Matt (Mate) Sekulic passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 4th, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Matt Sekulic
1933 - 2025
Born in Lovinac, Lika, Croatia on November 10th, 1933, Matt immigrated to Edmonton with his wife Kata and two sons, Mike and Peter, in September 1967. Matt and Kata led a fulfilling life with their children in their new country, filled with the richness of family, friends, and community. A kind and gentle, yet strong man, Matt was a leader in Edmonton's Croatian community, where he played a foundational role in building the Croatian community's Church, in growing the Edmonton Croatia Soccer Club, and organizing and volunteering at the Croatian pavilion from the early days of Edmonton's Heritage Festival.
Matt spent his career in Canada working as a Journeyman Carpenter, where he was well served by his un-paralleled work ethic and his attention to detail - he was a true craftsman. He was also a proud member of the Carpenter's and Joiner's Local 1325. In his free time, Matt enjoyed hunting and fishing, making wine, woodworking, tending to his and Kata's vegetable garden and fruit trees, and playing an active role in his Parish and Soccer Club communities. Most of all, nothing brought more joy to Matt's life than his six grandchildren and his great-grandson. His fondest memories were of the time he spent playing with them, teaching them about the things he was passionate about, and also learning from them.
Surviving Matt is his wife of 66 years, Kata; his two sons, Mike (Debbie) and Peter (Nicola); his six grandchildren, Alison (Mark), Luke, Brennan (Aisling), Jessica, Olivia, Jared (Victoria); and his great-grandson, Declan.
A prayer service will be held for Matt at 7:00 PM on Sunday, December 14th at Connelly-McKinley Downtown Funeral Home, 10011-114 St NW, Edmonton, AB.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, December 15th, at the Nativity of Mary Croatian Catholic Church, 10560-98 St NW, Edmonton, AB.
Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, 14611 Mark Messier Trail NW, Edmonton, AB immediately after the Funeral Mass.
A reception and luncheon to celebrate Matt's life will be held in the Church Hall following the interment.
