Nicholas Martynuk [Миколa Мaртинюк], (b. Dec. 20, 1909, in Tadani [Тадані], Ukraine; d. Dec. 22, 2000, in Oberlin, Ohio), director at SS. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church in Olyphant, Pennsylvania (1954-1989). He began his formal schooling in the city of Lviv and worked later as an actor and singer in operetta and as a radio announcer. Aspiring to become a priest, he attended the seminary for seven years, but was forced to flee his homeland in 1945 to escape persecution. He traveled across Europe with his family and found refuge at the DP camp in Landeck, Tyrol, Austria (1945-1950). There he contributed to the cultural life of the camp by organizing the “SURMA” choir. Afterwards, he toured Europe as a singer with the Ukrainian choir “VATRA” under the direction of Lev Turkevych. He immigrated to America in 1950 and served briefly as the cantor at St. Nicholas in Elmira, NY. In 1954, he assumed the post of choirmaster at St. Cyril’s in Olyphant and remained there for the next 35 years. He retired in 1989 and relocated to Oberlin, Ohio, where he passed away on December 22, 2000. He is buried in St. Cyril’s parish cemetery in Peckville, PA.
Timeline
1945: Organized “SURMA” Choir (Landeck, Austria).
1949: Sang with “VATRA” men’s chorus.
1950: Immigrated to America.
1950: Director at St. Nicholas UCC (Elmira, NY).
1954-1989: Director at SS. Cyril and Methodius UCC (Olyphant, PA).
