Myroslaw Jaroslaw Kachala

Myroslaw Jaroslaw Kachala passed away peacefully while holding his daughters’ hands, on May 7, 2024 at the age of 94. He was predeceased by his loving wife Marta (Bojczuk); his parents, Dmytro and Varvara (Shpakovych); sister Kateryna Bab’iak; and brother Vasyl Kachala. He is survived by his daughters Oresta; Bohdanna and her husband, Jay Sivin-Kachala; his grandchild Nadiya; as well as extended family in Canada and Ukraine.

Born on October 8, 1929 in the village of Ruda near Rohatyn in Halychyna, in western Ukraine, his family had a farm with orchards and a small mill. As a boy, Myroslaw enjoyed reading, climbing trees (especially to eat his neighbor’s cherries), riding his horses bareback, and exploring the nearby woods and river with his friends.

As a young teenager during the Russian and German occupations, he worked in the Ukrainian underground (Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists), including as a secret courier. At the age of 14, with the coming advance of the Russian forces once again, his parents advised him to leave his homeland to continue fighting for Ukraine’s independence. He would never see his parents again.

After the war, Myroslaw spent several years in Germany at the Heidenau camp for displaced persons, where he participated in the rich Ukrainian cultural life, competed in chess tournaments for adults, completed his gymnasium education, and first met schoolmate, Marta Bojczuk, who was destined to become his wife.

In 1950, he emigrated to America, first settling in the Ukrainian East Village in New York City — a time of his life he remembered fondly. He next moved to Passaic, New Jersey, where he unexpectedly crossed paths with Marta. Soon they married.

A proud US Army veteran, he served in the military intelligence group during the Korean War, at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

Afterwards, Myroslaw owned a construction company. He built the family home in Woodland Park, where Marta and he raised their two daughters, Bohdanna and Oresta.

Myroslaw was active in Ukrainian organizations, including PLAST scouts, especially many years as a volleyball coach; SUM; the Passaic Ukrainian Center; Ukrainian-American Veterans; St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church; and the church seniors club.

Myroslaw was fluent in five languages. He had a great sense of humor and loved Ukrainian and English wordplay. He was a man of many interests, including reading, skiing, bowling, ping pong, horseshoes, and hiking. He also enjoyed telling stories, bringing the past alive; the beach and swimming in the ocean; attending Ukrainian cultural festivals; and travel. His last trip to Ukraine was at the age of 90.

Today, tomorrow, and always
you will remain in our hearts.

Вічная Пам’ять

Funeral Mass at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 217 President St., Passaic, NJ, at 11 am on Tuesday, May 14.

Interment afterwards, at Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, 141 Sara Wells Trail, Campbell Hall, NY, at about 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers: Donations may be made in Myroslaw’s memory to support the brave defense of freedom by the people of Ukraine:
• Revived Soldiers Ukraine, medical treatment and prosthetics for wounded Ukrainian soldiers: https://www.rsukraine.org/
• Razom — Razom with You, psychological support program for children and adults affected by the war: https://www.razomforukraine.org/razom-with-you/