Michael Jurczak

Michael Jurczak died Sunday at St. Luke's Hospice House in Bethlehem, PA.  He was 87.

Born in Brozhniv, Ivano-Frankivska Oblast, Ukraine, Michael was a son of the late Petro and Paulina (Super) Jurczak.  During World War II, Michael and his family fled Ukraine and re-settled in Germany from 1942 to 1945.  There he gained the passion for soccer and became a student of the sport.  Soccer came naturally to him.  

In 1951, the family was sponsored by friends and immigrated to America with mother Paulina and brother Stefan Jurczak.  The move to America resulted in being separated from his father Petro and sister Kateryna permanently.  They hope to reunite but regrettably the opportunity never presented itself. 

The family settled in a popular Ukrainian community in Philadelphia near the Ukrainian Cathedral.  Michael attended Northeast Catholic High School where he showcased his soccer skills and earned All-Scholastic and All-Catholic honors.  He spent two years at Temple University and then on to Elizabethtown College on a Chemistry scholarship where he continued to showcase his soccer skills and set records.  In 1960, during his senior year, he surpassed the College record and set two new records with most individual goals (30) and most points (67) that still stand to this day.  

In September of 1964 he married Irena Melnyk and their union gave the world two sons, Taras and Dorian.

Michael was highly respected in the Philadelphia Ukrainian community due to his leadership; along with several other key people, they were instrumental in putting the Ukrainian Soccer Club 'Tryzub' on the map as being the premier soccer club in the nation.  

On the sidelines, he made the refs know who's the boss and his players respected him and carried out his plays effectively.  Off the field, he was a quiet and humble man.  Everyone who came in contact with him became a close friend.  

By trade, he was a production manager for LMC Plasticsource in Bridesburg from where he eventually retired.  His summers were spent in Wildwood Crest with his family and he was happy to give anyone a ride back and forth to Philadelphia.  He enjoyed spending his time with his family, especially his grandchildren, Cole and Danica.

Michael is survived by his sons, Taras Jurczak and Dorian Jurczak (Stefanie); his grandchildren, Cole and Danica; his goddaughter, Halia (Jurczak) Lodynsky and by his former wife Irena.  He is predeceased by his brother Stefan and sister Kateryna Kocar.

Michael's family will greet friends on Saturday at 9 AM at Annunciation BVM Ukrainian Catholic Church.  Requiem Services will be sung at 10 AM.  Burial will take place at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.

Donations in Michael's memory may be made to the United Ukrainian-American Relief Committee (Zudak).

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