Cantor

St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church, Swoyersville
St.Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church, Pittston, Pennsylvania

The link to the Office of Christian Burial Liturgy with Divine Liturgy celebrated at St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church, Swoyersville on December 9, 2020 can be found HERE.

Paul Peter Dzurisin, 90, a resident of Swoyersville, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday afternoon, Dec. 4, 2020, at Partridge-Tippett Nursing Facility of the Wesley Village Campus, Jenkins Twp., where he was a guest since May.

His loving wife is Dorothy Boback Dzurisin. Together, Paul and Dorothy celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on Aug. 16.

Born July 3, 1930, in Pittston, Paul was one of eight children born to the late George and Mary Kisling Dzurisin.

Raised in Duryea, Paul was a graduate of the former Duryea High School, Class of 1948.

A United States Army veteran, Paul was drafted into active service during the Korean War. During his two years of service, he served as a medic at the Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Letterman Army Medical Center’s psychiatric ward, San Francisco, Calif.; and the 5th General Army Hospital, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, where he was stationed for one year.

Following his honorable discharge from military service, Paul began his career as a nursing assistant at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lyons, N.J., and eventually transferred to the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Plains Twp., where he worked as a nursing assistant for 30 years, retiring from there in 1987.

Coming from a family of vocations to the priesthood and religious life, Paul was called by the Lord to serve as a cantor in Byzantine Catholic Church, studying at Holy Dormition Byzantine Franciscan Friary, Sybertsville. Paul began his service as a cantor alongside his brother, John, at St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church, Swoyersville, where he was a member for over 60 years and served as the lead cantor for the past 47 years. He also served as cantor for some years at St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church, Pittston, which was the church he was raised in. In his earlier years, he served as cantor at Ss. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Lopez.

Paul was proud to serve his country and was a 60-plus year member of the American Legion, Andrew Lawrence Post 644, Swoyersville.

A man of strong faith, Paul faithfully served the Lord by sharing the God-given gift of his voice and lifting it to sing the praises of the Lord. Paul always said that in his life, the Lord came first and his family came second. The love, care, and concern he had for his family was immeasurable, and he leaves behind a legacy that will live on in the hearts of his loved ones for generations to come. Paul will be remembered by all as a handsome, happy fellow who was never miserable, but always joyful. His genuine joy and zest for life was best exhibited through his love of singing and dancing.

In addition to his parents, George and Mary Dzurisin, Paul was preceded in death by his infant son, Paul Dzurisin Jr.; his brothers, Monsignor George (Dzurisin) Durisin, Joseph Dzurisin, Michael Dzurisin and John Dzurisin; his sisters, Sr. M. Paula Dzurisin O.S.B.M., Sr. M. Philip Dzurisin O.S.B.M., and Mary Wascavage.

In addition to his wife, Dorothy, Paul is survived by his two daughters, Dorothy Sagliocco and her husband, Joseph, Pittston; and Rita Yanchick and her husband, Thomas, Swoyersville; his five grandchildren, Maria Blasko and her husband, Marc; Chrissy Yanchick; T.J. Yanchick and his wife, Lori; Lori Yanchick; and Lisa Yanchick; his four great-grandchildren, Jax and Alivia Yanchick; and Emma and Cole Galli; as well as his numerous nieces, nephews, fellow parishioners and friends.

Relatives and friends were respectfully invited to attend Paul’s viewing which was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort. Parastas was held privately the same day with the Rev. Michael Popson officiating.

In keeping with federal and state guidelines, those attending the viewing were required to wear a facial covering and observe social distancing. The guidelines were strictly enforced.

Funeral services for Paul were held privately Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Services began with Panachida followed by a concelebrated Office of Christian Burial with Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church, Swoyersville. The Rev. Andrii Dumnych, pastor, was the main celebrant; the Rev. Michael Popson served as homilist; and his niece, Diana Dzurisin, served as cantor.

Although the services in church were private, the Divine Liturgy was livestreamed at 10 a.m. December 9, 2020 on the St. Michael, Pittston Facebook page and Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., with access for all from this website.

Interment with the Rite of Committal followed in Denison Cemetery, Swoyersville, where military honors were accorded by the United States Army.

For information or to send Mr. Dzurisin’s family a message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home website at www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

Memorial contributions may be made in Paul’s memory to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by visiting www.nationalmssociety.org/Donate.

“Blessed is the way in which you go, O Soul, for a peaceful place has been prepared for you!” “Blažennyj pokoj; vichnaya pamyat” Blessed repose and eternal memory!