Obituary for John "Ivan" Stefanyszyn
John (Ivan) Stefanyszyn, 96, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2019. Born on May 13, 1922 in the village of Rozhado near the city of Ternopil in western Ukraine, John escaped the impending Soviet occupation of his homeland by making his way to Germany where he met his wife, the former Vera Rapp from Odessa. Together they settled in Liege, Belgium, awaiting U.S. sponsorship via Catholic Charities and Missionaries. Five years later (1953), he emigrated from Belgium with his wife and child, Olga. John and Vera went on to have two additional children, Helen and Peter. A born survivor, John assimilated quickly and began his life in the U.S. as a factory worker in Holyoke, eventually purchasing his first home and settling his family in Springfield in 1958. John then became a custom cabinetmaker for KV Homes in Sixteen Acres. Prior to his retirement, he also worked for Smith & Wesson as a custom shipping crate carpenter. John’s hobbies included beekeeping and farming on his beloved property in Belchertown which reminded him of his life in Ukraine. He was a devout Catholic and a Communicant and Cantor of Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church of Ludlow, MA, which he also helped build. John believed the secret to life was prayer and that strength was derived from one’s faith and a daily dose of garlic and honey. John was also a musician, and as a young man, he was part of a band and played the horn. He often entertained his family and friends with his harmonica. John always had an appreciation for all living things, evident by his care for them, and he had a special bond with his German Shepherds. John was predeceased by his wife, Vera, daughter, Helen Stefanyszyn, grandson, Gus Adamopoulos, granddaughter, Lara Sayegh, and son-in-law, Peter Demoracski. He leaves his daughter, Olga Demoracski, son Peter Stefanyszyn and wife Beverly Dwight, son-in-law Jim Adamopoulos, as well as grandchildren Luke Demoracski and wife Wendy, David Demoracski, Julie Demoracski, and Ava Adamopoulos. Funeral services for John will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 9:15am from the Ludlow Funeral Home with a Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:00am in Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Visiting hours are Friday evening from 4:00-7:00pm with Panakhyda beginning at 6:30pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John’s memory to Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, 45 Newbury Street, Ludlow, MA 01056.
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Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
25
Jan
4:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Ludlow Funeral Home
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Service
Saturday
26
Jan
9:15 AM
Ludlow Funeral Home
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Funeral Liturgy
Saturday
26
Jan
10:00 AM
Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church
Newbury Street
Ludlow, MA 01056
Cemetery Details
Location
At the Convenience of the Family
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Memorial Contribution
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