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Josyp Terelya Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Josyp Terelya
59 Entries
Annie Allen
May 26, 2025
I'm hoping this page is still active: I would like to get in touch with someone from Josyp's family because I have a painting of his that I would like to give to them. The painting is of Christ crucified and Josyp gave it to a priest friend of mine, Fr. Bob Hughes of San Jose, CA, who gifted it to my parents. My parents are now elderly and in memory care and I have the painting. I would like to find a good home for this special painting, either with Josyp's family or a church in Ukraine or the Ukrainian Catholic community. Thank you.
Michael Brady
April 5, 2024
I read Witness and was struck by its reality of Faith in action. I thank God for working through this saintly man in spite of evil. I love Josep and beg forgiveness for my sins and the sins of the world. My best to his family always. God be praised forever
Scot
June 13, 2023
Good Man!
Joan Haselman
March 1, 2023
I just read his book. I am deeply touched by it and by his heroic life. He and his wife and family are in my prayers, and I humbly ask for his prayers.
Eternal Rest grant unto Josyp Terelya, O Lord. May Perpetual Light shine upon him. May Josyp Terelya, and all of the Faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, Rest in Peace. Amen
scott peterson
October 24, 2021
I just read his book(Witness). He was and is a saint. He is a real insperatio for me. I will pray for him and ask him to pray for me.
K C
December 11, 2020
This man was (is) a great saint! His life and example have been an inspiration to me and my husband. Thank you, Josyp for your exemplary life!
Jasmine Williams
May 3, 2009
"Memories of a wonderful child of God, Josyp Terelya.
We will always remember him and love him for all the work he did on Earth for the greater glory of God - his dedication to his mission, and his love for God.
I saw Josyp Terelya some years ago at the St. Francis of Assisi Church here in Ottawa, along with his dear friend, and interpreter, Bishop Roman Danylak.
Later on, I met Josyp and his first wife, Olena, at Marmora. It turned out that Olena was a friend of some friends of mine in Jamaica. Josyp told my friends about Marmora, and had driven this couple, visiting Toronto, far enough along the route, so that they could find the Greensides Farm, Marmora.
Subsequently, I met Josyp again with Olena, at Marmora, when a nun from Ghana, and myself were going to get some Holy Water near the Grotto. They had just finished praying, and were descending the hill to leave. I introduced the nun, to them. Olena, took off a "sweet-smelling" rosewood Rosary, and gave it to the nun, saying: "My husband, just gave it to me, but please take it, and PRAY for my daughter". The nun was a bit surprised, but she took this lovely Rosary and promised to pray for their daughter.
Something similar happened to Lucille Gauthier's daughter at Marmora, with Josyp. (Lucille is a friend from our La Pieta Prayer Group Branch in Ottawa). Josyp met Lucille and her daughter, and during the interaction at Marmora, he took a Rosary from around his neck, and placed it around the neck of Lucille's adult daughter. He told them, that this Rosary has been to Medjugorje several years. Lucille was SHOCKED, that Josyp would give away a Rosary, so, so precious to him. Lucille later asked him WHY, or HOW HE COULD PART WITH IT. Josyp told her that her daughter
NEEDED IT! To this day, Lucille told me that her daughter has this Rosary by her bed, and that she DID NEED IT.
So, this is just one example, to show how selfless, and loving Josyp Terelya is. He placed the needs of others before his. These examples also show that Olena and Josyp are NOT attached to earthly things - even something as precious as their Rosaries.
May his soul rest in Peace. May he pray for the salvation of the rest of us, as he enjoys bliss, in the Kingdom of Heaven". Jasmine Williams, Ottawa, Ontario.
Edwin & Yolanda D'Silva
April 28, 2009
Joseph Terelya has reaped the rewards of his suffering on earth and we pray that he is enjoying eternal happiness.
Maria Meszaros
April 15, 2009
Re: April 9 entry by Ms. Veronica Garcia - i am sure she meant to say that now we have a Powerful Advocate in Heaven, not adversary. May Josyp continue to help us, and be able to help us even more now, than when he was limited in the material world.
Christus Resurrexit, Alleluia! Alleluia! Vere Resurrexit! Alleluia!
Josyp's Hungarian friends in Detroit
Veronica Garcia
April 9, 2009
Now we have a powerful adversary in Heaven! If he did this much on earth, think of the multitudes of souls he can reach there! I am honored to have called him friend, honored to have been able to attend his final services and eternally blessed to have prayed with him. Thank you my Jesus for loving us so much. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus hold all who loved Josyp in His Heart where we all may live through eternity.
Kelly Piet
April 5, 2009
God bless you and may you be reaping the rewards now and having eternal joy and rest for having victoriously ran the good race! :)
Mary Jo Raftery
April 4, 2009
Sam, You and Josyp are in my heartfelt prayers - In Jesus and Mary, Mary Jo, your room-mate in Medjugorje last Fall.
Walter Melnyk
April 3, 2009
Deeply feeling your absence and keeping you in my prayers
Peter Bandera
April 1, 2009
Slava Herojiam ! One of the great Ukrainian heros of the post-war generation. Vichna Jiomu Pamyat ! Dr. Peter Bandera
Jim Singer
March 25, 2009
God bless you, my beloved old friend. I will always treasure our personal bond and all you and I shared over these past 18-19 years. I am happy knowing that you, too, will intercede for us, with our Blessed Lady, before our beloved and merciful Lord.
By the Good Lord's grace, until we meet again, my brother....!
Jim Singer
Cecilia Robinson
March 24, 2009
Because of Josyp's great sufferings, sacrifices and hard work battling the Adversay in defense of his faith, he is now enjoying the eternal bliss in Heaven reserved for the chosen ones. Now, we, who are still struggling on earth, ask him to pray for us that we will also have the courage, determination and conviction to be faithful to the Church and to defend our faith to the fullest. Josyp, you are truly a gift to the world, and we thank You, Father, for giving him to us during our time.
John Manion
March 24, 2009
Josyp and I met briefly at the Greensides Farm in Marmora a few times. The last time was just before he suffered his first heart attack. I was walking toward him to introduce myself when he surprised me by saying, "Jack, we have to hold a seminar to tell people why Marmora. People come here. They have a good meal. They spend time with their friends. They pray. They go home. They do not know why Marmora. We must hold a seminar to tell everyone why Marmora is important." That was our last contact and the seminar never got held but maybe now Josyp, together, you there and your friends still here may together get the message out as to why Marmora is important to North America and the world. As was quoted to me from one of your earlier messages about Marmora from Our Blesssed Mother. "Many people will come here. It will be as important to North America as Medjugorje is to Europe. This place is so holy even the ground is sacred."
Josyp you have been a good witness and many will miss you here. I offer my condolences for your loved ones who have been deprived of your earthly presence. May God console them as He continues to provide for and protect them. Amen.
Kathy Recicar
March 24, 2009
I met Josyp in 1990, and his warmth and desire to speak with anyone who wished to talk with him, pray with him, was so touching. We corresponded in Russian at Christmas, with my husbands help. He will be dearly missed, but I am glad his suffering on this earth is over. This man suffered as no other, and his reward will be great, I know.
Fr. Peter Pidskalny
March 24, 2009
May the Lord reward him for all his good deeds and his example of Christian witness to the world.
Eternal Memory
March 24, 2009
He was a Saint who loved God and the Blessed Virgin Mary so much that he suffered for our faith, a faith that people just take for granted.
Andrew Sorokowski
March 24, 2009
May he rest in the Lord, and may his memory be eternal.
Josyp Terelya was one of the most important lay activists in the history of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, and through his self-sacrifice contributed to its legalization in 1989-1991.
Virginia Smith
March 24, 2009
What a great lost to the World.
Pray for us Josp, as you are now with your beloved Mother, and her loving Son Jesus.
Rest in Peace our faithful friend, as you have earned your Reward..
Our deepest symaphy to your loving Family, who has lost a beautiful
Father, and Friend.
Through Mary to Jesus,
George & Virginia Smith USA.
Virginia & George Smith
March 24, 2009
Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
Joann Lavin
March 24, 2009
REST IN PEACE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!
Rodriguez
March 24, 2009
What a Witness for the Lord! His suffering during his lifetime as stated in his book, was an inspiration to millions. The world has lost a Saint but Heaven is rejoicing that he is finally home. Pray for all of us left here on earth. Our sympathy and prayers go out to the family for thier personal loss. God Bless Josyp. Rodriguez Family, Florida
March 24, 2009
I will be forever inspired by his courage and dedication.If ever there was a true man of faith this was that man .... Bob Cunningham Hamilton Ont.
Mary Barela
March 24, 2009
Our prayers are with Josyp's soul and his family, we have offered a mass for him. Josyp was a great preacher of the gospel and he touched so many lives, he truly was a warrior for the Lord and Our Lady. His gift of art has touched us so deeply. We are humbled when we think of his generosity. In Christ, James and Mary
Theresa Maquar
March 23, 2009
Pray for us, Josyp. I remember vividely and fondly meeting you when you were here in the New Orleans area years ago. You touched my life and the life of many of us here. Your courage has stood before me as a shining example of true faith and perseverence. May our dear Lord and His Blessed Mother richly reward you for your sacrifices. You will be missed but I know your spirit will be with us to give us courage. Thank God for the gift of your life. May your family take consolation in knowing that you are now in heaven watching over them. Please pray for us and our families as we struggle on our journey to heaven.
Mayble Boynton
March 23, 2009
As I read his book, I was so deeply touched and inspired. He will be dearly missed. Josyp, Please pray for us ALL on earth as we will do the same.
You are so blessed and he is with God now and the Blessed Mother. May God continue to bless his family...
Fanny Krawiec
March 23, 2009
May Our Lord and His dear Mother come to his aid and may his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. May Our merciful Savior give His comfort and strength to your family . May we all follow the Lord with the holy example of your Josyp, and may he pray for us at the throne of grace and mercy. Fanny Krawiec Vernon,N.Y.
March 23, 2009
Pray for us Josyp...You are home with Our Loving Savior...May that beautiful consolation be at the heart of all who grieve your loss.
Linda Madigan Madigan
March 23, 2009
I was so privileged to have met you. You knew I was having financial problems. I bought 2 of your posters but gave them to a friend who was Ukrainan. A former Dr who helped me suffered so much for this assistance to me.. He was Ukrainan also. Your struggles give me hope.Thou my anger is justified I know it does no good. I must "let go and Let God as you did. Please pray for me that I can be the witness that you were in some small way. I am filled with sorrow but shall persevere due to your example. Linda Madigan Chicago. I will call on you now to show me the way .
Mark Splain
March 23, 2009
A friend gave me Josyp's book "Witness" years ago. That's exactly who and what he was for all of us who never had the chance to meet him.May God console all of you as you grieve your loss.
Mr and Mrs Good
March 23, 2009
Please accept our sympathy during this sad time for all of your family and friends. I have known about Josyp for years and consider him to be very holy. Surely, our Blessed Lady is with him now again. Our prayers will be with you also.
Bernard Jolette
March 23, 2009
May God bless you dear Josyp...your story and faith in our Lord is an example for us all. May the family receive peace, comfort and joy in the months to come. Union in prayer. Bernard Jolette (Canada)
Bernard Jolette
March 23, 2009
May God Bless you dear Josyp...your story and faith in our Lord is an example for us all. May the family receive peace, comfort and joy in the Months to come. Union in prayer. Bernard Jolette (Canada)
Helen Schultz
March 23, 2009
I am so sorry for Your loss. I have read about JOSYP some years ago. I was just enthralled with our Most Blessed Lady coming to his aid in the gulag. I am even more attached, since this past year, my daughter served for a little over 2 years, in Ukraine, in the American Peace Corps.
God bless all of You....and bring You His comfort.
Helen
USA
Anna Filak
March 23, 2009
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Diane Esguerra
March 23, 2009
I read some of Jospyp Jaromyr Terelya's books and was amazed at what he had to go through for the Lord. May he rest in peace and be greatly rewarded by the Lord he served so well.
SILVIA DOMINGUEZ
March 23, 2009
DESDE LA CIUDAD DE MEXICO, D.F. LAMENTAMOS PROFUNDAMENTE LA MUERTE DEL SEÑOR JOSYP TERELYA, Y DAMOS GRACIAS A DIOS PADRE CELESTIAL, EL HABERNOS CONCEDIDO, UN HERMANO, TAN ENTREGADO A SU MISIÓN COMO ÉL. Y DAMOS GRACIAS AL PADRE CELESTIAL PORQUE ATRAVÉS DE SU MENSAJE, TENEMOS EN MEXICO 3 AÑOS CUMPLIENDO LA PETICION DE NUESTRA MADRE SANTISIMA CON EL CENACULO DE ORACIÓN QUE ELLA ATRAVES DE JOSYP NOS PIDIÓ POR LA PAZ DEL MUNDO Y LA PAZ DE LAS FAMILIAS.
DESCANSE EN PAZ. Y PEDIMOS TU INTERCESION DESDE EL CIELO POR TODO EL MUNDO. SILVIA D. MEXICO, D.F.
March 23, 2009
My condolences to the family. Eternal rest be granted to you, Jospy forever.
Pray for us.
Delphia Thomas
Ogden, UT
Rosi Schaefer
March 23, 2009
My prayers go with you, for the repose of the soul of Josyp, and for peace and strength for his family. I thank God for Josyp's life and the example he has shown us in being a faithful servant of the Lord...especially in times of suffering. He has touched my life through his book, "Witness".
Eternal rest grant unto him through the mercy of our Lord.
Please pray for us, Josyp.
A friend in Christ, Rosi, from Salem, Oregon...USA
val hoeft
March 23, 2009
May the Light of Our LORD Jesus and his holy Mother Mary be with you Always VAL HOEFT Peace to our World!
LUBA MOSKAL
March 23, 2009
Spi' Spokiyno, Yosype - Rest in Peace, Joseph! Being acquainted since the 1960's in Ukraine, either in person, or hearing about you, your writings, or simply hearing your voice, be it on Radio Free Europe, Liberty, VOA, Deutcheweller, or the Vatican You were an inspiration not only to our family, but to thousands throughout the Soviet Union. In 1988, when I was finally reunited with my husband Yuri, and you, Olena and your three children arrived in Canada stateless after the Reagan-Gorbachev Summit in Iceland, you continued your activities at various gatherings and conferences, not only in Canada, but throughout the world. After Ukraine's independence in 1991, you, along with your spiritual director Bishop Roman Danylak, my husband Yuri and other friends, travelled on numerous humanitarian missions to Ukraine. Few are aware of these undertakings, as they were projected from above.
Your good deeds will never be forgotten.
Sincere condolences to "Sam", the family in Canada and in Ukraine.
Spi' Spokiyno Yosype!
frank boland
March 23, 2009
May God be gracious unto you, Josyp-
Frank B
March 23, 2009
Josyp, Your life’s story has been an inspiration to all of us. You faithfulness to Christ and his Church and the graces by your “Witness” has paved the way to salvation for untold numbers of souls. Josyp please continue to pray for us as you join the Angles and Saints in the awesome presence of The Trinity. In loving memory, Paul in the USA
March 23, 2009
I know this is late, my condolences to the family. I have a painting of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in my living room that he painted. I think of him often when I look at this painting.
Our Lady will keep him busy. Although sorry to see him go, I am happy to have Josyp as a new intercessor.
Maria and Laszlo
March 23, 2009
Imadkozz erettunk a Menyorszagbol, Josyp! May his work be even more fruitful from Heaven!
Your Hungarian friends in Detroit
Bob Glorius
March 23, 2009
We have all been blessed by his presence. Years ago, a fellow pilgrim took a photograph of Josyp and myself at HOLY LOVE’S Maranatha Spring Shrine in Elyria, Ohio. We were celebrating the June 19th and 20th, 2004 feasts of The Sacred Heart of Jesus and The Immaculate Heart of Mary. This past week after learning of Josyp’s death, I gazed upon his picture and saw many wonderful images of God’s loving Grace.
Josyp wears a King’s Crown on his forehead. It rests inside a large shield of the HOLY TRINITY and the SACRED HEART of JESUS. A large fish swims to JESUS carrying a shield holding a Cross of SACRIFICE and a Sword of TRUTH. Josyp was a most blessed soul. He has touched all our hearts.
pat kolb
March 23, 2009
The love of Jesus and the Blessed Mother be with this holy man and you the family. May we all continue to serve and suffer as he did for us all. Praise be the Lord for men like Josph. Pat Kolb, Wabasha, MN
Daniel Bianchi
March 23, 2009
I have already ask Josyp to pray for me as I am praying for him. (communion of saints) I have read all his books. I have heard him speak in many places. He has been an inspiration for me for 20 years. God be with Josyp's wife and children. Dan Bianchi 1255 Coventry Court Windsor Ont. THANK YOU JOSYP
March 23, 2009
Condolences to the Family of Josyp Terelya. Louise
Roy & Carol Tenn
March 23, 2009
In loving rememberance of our dear friend Josyp and our codolence to his wife children, grandchildren, and family in the name of Jesus and our blessed Mother Mary to whom we pray for his soul.
March 23, 2009
Condolences to Josyp's family and friends. Thank you Josyp for your steadfast love for God and His Church. Your courage is an inspiration for many. You are a Saint..you will surely be missed.
Diane Fusco
March 23, 2009
My condolence to the Terelya family for their loss. In heaven Josyp will realize just how many lives he has truely touched.
Sincerely,
Diane
Sylvan Springs
March 23, 2009
May Josyp find peace in the arms of Our lady of America who will be there to help welcome him into heaven. Your insights and model for fidelity to Our Lord's call will be always remembered. Thank you for sharing so openly with us. Pray for us!
Our Lady The Immaculate Virgin, Rome City, IN
March 23, 2009
Dear Heavenly Father, Inspired by the Holy Spirit through the intercession of your beloved son Jesus and his beloved mother Mary I ask you for a plenary indulgence for the soul of Joseph Terelya...for all pains of punishment of his sins to be forgiven and for him to dwell in your heavenly kingdom forever. Amen Barbara
March 23, 2009
CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY OF JOSYP TERELYA.
MARIE R. JOHNSON,
P.O.BOX 75986
LOS ANGELES, CA 90075, USA
Yuri-George Moskal
March 21, 2009
Veechna Tobi Pamyat! To a true friend, believer, comrade! I have known, been associated with, loved Yosyp since the early 1960's in Ukraine, through his gulag years there, and then finally here in Canada in 1986, when I was permitted to return to my homeland, and he arrived with his family after the Reagan/Gorbachev summit in Iceland. Ever since we were associated as friends, colleagues not only in Canada, Cuba, Russia, Ukraine, and elsewhere, but also as an interpretor to Yosyp, at various meetings, conferences, religious cruises, humanitarian projects, and what have you. He was instrumental in preaching the Lords teachings not only in Canada, but mostly in his beloved Ukraine, where he became a Volodymyr Vinnichenko Prize Laureate, among other awards.Together with his spiritual director Bishop Roman Danylak, and the church, he was able to "work wonders" in the name of his beliefs. As author of numerous publications, and works of art, he lived in what he believed in, no matter where it occurred be it in the 23-years of gulag life (escaping 13 times) in Soviet captivity, or in his activities in freedom. He often spoke of his visits to the Vatican, and discussions with Pope Paul, who blessed his doings. Yosyp Terelya has gone down in history,and will be eternally remembered. Condolences to "Sam", his family in Canada and Ukraine, as well as to all who knew him.
YURI-GEORGE MOSKAL
Oakville, Ontario
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