Archpriest John D. Bohush fell asleep in the Lord on January 21, 2022. Born on August 10, 1934, in Endicott, NY to the late John H. and Anna (Chura) Bohush. Father John was a graduate of Union Endicott High School in Endicott, NY and a graduate of Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, South Canaan, PA in 1957 and Wilkes College, Wilkes Barre, PA. During his senior year of seminary, he met Mary-Ann Benyo at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery and they were married on March 2, 1957, at Saint Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA. While in seminary the young John Bohush was a student choir director and was close to Saint Nikolai Velimirovic of South Canaan and Zicha.
After seminary Father John decided about his life whether to be a professional baseball player or work to support his family. Father John chose to work a secular job for Ozalid, a Division of GAF in Illinois. In 1957, Father John was ordained a deacon at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago, IL by Archbishop John of Chicago, and Minneapolis of blessed memory. On September 27, 1958, Father John was ordained to the Holy Priesthood at the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in New York City by Bishop Andrei of the Bulgarian Church who filled in for the ill Metropolitan Leonty. Father John’s first pastoral assignment was at Saint Michael’s Orthodox Church in Syracuse, NY. Father John also served Saint John’s Church in Conemaugh, PA, Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Carnegie, PA, Saint John the Baptist Church in Nanticoke, PA, and then subsequently Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Philadelphia, PA until his retirement in 2015. Father was attached to Saint Vladimir Orthodox Church in Trenton, NJ until his repose. Father John was also the scout leader for his three sons, of which all three sons were Eagle scouts and recipients of the Alpha Omega award.
In 1969, Father John served as a Captain in the United States Air Force. He was first stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, IL and then being assigned to Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan. Matushka and the boys followed him when Father was sent to serve his country in Japan until 1976 being given an honorable discharge and then served at a parish in Philadelphia, PA.
Father John is preceded in death by his beloved wife Matushka Mary Ann and son Priest John David III, parents John and Anna, brothers Archpriest Peter, Alexander, sister Matushka Nina Stroyen.
Father John is survived by his sons Rev. Deacon Mark (Matushka Patricia) and Matthew (Kristine), Matushka Joanna, grandchildren Tatiana, John David IV (Anastasia), Andrew and Mary and beloved great-grandchildren Natalia, and John V, sister Elizabeth, sister-in-law Nancy and many nieces and nephews and godchildren.
The schedule of services for Father John is as follows:
Services will be held at Saint Vladimir Orthodox Church, 812 Grand Street, Trenton, NJ 08610. His Eminence Archbishop Michael will be presiding with visiting clergy.
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
5:00 PM Calling Hours
6:00 PM Burial of a Priest
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
9:00 AM Calling Hours
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy
2:00 PM Interment at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Cemetery, South Canaan, PA
Flowers and donations in memory of Father John may be sent to Saint Vladimir Orthodox Church, Trenton, NJ.
May Father John’s memory be eternal!