Plan for the Future
Stefan Kaczaraj
4/11/1941-8/10/2024
On Saturday, August 10th, 2024, we lost our beloved Tato, Stefan Kaczaraj, a caring husband, father and grandfather and dedicated leader in the Ukrainian-American community. Tato was immensely proud of us and instilled a strong work ethic, to strive to always be better, to be generous with our time and to give back to the community.
Stefan, of Budd Lake, NJ, was born on April 11, 1941, in Verbycia, Ukraine, and spent his youth in Ulm, Germany prior to emigrating to the United States in 1955. He graduated from City College in 1966 with a Bachelors in Business Administration. Following his graduation, Stefan joined the U.S. Army serving with commendable performance as Specialist Fifth Class in the Office of the Executive for Requirements in Washington, DC.
Following his honorable discharge in 1968, Stefan returned to New York where he met his beloved wife Siania at a zabava (dance) hosted by the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka. Stefan was active in Dumka and Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization as a member of the Chervona Kalyna fraternity. Stefan and Siania married in 1970, and over the next 54 years, Stefan dedicated his life to family, friends and the Ukrainian-American community.
Stefan began his career in 1968 at the accounting firm of David Berdon & Co. and worked as a public accountant before joining the Ukrainian National Association (UNA) in 1993. He served UNA for almost 30 years, including as an executive officer for more than 25 years. Stefan was elected president of the UNA at its 35th Regular Convention in 2002, a position he held until his retirement in 2022.
In addition to his service to UNA, Stefan had unwavering dedication to the Ukrainian-American community and held leadership roles at a number of organizations. These included serving as a director of the Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union for more than 30 years with a period as its Chairman of the Board; Chairman of the National Council (Krayova Rada) of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America since 2004; and a founding board member of the Soyuzivka Foundation. Stefan was also an active member of the Ukrainian Museum and Ukrainian Institute of America, among other organizations.
When not engaged with his community activities, Stefan enjoyed watching classic movies, spending time at Soyuzivka (UNA’s resort in the Catskills) and with his family.
Stefan is survived by his loving wife Swiatoslawa (Siania), his children Adriana (Hal) and Talia (Barry), grandchildren Alexa, Gregory and Ella and his sister Maria (Michael). Stefan was preceded in death by his parents, Anna (née Seniw) and Mykhailo.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Stefan’s honor to the Ukrainian Catholic University, Ukrainian National Foundation, Inc. (Ukrainian Weekly/Svoboda Press Fund) or the Ukrainian Museum.
ВІЧНАЯ ПАМʼЯТЬ!
