Plan for the Future
Victor Fomchenko of Whippany, NJ passed away on November 30, 2024, he was 84 years old.
Victor, or Dedu/Grandpa as his grandchildren called him, was born in Russia on April 3, 1940, to Stefan and Vera (Morozova) Fomchenko.
Victor immigrated to America in 1950 and grew up in NYC. He met and married the love of his life, Carol (Lebitz) Fomchenko in Brooklyn NY. They moved to Whippany where they resided for 57 years and raised their family. Victor received an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from New York City Community College of Applied Arts & Sciences. He worked in manufacturing as a Tool and Die maker for most of his career at GP Technologies and then Howmet Aerospace. He loved spending time with his family and friends, ballroom dancing, music, tinkering in his garage and had a strong love of animals. He found pleasure in the simple things in life like a good cigar, a cold beer, a pastrami sandwich from Katz Deli, and an occasional visit to the casinos. Victor had a great sense of humor and was an empathetic, loving person. Through retirement he spent his time with his family, enjoyed watching old movies, trading stocks, making jokes and walking his dog, Fiona. He was very mechanical and could figure out how to fix most things. He was especially generous and loving to his family. In addition to being a wonderful and supportive father to his four children, he was a father figure for many of his extended family.
Victor is survived by his wife Carol, his sister Zina Ferenc and her husband Myron; and his children Steven and his wife Lisa; Victor and his wife Lynne; Nicole and her husband JB; Christine and her husband Jim. As well as 11 grandchildren: Katie Fomchenko; Sarah Fomchenko and her husband Adam Polevoy; James, Victoria and Anna Daniel; Nicholas, Joseph and Abbie Fomchenko; James, Liliana and Corinne Egbert, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 PM on Sunday, December 8th at Bradley Braviak Funeral Home, 49 Whippany Rd, Whippany, NJ. There will be a prayer service at 10:30 AM, December 9th followed by Internment at Restland Cemetery in East Hanover, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital and/or Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter, East Hanover NJ.
Why I Honor the American Flag
by Nicholas Fomchenko (7th grade)
The year was 1950 and it was just three days before Christmas when a young boy, just ten years old, pulled into the NY harbor and saw the Statue of Liberty for the very first time. He was on a ship named the General Taylor arriving in NYC from Germany. Soon after arriving in Manhattan the boy and his family met their sponsor and settled into their first home in NYC. His parents worked long hard days. Life was not easy but so much better than where they came from.
He was born in Russia in 1940. Life in Russia was very hard. There was a war going on and they were being invaded by the Germans. They fled Russia and began traveling across Europe. They were captured by German soldiers and placed in a labor camp. He was separated from his father for a couple of years. At the end of the war, they were able to cross into West Germany. Here they lived until they were able to find their way to America.
From his very first moment in America, he knew that he wanted to become a citizen. He no longer lived in fear. When he turned 18, his dream came true. He felt incredible pride to fly the American flag on his front stoop where his family lived.
This is my grandfather’s life story. My grandfather has taught me a lot of things in life. One thing that stands out is his pride in America and why we should always honor the American Flag. It was through hard work and perseverance that my grandfather went on to make a good living and raise his family in the country he dreamed of as a boy. I think about his life story and what the American flag symbolizes to him. It’s hope, freedom, opportunity and a safe place to settle in and call home. My grandfather was born in Russia, but he is a proud American that flies and honors the American flag. I thank him for his stories about his journey and teaching me the importance of honoring the American flag. At my house, I will always fly and honor our flag.
