John Dytiuk, 90, of Wethersfield, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 31, 2023. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Alice and youngest son, Jerry. John was born December 22, 1932 in Batkiw, Ukraine. He married Alice Lokot August 30, 1958. She was the love of his life, always was and always will be. John is survived by his son Myron and his wife Areta Pidwerbetsky along with two grandchildren, Andrew and Nina.

After spending time in a displaced persons camp in Europe, he arrived in the United States with his parents Prokop and Malanka. He volunteered to join the US Air Force and was stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas where he worked as a dental specialist until his discharge in 1955.

John was a collector at heart and always found something new to learn and read. Throughout his life, he collected and studied coins, stamps, Ukrainian postcards, and military items from World Wars I & II, along with rocks and minerals, butterflies and worldwide scouting items. These were just a few of the many other interests he had over his lifetime. He loved learning the background and history of everything he collected.

He loved to fish, garden and enjoyed being outdoors and watching nature. It brought joy to his soul until the very end. Towards the end, he sat by the picture window and pointed out the different wildlife that would come and visit. They were always well fed.

John was also a sports fan. He rooted for the Dallas Cowboys (It was America's Team) and the Boston Red Sox. He freely volunteered his time, be it at the Ukrainian self-reliance credit union or PLAST, the Ukrainian Scouting Org. of which he was a lifelong member. John was the oldest member of the XMEL Scouting Fraternal Organization. He was always happy to volunteer and help someone was in need. He installed a curiosity of learning and appreciation of the small everyday things that most people don't notice. After his beloved wife died, he always looked forward to playing cards at the Ukrainian National Home every Wednesday with the other widows and widowers from the parish.

He loved spending time with his grandchildren and everyday conversation would start off the same, "How are Nina and Andrew." John never missed his sons' sporting events, Little League, Soccer or Wrestling matches. We will miss you, Dad. You will always be in our thoughts and memories. Godspeed.

Calling hours will be Saturday, August 5 from 9-10 a.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield. A Panachyda Service will conclude the calling hours at 10 a.m. followed by a church service at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, 135 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the PLAST-Ukrainian Scouting Organization USA, 700 N. Cedar Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046. To share a memory of John with his family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.

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Published by Hartford Courant on Aug. 3, 2023.