God certainly broke the mold when Bret Matthew Flora was born to Robert Stanford and Emily (Sobolewski) Flora on May 11, 1964. He was the fourth child and second son in a family of five children, always surrounded by a large and rollicking, very close-knit family. He passed away peacefully on May 4, 2024 with family by his side.

Living in Hammond, Indiana nearly all his life, he attended Hammond Technical Vocational High School, where both his parents and siblings also attended. Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, he was a lifelong Bears and avid Cubs fan. His vocational studies and family legacy shaped Bret's formative years, resulting in a career as a dedicated Production worker.

He loved his three sisters and brother fiercely. At an early age, Bret learned the joys of being the "cool" uncle. He shared his free time outdoors, fishing, camping, and attending sporting events. His love of music began in the early '70s and continued throughout his life. He enjoyed listening to recorded music as well as attending live concerts whenever he could. His love for "The Doors," among other bands, shone through Bret's many texts and posts; he was infamous for randomly texting audio clips of Jim Morrison singing The Doors' versions of  "L.A. Woman" or "The End".

There was never a dull moment when you were around Bret. He loved to have fun, had a great sense of humor, dished out wisecracks often, and loved to laugh. He had a big heart. Bret was a member of the Catholic Church, and through his faith, understood what loyalty is and what it means to love and be loved. He never expected recognition or accolades; he did most things anonymously and without recognition. Bret was a true champion of all people. It did not matter if you were a co-worker, family, friend, or the next random person walking down the street. He was always caring and supportive through life's successes and challenges.

Words can't describe the loss that is felt in every heart that is lucky enough to have known him. We all need to learn from Bret's example and be sure to make the time to love deeply and do what we love. Thank you, Chi-chi, for being such an inspiration and role model for us all. We love you, Bret with all our hearts.

Bret is preceded in death by his father, Robert Stanford, his maternal grandparents Frank and Cecelia (Romankiewicz) Sobolewski; his paternal grandparents Stanford Lamoine and Pauline (Plutko) Flora, and Joseph and Kathaleen (Dock) DeRouck.

He is survived by his amazing mother, Emily (Sobolewski) Flora, brother Bart Flora, and three sisters Lisa (Flora) Scott, Dana (Flora) Adams, and Kim Flora. He is also survived by a multitude of friends, aunts, uncles, Godparents, cousins, nephews and nieces, great- and great-great- nieces and nephews, who all loved him.

Services will be held Monday, May 13, 2024, from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm at Solan Pruzin Funeral Home located at 7109 Calumet Avenue, Hammond, IN. Graveside prayer to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleums in Calumet City, IL.

Everyone has a Bret story, and we would love to hear them all. In lieu of flowers and to help cover funeral costs, you may wish to donate using the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-brets-family-with-funeral-costs?qid=f52a4badd38bf77cf12619c4f8c17e3b/

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