Memorable Manitobans: Nikola Mathew “Nick” Zunic (1921-2006)

Nikola Mathew Zunic Click to enlarge

Architect.

Born at Prilisce Dolnje, Croatia on 12 April 1921, son of Nikola Zunic (1901-1989) and Magdalena Zunic (1898-1986), he came to Canada in 1933 with his mother and sister, joining his father who had arrived earlier. They settled at Winnipeg and he attended Immaculate Conception School, Norquay School, Aberdeen Junior High School, and St. John’s Technical High School. He enrolled at the University of Manitoba in 1939 but his studies were interrupted by service in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. He served as a navigator with 419 Squadron and was discharged in 1945 with the rank of Flight Officer.

On returning from military service, he resumed his studies and graduated with a degree in Architecture in 1950. He practiced as an architect in partnership with Victor Sobkowich in the firm of Zunic and Sobkowich, designing churches, schools, and private homes around Manitoba. On 27 December 1948, he married Florence Marie “Flore” Jacques (1915-2002) at St. Mary’s Cathedral and they had two children. He served as President of the St. Boniface Chamber of Commerce (c1958).

He died at Winnipeg on 6 April 2006 and was buried in the St. Boniface Cemetery.

Some of his architectural works in Manitoba included:

Building	Location	Year	Status
St. Thomas More School	52 Birchdale Avenue, Winnipeg	1955
L'Ecole du Precieux-Sang [Precious Blood School]	209 Kenny Street, Winnipeg	1955-1956
St. Boniface Fire Hall No. 3	864 Marion Street, Winnipeg	1956-1957
Frontenac School	866 Autumnwood Drive, Winnipeg	1957
Beliveau School	296 Speers Road, Winnipeg	1957
St. Alphonsus Roman Catholic Church	315 Munroe Avenue, Winnipeg	1958-1959
Amaranth Collegiate	Amaranth, RM of Alonsa	1961	Abandoned (c2005)
St. Boniface Public Library Norwood Branch	120 Eugenie Street, Winnipeg	1961
St. Boniface Public Library Provencher Park Branch	255 Avenue de la Cathedrale, Winnipeg	1961
St. Boniface Public Library Windsor Park Branch	955 Cottonwood Road, Winnipeg	1961
Green Acres Memorial Chapel	RM of Springfield	1961-1962
Phoenix School No. 1528	111 Alboro Street, Headingley	1963
Frontenac School (expansion)	866 Autumnwood Drive, Winnipeg	1964

Sources:

“Engagement notices,” Winnipeg Free Press, 21 December 1948, page 10.

Ville Cathedral de Saint Boniface: The Cathedral City, promotional pamphlet, c1958.

“Green Acres Memorial Chapel,” Winnipeg Free Press, 28 October 1961, page 8.

Obituary [Magdalena Zunic], Winnipeg Free Press, 23 August 1986, page 41.

Obituary [Nikola Zunic], Winnipeg Free Press, 17 June 1989, page 56.

Obituary [Flore Zunic], Winnipeg Free Press, 31 October 2002.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 15 April 2006.

Obituaries and burial transcriptions, Manitoba Genealogical Society.

We thank Nathan Kramer and Anthony Wlock for providing additional information used here.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 30 April 2023

Memorable Manitobans This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations. Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text: Custom Search Browse surnames beginning with: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z Browse deaths occurring in: 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 Send corrections and additions to this page to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements Help us keep history alive!