Obituary of Michael Olijnyk
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Michael Olijnyk
92, a long term resident of Pittsburg, and most recently of Mountain Lakes, NJ, peacefully entered into eternal rest and joy on January 7, 2012.
Born in Ukraine, he witnessed first hand as a young man the devastation of war in Ukraine and Germany during the 1940's. After the war, he immigrated with his wife Maria, and their daughter to the US in 1948, where they settled in Pittsburg, PA in 1949.
Michael, along with Maria, and his twin brother Basilius (Basil), was founder of the Olijnyk Brothers Meat Packing Co, which for many years was well known for its custom meats, especially their highly popular kielbasa.
Michael was a long term parishioner at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Pittsburg, PA, and maintained a strong sense of national pride for both his home country of Ukraine and the United States.
A fan of soccer, tennis and boxing, he could most often be found watching sporting events on TV, with Basil by his side.
Michael was predeceased by his beautiful wife Maria, and is survived by his loving twin brother, his daughter, Helena Mazur, and son in-law, Leonard of Mountain Lakes, NJ. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Maria, Michael, and Irene; his great grandchildren, Walter, Helena, and Evelyn, and a great great granddaughter, Alicia. Other survivors include numerous family members in Ukraine.
Funeral services will be held at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whippany, NJ followed by interment in St. Mary's Cemetery in Jenkintown, PA.
In honor of Michael, donations to St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church Building Fund, 60 N. Jefferson Rd. Whippany, NJ 07981 would be gratefully appreciated.
