Dear Renee, Mikayla, and Rose-Marie:
I share with you my gift of song in the hope that the message in the text of each hymn will fill you with the presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ. May God give you strength and courage to acknowledge His presence in your life.

Very sincerely yours,
Theresa Bivins, Music Minister

~ Theresa Bivins - March 30, 2019

Our condolences to the Bersia Family at this time. May John Rest In Peace.
Chrissy and Paul Foderick
Miami, Fl.

~ Chrissy Foderick - March 30, 2019

I first met John Bersia in 1991, when I was Chief Spokesman of the World Bank in Washington DC and he was an editorial writer for the Orlando Sentinel. I learned very quickly that he was the best-informed and most thoughtful writer on development economics among all the US journalists with whom I interacted. The professional relationship quickly turned into a warm friendship.

After I left the World Bank in 1999 and moved back to the UK to teach at Oxford and to start a charity to help the world’s smallest countries, he was always very generous to me in involving me in so many activities at UCF, but also when he wrote editorials and columns that were helpful to initiatives that I was advocating. I very much enjoyed all the interviews John conducted with me on his Global Perspectives programme on WUCF-TV and many people whom I meet for the first time tell me that they already know me from those interviews that they have watched on Youtube.

I feel very privileged to have known John as well as I did and for as long as I did. Although we didn’t see each other as often as often as I would have liked, over the years he became a fixture in my life. We always picked up where we left off and the months would fall away as we embarked on countless thought-provoking conversations.

The soubriquet “Renaissance Man” is overworked, but it really does apply to John. What is remarkable is that he achieved so much, had such a big impact on so many people, and worked tirelessly to make Central Florida a focal point for international dialogue, with such extraordinary modesty. Through John, I was fortunate to meet many of the people in Orlando who worked with him on these international initiatives and who will, I am sure ensure that his legacy is maintained.

Not only was John an intellectual powerhouse with an encyclopaedic knowledge of world affairs, but he was also somebody who rolled up his sleeves and really got things done. All the programmes that he started at UCF and elsewhere are monuments to this ability.

One of his most admirable traits was his advocacy for people who didn’t have a voice. His Pulitzer resulted from his investigative reporting, at great personal risk, on behalf of the victims of loan-sharking, which resulted in changes in the law. Over the years, I would receive ‘phone calls and E-mails from John asking if I could provide internships or other help to students who had still to make their way in the world and to whom John was giving a helping hand. On many visits to the Global Perspectives offices I would meet happy and enthusiastic students from both Florida and much further afield who were inspired by John.

John will leave a very big gap in the lives of so many people all over the world, but the the loss is especially great for his family, his colleagues, and countless others in Orlando. I personally miss him immensely.

~ Tim Cullen - March 30, 2019

I met John when I arrived at UCF in 2016. He was one of the very first members of the university community to reach out to me. We settled on a lunch soon after my hire and met at Carrabas.

That's when I came to realize how lucky we were to have John working with us at WUCF. It's a fairly rare thing to have a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist working at a TV station, and rarer still to have one producing a show with such a powerful impact. We were always able to be very proud of the work John and the Global team did with us on the show, and for the last year and a half, John and I were working on finding funds to take the program to a national audience. I am so sorry that never came to pass...we had a nationally distributed channel ready to take the show because they were so impressed by John's thoughtful interviewing.

But in the end, I will miss our all-too-infrequent lunches. I enjoyed John's company, and as he did with everything he touched, he made it time well spent. A good man, always working for the betterment of those around him, always generous and compassionate, I will miss you John. But I am grateful that we crossed paths. You set an excellent example of how someone ought to spend their working time.

~ Phil Hoffman - March 30, 2019

So sorry to see this. Taken much too early in life. I always looked forward to John giving another talk at our Rotary Club. Rest In Peace, John! Sincere condolences to the family!

~ Rod Rodman - March 29, 2019

I first met John Bersia when he agreed to moderate a growth management debate I was organizing in Seminole County. I was thrilled a few years later when he wrote my Orlando Sentinel endorsement editorial for county commissioner. Still later, he helped me get my first adjunct teaching assignment at Rollins College.

When he left the Sentinel to open the Global Perspectives Office at UCF, he hired my daughter to help him organize the office (and to help her earn some money while she was deciding how to change course in her career). And when I was applying to be CIO at Seminole County Schools, he took the time out of a very busy schedule to write a glowing letter of recommendation that helped seal the deal.

I’m sure those who would read these words have similar stories to tell, as John was a selfless and loyal friend. He fought hard every day to rid the world of evil, from the unscrupulous payday lenders who felt the sting of his Pulitzer Prize Pen to the despicable human traffickers who he so vigorously pursued from his office at UCF. His mission to educate was experienced firsthand by his many lucky students who exited his classes with an enhanced perspective of their roles as citizens of this great country.

What I’ll remember most were those lunches when we’d sit down, freely express our frustrations and share our successes, exchange advice, and leave feeling recharged to deal with our obstacles. I’m sad that I didn’t know John had become gravely ill. The missing Christmas card this past year should have been an indication that something was wrong. But it was just like John not to want to worry his friends with his failing health. I didn’t have the chance to say a final goodbye. So these words will have to suffice.

This world is going to miss you, John.

~ John Tracy - March 29, 2019

John was a wonderful Sentinel colleague and friend to me and my husband, Michael Joe Murphy. One of my fondest memories was when he stood up with us the day our daughter Rachel was baptized.

~ Susan Whigham - March 29, 2019

I was deeply saddened by the news of John’s death. He was a visionary leader and the energetic force behind so many global initiatives, both at UCF and around the state. He was the heart and soul of our Florida Network for Global Studies, which he labored hard to sustain over the past decade. I feel privileged to have been part of John’s world and will never forget the inspiration and kindness he demonstrated to me and to my FSU colleagues over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with John's family at this time.

~ John Mayo - March 28, 2019

I was shocked and saddened by the passing of John, a former colleague at the Orlando Sentinel.
We broke into opinion writing around the same time as members of the Sentinel's editorial board during the mid '80s.
I remember well John's sense of humor. The way he laughed was distinctive. I can hear it now in my head.
I'm also recalling how he once stepped up after noticing I was having a bad day. He
introduced me to something called creative visualization. More than 30 years later I'm still unsure how it was supposed to work.
Anyway, it came as no surprise that John
later won a coveted Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing. After all, he was one of the brightest people I'd ever met during my more than 40-year journalism career.
It was, however, somewhat surprising that he won the Pulitzer for a series of editorials about predator loans since he specialized in foreign affairs.
Then again, it all jibes because John always struck me as a friend of the poor and disenfranchised. No doubt it is John's compassionate heart that you all are proudest.
May God bless each of you and may John rest in the Lord.
James Lawrence
Live Oak, FL

~ James Lawrence - March 27, 2019

John was a wonderful, caring man. God has a new, magnificent Angel.

~ Emilee Rister - March 26, 2019

One of the greatest legacy anyone can leave behind is a good name and kind deeds and the wonderful family of John Bersia will certainly benefit from this. John was a very kind soul, very soft spoken and a great listener. His teachings and his works will benefit many for years to come.
John, your work is done on earth but I am sure you're already setting up a Heavenly Global Perspectives Office. Thank you for your friendship and all you've done for me. May you live in eternal happiness up there in Heaven as you multi task to be the guiding light to Renee and the rest of your wonderful family here on Earth.
Renee, may you and your wonderful family be guided by John's bright light up in Heaven as you cope with loosing him here on Earth. If there is anything I can do to help, I am readily available to.
May God always bless and keep you and your family well!

~ Brian Bacchus - March 26, 2019

My most sincere condolences to John's family and many friends at UCF and around the world. I will truly miss our engaging and enlightening conversations on international affairs and foreign policy. I always left them smarter than when we began them! John always impressed me with his commitment to educating young people and the greater general public about the importance of international affairs in our lives. And he seemed to have succeeded so well. More importantly, however, I found him to be one of the most honest and decent human beings I've met. In every way, he was an absolute gem of a human being and gentleman. I will miss him greatly. May this good and noble soul rest in peace.
Gary Grappo, Ambassador (retired)

~ Gary Grappo - March 24, 2019

My dear friend, John, thank you for...

Private briefings on foreign policy issues, usually at TooJays, where you would order T.J.'s Trio and soup.

Introductions to and private meetings with global thought leaders

The opportunity to audit your classes on the Middle East at UCF and "Writing on International Affairs" and "Human Rights in the Contemporary World" at Rollins.

Passionate discussions about the horrific impact of human trafficking and modern slavery.

The opportunity to serve with you on the board of the World Affairs Council of Central Florida and in a number of advisory positions through the Office of Global Perspectives

~~

Though you met many world leaders, I am grateful I knew, through your many recollections, who your hero and mentor was, your beloved father whose profound teachings and stoic discipline came from his roots and life as a proud farmer in France. And I know how much you loved Francis Bok like a son.

John, you led a life of authenticity, adventure, truth-seeking and telling, imagination, and commitment to helping others be their best selves, whether or not as you would often say”they had an alphabet after their titles.” You rightfully earned the devotion and admiration of the multitude of lives you touched.

Thank you so much for 20 years as a friend and mentor, educator and adviser.

~ Patti Ambinder - March 24, 2019

My sincerest condolences to Renee. Mikayla and all family on your great loss. To dear Renne and Mikayla, stay strong together with the awesome memories you have of him forever.

May he rest in eternal peace.
Mark and Lauren Bannister

~ Mark Bannister - March 24, 2019

I offer my sincere and deep heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of John C. Bersia. He was a very dear friend for 25 years. A loving, humble, and compassionate human being. A leader in Central Florida whose work at the Orlando Sentinel made a great difference to the whole community including my Islamic community. His vision and amazing work at UCF createded the Office of Global Perspectives which transformed the university from a regional institution to a world class leader in public diplomacy, and because of his efforts, UCF became internationally recognized as a model for other universities to emulate and seek as partner.
I know I will greatly miss my beloved friend John, and I believe the world will miss him too.
You made our world better John. Rest In Peace beloved friend!

~ Imam Muhammad Musri - March 24, 2019