Yevgeny Zaluzhny

Yevgeny Markovich Zaluzhny, 83, of Port Charlotte, Florida, passed away on June 11, 2026. Born January 16, 1943, in Piskiv, Ukraine, to Mark and Hanna Zaluzhny, he grew up working on the family’s farm and herding horses during the summers. After finishing school, Yevgeny mastered a range of trades, including working as a machinist and electrician. In 1963, he was drafted into the Soviet Army, where he served in the Strategic Missile Forces in the Volyn Region until 1965.

Following his service, Yevgeny dedicated his life to Christ. Soon after, he met Maria Grinchuk, and they were married on September 25, 1966. Seeking religious freedom, Yevgeny spent a decade pursuing an exit visa from the USSR. In 1989, Yevgeny and his family were finally granted that visa and immigrated to the United States. They lived in New Jersey, California, and New York, where Yevgeny worked as a machinist for Kilian Bearings Manufacturing. Yevgeny and his family were part of a growing Slavic community in Syracuse, NY, and attended Slavic Baptist Church. Yevgeny was a faithful member of the church community and served for many years as a deacon after being ordained in 1995. He continued in that role after retiring to Port Charlotte, FL, in 2003 at the Ukrainian Baptist Church of North Port.

Yevgeny had a pioneering spirit, enjoyed taking road trips across the United States, recycling old materials to make new things in his garage, spending time in fellowship with his family and friends, and sitting outside in the sun.

Yevgeny is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 60 years, Maria; sons Viktor, Eugene, and Oleg; daughters Natalia, Alla, Liana, and Vera; 15 grandchildren and one great-grandson, as well as brothers Anatoliy and Ananiy Zaluzhny. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Hanna, and his brother, Mikhail Zaluzhny.

He will be greatly missed by his family, his church community, and friends, and remembered for his great legacy of faith, resilience, and perseverance.