Helio Gracie Buried in Petropolis
(Rolker and Royce Gracie pay their last respects to their father. Photos courtesy of Sherdog.)
Less than 10 hours after he passed away at the Beficência Portuguesa Hospital after contracting pneumonia, Helio Gracie was laid to rest in a modest ceremony in Petropolis, Brazil, witnessed by about 70 relatives, close friends and students. As Sherdog writes:
Sons Royce and Rolker led the procession, a kilometer in length, from the chapel to the tomb where Gracie was buried. At the tomb, Royce asked for a round of applause for his father and placed a black belt over his coffin.
Speaking on behalf of Helio's son Rickson Gracie, who was unable to reach Brazil in time for the funeral, Mario Aielo said:
“Thanks to this man, there are thousands of teachers around the world making a living from jiu-jitsu and thousands of fighters making a living from MMA. Without Helio Gracie, Rorion could not have brought Vale Tudo to the US and MMA would not exist, giving jobs to many fighters, promoters and managers and fun to millions of fans around the world.”
But perhaps the most touching tribute came from Helio's granddaughter (Rorion's daughter) Rose, who told Sherdog the following:
“My grandfather was an amazing man. He was like a father to us. He never got out of the Gracie diet, never got out of the lifestyle he told others to live. Nowadays kids don’t have the same respect for their parents and grandparents. My grandfather not only had our respect, but he earned it. He would drive far away to come pick us up, and he would honk his horn like a crazy man. We would get in the car, and it was full of fruit and other goods from the Gracie diet. He made breakfast every morning for us and told stories at night.
One time, he said, ‘One day I was swimming in shark-infested water. I had to get through them somehow, so I grabbed one shark and put him in an arm lock. I grabbed another and put him in a Mata Leon [rear-naked choke].' I was young, but I believed him.”
Tags: BJJ, Brazil, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, funeral, Helio Gracie, MMA, Royce Gracie
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Comments
Jay Says:
RIP Helio.
If anyone's looking for a business niche, I think tie's are in short supply in Brazil.
CG Says:
Ties and top buttons.
auzzy Says:
I thought the same thing, about the ties i mean. Maybe thats how he would have wanted it though. RIP.
CALIFORNIA Says:
Sincere condolences to the Gracie family during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.Thank you Grandmaster for all you have done. Rest in peace.
Pac-Man Says:
It's sad to see him go. But what the Helio left behind to the world will definitely immortalize him.
Derekrva Says:
He's in the shark-infested waters up above now...setting up a triangle on some unlucky Great White.
Anonymous Says:
ties, top buttons, and same exact culture as the "rest of the world" called the US. You don't know if the culture in Brazil is the same as the one here, maybe they don't wear ties to funerals.
justin Says:
If you people can't look at pictures of a funeral for a man largely responsible for helping to create the sport we love without making fun of how people are dressed, then you need to do some soul-searching.
RIP, Helio
LoneWolf Says:
What an amazing legacy to leave behind......
drummer Says:
Justin is right, without this man and his family, this web site and the very sport we all love would not exist. Lets all keep this respectfull.
MMA Wannabe Says:
Even if we are joking guys, there's nothing but love for Helio. That man is why CagePotato even has a niche to fill. RIP
MMA Wannabe Says:
*joking around, guys
walrus Says:
Interesting how American funerals differ from Brazilians -- clothing wise. And they had it 10 hours after his death, that's fast.
LukeTheDuke Says:
The only good thing would be that Jerry Millen and Scott Ferral wouldn't exist but the good outweighs the bad by far.
RIP HELIO.
A revolutionary.
Craig O Says:
would of loved to shake his hand and say "muito obrigado!" R.I.P. THE MASTER!
Wyatt Says:
He left something timeless and his children are all taken care of because of him. Good father. And since this depresses me one dark humor joke:
RIP Helio, you're up in heaven now, choking out Jesus...
jarhead Says:
his teachings changed me from one who was picked on, to one that was feared, and eventually one who was respected. Bless you grandmaster.
biohazardone Says:
RIP Helio, thank you for being the man you are. Thank for setting the foundation of the sport we have come to love.
Anonymous Says:
Thanks Helio. R.I.P.
Danny F Says:
Rest in peace Helio. You cannot be dead in memory for all that you have born.
Jeff S. Says:
RIP Helio obrigado pot tudo que voce fiz na vida. Obrigado pelo o dom de jiu jitsu Brasilero.
BJ Penn Says:
I one time arm locked a rock underwater
Denka Says:
RIP Helio.
SMITH313 Says:
REST IN PEACE
Pale Says:
RIP master
Netterbog Says:
Descance em paz, mestre.
Hollies snubbed again. Says:
Thank God for Helio Gracie. R.I.P
Netterbog Says:
As for the Brazilian funerals - they typically don't embalm their dead, so 10 hours is actually a fairly slow turnaround for the burial (I hear they waited that long so all the sons could get back).
And the family is dressed exactly like they should be for the occasion - suits & ties are for weddings, "crentes" (born-agains), bank workers and politicians.
My Wang Be Swanging(HITMANBERT) Says:
Sad day it was for mma. I shall rear naked choke my cat in his memory.
Anonymous Says:
Bless you Helio you changed the world and made so many people happy and become stronger for that we thank you!!!!!!!
Than Says:
Rest in Peace, the world is a much better place since you graced it with your presence.
Also, he outlived Masahiko Kimura by 16 years.
BigMark Says:
tchau Helio... obrigado por tudo.
I had hoped to meet you some day.
dude Says:
Netterbog, didn't know that. Thanx for the info.
BrianW Says:
RIP
Jaimie13 Says:
Iv'e been reading this blog for a little under a year now,and never felt the need to write anything. But I would like to write and say, Rest In Peace and thank you to Helio Gracie.