Walter Wowtschuk

Wowtschuk, Walter

Former Putnam Valley resident Walter Wowtschuk died March 23, 2011, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He was born July 7, 1924, in Nikopol, Ukraine to Fedyor and Elizabeta Vovk. Walter's education at School # 9 was interrupted in 1941 by the German invasion of the Soviet Union. As a teenager he joined the Ukrainian resistance movement, fighting against Nazi, and later against Soviet occupation. The end of WWII found Walter in a "Displaced Persons" Camp in Regensburg, Germany; in the American zone.

In Regensburg Walter attended college, played billiards with American GI's, and met Maria Zywotchenko. Walter and Maria were married in Regensburg, Germany, on May 13, 1948. His dream of emigrating to the United States was realized in September of 1949, when Walter and Maria arrived in Boston Harbor aboard a troop transport ship returning from Europe.

Initially taking any job available to him, and usually working two or three jobs, Walter worked as farm laborer, car washer, carpet mill laborer, night shift baker, and caretaker. As his English language improved, he found steadier work as a laboratory technician. He worked for the Graphite Corporation in Yonkers, NY, and later for the Mearl Corporation in Peekskill, NY. In 1959, he was hired to an entry level position by Walter G. Legge, founder of the Walter G. Legge Co., in Peekskill, NY. Walter's work for Mr. Legge went from entry level, to chemist, to plant manager. Walter retired as President and CEO of the Walter G. Legge Co.

In 1998, at the Israeli Consulate in New York City, Walter was honored to accept Yad Vashem's medal and certificate of honor awarded posthumously to his parents Fedyor and Elizabeta Vovk as "Righteous Among Nations". At great personal risk, Walter's family had rescued and sheltered a Jewish family from certain execution at the hands of Nazi occupation forces in Nikopol during WWII.

Walter had many interests. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, snorkeling, boating and traveling.

He is survived by Maria Wowtschuk, his wife of 62 years. He leaves three children, Ihor Wowtschuk, Luba Shukers, and Elizabeth Bauer; and 4 grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the HERITAGE FUNERAL HOME, Morrissey Drive, Putnam Valley. Parastas, the Ukrainian Orthodox Vigil Service, will be held at 3:30 PM on Sunday, and Ukrainian Orthodox Funeral Services will be held on Monday at 11 AM at the Funeral Home with Bishop Michael Javchak Champion of The Descent of the Holy Spirit Parish officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

Heritage Funeral Home

35 Morrissey Drive

Putnam Valley, NY 10579

(845) 526-3000