Anthony B Bohaczuk

Anthony Bohaczuk, 74, of Wyckoff, NJ, died peacefully on May 27, 2023, after a battle with cancer.

Anthony was born on July 2, 1948, in Bavaria, Germany to Clara and Teodor. He immigrated with his parents to Philadelphia in the early 1950s. In honor of his paternal Ukrainian heritage, Anthony attended Ukrainian Catholic parochial school, where he remembers painting the Basilian Sisters convent as a grade school assignment. By an early age he was fluent in German, Ukrainian, and English. Anthony later became a big brother to Ted and John. After graduating from Central High School, he studied at St. Joseph’s University, earning dual undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry and a master’s degree in chemistry. Initially working as a plastics engineer, Anthony realized his true passion for teaching later in life. He spent the final years of his career as an adjunct chemistry professor at Essex County Community College and other area community colleges. He enjoyed teaching students of various ages and backgrounds. Teased by his family for being an easy grader, Anthony always looked for opportunities to award half credit or extra credit that could allow his students to achieve their goals.

Anthony met his wife, Phyllis, in 1982. Though neither frequented the disco scene, they serendipitously met while on a rare evening out with friends. Both excellent cooks, Anthony and Phyllis enjoyed early dates in New York City, where they bonded over mutual enjoyment of broad culinary styles and exotic cuisine. They married in 1984. Anthony and Phyllis later had two daughters, Sonya and Stephanie, whose educational and professional accomplishments were a great source of pride for Anthony.

Anthony was a skilled driver and navigator, with an amazing memory for places he had visited only once before. He enjoyed using these skills during trips with his family. He traveled with Phyllis and Sonya to Sicily in 2018, where he navigated narrow streets and signage in an unfamiliar language (but we’ll glance over that accidental detour through a pedestrian walkway).In 2021, Anthony returned to Bavaria with his three girls, who all appreciated a glimpse into his heritage.

After retiring in 2020, Anthony enjoyed spending his free time cooking, keeping up with science and technology news, watching Jeopardy with Phyllis, and being a helpful cat grandfather. Anthony was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife Phyllis, his daughters Sonya and Stephanie (Antonín), and his brothers Ted (Lauren) and John. He was dear brother- in-law to Jackie and Bill Merson of Wyckoff and Peter and Hope Iozia of Mount Juliet, TN, and cherished uncle to Christine(Kristen), Matthew, Natalie, and Julia.  Granduncle to Addie, Scarlett, and Gabriel.  

Anthony was cremated per his wishes. Memorial visiting will be held at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, Wyckoff, NJ, on June 4 from 12-4pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia, PA), the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center Cancer Center (Livingston, NJ), or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Anthony’s memory.

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