Priest John Bohush, 56, Associate Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Church here, fell asleep in the Lord at UHS Wilson Hospital on Monday, September 8, 2014.
Father John was the beloved husband of Matushka Joanna [Pianovich], with whom he would have celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on October 5, 2014.
Born in Clinton, IL, on November 29, 1957, Father John was the son of Archpriest John Bohush, Pastor of Saint Nicholas Church, Philadelphia, and the late Matushka Mary Anne [Benyo] Bohush. He graduated from Kubasaki High School, Okinawa, Japan as a member of the National Honor Society; Wilkes University with a Bachelor of Science degree; MS from Binghamton University; and Master of Divinity degree from Saint Tikhon’s Seminary. Father John was an Eagle Scout, having earned the Orthodox Alpha Omega Award. He retired from IBM, Endicott and Rochester, MN, in 2007, having earned a US Patent Award in computer programming in 2010. He was most recently employed as software developer by Security Mutual Life, Binghamton, NY.
Upon completing his studies at Saint Tikhon’s, Father John was ordained to the diaconate in 2007 and holy priesthood in 2011, serving the Diocese of New York and New Jersey of the Orthodox Church in America. He was very active at his parish, Saints Peter and Paul Church, Endicott, NY, where he served as church school director, parish president, and most recently “R” Club president.
Father John was known for his generosity, wit, humor, and love for cooking. He enjoyed sports, wrestling and playing football in high school as well as participating in band. He was a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan and was Fantasy Football champion of a family league in 2013. His family was the center of his life, and he will be remembered as always offering himself to others.
Father John is survived by his wife and children, Tatiana, of Philadelphia, and John and wife, Anastasia [Bilas] and new love of his life, first grandchild, Natalia, Akron, OH; brothers, Deacon Mark and Patricia and nephew, Andrew, Vestal, NY and Matthew and Kristin Bohush and niece Mary; father-in- law, Archpriest Eugene and the late Matushka Joanna Pianovich; brothers and sisters-in law, Archpriest Daniel and Myra Kovalak, (Daria [Rev. Barnabas] and Natalia [Matthew]); Archpriest John and Eugenia Perich (Taisia and Alixandra [Joseph]); Subdeacon Mark and Valerie [Alan, Jason, Mark]; and several great nieces and nephews.
Visitation will begin at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 210 Hill Ave., Endicott, NY, on Friday, September 12, at 2:00 p.m. At 5:00 p.m., the Order of the Burial of a Priest will be celebrated. The Divine Liturgy and Panikhida will be celebrated on Saturday, September 13 at 10:00 a.m., with his Grace, Bishop Michael presiding, along with Archpriest Alexey Karlgut, Priest Timothy Holowatch, and family and diocesan clergy. Following a repast, interment will take place at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Cemetery, South Canaan, PA.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Father John’s memory to Saints Peter and Paul Church or Saint Tikhon’s Summer Camp, 1950 Butler Pike #109, Conshohocken, PA 19428.
May Father John’s memory be eternal!