Reverend Ivan Dusan Dornic

Beloved Shepherd, Servant of God, and Pillar of Community

Reverend Ivan Dusan Dornic, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and priest, went home to the Lord on September 27, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was 94.

Born on February 13, 1931, in Udol, Slovakia, Father Dornic's life was marked by faith, courage, and service. As a child, after a skiing accident led to blood poisoning, doctors declared him dead. During that time, he experienced the glory of heaven-hearing angels sing and seeing his late mother-before being sent back with her words that he had "important things yet to do." From that moment, he dedicated his life entirely to God.

Fleeing communist Czechoslovakia, he arrived in the U.S. with Freedom Fighters from the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and completed his theological studies at Christ the Savior Seminary in Johnstown, PA. There he met his beloved wife, Ann (Koba), and together they raised five children-Demetrian, Myron, Yvonne, Corina, and Tania-anchored in faith and service.

Father Dornic served parishes in Pennsylvania before settling in Maryland, where he founded St. Mary's Assumption Byzantine Catholic Church in Joppa. A tireless visionary, he also helped establish the National Slavic Museum, Lemko Senior Housing, and other ministries serving immigrants, seniors, and those in need. Known as "the priest who would take anyone in," his kindness touched hundreds of lives.

He is survived by his wife, Ann; children; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and extended family.

May his memory be eternal.