Pierre Djokic 1920-2013
The Intelligencer
November 21, 2013
Pierre Djokic passed away Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, at his home in New Hope, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in 1920, in Glumach, a village near the small Serbian town of Pozega, on the farm of his parents, Novica and Spasa. An excellent student, he was admitted to the very selective Royal Nautical Academy of Yugoslavia after graduating from the high school in the city of Uzice. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Nautical Science in 1941, after which he became involved with the Yugoslav guerrilla resistance against the Nazi invader, led by Colonel Draza Mihailovich. He was entrusted with important and sensitive undercover missions, especially in raising funds for the resistance from the civilian population and coordinating efforts with the allies. These activities led to his capture by the Gestapo in 1944, and confinement in the Banjica concentration in Belgrade, and subsequent transfer via rail boxcar to the Thil concentration camp in Nazi-occupied France, near the Luxemburg border. After liberation by American troops, he was appointed commandant by the American Military Command of a 2000 man unit comprised mostly of freed Serbian POWs.
This unit based in Metz was charged with guarding U.S. military supplies and depots in northeastern France. While in Metz, Pierre met his future wife, Raymonde.
After the war he became director of public relations and civilian employment at the huge U.S. military base of Foret de la Haye near the city of Nancy, until 1952 when he emigrated to the United States, settling in Trenton, N.J.
He was employed by U.S. Steel Corp. until he retired in 1985. Fluent in four languages he founded Avala Translation Service in 1970, serving the needs of businesses and professionals in central New Jersey. After moving to New Hope, in 1983, he enjoyed a happy retirement, vacationing at his lakeside residence in Rhode Island, and visiting in New Hope with family and friends.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Raymonde; his children, Alex G. Djokic of Doylestown, Zoran Djokic of Weston, Conn., Vesna Djokic-Gamez of New City, N.Y., Philippe Djokic of Halifax, New Zealand, Monique Girard Stark of New York City, Pierre Djokic of Montreal, Canada, Michelle Djokic of Palo Alto, Calif.; his 13 grandchildren; and in Serbia, his four nieces and two nephews.
The requiem services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at St. Mark's Orthodox Church, 452 Durham Road, Wrightstown. Interment will be in Mount Airy Church Cemetery, Lambertville, N.J.
In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations to International Orthodox Christian Charities, P.O. Box 17398, Baltimore, MD 21296-9242.
http://www.theintell.com/obituaries/intell/pierre-djokic/article_5eaf26f3-6964-5427-87f8-800de1887841.html
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