Andrew Diakun

DIAKUN, ANDREW
Andrew Diakun, age 90, was called home to our Lord on June 11 surrounded by his
loving family. He was born on January 17, 1927 in Buffalo, New York. He graduated as
valedictorian of Sloan High School at the age of 16 and went on to Canisius College. At
18, he enlisted in the US Army and was sent to Germany with the US CounterIntelligence
Corps at the end of WWII. He returned to finish college and earn a law
degree from the University at Buffalo.

He met his wife, the late Gertrud Knopp, in 1954 aboard a ship crossing the Atlantic.
They married in 1956 and had four children. He practiced law for more than 60 years
and was a lead trial attorney with Allstate Insurance Company. He had a thriving private
practice, including much pro-bono work. He proudly served his country and continued
his military career, serving as the commanding officer of the 402nd Civil Affairs
Company. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Andrew was a devout Catholic and an active member of the Buffalo Ukrainian
community, helping new immigrants in the Buffalo area. He was a parishioner at St.
Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church and was involved in numerous organizations. He
served as the long-standing President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America
(Buffalo Branch), and the Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Federal Credit Union
(Dnipro). He was also Judge Advocate for the Ukrainian American Veterans (Post 23)
and Veterans of Foreign Wars (Post 6245). Throughout his life, he defended and
worked for the freedom and independence of Ukraine.

Andrew was the beloved husband of 60 years to Gertrud (née Knopp); loving father of
Thomas (Dale) Diakun of Buffalo, NY, Natalia (Max) Dyga of Grand Rapids, MI, Mark
(Shelley) Diakun of Dallas, TX, and Karen (David) Brandon of Washington, DC; father-in-law
of Kate (Jim) Olson of Buffalo, NY; cherished grandfather of Jennifer, Anna, and
the late Andrew Diakun, Christopher, Nicholas, and Stefanie Dyga, Emily, Andrew,
Brian, and Audrey Diakun, and Rachel Brandon; step-grandfather to Ashley (Caitlin)
Howe and Stephen Crane; devoted son of the late Nicholas and Anna (née Eleczko)
Diakun; brother of Emily (Ferdinand) Diakun Paolini of Buffalo, and Alan Nicholas
(Elizabeth) Diakun of Williamsburg, VA. He is also survived by many loving nieces and
nephews.

The family will be present on Thursday June 15 from 4 to 8 pm at the Melvin J. Sliwinski Funeral
Home at 5090 Transit Road, Depew, NY. A Panakhyda ceremony will be held Thursday at 5 pm.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday June 16 at 9:30
am at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church at 308 Fillmore Avenue, Buffalo. His burial
will be at St. Matthews Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St.
Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church.