On September 15, 2021, at the age of 66, Miro Crnkovic passed away peacefully at his home in Red Deer, Alberta.

Miro was born on December 4th, 1954 in Medven Draga, Croatia. In 1966 Miro, along with his brothers Vlado and Boz, immigrated to Calgary to join his parents, Ivan and Kathy and his older sister, Sylvia, who had already settled in Calgary previously. A year later, his brother John followed suit, completing the family’s relocation to Canada.

As a young man in Calgary, Miro quickly found his passion for food and hospitality, as he worked his way to becoming a chef and eventually a successful restaurateur. His talent in the kitchen and warmth as a host would end up defining his life. While still in his 20s, Miro moved to Medicine Hat to open his first restaurant, the Beefeater Steakhouse, which was then swiftly followed by a second location in Lethbridge.

Following the years of splitting time between Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, Miro made the move to Red Deer and in 1982 opened the much-loved Shauney’s Restaurant. After over a decade of service at Shauney’s, Miro began working towards his next project, The Rusty Pelican, which opened its doors in 1998. He spent every day of the following 23 years graciously welcoming guests as friends, and sharing with them not only laughs, but a part of his world.

Throughout the decades Miro’s culinary passion never waned, and for nearly 50 years he would find himself in the kitchen, in his chef whites, sharing what he loved with his guests. He will be remembered as a hard-working, talented, and generous man, who touched countless people’s lives. His legacy will be the wonderful memories he leaves behind. He will be missed immensely.

Miro was predeceased by his parents, Ivan Crnkovic (d.2007) and Katarina Bucar (d.2004). He is survived by son Corbin (Jenia) of Berlin; his former wife Mary Jane of Red Deer; brothers Vlado (Cathy), John (Lucy), Boz (Karen) all of Calgary; sister Sylvia (Ivan) of Mississauga; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private Requiem Mass will be held on October 2nd at the Croatian Catholic Church in Calgary, followed by interment at the Calgary Queen’s Park Catholic Cemetery.

An outdoor public celebration of life will be held at the Rusty Pelican in Red Deer on Sunday, October 10th from 4:00 – 7:00pm.

• Date : 2021-09-15
• Location : Eventide Funeral Home