Michael Fedirko

One Hamilton Avenue

Princeton, NJ 08542

609-924-0018

On Monday May 17th, 2021, Michael Fedirko left our lives and was greeted by the adoring arms of our Lord. Both our family and country have lost a true hero, a gentle man, and a gentleman.

Michael was born in Elizabeth, NJ in 1923 and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. He then worked at Eastern Aircraft (General Motors) in Linden, where the aircraft F4F Wildcat was built for the Navy and Marines. Michael was inducted into the US Army and attended basic training in North Carolina. He traveled by troop train to Aerial Gunnery School in Laredo, TX. This school taught the science of aerial combat along with the operation of four gun turrets on the B24 aircraft under high altitude conditions. His troop was shipped to Naples then to Caserta, then to Corsica, Italy. It was there that he met his new tent mates to the 489th Bombardment Squadron, 340th Bombardment Group, 57th Bomb Wing, and 12th AirForce. The 340th toured Rome Arno, Northern Apennines, Po Valley, Southern France, Central Europe and Air combat Balkans.

Michael was a proud WWII Veteran and truly is the last of “The Greatest Generation”. He served his country with honor (Michael received the Distinguished Unit Badge, the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal) and continued to be active in military posts, veterans organizations, and reunions. Michael Fedirko was the Post Commander for the Ukrainian American Veterans Post 6 of which he was one of the founders in 1946. Most members of the Post are WWII veterans who fought the Western front in Europe and in the Pacific. One of the most important projects to Mike as a member of Post 6, aside from saluting fallen comrades on Veteran’s and Memorial Day, was its “Adopt-A-Hospital” program. Over 70 containers of hospital donated medical equipment and furniture were sent to Ukraine on container ships over a course of several years with the help of US Army transports. The UAV Post recently helped to promote the Ukrainian National Monument in front of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church in South Bound Brook, NJ. Michael Fedirko co-presented the wreath at this monument on Veteran’s Day 2017 in the attendance of thousands, including Vice President Mike Pence. Also very important to Michael and the UAV was the illumination and commemoration of the Holodomor of 1932 (Stalin’s Famine Genocide of Ukraine wherein approximately 11 million Ukrainians were killed). Michael felt it was a moral duty to honor and remember the victims of this horrible and tragic fact. Perhaps Michael’s greatest and longest affiliation was with the 57th Bomb Wing. This group consisted of the 310th, 319th, 321st and 340th bombardment groups who fought in the European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) campaign from 1942 to 1945. Michael made and kept many friends and family of veterans through this organization. He served as a President and served his role with seriousness and diligence. He attended reunions throughout the United States. He was joined by his nieces, Lisa and Evan, on a reunion in Nevada and they could see firsthand the fun, respect and camaraderie that these veterans all received. Michael’s last reunion was in New Orleans just a few years ago where he was revered and awed by the locals and their hospitality as well as seeing the fascinating National WWII Museum there. To the day he passed, Michael was surrounded by the good works, deeds and memories of his friends at the 57th.

A pious man, Michael remained a devout communicant of St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church. He was a man of faith and a man of prayer. Michael became active in many church youth groups, including the Ukrainian dance group, the youth league and bowling league. He started an investment group with his future brother in law, William Polewchak. He even made his own Bandura (a 20 stringed instrument native to Ukraine) with friends from the Ukrainian National Home in Jersey City. He was a quiet man of reflection but he outwardly enjoyed family moments, a good joke and times of celebration as well. That was Michael; an American, a Ukrainian, a Catholic, a Veteran, a son, a brother, an uncle and a friend to all. Mike would want to thank his neighbor and friend Dave for all the help, Heineken conversations, and company; and special gratitude to Mike Hrycak of the UAV. Tara and Little Boy are holding a spot for you and Diamond is still waiting to enter the Iditarod.

Michael is predeceased by his wife, Anne Fedirko, his brother George, sister Anna Polewchak and parents Ahafia and Alexander. He was surrounded by his loving nieces, Lisa Anne Polewchak and Evan Polewchak Jasinski, at the time of his death and always. He leaves behind several nieces and nephews, a lot of fond memories and a whole lot of goodness.

Some people have a way about them……a kindness…..a presence, that was Mike. He always said yes, was always eager to help; to listen; to continue an interesting conversation. He was trustworthy and loyal, still driving and shopping at 96 and fiercely independent. He honored his country and his flag. His deep unwavering faith led him to adore his God. You would never see this man take a knee, except in prayer. Let’s all raise a glass and lift a spirit. Thank a Veteran. Do a good deed. Be kind. Be patient. Be prayerful. Have a toast to this angel who lived among us and remember Michael. “Na Zdorovya”! He earned his wings twice.

The Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 11:00AM in St. Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, 309 Grier Avenue, Elizabeth, NJ 07202 followed by interment in Hazel Wood Cemetery, Colonia, NJ.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, May 25, 2021 from 1:30PM to 3:30PM at Krowicki-McCracken Funeral Home, 2124 East St. Georges Avenue, Linden, NJ 07036. Parastas will be at 2:30PM.

Contributions, in his memory, to Ukrainian American Veterans, Inc., 201 Osprey Point Drive,

Osprey, FL 34229-9234 (uavets.org) or 57th Bomb Wing, Treasurer, Denise Emler, 3404 Reedsport, Bakersfield, CA 93309 (57thbombwing.com Newsletter Donation) are appreciated.