Roman Hezzey of Ipswich, Knight of St. Gregory the Great, and beloved husband of Mary (Burbela) Hezzey, died at 88 in his home surrounded by his family.
Born and educated in the Ukraine, he was the son of the late Demetro and Julia (Smolnetska) Hezzey. He came to the United States in 1949, became engaged to his wife of sixty two years within a month. They resided for many years in New Haven, CT, before moving to Ipswich, MA.
A mechanical engineer by training, at 65, Roman retired from his position as Vice President with the Handy and Harmon Company and embarked on a new career as a professor, teaching computer aided design at Waterbury State Technical College (CT) until he enjoyed his second retirement.
Roman was known for his dedication to his family, his church and the Ukrainian Community. He was a founder of the Ukrainian State Day in Connecticut, participated in the establishment of the Ukrainian Heritage House Museum in New Haven, CT, and sat on the Ethnic Archives Committee and supported many outreach and education programs.
His many years of service to his church through the Parish of St. Michael the Archangel in New Haven, CT, in many significant capacities were recognized by Pope John Paul II who ordained him as a Knight of St. Gregory the Great in 1992. When he relocated to the North Shore, he continued his dedication to his new Parish, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Church in Salem, serving as Cantor.
In addition to his loving wife, Roman is survived by his daughters, Anne Hezzey and her husband Thomas Reardon and Christine Hezzey, his grandson, Tim Hezzey all of Ipswich and his niece Katharine Ellis of San Diego, CA., and nephew Joseph Burbela of Madison, CT. He was also the brother of the late Orest Hezzey.
ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral will be held from The O’Donnell Funeral Home 46 Washington Square, (at Salem Common) Salem, Saturday, Feb. 11th at 10:15 A.M. followed by his Funeral Service in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Church, Bridge St., Salem at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Burial is Private. Visiting hours Friday from 6 to 8 PM with a Panakahyda service at 7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Roman's memory to the St John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church, P.O. Box 206, Salem, Ma 01970. Please note on your donation that it is for the Roman Hezzey Memorial Fund with which he intended to support the building of a new Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com
