In mournful tones, we announce the passing of Miroslav Michael Djordjevich, a great Serbian-American whose legacy shall live on. This champion of the Serbian cause established the Serbian Unity Congress in 1990 and ascended to its presidency, leaving an indelible mark on the Serbian-American community.
In 1990, Djordjevich founded the Serbian Unity Congress and became its President, an organization that would soon become the most crucial Serbian-American institution in the United States. His vision was to help build a democratic system and a stable economy for Serbia during the tumultuous 1990s.
I was fortunate enough to meet Djordjevich years ago, shortly after completing my graduate studies. Our conversations about the Serbian Unity Congress and its mission only served to strengthen our friendship and our commitment to the Serbian cause. Djordjevich worked tirelessly for decades to create a bridge between the Serbian diaspora and their homeland, knowing full well that without it, neither effort would succeed.
Djordjevich’s tireless work and contributions to both the United States and his homeland have been recognized with a multitude of awards, including the Americanism Medal from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the Merit Award from the Serbian American Bar Association (2012), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tesla Science Foundation (2014). He was also awarded the Medal of Yugoslav Flag of the Second Degree by the President of Yugoslavia (2003) and the Medal of Nemanja of the Second Degree for “nurturing and expanding ties between the Serbian Diaspora and the Homeland and for selfless aid and humanitarian contributions to his people” (2005).
After immigrating to the United States in 1956, Djordjevich earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Berkeley University in California. He then founded the USF & G Financial Security and its successor, the Capital Guaranty Company, in partnership with other firms. In 1993, he established the Studenica Foundation, which aimed to support students in the homeland. Djordjevich was also a prolific author, publishing several books, including A Decade of Illusions 1990 – 2000 (2016) and Correspondence 1991 – 1999 (2012).
Djordjevich’s legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire Serbian-Americans to build bridges between the Serbian Diaspora and the homeland. In his book Correspondence 1991 – 1999, he aptly wrote: “We need Peace, Order, and Hope. Peace within us, around us, and with others; Order in our thinking, work, and relationships; and Hope based on our rationally assessed strengths, abilities, weaknesses, and opportunities.”
THE BALKAN VOICE
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I met Michael Djordjevich during the activitued that led to the founding of Serbian Unity Congress. Memory eternal, honor and thanks to Miroslav Djordjevic’ He and his family can be proud that he did all he could to make the world a better place. My sympathy for their loss and the loss of all of us Serbs of one more person who followed the way of St. Sava.
I met Michael in High School in Belgrade when we were together in the very same class. Subsequently, after finishing High School, we shared a tent during a summer camp on the Adriatic coast near Bar, now in Montenegro and stayed in touch over the many decades. May he rest in peace. He did a lot for the cause of the Serbs, both at home and in the diaspora.
Irreparable is the loss of Miroslav Djordjevich to all the Serbian community in North America and abroad. Elevated high our Serbian heritage setting by his exemplary life achievements.
We deeply mourn his loss.
A great educator of Serbian History, Culture and Traditions.
We were blessed to know this noble soul for several years in the 1990s as I became a member of Serbian Unity Congress. From then he became our friend and mentor through correspondence.
He will forever be remembered as the finest of gentleman and impeccable integrity.
We convey to his amiable spouse Marie and their whole family our profound condolences.
Rest in peace dearest friend, in the infinite Grace and Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
CCCC
Julio and Biserka Yankovich Brito