NOTES ON PEOPLE (12/29/02)

NOTES ON PEOPLE

Boston-area activist marks 90th birthday

by Zenon Mihovan, Eleanor Gemski,
Mary Ann Grinchenko and Elizabeth Gemski

BOSTON - William Mihovan, a tireless activist of the Boston area Ukrainian community, marked his 90th birthday on December 23.

Mr. Mihovan was born in Boston on December 23, 1912, to Alexia and Zenovia Mihovan. When he was 1 year old, William and his family returned to Kostenchi, a town in the Bukovina region of Ukraine. He lived in Ukraine until 1928 and at age 16 he returned to Boston with his sister Agnes. After working odd jobs to establish himself in the community, Mr. Mihovan began his career in culinary arts and became the head chef and manager for Filene's department store restaurant in downtown Boston.

On January 24, 1937, Mr. Mihovan married Mary Berez. The newlyweds became active church members and the Ukrainian customs and traditions with which they were raised were valued and nurtured in their home. They were proud parents of three daughters: Zenna, Eleanor and Mary Ann, and two sons-in-law, John Gemski and Anatole Grintchenko. The family was the top priority for Mr. and Mrs. Mihovan, their children were loved and cherished and the family shared many beautiful memories. The Mihovans were married for 56 years and were blessed with nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. On August 30, 1993, Mrs. Mihovan died from complications of Alzheimer's disease.

In 1928 when Mr. Mihovan returned to the United States he became an active member of the St. Nicholas Church in Cambridge, Mass. The church merged with St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Boston, and he became an active member of the executive board in 1941. He also served on the building committee for the new St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Church located in Jamaica Plain, Mass., which was built and dedicated in 1959. Mr. Mihovan served as the parish's first president for four years.

He continued his dedication to the church and served on its executive board in many different capacities for over 40 years. Mr. Mihovan was an active member of the church choir, and he created a senior volunteer organization, consisting of retired men and women who were tasked with maintaining the parish and its grounds. The senior organization is in existence to this day and continues to clean, repair, remodel and landscape the church property. In December 1994, Bishop Antony presented Mr. Mihovan with a plaque commemorating his lifelong service to the Church and named him honorary president of St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Mr. Mihovan was president and an active member of the Ukrainian National Association Branch 238 in Boston for over 40 years. He attended and served as a delegate to several UNA Conventions.

He helped in establishing the Ukrainian Fraternal Credit Union in Boston. He was nominated to be the first vice-president on the board of trustees and continued as vice-president of the credit union for 40 years. He retired his position at the age of 85. He also has been a lifelong member of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America.

After working at Filene's department store for 31 years, Mr. Mihovan retired. He has survived his wife, Mary, and his two sisters Agnes and Stephania. He lives in Plymouth, Mass., and continues to remain active in his community and remains a faithful servant of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Jamaica Plain, Mass.

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