+Protopresbyter Vasily (William) Czekaluk, Pastor of St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Allentown, PA Falls Asleep in the Lord at 85

Fr. Czekaluk lived most of his earthly life right across the street from St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Allentown, PA.

"Church was his life. He loved God and His people," said his wife, Dobrodijka Halyna. Fr. Czekaluk started his daily routine on Wednesday, March 31, 2004. Around Noon Fr. William sensed some heart difficulties and was rushed to the local hospital. There he was pronounced dead having suffered massive heart failure.

Born February 3, 1919, in Jarhoriw, Ternopil district, Ukraine. Protopresbyter Czekaluk received his theological training in Salzburg, Austria. In December of 1951, Fr. William was ordained to Deaconate by His Grace Bishop Mstyslav (Skrypnyk) and on December 16, 1951, His Beatitude Metropolitan John (Theodorovich) ordained Fr. Czekaluk to Holy Priesthood.

Protopresbyter William Czekaluk received numerous awards during his ministry, including elevation to the rank of Protopresbyter in 1990 by His Grace Bishop Vsevolod (Majdanski).

Over the years he served as pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Johnstown, PA; St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in New York, NY; Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Utica, NY; St. Andrew Memorial Church in South Bound Brook, NJ; St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Hempstead, Long Island, NY and since 1964 Fr. William served as a pastor of St. Mary Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Allentown, PA.

First part of Priest’s Funeral Service will be served by His Eminence Antony, Archbishop of New York and Washington, DC, the ruling hierarch of the Eastern Eparchy of the UOC of the USA, at 7:00 PM at St. Mary Cathedral in Allentown, PA on Palm Sunday. Conclusion of the memorial services will be held at 9:00 AM at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Monday, April 5, followed by interment in St. Mary parish cemetery in Allentown, PA.

Father Czekaluk is survived by his wife, Dobrodijka Halyna, daughter Larysa Elizabeth Noecker and her family.

May Father Vasily's (William) Memory be Eternal!

Zo Svatymy u Pokoj!

Vicnaja jich pamjat!

In prayerful sympathy,
+Father Archimandrite Gregory

Memory eternal

O Lord, receive the soul of Your priest-servant, the Protopresbyter Vasily, who has departed from this life, and lead it to rest in a place of light, happiness, and peace, where there is neither pain nor suffering, neither grief nor sighing. And since You are a gracious God and the Lover of Mankind, remember his years of service to You and to Your people, forgive him every sin he has committed by thought, or word, or deed, for there is not a man who lives and does not sin, for You alone are without sin and You are the Resurrection and the Life.

And give comfort Lord to the wife and children of Your servant, for they have loved and served with him for the glory of Your Name and the service of Your people.