Alex Wasylychyn 1924-2026

Born Dec. 3, 1924, Alex Wasylychyn to Harry and Mary Wasylychyn, Alex was the youngest of six children. He, his mother and siblings all worked to support one another when his father passed away at the age of 42, and he was just 7 years old during the Great Depression. He and his brother Marion “Bill” began working as shoeshine boys at ages 8 and 9 years, frequenting the businesses of downtown Youngstown, which he could recall in great detail until the end of his life. He was very proud of his mother, a Ukrainian immigrant who worked as a custodian in the Youngstown Public Schools and whom he helped to study for and pass her American citizenship test when he was a student at South High School.

At the age of 18, weighing just over 100 pounds and 5 feet 2 inches tall, he squeaked by the U.S. Army enlistment standards and became a foot soldier in World War II, serving his country for four years. He fought at the Battle of the Bulge and witnessed the liberation of Dachau concentration camp survivors in Germany. He returned home a changed man, physically and mentally, having grown seven inches and having endured the unfortunate tragedies of war. After a brief business venture in the scrap metal trade with his brother, he was employed by the U.S. Steel Ohio Works, where he worked in the chem lab for nearly 40 years until his retirement at the mill’s closure in 1980.

Alex met his wife, Ann (nee Soroka), who was a waitress at the Flat Iron Canteen, while he was having lunch with his sister-in-law. Seeing her across the room, he said, “I’m going to marry that girl.” And so, as was true throughout his life, when he set his mind to anything, he accomplished it.

They were married May 8, 1948, at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church and shared nearly 70 years of faithful love, purified and strengthened by a commitment through life’s trials and joys. They enjoyed traveling together, especially flying cross-country to visit their children and grandchildren who lived in California and whom they cherished.

Alex was a strong extrovert and found joy in others’ presence. He tried to be a friend to all, was a natural conversationalist, and was so genial with people of every walk of life that, truly, once you met him, you felt as if you’d always known him. He was a “tall-tale” teller, having a way of making common experiences colorful and entertaining in the telling. Indeed, some stories that seemed too fantastic to be true to his family members, with later evidence, proved to be so (mostly).

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren remember their beloved “Grampa” as direct, humorous, fun-loving, playful, a fiercely competitive poker / card player, devoted, doting and loyal to his wife, family and extended family. He was supportive and interested in each of their unique interests and goals in life and encouraged them both by his example of tenacity and grit and also by his words to make the most of the gift of life they were given and to enjoy the work they were called to. He would say, “If you want to be a janitor, be a good janitor; if you want to be a doctor, be a good doctor. Enjoy what you do.”

His will to live, to be a supporting presence to his wife, and his resolute spirit helped him to overcome a 40-year smoking habit in his 50s and to change his diet at the age of 80 when diagnosed with diabetes so that the diagnosis was reversed. He looked for the silver lining in any situation and accepted the challenges he faced in life by being adaptable and as engaged in life as possible, having driven and lived independently into his early 90s.

Alex was a prolific reader, especially of crime novels, until his eyesight declined, and was always a classic movie buff. In his last years, he especially enjoyed watching old Westerns with his daughter for hours at a time.

Alex was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ann; parents, Harry and Mary; sister, Ann Colucci; and brothers, Nick, John, Paul and Marion “Bill” Wasylychyn.

He leaves to cherish his memory his children, Alexis (Pete) Tsikouris of Campbell, Allen (Phyllis) Wasylychyn of Lake Milton and Alexander (Dede) Wasylychyn of Prunedale, California; his grandchildren, Melanie (the Rev. Joseph) DiStefano, the Rev. Demetrios (Shelly) Tsikouris, Alexander (Anna) Tsikouris, Alan Michael (Jaimie) Wasylychyn, Heather (Fil) Silva, Lisa (Dan) Ackerman and Rachel Pack; his 17 great-grandchildren, Michael Seraphim, Zoe, Sophia, Anna, Despina, Panormitis, Nektarios, Despina, Paisios, Themelina, Arsenios, Keira, Avery, Jaxson, Mallory, Everly and Layla; as well as nephews, nieces and beloved family and friends.

Friends and family may pay their respects 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Road, Youngstown, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Brendan Catholic Church, 2800 Oakwood Ave., Youngstown, officiated by the Rev. David Merzweiler.

A committal service with military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, where Alex will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife.

The Wasylychyn and Tsikouris family members wish to thank the staff of Windsor House in Canfield for the excellent care they provided Alex for the past four years and especially these last few months when his health declined, with special gratitude to nurses Tammi and Leigh, and care providers Theresa, Amanda, Lenai, Jose “Jesus,” David, and Shirlaia and Genai (the two “Glorias”).

Memorial contributions may be made to the Yost Community Food Pantry, 1320 Grandview Road, Lake Milton, OH 44429.

Visit kinnickfuneralhome.com to send condolences to Alex’s family.

(special notice)