Well earned, Dad

Fifty-two years after immigrating to Canada from former Yugoslavia, my father, Zlatko Cvitkovic, has finally retired. A quiet leader in the filtration manufacturing industry, my dad provided the textbook example of work ethic, combined with family values and service that I have attempted to emulate in the sport and recreation world. Sometimes succeeding, often failing, and still trying to figure out how he did it.

I’ve often been told I possess a factory mentality in the office, trying to grind it out. It might be the best compliment I could get if it means I’m like my dad. He dreamed of having one of us kids take over his business but for those that know me, the thought of dangerous tools in my hand is nothing short of funny and lethal.

During the late 1970s and the entire 80s, Zlatko would finish his work in the welding shop on Friday afternoons and drive the 170 kilometres from Cambridge to Fort Erie, Ontario in order to pick up his first born (me) for the weekend. A stop at the Tim Horton’s on Clappison’s Corner in Waterdown, a car blaring Elvis Presley, and getting back just in time to catch a Galt Hornets hockey game become a tradition engrained in my soul. The total distance driven those childhood years would literally get you to the moon.

He took a great liking to welding and all things filtration shortly after his divorce from my birth mother in 1976. His mentor, John Kadar, was a hard-nosed Hungarian-born filtration giant (3L Filters), who took Zlatko under his wing since my dad had no family on this side of the Atlantic, and a father who passed away in 1980. It was the tutelage of John that inspired my dad to go out on his own.

Zlatko never took a leadership course. Never studied HR. He didn’t go to business school. Yet, after 15 years of working for someone else and learning the trade, he started welding in our garage and eventually graduated to a fantastic shop of his own, under the business name MDA Filtration (MDA standing for Michael, Derek, Angie … his three kids). Just like he has always taken care of his family, Zlatko also mentored some amazing staff. He has worked with many of the same guys (all from Laos) throughout his entire ownership of MDA Filtration. When my stepmother was sick from non-Hodgkins lymphoma, those same guys kept the company afloat while my dad had to do the unthinkable and take care of his dying wife. I’m sure it’s that bond with the guys that my father will miss the most when he hands over the keys to the shop.

A few years ago, not long after the passing of my stepmother, my dad sold MDA Filtration to a competitor, John Brooks Company. He remained on staff as the GM until today with the caveat that his crew of employees remain, and he gets to keep ownership of the building. Loyal and brilliant to the very end.

Despite being the boss for the past three decades, a day would not go by where Zlatko wouldn’t roll up his sleeves and pick up a welding kit, or a grinder, or a paint can. Richard Peddie, my Raptors CEO, coined the phrase: “If you want to lead, you have to smell the popcorn.” I didn’t really appreciate how my father has been living those words for his entire management career.

Zlatko will continue to do some consulting from home and will no doubt sneak away from his partner, Mary, and my Baka (grandmother) to head to the shop occasionally. Today marks the end of an era that won’t make headlines or another social media post, or earn him some shiny award. He will quietly leave the shop to head home, have a glass of wine and fall asleep on the couch. Ready to wake up tomorrow and work on whatever home project he has on the go.

However, a lifetime of service filled with incredibly hard work must be celebrated. The most important man in my life was able to provide for his family, lead a successful small business, employee dedicated staff, support the local economy, and teach me what it means to be a real leader, father, and husband. Not bad for a guy who came to Canada alone with 50 bucks and a suitcase.

Congratulations Dad. I love you. Now, go relax.