Alexandr Sergeevich Popeskou

Alex Popeskou was born in a small town called Oclanda in the country of Moldova. Alex was the son of Maria and Sergey Popeskou. He emigrated to the United States in 1997. Arriving in America, Alex had to start a whole new life. Alex came to this country with a strong background in physical education having attended the Technical College of Physical Education in Moldova. An extremely important piece of Alex's training came from his many years of military experience. Having served in the Marines as an instructor in Close Quarters Combat and in the Airborne as part of an Elite Special Forces Team (VDV).

In 1992, Alex worked for the International Security Agency VOIAJ as Director of Operations and the Chief of the Personal Department. Alex had spent many years training people and protecting people with all sorts of difficult situations. Alex has also been very active in the Martial Arts. Tae-Kwon Do, Karate, Sambo and he is also a certified Martial Arts Instructor in the art of Systema, a unique combat system taught to the most elite special forces and body guards of the highest level.

In 2003, Alex decided to open his own business. He is the Founder and CEO of Berkoot International Protection Agency and the Berkoot Training Center where he was the Chief Instructor. This center was developed to teach the ordinary citizen how to protect themselves and their families, essentially to be their own bodyguard.

In 2018, Alex was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame, he is the first in the Systema World to receive this honor. With his background it was all to obvious to Alex that for him continuing his passion of training and protecting individuals was what he wanted to continue doing. Alex attended the Academy of Bodyguard (ESI) in Aspen, Colorado and graduated in 2000.

Alex was a philosopher, a teacher, a mentor, a son, and a father. He loved spending time with family, friends and capturing the moments of life through photography. Alex was a family man, who loved life to the fullest, long walks on the beach and connecting with people. Alex was known for his positivity and ability to bring out the best in each situation. As Alex would always say: "We don't have a problem, we just have a situation". Alex was also known for giving inspirational quotes and words of wisdom when people needed them the most. His pleasant personality was contagious to everyone he had met, and he always lit up the room with his smile and laughter. Another quote that Alex used was:" Life is beautiful"!

Alex is a believer in continual self-improvement, this belief prompted him to attain Life Coach Certification. The culmination of the information mentioned above has led to the birth of Berkoot Life!

The information above is an extremely shortened version of all Alex's many accomplishments.

Alex is survived by his mother, Maria Semionovna Popeskou; his wife, Carmela Crifo-Wright; his son Sergey Popeskou; his daughter Ekaterina Sanchez and son-in-law Jose Sanchez; his granddaughter Ella Marie Sanchez; and his sister Valentina Digori.

Alex is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Alexandr will be held Wednesday, September 1, 2021 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM. A committal service will follow funeral services at 12:00 PM at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsmemorial.com for the Popeskou family.