Obituary of Very Rev. Fr. Mykola Krywonos

Very Rev. Fr. Mykola Krywonos fell asleep in the Lord on November 22, 2025, at Phelps Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, NY.

He was predeceased by his parents, Kondrat and Anna Krywonos; his sisters, Anastasia Minenko and Raissa Fedoriw; his brother, Oleksij Krywonos; his beloved wife, Rita Krywonos; and his son, Volodimir Krywonos. He is survived by his son, Andrey Krywonos; daughter-in-law, Betsy Krywonos; grandchildren Caroline, Nicholas, and Maxim; his sister-in-law, Kathleen Krywonos; as well as nieces and nephews in the United States and Canada, and extended family in Ukraine.

Fr. Mykola was born on January 20, 1937, in the village of Murafa, Ukraine. In 1942, during World War II, he and his family were taken by the Nazis and forced into a labor camp in Munich, Germany. After the war, they lived in a displaced persons camp until a family in Texas sponsored their immigration to the United States. From Texas, they moved to New York City and eventually settled in the Rochester area.

He attended Benjamin Franklin High School in Rochester, where he was an active Boy Scout and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served until 1962. Following his military service, he took courses in mechanical engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology and began working as a mechanical designer. In 1968, he married Rita Herrneckar, and together they raised two sons.

Outside of work, Fr. Mykola had a lifelong love of the outdoors. He enjoyed camping and mountain climbing, and for a time owned a camping store. He also led white water rafting trips and an Explorer troop, sharing his passion for adventure and mentorship with others.

Although he continued his work as a mechanical designer, Fr. Mykola felt a profoundly deep call to the priesthood. In 1977, he began his studies at St. Andrew’s College in Winnipeg, Manitoba, a seminary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He was ordained on March 28, 1981, at St. Andrew Cathedral in Jamaica, NY, after which the family moved to their first parish assignment in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He later served parishes throughout Manitoba, as well as in Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, before returning to New York State.

In 1985, he and Rita endured the heartbreaking loss of their son Volodimir after a tragic accident. Later that year, they moved to Utica, NY, where Fr. Mykola was assigned to Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He later served St. Michael Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Woonsocket, RI, St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Herkimer, NY, Holy Cross Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Utica, NY, Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Cheektowaga, NY, and St. Michael's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Hudson, NY.

In 1999, Fr. Mykola returned to Ukraine for the first time since childhood. Deeply moved, he dedicated himself to supporting orphanages and helping build and restore churches, raising funds and collecting supplies in the United States, and traveling to Ukraine to deliver aid and continue his work. After the passing of his wife in 2010, he spent much of his time in Ukraine continuing this work. It was with great sorrow that he was forced to flee after Russia’s attack in 2022, though he was grateful to have been able to visit Ukraine again one last time shortly before his passing.

Fr. Mykola’s life was marked by faith, resilience, and service. He was devoted to God and his Church, and he cherished his family, friends, and the Ukrainian people. He will be remembered with profound respect and lasting affection.

Memory Eternal!

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 7 pm at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 3176 St. Paul Blvd. in Rochester NY, followed by a funeral service at 7 pm. A Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the church at 10 am on Friday, Dec. 5, followed by interment at Webster Union Cemetery.