Mark Bandera

 On April 28th, my beloved husband entered his Eternal Rest with our Lord. Mark died suddenly from cardiac arrest just before a rehearsal with the folk music ensemble, Slovanka, at the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, DC.
 Mark was a fierce patriot of Ukrainian causes. He had a passion for life and had plans to expand his musical fundraisers for humanitarian aid in Ukraine. He navigated the sea of his life with gracious warmth, positivity, and humor in all that he accomplished.
 During his youth in New England, he made many enduring friendships through his active participation in PLAST and enjoyed being a "vykhovnyk" (scout leader) at camps.  A talented musician, Mark could be found playing bandura by the campfire nightly.  He was a music teacher to hundreds of bandura students across North America.  In the late 70s and early 80s he played with the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus and toured internationally including Australia.  Mark earned his undergraduate degree in Economics, and graduate degrees in Library Sciences and Slavic Studies.  We met in 1984 when Mark was at University of Alberta.  In 1993, we were blessed with our son Paul and soon thereafter moved to the United States.  A devoted father, Mark enjoyed long conversations with Paul, sharing music, and playing soccer in the backyard.  He was a loving husband, and we shared a joy for nature, gardening, travel, and exploring the beauty of the National Parks.
 The Ukrainian language, customs and identity were a driving force in Mark's life.  His mission was to ensure that our beautiful culture would never be forgotten.  The Ukrainian community has lost a talented and devoted steward and generous philanthropist.  Following in his father’s footsteps, Mark was a board member of the Ukrainian Federation of America.  He touched many lives and left behind a legacy of aid to our homeland and to the Ukrainian diaspora.  Mark will be remembered as a man of wisdom and humility, with twinkling happy eyes and a sense of humor.  We were blessed to know him and were enriched by his warmth and friendship.
 Mark and I are together “forever and always” as was the saying in our 32-year marriage.  He is also survived by our dear son Paul, parents Volodymyr & Nina, brother Peter, sister Christina, nephews, nieces, and other family across the US, Canada, and Europe, all whom he loved dearly.
 The family looks forward to praying with you at services this week.  Please honor Mark by wearing  something with embroidery (Ukrainian vyshyvanka - embroidered shirt).

 Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at 6:30 PM at Annunciation BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church, Melrose Park, PA.  Requiem Liturgy will be celebrated at 7 PM.  

 There will be additional calling hours on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at 10:30 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, 394 Blackstone St., Woonsocket, RI with Requiem Service sung at 11 AM.  

 Burial services for Mark will be held in June at St. Michael Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Glastonbury, CT at a date to be determined.  
 

May his memory be eternal!  вічна пам'ять!
 

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