Andrew Joseph Durbak was born in Lviv, Ukraine, on June 20, 1942 to Ivanna Kviten Durbak and Ivan Durbak. His family fled Ukraine during WWII and were eventually granted refugee status in Australia. For a number ofyears, he lived with his family in Kilmore, Victoria. In Australia, Andrew developed what would be a life-long interest in competitive sports, which he passed on to his children. He enjoyed watching football, baseball, and horse racing.
In 1958, the family moved to Utica, NY, where Andrew attended and graduated from St. Francis High School; after a few years, the family relocated to Troy, NY. Andrew received a BA degree in English from St Michael’s college. He was inducted in the US Army in 1969; he served a tour in Vietnam, where he was a tank commander. For his service, he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was honorably discharged in 1969.
Andrew returned to NY State and received an MA in English. For the next 33 years, he taught English and ESL at Albany High School. In 2002, Andrew moved to Ewing, NJ. For several years, he worked as Refugee School Coordinator for the Lutheran Social Ministries of NJ. He was universally beloved by his clients who affectionately called him Mr. Andrew.
Andrew cared deeply about the Ukrainian community and served in leadership positions in the Ukrainian community in Watervliet, NY. He helped reorganize and, for many years, co-led the religious education at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic parish in Watervliet, NY. In the 1980s and early 1990, he spoke in the NYS Capital to highlight Ukraine’s right to be a sovereign nation. Andrew instilled in his children the importance of Ukrainian history and culture and was on parent leadership committees of the local Ukrainian school, scouts, dance group, and religious studies. Andrew’s activism was not limited to Ukrainian culture. He was also a vocal member of his teacher’s union (APSTA) and a union representative. During his retirement, Andrew continued to advocate for youth and their needs as a court appointed special advocate (CASA). He also volunteered for Meals on Wheels, was a volunteer ESL teacher, visited elderly patients in nursing homes and volunteered with Interfaith Caregivers.
Andrew died on November 18, 2022 and is survived by his wife, Tatiana, brothers George and Ivan, children Larissa and Mark, and grandchildren Lesia, Luka, and Simon. He leaves a legacy of activism, support of Ukraine, a strong belief in helping others, and enthusiasm for sports. He was loved by all who knew him and will be sorely missed. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to razomforukraine.org.