George YELICH Obituary

I miss you so much George. I wish you could visit one more time. It´s been so hard without you around. Thanks for being my dida when I didn´t have one. We love you.

Walking along Hahei beach this morning, more memories of Branko surfaced from many years ago.
7th form Biology in 1988 meant a study of mud crabs. Hearing of my aversion to them, Branko quietly went off to Pt Chevalier beach and returned with a huge bucket of crabs for me. I wasn't sure if I was pleased or mortified, but it was a beautiful gesture and one that showed his thoughtfulness towards others.
Another time I was saved by Branko was when I tripped crossing the road and dropped my hard-earned Christmas money down a drain in Queen St. He assembled gloves, a fishing net and a crowbar and we returned to Queen St in the evening when there would be no-one in the way to stop us. And would you believe it, he managed to retrieve my wallet. What a hero!!
I did tell you then and many many years later how much I appreciated your gestures and kindness Branko, but you were always reluctant to accept compliments and gratitude. Please accept them now with my gratitude and love. So sorry I did not get to say goodbye.

Walking along the beach this morning, I had a few more recollections of Branko from my childhood that happened so long ago I had forgotten about them.
I needed lots of mud crabs for a 7th form Biology assignment. Knowing my aversion to them, Branko quietly went off to Pt Chevalier beach and returned with a huge bucket full. I wasn´t sure whether to hug him or recoil in horror! But he was quite the hero nonetheless.
Another saved-by-Branko situation several years earlier: I was walking down a busy Queen St, clutching all my Christmas shopping money. As I crossed the road, I tripped on a big grate, and watched as my wallet flew out of my hands and disappeared down the drain. When Branko later heard what had happened, he told me not to worry. Armed with gloves, a fishing net and a crowbar, we returned to the scene in the evening when no one was around to stop us or get in our way. And would you believe he managed to fish up my wallet and save the day!!

Thank you Branko for the kindness you always showed me. Some lovely gifts going back more than 40 years include horse books that are still on my bookshelves. The funniest present of all was a large box full of lots of boxes of tissues because I was always blowing my nose:))
You were a tremendously hard worker and never shied away from difficult jobs. You were creative, and built some impressive things at your own home and for other people.
It was beautiful to see the caring and dedication you had for your cattle, always going the extra mile to make sure they had extra food when grass was scarce.
Go well Branko. You will be missed xx

On behalf of the White family George (59 Wintour Rd) we would like to thank you for your friendship over the last 10yrs & the times spent in my parents shed socializing & enjoying morning teas sometimes with your cousin John too.
Thankyou for all the books you gifted us you will be truly missed take it easy old fella.

Branko. I´m so sorry we didn´t get to say goodbye. My favourite memory, apart from you always saying, MARILYN, was the day you took me out to the farm with the idea of renting the place. It was Christmas 2023, I mentioned I wanted to go flatting. You said, what about the farm? Two days later, Vanessa, Beema and I came out to meet you. Although it didn´t work out, I had such a fun day blasting around in the Polaris, watching Vanessa herd cows and just enjoying the vast view from the deck of the dwelling.

I´m sorry you never got to get a new Hilux, or a smartphone, even though we tried really hard to convince you. There is still a leg of lamb sitting in the freezer, which was earmarked for your next curry.

Thank you for the many Christmases you spent with us, especially in these last years. Thank you for introducing us to the Ice Impérial Moët this last Christmas gone, and sharing a glass with ice, as the instructions advised. You were always welcome in our home. You were a part of our `Aiga´ as Mum says, our family.

The day you left us, I shared a haka video with Mum and Celia, and Marilyn heard a word similar to "piwakawaka" (fantail). She mentioned she had seen one in the garden that morning. She spoke of how it stood there for quite some time. It´s fan was on full display, which she had never seen before.

The following day, after we learned of your passing, she realised that the fantail, was you.

Of all of her poems you have heard over the years, here is a final poem, from Marilyn, for you.

-
A fantail appeared
on the lawn
in full fan
that late winter morning

I watched it linger in silence
and respect of an unknown
a unique soul passing
in defiance of his own being

You are a part of our Aiga
- our family.
-

All of our love, Xaviere, Marilyn, Vanessa and Celia.

P.s. Celia is still wearing that ring you gave her the last time you saw her. She loves it.

Thank you for being you.

Rest in eternal peace George.

I have such found memories with you throughout my childhood, we had many adventures and many stories were shared together at my Baba & Dida´s house.

You were fiercely loyal and a great friend to my Dida. I will forever be grateful for everything you have done for my family.

Going to miss you lots Georgie x

Very sad to hear of Georges passing. I met him a few times over the years. He was a legend in our household. My father worked with George at Bulk Seafoods in Ponsonby and would come home from work to regale us with stories of Georges exploits whether it be attempting to catch White Cockatoos attracted to the birds in the Auckland Zoo or his ability to collect debts to name just a few, but most of all we heard of Georges superhuman work ethic and the lightning speed in which he carried out his work. My father was regularly in awe of this force of nature. Pocivaj u miru from Ivan Vodanovich (Junior) and the Vodanovich Family.

I was so sad to hear that Branko (George) Yelich passed away suddenly at home last Monday. A sincere friend in later years, Branko spent many Christmases with us. He will be greatly missed. Gone too soon. You always said you'd live to 101. May God Bless You. Our deepest condolences to Branko's family from Marilyn, Vanessa, Justine, Xaviere, Celia and all our wider family who knew Branko for well over 40 years.

YELICH, George Branko. Passed away peacefully at his home on 25th August 2025. Dear cousin prvi bratic of John and Miles Tordeich. Deeply saddened. Pocivaj u miru.

YELICH, George Branko. Loved cousin of Anthony and Sharon, Melissa, Monique, and Stephanie Tordeich. Will be sadly missed. Pocivaj u miru.