Branko’s Eulogy:
Branko was an inspiration. This will become more apparent as you hear the synopsis of his life. His purpose was to provide for people, often in an understated way, not just his immediate family in the UK but also his Croatian family in South Africa. This later extended to his spiritual family through god and his consistent support of charities around the world, his favourite being ROPE (Relief For Oppressed People Everywhere). He was always there for those struggling the most, who he often felt an affinity towards. He was selfless, strong, hard working, always straight talking and had a quirky sense of humour.
Branko was born 82 years ago in Omis, Croatia, 1st of 4 children. Due to his family’s political beliefs they had to flee the country from the encroaching Nazis when he was only 7 years old. His family spent the next 4 years in a refugee camp in Egypt. In these harsh conditions, the Marusic family were well known for helping others worse off than themselves, a quality that Branko continued for the rest of his life.
After the war the family could have settled in the UK, but they chose South Africa, where there was already a strong Yugoslav community and better weather! He had to work hard in school to learn 2 new languages, Afrikaanse and English. His passion was football, and he played for the Yugoslavian Team, in South Africa. He started an apprenticeship in printing, something he would return to later on. At 27 he felt conflict, and wanted to learn more about the aesthetics of life, so enrolled at Cape Town University to study the Arts. He met Cheril, on Cape Town beach. His chat up line was ‘can you read the number on that sailing boat out at sea?’, of course she couldn’t and this started the courtship that would change his life forever and bring him to England 20 years after his first opportunity to do so. When he arrived in the UK as an engaged man, it was only a week before his wedding, with little money and no job which must have been daunting, especially as his fiancés parents were the Mayor and Mayoress of Epsom!
Branko worked tirelessly to build a life for his family, even taking in his mother in law for the rest of her life, such was his compassionate nature. At first he had to sell encyclopaedias to make ends meet, a step down from printing and a university degree. Not accepting defeat, he decided to start up his own company “Excel Lithographics”, a successful printing business built from scratch. He invested in a ground breaking new computerised printing system– the first in the world, putting him ahead of the competition.
Success meant a beautiful 3 story house in Gerrards Cross, with a Jaguar and a Rolls Royce. However, working all hours with the stress of running a business culminated in a serious heart attack at 48, his heart having stopped for two minutes. He saw a bright light and felt a feeling of absolute peace – it was at this point that be became a Born Again Christian, and he was told by God that his family needed him. When he awoke in hospital he found a Gideon’s bible, which he opened at 2 Timothy 2, verses 1 – 12a, you will hear this in the reading shortly. This inspired him to join the Gideons and become an active member for the rest of his life, which has now been a duration of 25 years!
Following his heart attack he lost his business and his house. Meanwhile a previous customer who remembered his honesty and trustworthiness from years before, offered him a permanent managers job that would continue, until he retired down here by the sea.
His passion was boats, even building his own sailing dingy from a kit in his garage. He progressed onto a Club Lazor for his races at the Taplow Sailing Club. He ended up in retirement owning his pride and joy Little Star moored in Dartmouth, where he would spend many hours tinkering and installing the latest gadget, and enjoyed more time motoring up and down the River Dart than actually sailing it!
Despite jogging on the beach at 80, not long after in late 2016 Branko sadly had a massive stroke. Despite this he carried on fighting, managed to regain his speech and was able to one handedly feed himself – especially biscuits - earning him the nickname “Biscuit B” in his nursing home.
Branko struggled through the next two years, but we take comfort in the fact that it meant more quality time with him. His straight talking fierce sense of humour continued unabated – in fact his stroke improved it, and his half smile could light up any room.
For the film rights of ‘Life of Branko’, please see the Marusic family…
