Orest J. Hanas

Orest J Hanas died early morning on October 5, 2025, in his beloved US hometown of Lehighton, PA.  Orest was born on November 13, 1931, in the town of Zboiska, Lviv oblast, Ukraine.  He was the youngest of 4 sons of the very Reverend Roman and Sydonia Hanas.  His father was the parish priest at St. Demetrius church in Zboiska.

In the summer of 1944, because of the war in Europe, persecution by the Nazis and the approaching russian army, he and his family fled Ukraine on foot.  They ultimately wound up in a displaced persons (DP) camp in Erlangen, Germany.  After Erlangen, they were moved to Virnsberg, then to Bayreuth, Germany.

In 1949, sponsored by the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the US, he and his family emigrated to Curtis Bay, MD, where his father became the local parish priest of SS Peter and Paul Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church.  After Curtis Bay, the family moved to Baltimore, MD, where Orest finished high school.

In support of his newly adopted country, Orest enlisted in the US Air Force in 1951.  He attended basic training at Sampson Air Force Base near Seneca Lake, NY, where he endured cold days and even colder nights.  After basic training, he was sent to Scott Air Force Base, in Belleville, IL for additional training in radio operations.  While stationed at Scott Air Force Base, he met his future wife, Christine, when he came to mass at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Madison, IL, where Christine’s father was the parish priest. 

After training at Scott Air Force Base, Orest was sent overseas to France during the Korean War as a radio antenna technician.  He was part of the 7th Radio Relay Squadron and served 2 tours.  He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, among others.

Following an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Orest attended the University of Maryland on the GI Bill.  He majored in Electrical Engineering and lettered in soccer.  After graduating from University of MD, Orest proposed to his sweetheart, Christine.

Back in Madison, IL, Orest and Christine were married on her birthday, July 7, 1960.  They moved to Philadelphia, PA, where Orest received his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University.  Together they raised three daughters, Lesia, Anya and Renia.

Orest started his career working for Philco electronics manufacturing company in Philadelphia.  Orest spent most of his career as a satellite engineer, working with organizations like NASA and the US Maritime Administration.  He was one of the few engineers who travelled aboard the SS Manhattan, a Humbolt ice breaker/oil tanker, to the Arctic Circle in 1970 to conduct experiments to prove that microwave communications could successfully be transmitted via rubidium frequency standards.

As an engineer, Orest was a prolific inventor.  He holds several patents related to satellites and satellite communications. He also invented several garden tools that he submitted to organizations that helped farmers in Third World countries.

Orest was a very active member of the Ukrainian community in Philadelphia.  He was a member of the Ukrainian Engineers Society and was a founding member of the Ukrainian Ski Club of Philadelphia.  Since his wife was a very active member of Plast, Ukrainian Scouting Organization, he became a very active member of Plast Pryat, who actively supported the members of Plast.  Additionally, he started with his wife the non-profit, Kobzar Society, which donated new and used computers to schools and orphanages in Ukraine.

Most importantly, Orest was a family man, devoted husband, proud father and grandfather, and loyal friend.  He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, telling jokes and playing pranks on others.  He loved making others laugh, often making himself laugh in the process, all the more enjoying the fun with everyone else.

Orest is predeceased by his wife Christine, his parents, the v. rev. Roman and Sydonia Hanas, and his brothers Roman, Zenon and Alex.  He is survived by his children Aleksandra Hanas, Anya Hnateyko (Timish) and Teresa Manko (Mark), as well as his grandchildren, Taya Cleary (Josh) and Marko Hnateyko (Kasey).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, Inc.  Ways of Giving https://www.uuarc.org/ways-of-giving Please indicate on your donation “In memory of Orest Hanas”.

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Friday at 11:30 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church, Jenkintown, PA.  Requiem Liturgy will be celebrated at 12 PM.  Military Honors and committal prayers will follow at St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery.

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