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. He married Ann Koba on August 30, 1957, a week before his ordination. Together, they raised five children—Demetrian, Myron, Yvonne, Corina, and Tania—instilling in them a deep love of faith, heritage, and service. Father Dornic later became a cherished grandfather and great-grandfather to many.
In Baltimore, he served as pastor of St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church and founded St. Mary's Assumption Byzantine Catholic Church in Joppa. He championed affordable housing for immigrants and seniors, establishing Lemko Senior Housing, Tatry Housing, and St. John's Assisted Living. In 2004, he led efforts to preserve St. Stanislaus Kostka Church as a Slavic cultural museum, organizing community events filled with polka music, dancing, and celebration. A tireless visionary, he was known as "the priest who would take anyone in," his kindness touched hundreds of lives.
Father Dornic lived entirely for others, offering spiritual guidance, practical assistance, and unwavering compassion to all who came to him. He was preceded in death by his parents Vasil and Maria Dornic and siblings. He is survived by his wife Ann, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and countless friends and parishioners whose lives he touched.
Viewings was at Schimunek Funeral Home, 9705 Belair Rd, Nottingham, MD, on Thursday, October 9 and will be held (Today) Friday, October 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.
Funeral Liturgy (Byzantine Rite) will be held Saturday, October 11 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Assumption Eastern Rite Catholic Church, 2807 Mountain Rd., Joppa, MD.
May the Lord grant rest to his righteous soul, and may his memory be eternal.