Alexander Wasiuta

Alexander (Oleksander) Wasiuta, 90 from the Fairmount area in Philadelphia. died July 25, 2024.  He was born on July 6, 1934 to parents Iwan & Klara Wasiuta in Ukraine.

He was one of eight brothers. The family came to America in 1951 from Ellwangen, Germany and settled in Williamstown, New Jersey and from there the family moved to Philadelphia. 

Many may not know that Alex was an usher guard at the Astor Theatre once located at 7th Street and Girard Avenue and he worked at John Wanamaker Department Store in the stock room.  He went on to become a security guard for the 2601 Apartment building for a short while before gaining employment at Goldsman, Inc. a material handling equipment company which made boxes for the United States Military Services. This was where his talent shined as a carpenter.  He could read a ruler like no one else could, between the spaces there were lines he would say, and the measurement needed to be exact. 

Alex worked his way up working in the shop to running the facility for the owner till his retirement.  He was in charge of reading prints and set up jobs for these storage boxes being built for military equipment’s and department store such as Bamberger’s and Strawbridge & Clothier.  He was very proud of this work.

Then he became involved with Ukrainian Club on 23rd & Brown Street and was the president for 11 years . Alexander enjoyed family dinners, fishing, working on his car, carpentry, playing his harmonica and seeing his grandchildren, and he loved scratch off lottery tickets.

Alexander met the love of his life, Olga Starjawetz, and they were married in 1954 and had two children. He was a loving husband, grandfather and uncle.  He loved being involved in the church every Sunday as the church usher.

Alexander was drafted into the army in 1957 and served proudly; he would say it was an honored to serve this country.  If you saw him he was always wearing his hat with the army symbol on it. 

He is survived by his loving wife Olga and daughter Maria (Jeffrey) and grandchildren Jeffrey Jr.(Sara-Rose) and Christine; daughter in law Janet and grandchildren Lisa Marie (Jeff), Michael (Brielle) and Mykola and 3 great grandchildren: Aria, Nathan and Alexander. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers, Michael, Gene, Steve, Bill, Myron and his own son Michael Alex Wasiuta.  We will all miss you…

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Tuesday at 9:30 AM at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church.  Requiem Services will be sung at 10:30 AM.  Committal Prayers, preceded by Military Honors, will be held at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Alex's memory may be made to Samaritan Life Enhancing Care.

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