Taras (Terry) Soroka

Taras ("Terry") Nicholas Soroka, of Philadelphia, PA, unexpectedly passed away on September 13, 2022,  at the age of 71.

  Terry was born in Halifax, England, to Joyce (Mills) and Wasyl Soroka.  As a young child he made his first transatlantic voyage with his parents to settle in Philadelphia.  There he attended St. Basil School and Central High School before studying at Villanova University, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences.  After graduation, he enlisted in the US Army, where he served at Fort Dix, NJ, under the Adjutant General's Liaison Office, Germany. 

  Upon his honorable discharge, Terry was employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs.  He spent 38 years working for the rights of veterans and their dependents, a career that gave him great joy and satisfaction.  He retired in 2009 as a Decision Review Officer.

  Shortly after his college graduation, Terry met Daria, the love of his life, at a Ukrainian youth convention in Pittsburgh.  They quickly fell in love and married less than a year later.  Terry and Daria spent nearly 50 joyous years together, joined along the way by their daughter, Natalie. During the early years of their marriage, Terry and Daria lived in the Philadelphia suburbs, purchased a home in Cherry Hill, NJ, then bought Daria’s childhood home in Oak Lane, Philadelphia, when Natalie was born.  Terry loved and enjoyed his home and garden and lived there for more than 37 years.

  In his private life, Terry was passionate about cooking, fine wine and travel.  He enjoyed all genres of music.  He was a voracious reader and creative writer, but his family always came first. Terry wrote a children’s story book for his granddaughter, Aliana, and a gourmet cookbook for Natalie.  With Daria (and at times their daughter) he visited 4 continents, 30 countries and traveled nearly 500,000 miles.  He was happiest on or by the water, enjoying several transatlantic cruises, innumerable visits to Avalon and Cape May, NJ, and their vacation home in Punta Gorda, FL.

  Terry was generous and kind, an unassuming man with a gentle soul.  He had a marvelous sense of humor and a philosophical view on life.  One of his greatest joys was becoming a grandfather in 2021.  He was the ultimate host and enjoyed the company of family and friends.  Terry loved life and lived it to the fullest.  He is greatly missed.

  Taras is survived by his wife Daria (née Yaremko), daughter Natalie (Scott Gregory), granddaughter Aliana Gregory, and siblings Olha Moran, Marilyn, and Wasyl. 

  A private celebration of life will be held in his home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Taras’ honor are welcome to the Wounded Warrior Project,  ECHO Global Farms (echonet.org) and Razom (www.razomforukraine.org).

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