Konstantin Alexanderovich Kalentichenko, known affectionately as Deda Koka, passed away on September 3rd, 2016 in Newtown, Pennsylvania, after a summer-long struggle against the odds. He was 87 years old.

Konstantin was born on December 18th, 1928 in Ukraine. He was married to Larisa Kalenitchenko and the couple had two children. A son, Vitaly Kalenitchenko, and a daughter, Victoria Kalenitchenko.

Konstantin spent many years of his life devoting his time to the service of his country. During his military carrier he rose through the ranks to the rank of Colonel and retired after a life long service to the country. Later in his life Konstantin and his wife emigrated to the United States of America and lived in Feasterville before moving to Newtown, which is where he will be laid to rest.

Konstantin loved cars and was passionate about their inner workings and outer beauty. He was a man who was not only social, funny, and kind, but he was also clever, forgiving, and regardless of whether he tried to be or not, he was an excellent teacher in the ways of life and goodness. Konstantin was a man who put family first, no matter the cost presented to him. He not only served his country but he also served his community and relatives with the utmost care and compassion possible. His generosity is something that his family hope to have learned from him and carry on into the future. No matter how much pain he was in or how much of a rush he may have been in, he’d take all the time in the world to help his neighbor. 

Konstantin is survived by his wife, Larisa. His daughter Victoria lives in Doylestown with her husband Yurie Nagorny and their children, Veronica and Donna. His son Vitaly lives in Ukraine with his wife Victoria and their daughter, also named Victoria. Konstantin also has a grandson named Yurie, who lives in Ukraine as well.

Deda Koka, we would like to thank you for sharing 87 beautiful years with us. You made your grandchildren’s lives stellar so far, and we thank you deeply for having been with us. Your children are lucky to have had you as their father, and we all miss you more every day. 

 You will live on, always, in our memory. And the space you fill in our hearts will never be substituted by anyone else, as you are an individual so special that we feel eternally grateful for having been granted the opportunity to exist at the same time as you and in the same family as you. You are the most pure soul and the most gentle-hearted person in this world, and we love you so very much. We always have, and always will. 

 Мы тебя очень любим.