Doda “Ded” Nika Djonovic, age 73, was born in Ulqin, Montenegro on Nov. 27, 1952 and passed away on Nov. 10, 2026. He was a man of courage, loyalty, and uncommon generosity. A straight shooter, he was honest and genuine. People knew where they stood with him, and they knew he would be there when they needed him. He was quick-witted and funny, and his sweet, silly sense of humor was part of what made him so dear to those who knew him. He had a heart of gold and gave freely, whether that meant offering the shirt off his back or his very last dollar.
He loved his family fiercely, and his five daughters, whom he raised on his own, were the center of his world. He worked seven days a week to provide for them and give them every chance to succeed. He wanted them to have the best education and the opportunities he had not always had himself, even though school was never his favorite place. His work ethic was extraordinary, and he passed it on to all five of them. They learned from his example to work hard, keep going, and show up for the people they love. The life he built for his daughters was a daily expression of how much he cared.
Deda was deeply curious. He loved taking little things apart to see how they worked, finding what was broken, and putting everything back together. He loved animals and time on the family farm, and he loved to hunt with Rosie, his dog and best friend. He also loved plants and flowers. On the terrace, he planted vegetables and watched them grow day by day. When the season ended and the plants withered, he looked forward to seeing them return in the spring. They always did.
Deda is survived by his five daughters, Kristine, Josephine, Francine, Nickoline, and Pauline; his sister, Lula; his brother-in-law, Mladenko; his niece and nephews, Bojana, Bojan, and Nikola; and his beloved dog and best friend, Rosie. His daughters and family will remember his humor, his courage, his generous heart, and the steady love he gave them throughout their lives.
Information provided by Yorktown Funeral Home
