Anyone who was lucky enough to cross his path, found a friend in Bernie.

Hundreds of people gathered at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Daylesford on Wednesday to farewell the longtime player, committee member and former president of the Daylesford Football and Netball Club who died suddenly on January 8. 

Friend Leo Schlink said Bernie had three great passions in his life, “his family, friends and his wife Ruth”.

“He was fiercely loyal and protective, there was never enough he could do for them,” Mr Schlink said. “I don’t think I’ve met somebody with such a vast and diverse range of contacts. He was a friend to everybody.”

Bernie was born in Footscray on July 1, 1981 to parents Livio and Lidia Jurcan. From his days at a kindergarten in Daylesford it was clear to everyone, “this ball of energy was something special.”

Bernie approached life the same way he played football, with courage and passion.  Political correctness wasn’t a part of Bernie’s make-up, but love, generosity, kindness and humour were.

“He had a razor sharp mind,” Mr Schlink said.

“He was always searching for a better way, whether it was in business, the club or his personal life.”

While it was his parents who established the smallgoods business in the sleepy town of Musk 20 years ago, in recent years Bernie had transformed the backyard operation into one of Victoria’s most respected producers.

During his years as a footballer and then president at the Dayesford Football and Netball Club, Bernie mentored generations of young men and women. 

“He was heart and soul of the club,” Mr Schlink said.

Wife Ruth remembers Bernie for his incredible gentleness and how he always spoilt her rotten.  On the night he died he told Ruth: “I love you more than life itself.”

A guard of honour was formed by members of the Daylesford Football and Netball Club and spilled out from the church grounds onto Duke Street.