Obituary of Marko Melnitschenko

Marko Melnitschenko of Englewood Cliffs, 84, passed away during The Memorial weekend on May 25, 2019 after a long battle with Diabetes. He was born on March 2, 1935  into a family of holistic medicine grandfather, a grandmother whose roots stem from Colonel of Poltavian Cozaks under Hetman Khmelnytsky, a prominent artist father and a nurse mother in Cherkassy, Ukraine.  During World War  II when Ukraine was invaded by NAZI Germany, his parents went into the underground, leaving him together with his three other cousins with his grandmother, grandfather and aunt. After the German invasion, his grandmother, grandfather, aunt and cousins were rounded up, loaded on trucks and freight trains, and taken to Germany to various camps as “Ostarbeiters”.  After the war, he lived in a D.P. camp, attending Ukrainian schools, where he showed an excellent mind for learning and a great talent for art. His paintings were exhibited at several Ukrainian institutions on the East Coast and at a Madison Avenue Gallery. After immigrating to the United States, he held various jobs, helping his younger cousins to graduate from high school. He served two years in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged. Marko was a businessman who transitioned from managing a printing company to owning his own corporation successfully for 35 years until he retired. Marko was actively involved with the Ukrainian community and a member of the Ukrainian Institute in New York City. He loved classical music, painting, caring for his garden and an avid reader.  He enjoyed good times and traveling worldwide; along with his love for dogs since he was a child. Marko is survived by his beloved wife Ljuba, of 60 years, his devoted daughters, Roxana and Renata, two cousins, Lilia and Eugene and numerous nieces and nephews. He loved his family, his Ukrainian heritage, and this country. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the visiting on June 6, 2019 from 4-8pm at Frank Patti, 327 Main Street, Fort Lee, NJ 07024. Visit frankpatti.com for driving directions, more information and online condolences.