Fr. Ilija Puljić-Vlahić, loving son of the late Ivan and Anica (nee Raguž), brother to Želimir Puljić retired Archbishop of Zadar, Croatia, uncle and friend to many, a member of the Croatian Franciscan Custody of the Holy Family in the United States and Canada. Fr. Ilija was born in Kamena, Croatia on July 26th, 1941. He joined the Franciscan Order in 1964 in Herzegovina. After the initial formation and theological studies, he was ordained priest on July 26th, 1969 in Frohnleiten (Austria). Later that year he arrived to the United States to serve the Croatian immigrants in the Croatian Franciscan Custody of the Holy Family.

In 55 years of priesthood Fr. Ilija served as pastor and as associate pastor at the following parishes: Assumption of the BVM Croatian Parish, Steelton, PA; Assumption of the BVM Croatian Parish, Thunder Bay, Ontario, CA; St. Leopold Bogdan Mandić, London, Ontario, CA; St. Anthony Croatian Parish Sharon, PA; Sacred Heart Croatian Parish, Milwaukee, WI; St. Cyril and Methodius Croatian Parish, New York, NY; Sacred Heart Croatian Parish Chicago, IL; St. Mark Croatian Parish Sudbury, Ontario, CA; St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Sudbury, Ontario, CA; St. Nicholas Tavelić Croatian Mission, Montreal, Quebec, CA; Queen of Peace Croatian Franciscan Center, Norval, Ontario, CA. The last 8 years of his life Fr. Ilija spent at St. Anthony Friary in Chicago as a retired priest.

Among his parishioners Fr. Ilija was well known as a gentle man with a captivating smile. His kindness was something that will be well remembered. He died on February 17, 2024 after receiving the last rites, surrounded in prayer by his brother Archbishop Želimir and Fr. Marko Puljić-Vlahić, Custos. May his soul and souls of all faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Wake at St. Jerome Croatian Church, 2823 S. Princeton Ave., Chicago, on Thursday, February 22 from 10:00-11:00 am followed by the Funeral Mass 11:00 am. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Dalcamo Funeral Home 312-842-8681 or www.dalcamofuneralhome.com.