Dimitrije Garcev

Dimitrije (Mike, Mita) Garcev, 80, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida passed away on February 13, 2021, after a hard-fought, courageous battle against COVID-19. A native of the former Yugoslavia, Dimitrije was born in Novi Bečej, Serbia to Triva and Milka Garcev. Dimitrije spent his early years in Serbia, attending grade school and high school inBelgrade, but he always aspired to come to America. He met his wife of thirty years, Vera, in high school in Belgrade. His persistence with visits to her home every day, having coffee with her mother while she did his English homework, eventually led to a first date. Soon thereafter they were married and had their first son, Triva Garcev, in Belgrade. In 1962, he fulfilled his life-long dream and came to America. He settled in Chicago, Illinois, and a year later Vera and his son joined him. Soon after, his daughter, Laura, was born. After working in a steel mill for two years, he decided to attend Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana. At Purdue, he pursued a degree in mechanical engineering and also worked in the Thermal-Physical Research Center. He graduated from Purdue in 1970. Upon graduation he worked briefly at General Foods before building a real estate empire in Lafayette, and later expanding to Florida. He came to America with a suitcase and lived the American Dream. Dimitrije has always been a strong-willed, determined, self-starter, and has kept his family close in all of his endeavors. He founded a number of companies in Lafayette, including Lafayette Realty, Lafayette Construction, and Lafayette Realty Management. He acquired numerous rental properties that his son and daughter managed. In addition to his thriving real estate business, Dimitrije also ventured into the restaurant business. He opened three Bojangles restaurants, which his son and daughter also helped manage while also attending their father’s alma mater. Dimitrije eventually sought to expand his empire, and fulfilled another lifelong dream — moving to Florida. In the mid-1970’s he purchased Atlantic Beach Realty, Inc in Pomapno Beach, Florida. He split his time-between Lafayette and South Florida, managing his businesses and spending time with his family. Eventually, he permanently relocated to South Florida. In his early years in Florida, Dimitrije became acquainted with the Serbian community by reading the local phone book. When he came across a Serbian name in the phone book, he would call the person up and introduce himself. If you were one of these lucky people to get a cold call, you know that upon answering the phone, he would respond with a cheerful “hey, I’m Mita!” It did not take long before Dimitrije’s new Florida-based friends introduced him to St. Simeon Orthodox Church in Miami, Florida. When Dimitrije first became acquainted with St. Simeon, it was just a tiny house with a small congregation. However, after twenty years of his unwavering support, dedication, commitment, and generosity to St. Simeon, he has created a legacy that will endure for future generations. Dimitrije served on the Church Board and as the President of St. Simeon for a combined 20 years. He led the effort to buy additional property for the expansion of the Church. Under his leadership, a reception hall was built where services were held for a number of years before enough money was raised to build the Church itself. He was instrumental in the fundraising efforts, construction, and land acquisitions for the Church. Today, St. Simeon has an exceedingly large congregation that continues to grow. Many involved with St. Simeon say that “he built the Church,” and that it would not exist but for him. Words cannot describe how proud and elated Dimitrije was to see the large amount of people, especially the younger generation, that attended services this past Christmas. Dimitrije was a proud, loving father, grandfather, and husband. His love, dedication, and devotion to his family was fierce. Nearly every conversation, whether casual or business, included his bragging about his grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. He was a role model to his children. He was a motivator who believed he could make anything happen, and he instilled those values in his son and daughter, and grandchildren. He was also a loyal, steadfast friend, who treated his friends like family. He provided support and wisdom to all who he came in contact with, and was a guiding light to those in need. His strength, positivity, work ethic, and enthusiasm was infectious. Those who knew him remember him for his joy of life, humanity, generosity, kindness, and unconditional friendship. Many described him as an honest friend who united and helped people. He loved life, he loved his family, he loved people, he loved to travel, he loved to entertain, and he loved scotch, bacon, and garlic. Thursday nights were reserved for Poker with his “boys.” During college basketball and football season, he could be found on Saturdays cheering on the Purdue Boilermakers at local establishments with fellow alumni. Dimitrije’s light was always on and his door always open. He had three “house rules” for visitors: “you never leave unwelcome, hungry, or sober.” His family and friends loved and admired him, and he will be sorely missed. In addition to Vera, he has also been married to Shelly, Marina, and currently, Marilou Garcev. Dimitrije is survived by his sister Dobrila Veselinovič, his son, Triva Garcev (Joka), his daughter, Laura Brannan (Miles), his grandchildren, Lauren, Marissa, and Tiana Brannan, and Petar Garcev, his nephew, Dragan Veselinovič (Senka), his great nieces Ksenia and Nevena Veselinovič, his wife Marilou Garcev, and other family and friends. Dimitrije is preceded in death by his mother, Milka Novoseljački, and his father, Triva Garcev. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021 from 4:00-9:00PM at St. Simeon Orthodox Church, 175 NW 154th Street, Miami, Florida 33169. The funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 10:00AM at St. Simeon Orthodox Church, 175 NW 154th Street, Miami, Florida 33169. Burial will follow the funeral at City of Pompano Beach Cemetery at 12:30PM. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Fred Hunter Funeral Home. If you wish to honor Dimitrije, please make memorial donations to St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church, 175 NW 154th Street, Miami, Florida 33169, in lieu of sending flowers.