Ivan Suryan

passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at his daughter's home on Bainbridge Island, Washington. He was born on February 26, 1911 in Vela Luka, Croatia. He immigrated to America in 1939 and settled in Anacortes, where he worked as a fisherman until his retirement in 1983.In 1956, he returned to Croatia to marry Helen Zitkovich, whom he met through a picture at a friend's home. For many years Ivan operated the F/V Inventer, while Helen stayed home to tend garden and raise their two children. In 2002, they moved to Bainbridge Island to be closer to family.He is survived by his son John and his wife Monica Suryan of Bellevue, WA and his grandsons Joseph and Nicholas, his daughter Irene and her husband Marc Smith of Bainbridge Island and his granddaughters Miranda and Sophia. He was preceded in death by Helen, his wife of 51 years, and by three brothers and two sisters. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 11:30 AM at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church 1310 Madison Avenue NE on Bainbridge Island. Interment will take place following the Mass at Port Blakely Cemetery on Bainbridge. A reception will follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bainbridge Island Fire Department 8895 Madison Avenue, Bainbridge Island WA 98110.