Celebrating Dad - Fr. Jim Bok, OFM
Front row L-R: John Bok Sr., Margaret, Jim (Fr. Jim Bok, OFM)
Back row L-R: Mary, John Jr.(Fr. John Bok, OFM), Jerry
My dad, John Bok, was one of the kindest, gentlest, respectful, honest and just persons I have met in my 68 years. He was a real gentle-man. He never raised his voice or hand to me. There was no violence in him. His look of disappointment was discipline enough.
In 41 years of being around him he might have said damn a half dozen times (couldn’t say that about mom). He often told dumb jokes, a gift I inherited from him. He was both a lawyer and politician and I always bristle when people say they are all crooks.
Fr. Jim Bok, OFM, at St. Anthony's Kitchen
Dad was as honest as the day is long. He never tolerated unkind or pejorative words about anyone else regardless of race, creed or station in life. Everyone was his equal—respectful to all. In his early sixties cancer resulted in the removal of his bladder. No complaint or cross word. Around age seventy he was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), a horrible, debilitating disease. As he lost the ability to walk, to speak, to use his arms, to eat and swallow and eventually to breathe he was never angry with God or any of us. He accepted his illness with patience. May I die with such gracefulness ad graciousness.
Dad was a faithful Democrat and no doubt voted for John Kennedy. In 1963 after JFK was assassinated (I was 16) Lee Harvey Oswald was being transported by the police and had a swollen eye and fat lip. With great concern my dad said, “They roughed him up! They roughed him up!” Even an accused assassin deserved the protection of the law and the application of justice. This dad-event profoundly touched my life and still does today.
Here in Jamaica Ms. Barbara prays for me every morning at Mass, “For Fr. Jim, the kindest priest in the world.” It’s a little excessive—Western Hemisphere maybe? But she honors my dad!
Fr. Jim Bok, OFM, is pastor of Mary, Gate of Heaven parish in Negril, Jamaica. Their ministries include St. Anthony's Kitchen, Get Kids to School, and Keep Kids in School.
Posted in: Missions, News, Prayer, Saint Francis
