Wasyl Kotys

“Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower, we will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind.”

— William Wordsworth

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Wasyl Kotys

	Wasyl Kotys, of Ukrainian descent, was born on May 28, 1946 in Wolawyznia, Poland. He was the youngest of five sons born to Justyna and Jan Kotys. After World War II, the residents of Wolawyznia were forced to leave their homes due to the Nazi occupation. Wasyl grew up in Nielep until the age of 17, when his parents decided to emigrate to the United States, where family members already resided in Passaic, New Jersey.

At the age of 25, Wasyl visited Nielep where he reunited with his childhood friend and neighbor, Helena Chomiszak. Shortly after his arrival, their relationship flourished and they got married. The young couple moved to Passaic, NJ with plans to start a family. Wasyl and Helena bought their first home in Clifton, NJ in 1975. They raised two daughters, Ola and Milena (Mila), in Clifton until 1983, the year they purchased their second home in Elmwood Park, NJ.

Wasyl was an active member of his community. He worked for 38 years as a mechanic for Nabisco and rarely missed a Sunday mass at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church. He was passionate about the ocean and enjoyed countless days of fishing and relaxing on the beach. Wasyl loved following and debating politics, especially as they pertained to his home country of Ukraine. He was devoted to his granddaughter, Isabella, whom he showered with love and affection.

Wasyl took an early retirement in June 2006 after being diagnosed with lung cancer that had spread to his brain. He battled his ailment bravely, enduring countless chemotherapy and radiation treatments for over a year. Unfortunately, medical efforts were insufficient. Wasyl Kotys passed away in his home, surrounded by his wife and two daughters in prayer, on November 17, 2007.