Rocky Hill Obituary: Michael Szewczuk, 91

Michael Szewczuk, 91, of Rocky Hill, formerly of Wethersfield, beloved and loving husband of Lesia (Wasylkiw) Szewczuk, went into the loving arms of our Lord on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

Michael was born on September 25, 1924 in Skomorochy, Ukraine; he was the son of the late Ivan and Anna (Ciomyk) Szewczuk. During the Second World War, he enlisted in the Ukrainian National Army. After the war, he studied at Universities in Austria where he obtained a Masters Degree in Psychology and Theology.

He immigrated to the United States and settled in Hartford in March 1952. He became a parishioner of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. He worked for 20 years at Hartford National Bank as an Administrative Support Specialist. Michael was a proud co-founder and former President of the Ukrainian-American Veterans Association of Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport. He was also a co-founder and lifelong member of the Ukrainian National Home of Hartford, Ukrainian Patriarchal Society USA and the Ukrainian Self-Reliance Hartford Federal Credit Union.

He was an avid singer in the Dibrova Choir at St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church. He served for 15 years as cantor/choir director at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Church, New Britain. Michael was also a teacher (9 years) in the Michael Ukrainian Parish School in Hartford.

Michael enjoyed the Arts, especially painting portraits, landscapes and writing poems, sports, especially the former Hartford Whalers, animals (his many cats over the years), and just loving life one day at a time. He brought laughter and joy to his family gatherings and always offered strength and support to his family and friends. His logo: “FAITH, HOPE, LOVE”!

Besides his devoted loving wife of 40 years, Michael is survived by his daughter Anya and her husband Greg Majeski and lovely granddaughters, Sophia and Caroline; sister in law Irene and her husband Richard Gancarz; brother in law Roman Wasylkiw; and many relatives and friends in Ukraine, USA and Canada.

Special thanks to St. Francis Hospital, Masonicare Hospice, Chestelm Rehab, Cobalt Healthcare and Salmon Brook Care for helping Michael through his last few months of life. Though Michael may be gone, he will never be forgotten. In his words, “This is for only the time being, hurry up, but take your time!”

Calling hours will be Sunday, May 22, 2016 from 4-7pm with Panakhyda service at 6pm in the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd., Wethersfield. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Monday, May 23, 2016 at 10am in St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church, 135 Wethersfield Ave., Hartford, followed by burial in St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, New London Tpke, Glastonbury.

To extend online condolences and/or share a memory, or for information, please visit farleysullivan.com.