Joseph Michalczyk
Joseph Michalczyk was born on October 23, 1925, in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Sophia and Pantalemon Michalczyk. Showing early talent as an artist, Joseph attended tech high school, where he began his study of art, graduating as Senior Class President in 1943. He then joined the United States Army Corp of Engineers, building bridges overseas during WWII, proudly serving his country. When the war ended and he returned to the U.S., he pursued an education via the GI Bill, attending the American Academy of Art College in Chicago and then the Hussian School of Art in Philadelphia. For many years, he worked as a commercial artist, but he also beautified the homes of his beloved family with drawings and paintings. If art was his career, it was also his lifelong hobby.
As the child of emigrants from Ukraine, Joseph was a devoted member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. In 1949, at a church dance, he met the love of his life, Vera Galamaga. “I just found myself moving toward her,” he said. In 1951, Joseph and Vera were married, finding a place to live in a Philadelphia suburb. From 1957 to 1967, they welcomed five children: Andrea, Carol (married to Tony), Maria (Dan), John (Ariadne), and Vera (Dave). Eventually, Joseph and Vera welcomed eight grandchildren (Tony, Joe, Alexandra, Danny, Julia, Christopher, Nicholas, and Thomas) and two great-grandchildren (Evelyn and Anthony). This past May (2025), Joseph lost his beloved wife Vera, after 73 years of marriage.
Always central to Joseph’s life were not only his family and his art, but also his church and devotion to God. As early members of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a church just outside of Philadelphia, Joseph and his wife were active parishioners. Throughout their lives, they taught their family to appreciate the beauty of the Ukrainian traditions, and they showed them the importance of a close, cherished family. As a father, Joseph is lovingly remembered for his strong work ethic, his sense of humor (“Dad” jokes), and his love of tinkering with radios. Along with those, he had a great love of music, especially Bing Crosby and Big Band music, which he listened to quietly, often while painting. Always an artist, he painted landscapes, images of homes and pets, and his grandchildren’s portraits, frequently taking photos to capture beauty that he could render onto paper. Even when he was no longer able to do art with his hands, he painted in his mind, closing his eyes and imagining how he would create a scene. In his quiet, gentle way, Joseph beautified the lives of many and the world around him.
He died on December 17, 2025, surrounded by family, in his daughter’s home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he had moved to spend his final months. He is deeply missed by his family, but his loving heart and his faith in God have been a comfort to us all.
Vichnaya pamyat!
(May his memory be eternal!)
Services for Joseph will be held by his family at a future time.
Donations in memory of Joseph Michalczyk can be made to HEALING OF WOUNDS OF THE WAR IN UKRAINE FUND.
https://ukrcatholic.org/offices-and-ministries/healing-of-wounds-of-the-war-in-ukraine-fund