Buffalo community recalls last year's tragic deaths of two young men (04/21/02)

Buffalo community recalls last year's tragic deaths of two young men

by Bohdan Bejger

BUFFALO, N.Y. - A year ago, Buffalo's Ukrainian community received the tragic news that a car accident claimed the lives of two of its young, promising members, Adrian Deputat and Ihor Pikas. They were traveling to a Ukrainian social event in Philadelphia when the tragedy occurred.

Another passenger and close friend, Yura Prawak, was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Though his recovery was slow and painful, it has been successful. Mr. Prawak is again pursuing his studies in the medical profession.

On Sunday, February 10, a memorial liturgy for Messrs. Deputat and Pikas was offered at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kenmore, N.Y. A capacity crowd of relatives, friends and co-workers of the deceased from the Ukrainian and American communities joined to pay their respects to the memory of two outstanding young men, cut down in the prime of their lives.

Uniformed members of the Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, formed an honor guard for their two departed brothers. The church choir, under the direction of Zenon Deputat, father of Adrian, sang with great emotion. Both Ihor and Adrian were active members of the choir. Especially poignant was a duet, "Viruyu," sung by Zenon Deputat and Adrian's brother, Myron. It evoked a host of memories and brought tears to many participants' eyes. Adrian used to sing this part during Sunday services.

During liturgy the Rev. Stepan Kuklich, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church, spoke very eloquently about the untimely loss of these two gifted individuals, the incomprehensibility of this occurrance and its effect on the Ukrainian community. The pastor emphasized the remarkable unity brought about by this tragic event, as people of different religious persuasions, secular organizations and all segments of the community came together as a family of Ukrainians.

The sudden death of these two talented young men brought about the realization of man as a finite being, subject to the dictates of a higher power. It led all to a re-examination of self and of actions towards each other.

A poem by Dr. Michael Burtniak, written shortly after the tragedy occurred, served as a fitting and eloquent tribute to the memory and spirit of Messrs. Deputat and Pikas.

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