyal, and known for his sense of humor, fierce independence, and unshakeable love for his family and friends. He is survived by his two sons, Stanko and Matteo, who were the absolute lights of his life. His love for his boys was immeasurable—fierce, proud, and unwavering. They were his greatest joy, his deepest motivation, and the truest reflection of his legacy. As young men navigating life without their father, may they always feel his strength beside them, guiding them as he always tried to do.
Ante also leaves behind his loving brother Boze and sister-in-law Joane, who stood by him through life’s many turns; his brother-in-law Tom, a figure of strength and connection; and his treasured nieces Kasandra, Katia, Gloria, Julia, and Maria, all of whom he cared for with warmth and quiet pride. His role in their lives was one of subtle influence—steady, present, and loving. The Kutlesa family stretches far and wide, and Ante remained deeply connected to his aunts, uncles, cousins, kumovi, and friends not only in Canada, but also in Croatia, Germany, and Spain.
His relationships were a testament to the kind of man he was—loyal, generous, and always keeping those ties alive despite distance or time. A special mention must be made for his dear friend Marco, whose friendship brought strength and companionship in both lighthearted moments and life’s most difficult days. There is something sacred in friendships like that—formed over time, tested through hardship, and enduring even now, beyond this life.
Though Ante may have lived a life marked with struggle and moments of deep loss, he carried within him a resilience that inspired those closest to him. He had a way of showing up when it mattered most. His was a steady presence—one that didn’t always demand attention but was always felt. In quiet conversations, in shared memories, in the jokes only he could tell, Ante gave the gift of connection. Those who knew Ante will remember him not only for his sometimes-gruff exterior but for the big heart that beat beneath it.
He never boasted, rarely asked for help, and often carried more than he let on. But to those he let in, he was a source of unwavering loyalty, protective love, and real, grounded wisdom. The sorrow we feel in his absence is deep, but so too is the gratitude for the time we had with him. To know Ante was to know someone real—someone who loved without pretense, who spoke truthfully, and who, despite life’s hardships, found ways to laugh, to love, and to endure.
We will gather to honor Ante’s life with love and reverence:
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Visitation: Monday, April 14, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Markey-Dermody Funeral Home, 1774 King Street East, Hamilton, ON L8K 1V7.
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Prayers: Monday, April 14, 2025, from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the same location.
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Funeral Service: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Holy Cross Croatian Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, 1883 King St E, Hamilton, ON L8K 1V9.
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Cremation and private family interment at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Cemetery will be held at a later date.
As we bid farewell to Ante, we are reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we share with those we love. Though he is no longer physically with us, Ante’s spirit lives on—in the voices of his sons, in the laughter of his nieces, in the memories shared across oceans and generations. He has now joined his parents, his sister, and all those who went before him, in peace and in light. May his soul find eternal rest, and may his memory forever be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.
