Bohdan N. Korzeniowski

Bohdan Nicholas Korzeniowski died peacefully at Southampton Estates, surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the age of 77.

Bohdan was a three-decade employee of the City of Philadelphia, the Deputy Director of Aviation of the Philadelphia International and Northeast airports. He was a founding member of the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Jenkintown, PA and helped found the Ukrainian Federation of America (UFA), a non-profit humanitarian organization, which he led for ten years as its first president. Bohdan was an active member of PLAST Ukrainian Scouting Organization’s “Lisovi Chorty”, and Ukrainian Engineers' Society of America.

Bohdan is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Ksenia (née Fedoriw), daughter Katria Kowal (George), three sons: Luka (Christina), Pawlo (Elizabeth), Matej (Karen); seven grandchildren: Maya, Roman, Zoriana, Joseph, Nadia, Lily and Ava; and his sister Maria Boszko (Dr Yurij) with family, and many cousins, nieces and nephews in the US, Ireland, Sweden and Ukraine.

Bohdan was preceded in death by his infant brother Roman and parents, Alexander and Irena (née Glowa).

Bohdan was born in Jaroslaw, Ukraine on December 19, 1941. During World War II the family was forced to flee their homeland and eventually settled in Australia where Bohdan spent his formative years. After a decade in Australia, the family reunited with Alexander’s siblings in Philadelphia and Bohdan graduated as a member of the 213th class of Central High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Drexel University in 1966 and began his career with the City of Philadelphia in the Water Department.

As the long-time Deputy Director of Aviation, Bohdan was responsible for airport operations, planning, security and maintenance, and oversaw the expansion of the PHL International Terminal. During his tenure he was often seen interviewed on television during snowstorms, bomb threats, and taxi strikes. In 1991, Bohdan was instrumental in organizing the UFA humanitarian relief flight of medical equipment for Ukraine on “Mriya”, an Antonov 225, the world’s largest cargo plane.

Bohdan was an active volunteer and deeply committed individual who provided critical leadership to the cause of freedom and peace for the people of Ukraine and to the well-being of the Ukrainian diaspora in the United States. He played a critical role in the efforts to create awareness and develop support for Ukraine in the US Congress - an effort that resulted in the formation of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and major advocacy for Ukraine.

In February 2019, Bohdan was awarded The Alexander B. Chernyk Medal by the Ukrainian Federation of America, where he joined such distinguished leaders as former Congressman Jim Gerlach and Mike Fitzpatrick and Ambassador Taylor, reflecting the esteem, gratitude and respect given him by the Ukrainian community.

An avid bowler with The Men of St Matthew, Bohdan was a dedicated family man who enjoyed fishing, camping, cooking, gardening, reading science fiction and model train building. He preserved his Ukrainian heritage and traditions and hosted many family events, serving his versions of Ukrainian cuisine. He was a dedicated volunteer and member of the Annunciation BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church in Melrose Park, PA.

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