Vasily Sandulyak

Vasiliy Andreyevich Sandulyak was born on August 21, 1930, in the village of Kozyryany, Chernivtsi region, Ukraine, to his parents Andriy and Mariya Sandulyak. He grew up in a large and loving family alongside his brothers Fimunya, Mykola, and David, and his sisters Olya and Darya.

From a young age, Vasiliy was known as an obedient and kind-hearted boy who deeply loved his family. He faithfully helped his mother at home and often accompanied her to the house of prayer. As a child, he worked hard, tending sheep both in his village and in neighboring areas.

During the years of famine in Ukraine, at the age of 12, his father took him and his older brother Mykola to Western Ukraine, to the Ivano-Frankivsk region. There, Vasiliy was blessed with the opportunity to work for a Jewish family, where he learned to cook and make sweets. Cooking became a lifelong passion for him.

He completed three years of schooling in a Romanian school, as Bukovina was under Romanian rule at that time.

Vasiliy later served four years in the army in Georgia and Armenia, where he worked as a cook. Even during his service, he carried a deep love for his family. While he was in the army, his beloved mother passed away at the age of 55, a loss that deeply impacted him.

After returning from the army, Vasiliy gave his life to God and became devoted to his faith. It was during this time that he met Mariya, the love of his life, at a church gathering in Kozyryany. They soon married in the Moldovan village of Nesvoya, where Mariya attended church. Their early married life was not easy, but with perseverance, they built a small home together on a piece of land in their village.

Together, Vasiliy and Mariya raised three children: their sons Sergey and Alexander, and their daughter Valentina. Their family grew to include 8 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, all of whom were a source of great joy to him.

Vasiliy had a deep love for singing and worship. From his youth, he sang in the church choir and often performed duets with his wife. He knew many passages of Scripture by heart and cherished God’s Word deeply.

In 2002, Vasiliy and Mariya immigrated to the United States, settling in Fresno, California.

Throughout his life, Vasiliy endured many hardships, including multiple surgeries and a battle with prostate cancer. Yet through it all, his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ remained unshaken. He trusted God completely and found strength in Him.

Those who knew Vasiliy remember him as a humble, gentle, and peaceful man. He was kind, welcoming, and always willing to help others. He avoided conflict and lived a life marked by quiet strength and deep faith. In his free time, he enjoyed reading and reflecting.

In his final moments, he shared heartfelt words with his wife, children, and grandchildren:
“I love you all. Children and grandchildren, love God and do not leave your mother.”
His last prayer before passing was:
“Lord, take me.”

Vasiliy Andreyevich Sandulyak will be remembered as a true Christian man who loved God with all his heart and lived with a longing for the heavenly home prepared for all who love Him.

A funeral service to honor Vasily's life will be held on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the House of the Gospel, 3941 East Mono Avenue, Fresno, California, 93702. A visitation will precede the service at 10:00 a.m. at the church.

We invite you to leave your memories and upload photos of Vasily to the memorial page, as we celebrate his life and the love he shared with all of us.