Jack Poloka, 1938-2010

Jack Poloka, 71, one of the cultural leaders of Carpatho-Rusyns in North America, died Tuesday morning in Pittsburgh. He was a co-founder and long-time program director and choreographer of Pittsburgh's Slavjane Folk Ensemble. He was also co-host, along with his son, Dean, of the Carpatho-Rusyn Heritage Radio program.

He was also a long-time officer and board member of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society, and a member of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchial Choir.

Here is the death notice from today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "Age 71, of McKees Rocks, unexpectedly on March 16, 2010, beloved husband of Teresa Poloka; dearest father of Mark (Marion), Beth (Michael) Liberatore, Sue Anne (Eric) Kosol, Dean (Kerri), grandfather of Sarah (Chris), Nicholas, Jonathan, Mickayla, Anna, Jonathan. Also survived by many nieces & nephews. Friends received Thursday & Friday 2-4 & 6-8 at the VALERIAN F. SZAL FUNERAL HOME INC., 238 Helen St., McKees Rocks. Parastas Fri. 7pm. Funeral Sat. 9:45 followed by a liturgy of Christian Burial in Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church, 10 am."

Vičnaja jemu pamjat!

Update: Here's the full-fledged news obituary from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. And here is the story from the PIttsburgh Tribune-Review.