Tombstone Tuesday: Paul & Ocie Ruczhak

Uncle Paul (Ruczhak) is my grandfather’s brother. I thought it appropriate to feature him his week since, on Thursday (8 January) this week, it will be 20 years since he passed away.

The stone is a simple one with our Orthodox crosses (notice the footrest, which is different than that of a Catholic or Protestant cross). The praying hands in the center and the ovy leaves on either side of those hands, is exactly the same as his parents, Panko and Bessie Hruszczak. Uncle Paul and Aunt Ocie’s stone reads:

Ruczhak

Paul 1922-1995

Ocie M. 1915-1989

One his side of the stone, a flag is seen with a marker. He had enlisted in the Army 1 December 1942 in Philadelphia. He was released on 3 November 1945. I know nothing of his service time however, except obviously it was during World War II.

He is buried with his wife, Ocie Mae Bailey, in Holy Ghost Ukrainian Cemetery. They were married 20 September 1958 at Holy Ghost Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Coatesville. They did not have children.

Ocie was from Mohawk, West Virginia. She is the daughter of Emerson and Lydia Bailey.

Tombstone Tuesday is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers.

Photo and text by Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman

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