Rest in Peace, Dear Johnny
Ivan “Johnny” Ivanac
November 20, 1939 – October 8, 2021
In Loving Memory of Johnny, who passed away peacefully on October 8, 2021 at the age of 81. Johnny is survived by his loving wife, Silva (Nee Curavic), children, John, Oliver and Alexandra and their spouses, Karen, Drew and Stephen, grandchildren, Luke, Julia, Elise, Amalia and Zoe and siblings Maria and Milan. He was pre-deceased by his siblings, Lenka and Tomo.
Fondly known by his friends and customers as the “Mayor of Murray Hill” for the past 40 years as the proprietor of Villa Berulia Restaurant, Johnny was born in Croatia and emigrated to the United States in the 1960’s with only a suitcase in hand to pursue the American Dream. He raised his family in the New Jersey suburb of Washington Township and once he and Silva became empty nesters, settled in as long-time residents of Murray Hill for the past 22 years. Johnny was the consummate host, caring father and grandfather, and enjoyed his visits back to their home on the Dalmatian Coast where he and Silva would spend their summers with friends and family.
Visitation will be Monday, October 11th, at Greenwich Village Funeral Home (199 Bleecker Street) from 2-4PM and 6-8PM. Funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, October 12th, at The Church of Our Saviour (59 Park Ave) at 10AM.
We are heartbroken . Johnny was the consummate host and gentleman. A prince among men.
Condolences to the
Several years ago, I was in New York for a two week work assignment. I found your Villa Berulia by accident. The food was delicious, I was eating alone and Johnny was so kind to me. I ended up eating there for lunch and dinner during my entire stay in the city. On my last day, he said “alway come back to see us, you are part of the family.” I am so sorry to hear of his passing of this kind, sweet man. My prayers and sympathy to the family.
i am so very very sorry. johnny was one of my favorite people in the world. my love to his family. im am heart broken that i did not get to see him in the last years. he will be sorely missed/+
Wonderful Johnny..you gave such joy to me and Paul. Please say Hi to my Love in Heaven..I send my love to your beautiful Maria and wonderful staff. Hope to see them soon. Roseann Barrett
I am so sorry to hear about John. Before I retired I never missed coming to Villa Berulia when I was in New York. I would bring family members as well as clients. He never failed to come in sit with us. He was the consummate host and would always say to me “welcome home” when I entered the restaurant. My sincere condolences to Alex, her family and the terrific team at Villa Berulia. I truly felt they were my friends. God bless his soul.
See sorry to hear this. Please send our condolences to the family.
Nikki and Richard Walters
Really glad that we got to know Johnny in recent years. So true about how gracious and hospitable he was. Johnny always had nice words and a friendly smile, whether bringing a heavy rack of clean glasses, a glass of champagne, or warm greetings to new arrivals. The walls of pictures reveal a lot of happy acquaintances stopping in during the past 39 years. Look FWD to more gourmet dining and moments with his “kids” at the Villa. Best, Carol and Barry Weeks.
So sorry to hear of John passing
My condolences to Alex s and the family
He was a class act a true gentleman and great host
I will have a Scotch tonight in his memory
Since our first visit in 1994, we never came to the city without visiting Villa Berulia. John, Darko and the whole team made every visit special. Johnny always greeted us by name, welcomed us home, and made sure Darko was our waiter. The consummate professional and one of the kindest, warmest people we’ve known, Johnny was a gift to all he met. Our sincere sympathy to Alex, Marina, and the entire Ivanac and Villa Berulia families.
I remember Johnny so fondly. He always made me feel at home in his home, Villa Berulia. Beyond the delicious food and warm hospitality, he watched my kids grow. I only wish I could have seen him and be with you all during the past 18-months. May Johnny’s memory be a blessing. Thinking of Maria, Alex, Steve and the entire Berulia family.
John will be missed by the many he touched by his kindness. Always the welcoming host he made the Villa always a wonderful experience. Sympathy to the family members who meant so much to him. He will be missed and fondly remembered!
A lovely man, a beautiful family. As the heavens are blessed, we will continue to share the light brought to us by your Dad. With sincere condolence to the Villa Berulia family, may John rest well, Silva find comfort as we know of the Johnny’s special heart. Jini
What a loss! Johnny hosted our every family and friends celebration for so many many years. It was always joyful to be at Villa Berulia—and it still is! I hope John knew that Villa Berulia was re-opened by Alex and Steven. Maybe he even waited for that to happen before he passed. I wish Maria and the rest of the family my deepest condolences. May Johnny rest in peace. Love, Ronnie Bramesco
We first met Johnny 25 years ago when we wandered into Villa Berulia one winter night. That night, Johnny treated us like family and since then, we have always thought of him like family.
We are heartbroken.
John’s death leaves a hole in Manhattan that will never be filled.
Condolences to his wonderful family.
I am so sorry we have lost Johnny. He was a treasure. I am so glad to have known him. I live in Houston but visited Vill Berullia with my cousin Clare Costello many times over the years. Clare worked in the City and she and her friend Doris were one of his first customers. Many were the times Johnny would give us a bottle of wine to take with us. In fact, he did the same when some of my Texas friends I sent to him.
Please give my condolences to his family and to Dario, Maria, and the rest of the staff.
Wir fühlen in unseren Herzen den Schmerz der Familie, allen voran Silva, Ivos Kindern Alex, Johnny und Oliver mit ihren Partnern und Kindern.
Ivo war ein so liebevoller und herzensguter Mensch und seine Gastfreundschaft bleibt einzigartig. Wir sind mit ihm verbunden mit schönen Erinnerungen an wunderbare gemeinsame Zeiten in Brela und NYC.
Er ist uns über die “Rainbowbridge” vorausgegangen in ein Dasein ohne Qualen.
Lieber Ivo “resta in pace”
We are so very sorry to hear about Johnny. He will be missed by many. Our condolences to his family, the Villa Berulia family and friends.
My condolences to John’s family. Every time we went to Villa, John was always there greeting us with his warm, welcoming smile. He will be missed. Rest in Peace dear John and say hi to Iris for us. My thoughts and prayers are with John’s family during their time of sorrow.
Will always remember John’s big smiles and hugs whenever at the entrance to the restaurant. He treated everyone like family and made sure each meal was always a special experience!!
Will always be remembered fondly!!
A friend to all and more like family to many!!!
Standing in the entrance to Berulia you were always greeted with big smile and even bigger hug with a welcome home from John
There was always the knowledge that your food and even more warm conversation came with John standing by the table.
Rest peaceful by friend , condolences to All family, Tony Petrocelli
Dear Alex, the news of dear Johnny’s passing away is so very sad .. God bless him and may he rest in peace.
Johnny was such a gem. An extraordinary human being like no other. And he made the Villa Berulia a distinctive New York landmark through his hard work and personal drive. His story of how he came to New York still rings in my ears. He was the ever affable, smiling, charming, witty host, generous with his hospitality and the prized Brela wines. Bodganjusa wine from Hvar is a prized memory for us–we have preserved the beautiful, elegantly housed bottle in our dining room to remind us of dear Johnny.
We from India loved singing some of the Dalmatinske pesme with him when we came to the Villa Berulia, and the table he would invariably seat us at was “Hilary Clinton’s table!” so he said.
The wonderful memories of Johnny will always stay with us. We too feel we have lost a cherished friend. He will be deeply missed.
Our sincere condolences to you and Johnny’s family on this irreplaceable loss. Our prayers for dear Johnny are with you.
I lived in Manhattan for over 20 yrs and went to Villa Berulia at least once a week for many many years. I returned to Manhattan for a visit a few years ago from Ft. Lauderdale and stopped by to say hello to John, Maria and Darko. Amazing, loving people for any privileged to meet them.
I am saddened to hear of John’s passing and would like to send my condolences to Maria and the extended family. May John’s memory be a blessing in time!❤️
I have wonderful memories of countless dinners at Villa. Birthdays and special occasions were always celebrated there. Along with countless dinners for no occasion at all. As John would always say “this is your kitchen”. When my husband Freddy Steiner passed in 2016 I left the neighborhood and eventually the city.
Sending my deepest condolences to the entire Villa family
Lori Steiner
I was very sorry to hear this and for your loss. My condolences to your family.
Johnny, such a kind and gentle man. I was standing outside of your restaurant last night wanting to introduce yet a 3rd generation of my family. We will miss you so much. Rest in peace Love to your family. Sincerely Marilyn Ciccone.
We were so sad to hear this. What an elegant, gracious, generous man. A true gentleman (they don’t make them like Johnny anymore!). We will sorely miss his warm and welcoming smile each time we walked in the door of the wonderful Villa Berulia, which we’ve done (and will continue to do) for over 25 years. We’re so glad (and grateful) that Johnny’s family is carrying on in his place and tradition. He was part of why NYC will always be home for us and we will always think of him with great fondness and affection.
So saddened to hear the news about John. Such a wonderful genuine man. We would often take the train in from Connecticut on a Saturday just to dine at “Johnny and Maria’s” and were always greeted like family members. Our best to all the family and staff
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. I was lucky enough to meet him on several occasions when visiting New York . Johnny was such a warm and kindhearted man with a twinkle in his eye. You and your family are in my heart at this sad time.
We are so sad to hear of Johnny’s passing. He was a consummate and attentive gentleman with such a warm smile each time we dined there. We found the Villa Berulia in 2005 and have dined there on every trip to NYC since. Please carry on in his honor. Godspeed Johnny. You will always be in our hearts. Don & Betty from Virginia.
Johnny and his VB family have been a part of my family’s life for the last 30 years. What a great and creative person. RIP friend.
Although I knew John only a brief time he became a good friend. I would call him for his expertise on restaurant matters and he always had the answer. Great friend. Great listener , great host. Condolences to the family.
Going to miss him.
Johnny was a gentle giant. Caring generous and a fabulous host. I will miss him. He was always so gracious to me. He did tell some funny jokes as well. Johnny Rest In Peace. You will be missed by many people. Hillary❤️❤️
My condolences to the entire Villa family. I met John 40 years ago when ho opened the restaurant. He made me a member of his family not just a diner. He always made a place for me no matter how busy the restaurant. His warmth and smile will always leave a void for me and the Murray Hill community Rest In Peace My Friend
To my dear Villa Berulia family. I first met John some 35 years ago, when a client introduced me to John and Villa Berulia. Since that very first meeting, I have returned at least 100 more times to what I considered my home away from home:Villa B, and the most gracious, always smiling, welcoming John and family. I took clients from out of town, friends from all over the globe, and family from as far away as Israel, and never once did I leave disappointed. John, you will be sorely missed. Your greetings when I came through the entrance way; your handshake and hugs and I knew a fabulous time was about to be had by all. Once you brought me and my guests to the table, you would check in on us numerous times and even join us for a joke, a story or an after dinner drink. John, you were the personification of class. Never rushing us out no matter how long we stayed, always making certain we had our peach schnappes, or grappa, or that extra bottle of montepulciano de abruzzi. When the holiday season arrived, you always had a bottle of your favorite wine waiting for my wife and I to bring home. Dear Maria, Alex, Steve and family. John was like my brother, and you were all my extended family. I will miss John greatly, but the wonderful memories will never leave. Take care.
I just checked this website and am so sorry to hear about Johnny’s passing. Over the past 30 years Villa Berulia has been my go to restaurant not only for business dinners but also for family functions. My family and I feel Johnny and the staff of the Villa Berulia as our restaurant family. We had our engagement party there along with birthday, communion, graduation and other family dinners. Covid has prevented us from dining at our favorite restaurant though we have been looking to go dine again which is why I checked the website to find this terrible news. May he rest in peace and our condolences to his family and the staff. Tom Cesare & family.
My heart is saddened by this news. We moved next door to the restaurant after we were married 44 years ago and were early customers. Since we are Croatian, my father Frank, became a loyal customer each time he visited New York. We got to know Maria, the kids, the servers and loved being with John-such a gracious host! For my fathers 80th birthday, my sister, Amy, and I took my father to Croatia for a vacation and to reconnect with many family members. We also visited John at his home on the Dalmatian coast. We have such wonderful memories of John andVilla Berulia. Our heartfelt sympathies to the family. Alexandra, we will see you at the restaurant soon.
This is a tremendous loss for everyone.
To Johnny’s family we extend our sympathies and best wishes
He is already missed by many.
We just got back to NYC and read this news. We first ate at the Villa one week after it opened and have had many dinners and family events there over the years. Johnny and the whole staff at the Villa have always been so nice to our family. The Rigels will miss him terribly. Our condolences go to his family.
We are very sorry to hear of John’s passing. We met the Ivanac family serendipitously around 25 years ago and soon became frequent guests at Villa Berulia. The “Welcome Home” sign on the website sums it up. When we go to Villa Berulia it always feels as if we are visiting friends. John would always spend time with us to catch up. We have celebrated happy and sad events in the Dalmatian room with John, Marija and Alex. We will miss John’s kindness and generosity.
Emily and Joel Solomon
I just heard last night of John’s passing and was so sad – and still am. I was introduced to Villa Berulia over 30 years ago, and it was always a pleasure being there and to be greeted by this very warm and generous man. May he rest in peace and I extend my deepest condolences to all his family.
Patricia Coggins
Johnny introduced me to the best roast pork in NYC. He was a great guy. Used to call me “honey” and always wanted to treat me to wine. May he rest in peace!!
Gregory F Burke
I live in Miami, but never missed going to Villa Berulia when I was in the City. I met Marija through the Parkinson’s Foundation and then Johnny and then Alex and Steven. Many of the staff wore the Parkinson’s Foundation pin and always treated me like royalty. My Father was Croatian and I always asked for the Croatian dishes. Johnny and Marija also prompted me to connect with my distant relatives and a plan trip there when there when it is safe to do so. VB remains my favorite NYC restaurant.
We feel awful finding out so late about Johnny and not had the chance to say goodby to this incredible , admirable man. Him and Maria always made us feel like family. Our thoughts and sincere condolences to his family …
Byron & Jackie