Obituary of Very Reverend John Fatenko

The Very Reverend John Fatenko passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 9th, 2023 surrounded by his family. Very Reverend John was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine on October 9, 1928. At the early age of five, he survived the Holodomor (Ukrainian Famine) of 1932-1933. During World War II his family escaped communism and were sent to Germany to a camp for displaced people. They remained there until 1949. Fortunately, they were sponsored by a farmer to come to America. They remained in Virginia and worked the farm until their debt was repaid. After repaying the cost of sponsorship they reunited with friends in New Jersey. In 1952, John saw Nadia across the church choir room and he knew that she was the love of his life. They shared four children and made many happy memories in their 67 years of marriage. His love for the church has always been evident. He was one of the founding members of St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yardville, NJ. After a long 30-year tenure at General Motors, he finally was able to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a priest. He was ordained on November 3, 1991 in South Bound Brook, NJ. He served as priest for 10 years at St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Later, they relocated to North Port, Florida, where he served as a priest at St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Church for 20 years. He is survived by his loving wife Nadia and four children, Tanya Mostrowski (Anatoli), Alex Fatenko (Eva), Lea Juzwa (Michael) and Zena Horton (Jason). He was also deeply loved by his grandchildren: Melanie (Taos), Bianca, Stephen (Ilona), Adriana, Alyssa, Alexander and Gabriel. His great-grandchildren, Sage John ("Ivanchyk") and Amelia Michelle brought him pure joy. He will be eternally missed by all of his family, friends and all that knew him. In lieu of flowers, he preferred contributions in his honor be directed to St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yardville, NJ, situated at 839 Yardville-Allentown Road, Yardville, NJ 08620. Visitation will be Friday, December 15, 2023 from 6:00 PM until the time of service at St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Yardville. Priestly wake services and Panahida services will be Friday 7:00 PM. Divine Liturgy will be concelebrated 9:00 AM Saturday, December 16, 2023 at St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yardville. Burial will be in St. Andrew's Ukrainian Orthodox Cemetery, South Bound Brook, NJ. Condolences may be sent to www.koschekandporterfuneralhome.com