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Obituary of Ivan Johnny Ivanac
October 8, 2021
Ivan "Johnny" Ivanac, November 20, 1939 - October 8, 2021
In Loving Memory of Johnny, who passed away peacefully on October 8th at the age of 81. Johnny is survived by his loving wife, Silva, siblings, Maria and Milan, children, John, Oliver, and Alexandra, and their spouses, grandchildren, Luke, Julia, Elise, Amalia, and Zoe. He was predeceased by his siblings, Lenka and Tomo.
Fondly known by his friends and customers as the "Mayor of Murray Hill" for the past 40 years as the proprietor of Villa Berulia Restaurant, Johnny was born in Croatia and emigrated to the United States in the 1960s with only a suitcase in hand to pursue the American Dream. He raised his family in the New Jersey suburb of Washington Township and once he and Silva became empty-nesters, settled in as long-time residents of Murray Hill for the past 22 years. Johnny was the consummate host, caring father and grandfather, and enjoyed his visits back to their home on the Dalmatian Coast where he and Silva would spend their summers with friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, Johnny's family has requested you consider making a donation to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Foundation or the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Funeral Services
Visitation
October 11, 2021
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
October 11, 2021
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Greenwich Village Funeral Home
199 Bleecker Street
New York, NY 10012
Get DirectionsFuneral Mass
October 12, 2021
10:00 AM
Church of Our Saviour
59 Park Ave
New York, NY 10016
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My deepest condolences. As a former neighbor I have fond memories of Johnny. Always with a smile and so hospitable. So welcoming and made our family events at the restaurant feel so special. He will be missed.
Posted by: Alison Dent Nichols - Washington Twp, NJ - October 12, 2021
what a true gentleman. love him and his family!! will be sorely missed. old school values hard to come by. God bless him and his family
Posted by: DAVID FLORES - new windsor, NY - October 12, 2021
Dear Silva/family,
it is with deep sadness I am writing this.
Your husband/father was my dearest and oldest friend. Although we didn't see each other often we could always count on one another to be there when and if ever we needed to.
Johnny was relentless in achieving every goal he set for himself and he achieved many, but what he was most proud of, was his children, John, Oliver and Alex.
Since I only found the arrangement details this morning, I am so very sorry for not being able to say goodbye to my dearest friend in person.
I will forever be grateful for having Johnny in my life all these years. I also know my life and the world will be a lot more empty without him in it.
May he rest in piece and may God open the Gates of Heaven to welcome him.
Posted by: Nadja Sirola - North Haledon, NJ - October 12, 2021
First of all to Johnny's family my deepest condolences on the loss of your husband, father, grandfather and brother.
Knowing Johnny for 30 years was certainly my privilege. The first time we entered the restaurant, Johnny greeted us as if we had been customers forever. Eventually from going every Friday evening, Johnny would sit and discuss business with my late father. When my father passed away, I will never forget, Johnny and Maria coming to the funeral home each day to ensure Mom and I were fine. Johnny was gracious enough to open the restaurant on a Saturday afternoon for my Dad's repast luncheon.
Everyone I ever brought to Villa Berulia, Johnny never forgot their names and treated them as if they were family, as he did all of his customers.
A great man is gone, but memories of him will last forever. Rest in Peace my dear friend.
Posted by: Josephine Dimiceli - Fort lee, NJ - October 27, 2021
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