"Gracanica" Serbian Orthodox Church

REMEMBERING +BOB BRKOVICH

Our Good Samaritan

Our community has lost our Good Samaritan, Bob Brkovich. As in the parable of the Good Samaritan, the story of the man who helped a stranger in need, our Bob was a man who always found ways that he could help others. He always lent a hand to the elderly or to those who had no one else to help them. Bob drove them to get their groceries, took them to their doctor’s appointments, did their income tax returns and he even laid them to rest. Many times, there would only be Bob, the priest and the deceased present at the funeral. I would often ask Bob why he did all this. His answer was simple, “I do it because there is no one else, and I have the time. Bog vidi sve.”, God sees all.

Our Bob spent his life following Christian principles, such as helping others, attending church, assisting his church any way he could, and looking after his family and friends. I have been asked by many why Bob wanted a private funeral. Bob and I discussed this many times. He would say “I’ve buried many people with only myself and the priest in attendance. So, why should I have anything better. I want to go the same way I buried them. My family will be with me and that is what is most important. 

The good that Bob did during his time here with us is immeasurable. I could go on for hours. He was the man who wrote eulogies for many, always with great kindness and accuracy. You see, Bob had an incredible memory and was able to put people’s lives into words. So many of us are grateful for that. However, Bob had another important request, and that was that he did not want a eulogy. I honour that request and so this is my humble effort to explain what Bob meant to our community and I truly believe that “Bog vidi sve.” 

Your friend Nikola Gacesa with Gracanica Church Board