Ihor Paul Husak

Ihor Paul Husak, 89, of Northampton, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Fellowship Manor, Whitehall, with his family by his side. He was born on January 18, 1937 in Pidhaitsi, Ukraine, son of the late John and Anastasia (Blaszkiw) Husak. 

They were displaced refugees from the Eastern Front of the Second World War, taken and transported to Germany by the Nazi army, where they were impressed into forced labor. After the war ended, the family lived in Bremen, Germany for several years, where Ihor began his schooling. The family secured sponsorship to emigrate to the United States, generously provided by the Berehulak family of Mechanicsburg, PA. They settled in Northampton, where they lived out their lives, diligently working factory jobs, owning homes, attending church, and being active members of the Ukrainian-American community.

Ihor continued his education, earning a diploma from Northampton High School. He became a naturalized United States Citizen in 1955. He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy (Takacs) Husak, in 1959. He went on to earn a diploma in Radio and Television Repair in advance of being inducted into the US Army in 1960, stationed at Ft. Hood, Texas, where his language skills (in English, Ukrainian, German, and Russian) proved valuable for translating intercepted military communications from Cold War Europe.  

After completing his military service obligation, Ihor and Nancy returned to Pennsylvania, where they started a family, and Ihor built a very successful career in the retail industry, rising through the ranks of merchandising and store management, culminating in the position of Store Manager of the flagship Hess’s Department Store on Hamilton Street in Allentown, at a time when that store was a hub of commercial, cultural, and entertainment activity in the city. He subsequently took on the role of Purchasing Director for the entire 78-store chain prior to his retirement Throughout his life, he was a talented craftsman, woodworker, and auto mechanic. He was a thoroughly committed do-it-yourselfer, and a selfless neighbor and friend to many.

Ihor was preceded in death by Nancy by four months. He is survived by his son, David Husak and wife Becky of Windham, NH; daughter, Susan Hertzog and husband Tom of Northampton; grandchildren, Aaron Hertzog, his wife Alyssa, Olivia Husak, and Piers Husak. 

Services: Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, on Main Street in Northampton. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Reichel Funeral Home, Northampton. 

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Battle Borne (https://wearebattleborne.com/), an charitable organization supporting returning veterans in the Lehigh Valley, in memory of Ihor.