Obituaries

John Joseph Bondarchuk

Longtime Orient resident John Joseph Bondarchuk died Jan. 15 at Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport. He was 83.

He was born March 30, 1929, in Greenport to Ivan Evgenovich and Johaska (Adamiak) Bondarchuk and graduated from Greenport High School in 1947. He married BettyJane Vail on May 11, 1952, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Greenport.

After serving in the U.S. Army Infantry 11th Airborne Division from 1954 to 1957, he worked as a stationary engineer at Eastern Long Island Hospital for 23 years.

Mr. Bondarchuk belonged to American Legion Burton Potter Post 185, was a firearm safety instructor with the National Rifle Association and had served as president of and hunter safety master instructor for the Mattituck Gun Club. A 49-year member of the Orient Fire Department, he had also served as junior and senior warden and in the vestry and choir at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and was grand patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, Stirling Chapter.

Family members said his hobbies included hunting, fishing, target shooting and photography. He sang with the North Fork Chorale, where he was known for his beautiful bass voice, they said, attended programs at Custer Institute and traveled the world to witness rare astronomical events. He also enjoyed carpentry, finish work and gardening, according to his family, and would share “hundreds of dozens” of his beautiful daffodils with friends and family.

Predeceased by his wife in 2007, Mr. Bondarchuk is survived by his sons, John and Dana; his daughters, Laurie, Jennifer and Cheryl; his sister Helen; his brother Alexander; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was also predeceased by his sister Anne in 2003 and by seven brothers: James in 2008, Peter in 2006, Walter in 2003, Frank in 1999, Harry in 2010, Dimitri in 1989 and Constantine in 2012.

The family received visitors Jan. 18 at Horton-Mathie Funeral Home in Greenport, where a Firematic ceremony was conducted by members of the Orient, East Marion and Greenport fire departments. A service was held Jan. 19 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Father Paul Wancura officiating, followed by an OFD escort to Orient Central Cemetery and interment with military honors.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 768 Main St., Greenport, NY 11944 or American Legion Burton Potter Post 185, P.O. Box 125, Greenport, NY 11944.