Thanks David for the sad & inevitable confirmation that I had been waiting for.
I knew, and had visited, Jadran in Rijeka for over 10 years, we travelled around the area talking ships & life, drinking coffee, especially at his favourite waterfront cafe bar in Bakar, and visiting his former employer, the 'Victor Lenac' shipyard.
Jadran was born in Washington D.C., his father was a senior naval attache at the Yugoslav Embassy.
He told me that as he grew older, in the midst of Yugoslavia's Communist times under Tito, his identity card and Passport caused him to be interviewed many times by the powers that be, as to what a US born chap was doing in the country. After his explanation was made, the authorities backed off each time, unsurprisingly.
He never married and often spoke of his regret in not doing so.
He was an only child and his mother survives him.
Jadran was suffering from several ailments, not least, COPD lung disease and he knew that his time was likely to be short. In the last few years he sometimes lost his balance while walking or traversing steps, so I bought him a discreet folding walking stick, alas he was too proud to use it!
An extraordinarily quiet, kind and courteous friend, who was also humble & slightly reclusive.
This website and the Shipspotting community allowed him to cloak that shyness and socialise happily in his retirement.
Rest in Peace old friend.
Rick
The first photo, taken on 14/05/2014 is Jadran with the Victor Lenac shipyard behind him.
The second photo was taken on 18/10/2014 in Rijeka.