Obituary of Yaroslaw D. Oleksiw

The world lost a good man as Yaroslaw Oleksiw passed away on October 24 after bravely battling an assortment of health issues and complications. He was 89 years old.

“Jerry” was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was also a kind and generous friend, mentor and partner to many others who were lucky enough to meet him.

He was born on March 22, 1934 in New York City to Michael and Anastazia Oleksiw. His mom died of cancer when he was only 13. Since his father was a hard-working, blue-collar man (shoemaker, painter), a number of older cousins on the Savitsky side of the family lovingly helped look after him and keep him on the straight and narrow as he grew up.

As a teen he was smitten with the woman who would become his wife. He earned an engineering degree from City College in New York and held several jobs before finally ending up at the J. C. Penney Company. As a young engineer hired by Penney, he started, built and grew their merchandise testing center. He expanded it from New York into East Lyme, Connecticut and eventually relocated it to Dallas, Texas. He put his heart and soul into that role and influenced the lives of many with whom he interacted. He was consistently described by others as thorough, precise, and tough but fair. The company was lucky to have him.

Jerry is predeceased by his beloved spouse, Valentina “Valerie” Oleksiw to whom he was deeply devoted through their seven decades together. They lived in Jackson Heights, NY and North Bergen, NJ before moving to Port Washington, NY to raise their boys. She and Jerry celebrated their 65th anniversary together this past May. He will be forever remembered as a dedicated father to sons Steve (and his wife Mary Anne), Rich (and his wife Carmen), Paul (and his wife Jeanine), Dan (and his wife Stacy); cherished grandfather to Steven, Kyle (and his wife Jackie), the late Reed, Lauren, Tyler, Morgan (and her fiancé Kayleb), Heather; an overjoyed great grandfather to Grayson; and positive influence to so many other family members and friends.

It was obvious how much he missed Valerie after she passed. We are grateful to know that he no longer needs to suffer, and that he is now reunited with her in Heaven along with all of those who left this earth before he did.

Viewing is Monday, October 30 from 4-8 at Fairchild Sons in Manhasset. Funeral mass is Tuesday at 9:30 am at St Peters of Alcantara in Port Washington, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery.

Rest in Peace, Jerry Oleksiw! We love you!

The family would encourage that any donations be made in Jerry’s name to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at: Macular.org