Refugee, Vancouver Ortho Surgeon, Petar Kokan Dies at Age 92

Petar Kokan, who was born in Croatia, later became a refugee and, then, for 30 years was a prominent orthopedic surgeon in Vancouver, Canada, passed away at the age of 92 on September 14, 2022.

Kokan was born on July 9, 1930, in Split, Croatia. He grew up and went to school there and was forced to flee the former Yugoslavia with his soon to be wife Nada a few years after graduating from the University of Zagreb medical school.

He married Nada in 1960 in Germany where he completed a residency in general surgery before moving overseas to Canada in 1961. He lived and worked in Toronto, Victoria, and Nelson before ultimately settling full time in Vancouver in 1968.

Kokan completed his residency in orthopedic surgery in Vancouver then practiced as an orthopedic surgeon at St. Paul’s Hospital as well as Shaughnessy and Mount St. Joseph’s Hospitals until he closed his medical practice in 2000.

Not one to remain idle though, he continued consult and assisting in the operating room, and also developed a successful hobby in real estate and investing.

It was his connection to family and the many relationships he built through his life that was his most important success, however, according to his family.

“He enjoyed gatherings and was usually the center of the party whether trying to sing or giving a speech,” they wrote.

Kokan loved the outdoors and was happiest on his walks up mountains, by the ocean and in parks. He also loved to travel and did so for as long as he could. Even in his final days, he would go for walks as far as his legs could take him.

Kokan is survived by his loving wife whom he referred to as his “rock of Gibraltar”, his children Jane, Matthew, Peter, and Danny, and his grandchildren Daniel, Julia, Owen, Thomas, Faye, Steven, Ethan and Natalia.

“Petar was very proud to be a part of the Croatian community and the Catholic faith. During his lifetime he never complained, or feared anything, even when his health started finally catching up to his age. He remained humble, resilient, and a true gentleman for his entire life,” his family said.