OBITUARIES (08/30/98)

OBITUARIES

Walter Klawsnik, past commander of Ukrainian American Veterans

by Johanna Klawsnik

BAYSIDE, N.Y. - Walter Klawsnik died of Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS) on July 24. As a past national commander of the Ukrainian American Veterans, and former president of Ukrainian National Association Branch 325, Mr. Klawsnik was a distinguished member of the Ukrainian American community.

Mr. Klawsnik was elected to the post of national commander of the Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) on June 25, 1965. During his administration he advocated the establishment of new veterans' posts, the revival of old posts and cooperation with the Canadian Veterans Association.

He also worked vigorously for the UAV to receive national recognition from the U.S. Department of Defense. On behalf of the UAV, Mr. Klawsnik thanked Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower by telegram for unveiling the Taras Shevchenko monument in Washington in 1964.

When John F. Kennedy ran for president of the United States, Mr. Klawsnik helped represent the Ukrainian Americans' advocacy of a free Ukraine at a meeting in Kennedy's private home in Hyannis Port, Mass.

During World War II Mr. Klawsnik had served as a flight officer and bombardier in the United States Air Force. He was decorated with the American Campaign Medal and the Victory Medal of Honor. In civilian life Mr. Klawsnik became the president of a leading marking device manufacturing corporation in New York.

Mr. Klawsnik was known also as a dedicated husband and father to his family. His friends, family and community will always appreciate and remember his thoughtfulness.

Burial was at the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Hamptonburgh, N.Y. At the funeral a veterans tribute was given by former UAV National Commander Ben Bezkorowajny. Other prominent Ukrainians who attended the service were: John O. Flis, former supreme president of the UNA; Andrew Keybida, former finance officer of the UAV and former UNA advisor; John A. Flis manager of Soyuzivka; and Daniel Slobodian, former manager of Soyuzivka.

Surviving are Mr. Klawsnik's wife, Stella; son, Robert; daughter, Johanna; and grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Romana L. Pyndus, Newark activist

NEWARK, N.J. - Romana L. Pyndus, a respected member of the New Jersey Ukrainian community, died on May 24 in St. Barnabas Hospital. She was 79. Mrs. Pyndus was a member of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, and was active in the senior citizens' group and the Sodality at the parish here.

Born on March 11, 1919, in Lviv, Mrs. Pyndus was the daughter of Symen and Anna Skrypij. She had three sisters, Ola, Iwanka and Iryna, and two brothers, Yurij and Mykola, all of whom are deceased. Mykola Skrypij, was a renowned goalie for the Ukraina hockey team in Lviv. Yurij Skrypij was a participant in the ill-fated battle at Brody (1944), where the Galicia Division fought the advancing Red Army; he was subsequently captured by the Soviets and sent to Siberia.

Romana Skrypij immigrated to the United States in the early 1950s and married Yaroslav Pyndus in 1955; their son, Roman, was born on October 3, 1956. She worked as a lab scientist at Sandoz Pharmaceuticals for 18 years and was an active participant in Essex County politics.

Mrs. Pyndus is survived by her son, Roman Jaroslaw; daughter-in-law, Iryna; grandson, Orest; and nephew, Vladimir Melnik, and his wife, Helen.

A panakhyda (requiem service) was held on May 26 at the Lytwyn and Lytwyn Funeral Home in Union, N.J. The funeral liturgy was held on May 27 at St. John the Baptist Church and burial followed at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery in South Bound Brook, N.J.

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