Our father, "Tato", Markian Josapht Stasiuk was born on May 11,1927 in Ternopil, Ukraine.  As our grandmother told it, it snowed that day, adding to the remarkability of that day for the family.

He was the third-born son of Emilia (nee Murij) and Rev. Andrij Stasiuk.  There were 4 boys in the family: Slavko, Lubko, Markian and Mako, quite the lively bunch!   Our father was "the serious one" and our grandmother fervently prayed he would follow his father into the priesthood, but that was not to be.   During World War II, the family left Ternopil, resided in a refugee camp in Germany for some time before emigrating to the United States and settling in Buffalo.  Our grandfather, Rev. Andrij, was a parish priest at St. Nicholas for over 20 years.

Our father met our mother, Lidia Zaleska, at a dance and despite a rough start (she thought he was stuck up, he thought she was a silly goose) they fell in love and married  June 19, 1954 at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Church.  They were married for 67 years at the time of our father's passing. Six months after their wedding, our father was drafted by the U.S. Army, where he served as a medic during the Korean War.    Army days were tough and money was tight, but my father's mantra was "No matter what situation you find yourself in, always do your very best." and he did.

Our father earned a Masters of Pharmacy in Germany and his chemistry knowledge landed him a job as a quality lab tech for Robin Hood Flour/ Int'l Multifoods/Conagra, from which he retired after over 30years.

Our father was very close with his 2 surviving brothers, Lubko and Mako. Every Sunday, all 15 of us gathered at my grandparent's house after church for a big family dinner. My grandmother would put on a feast, which always included homemade chicken soup with mounds of fine noodles, roast chicken, her famous apple pliatsok and of course, torte.  The adults discussed whatever it is adults discuss, and we 7 grandkids grew up together, still close to this day.

Family was important to my father and in pursuit of supporting this viewpoint, he organized our family reunions which enjoyed over 200 participants some years. We learned about our family's history, met new cousins, renewed relationships, and always had fun. These reunions still go on, every 5 years, with the organizing baton handed over to my sister, Christina, and now my daughter, Katrusia.

Tato was the quintessential "Mr. Fix-it".  Growing up, we never had a repairman at our house, our father fixed everything.  Renew, repurpose, recycle, was a way of life.     He spent many weekends at Novyj Sokil alongside his brother Mako, fixing whatever needed fixing.

Our father loved classical music, especially opera, which could often be heard blaring from our house at 7 am weekend mornings  He had a beautiful baritone and loved to sing.  A long -term member of the men's choir Burlaky, he also sang in our church choir and cantored for decades.  Our parents did quite a bit of traveling visiting many countries in Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico and of course, Ukraine.   In most recent times, their travelling was limited to the internet. Tato spent hours reading about Ukrainian current affairs, interspersed with rounds of olitaire.

Our father loved God, his wife, Lida, his daughters Christina and me, his sons-in-law, and especially his grandchildren, Katrusia, Olesh, Christopher and "Sofika".  He was deeply happy that Olesh married beloved Lauren, last year, making her part of our family.

Tato was the original feminist, teaching us, his daughters, that we could become anything we wanted to if we worked for it.   Our father had strict principles, a high moral compass and was a great believer in tradition.  As his health started to wane in his 94th year, my sister and I spent more time with him.    We are forever grateful for this time away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, that allowed time for meaningful and heartfelt conversations.

Our father passed away on Sunday morning, October 17, 2021 to that great family reunion in heaven,  with both of us by his side, in his own bed, in his own house, the way he wished it.

Vichnaya Pamyat and Tatu, we already miss you.  Terribly.

Devoted father of Maria (Richard) Miecyjak and Dr. Christina (George Farion) Stasiuk.

Loving grandfather of Kathryne (fiancé Albert Fliman) Miecyjak, Dr. Alexander (Lauren) Miecyjak, Christopher Farion and Sophia Farion.

Family will be present Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the PIETSZAK FUNERAL HOME, 2400 William St. (near Harlem) where Panachyda Service will be held at 7 PM and Friday at 9:15 AM followed by a Funeral Liturgy at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church at 10 AM.

Face coverings and social distancing will be required at all times during Mr. Stasiuk's services.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (308 Fillmore Ave., Buffalo, NY 14206) or Ukrainian Catholic Education Fund at UCEF.org

Entombment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Lackawanna, NY.

The family appreciates your prayers and concerns during these times and would like to thank you for your support.

Please take a minute to share a picture in our online Photo Album or a favorite memory in our Guest Book here on Markian's Tribute page.