Michael M. Rachko

The Very Rev. Michael M. Rachko, 90, passed away Monday, Nov. 5, peacefully at Forest City Nursing Home after an illness. He was the widower of Jean Oleynik Rachko, who died Feb. 15, 1986.

Father Michael was born in Maysville, Pa. on April 27, 1922, a son of the late Michael and Julia Bader Rachko, he was a graduate of St. Tikhon's Monastery and was ordained a priest in April of 1944 in New York City. In his lifetime he served as pastor in many parishes throughout the Northeast. He was a founding member of Christ the Saviour Easter Orthodox Church, Harrisburg. He also worked as a systems analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Father Michael is survived by a daughter, Theodora "Terri" Bruno, Rockland Twp. Pa.; three brothers, George Rachko, Woodbury, N.J..; the Rev. Dimitri Rachko, Minneapolis, Minn.; and Peter Rachko, Frackville; a sister, Mrs. Helen VanCleave, Dallas, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by brothers, the Very Rev. John Rachko and Stephen Rachko; and a sister, Mary Harahus.

The funeral services will be Friday at 6 p.m. with a Panikhida in St. Tikhon's Monastary Chapel, South Canaan, and funeral Liturgy on Saturday at 8 a.m., to be celebrated by Bishop Tikhon. Interment, St. Vladimir Orthodox Cemetery, Trenton, N.J.

Arrangements by the Ryc zak-Harrison Funeral Home Inc., 901 Lackawanna Ave., Mayfield, www.harrisonfh.com.