Anatolij Sufler

  Anatolij (Tony) Sufler fell asleep in the Lord on Monday, April 3, 2023.  Tony was born on April 8, 1932 in Lozova (between Poltava and Kharkiv) in Ukraine, to parents Dmytriy and Anna (Voronin) Sufler during the Holodomor in Ukraine.  The Sufler family suffered many hardships during the war, fleeing to the Donbas area and losing Tony’s brother Victor during a tragic mine explosion.  Tony also suffered life-threatening injuries, but survived.  The Sufler family ultimately came to Bayreuth displacement camp and emigrated to Philadelphia in 1949. 

  Tony met and married his wife Vera Ralko in Philadelphia on February 11, 1961.  Tony and Vera had two children, Anatole and Natalie.  Tony loved to spend time with his family and when his family grew when his children wed, Anatole to Diane (Maccia of blessed memory)  and Natalie to Oleh Bilynsky, he loved to spend time with his grandchildren Samuel and Isabelle (children of Anatole and Diane).  He enjoyed summers at Glen Spey and the Poconos with family surrounding him.

  Tony was a life-long active member of his church St. Vladimir Orthodox Church in Philadelphia.   As a member of the parish board, he served as an officer for decades, including President for several years.  He also sang in the choir and was a long-time member of the Ukrainian Orthodox League.  The church was the center of his life.

  Tony worked as a mechanic and in the later stages of his career was a master mechanic working on Rolls Royce automobiles until he retired.  More than his career, Tony was an artist.  He was an avid painter and a master pysanky writer.  He shared his talents with others in the parish and taught youth to write pysanky for decades.

  He is survived by his loving wife, Vera, his children Anatole and Natalie Bilynsky (husband Oleh) and grandchildren Samuel and Isabelle.   Donations in memory of Tony can be made to St. Vladimir UOC.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on April 7, 2023 at 12:00 at St. Vladimir Cathedral.  Services will be celebrated at 12:30.  Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery. 

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