Reverend Ivan Dornic

Reverend Ivan Dusan Dornic, beloved husband, father, grandfather, priest, scholar, and visionary, went home to the Lord on September 27, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was 94 years old.

Born on February 13, 1931, in Uyak (now Udol), Slovakia, he was left motherless at the age of six when his mother died during the birth of his sister. Father Ivan grew up in the High Tatra mountains, where his love for the mountains and skiing first took root. It was after a skiing accident that he got blood poisoning and was taken to the closest hospital in Presov. The doctors declared him dead and called his father Vasil to pick up the body. But when his father got to the hospital his son had come back to life. During this time Father Ivan experienced the glory of heaven, heard the angels singing and met his mother. He did not want to leave, but his mother insisted that he return to his father who needed him and explained that he would do “very important things with his life”, and indeed he did. This experience was transformative and led to his calling into the Priesthood.

Against the background of a student uprising in communist Czechoslovakia, he defected, eventually arriving in the United States alongside a group of Freedom Fighters from the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. He completed his theological education at Christ the Savior American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Seminary in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

As a seminarian he met Ann Koba at a church dinner. They were married on August 30, 1957, a week before his ordination. He served as the pastor of Orthodox churches in California, Jacob’s Creek and Monongahela Pennsylvania before converting to Catholicism in the Byzantine Rite. Together Ivan and Ann raised five children—Demetrian, Myron, Yvonne, Corina and Tania —instilling in them the same love of faith, heritage, and service that defined his life. Family remained central to Father Dornic’s heart, and he cherished his role as husband, father, and later as grandfather to Matt Dornic, Jevin Dornic, Elyssa Nastalski, Ian Peacock, Oona Palazzone- Peacock, Rudy Peacock, Selah Peacock, Greta Peacock, Ethan O’Neal, and Kaden O’Neal; and great grandfather to Berckman, Jones, and Palmer Nastalski, Pascal Palazonne, and Charlie Peacock.

A visionary, Father Dornic’s accomplishments were numerous. He founded Ethnic American News, one of the first publications to unite diverse Slavic communities under a single voice. He originated a televised “Polka Mass” in Pittsburgh in the 1970s—combining his love for faith and cultural heritage, decades ahead of his time. At the University of Pittsburgh, he expanded the Slavic Studies offerings beyond Russian to include Slovak, Polish, Ukrainian, and other Eastern European languages, helping it grow into a well-regarded program.

His entrepreneurial spirit was equally bold, shaped by a profound appreciation for the freedoms his newly adopted country provided. The Dornics purchased and ran Shady Grove Park in Lemont Furnace, Pennsylvania and expanded the amusements to grow the venture into a local venue for family, church and business gatherings. The park began hosting concerts, cultural events, and heritage festivals, proving that faith and joy belonged in every part of life.

In 1977, Father Dornic’s ministry brought him to Baltimore as pastor of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. In Baltimore, he became a transformative figure in the Slavic and Eastern European communities. He served as President of the National Slavic Convention from 1980 to 1991, launched a Slavic radio program, and helped establish the National Slavic Museum in 2013. He also championed affordable housing for immigrants and low-income residents, obtaining HUD funding in 1983 and building the 110-unit Lemko Senior Housing residence in Fells Point. He also founded Tatry Housing, and St. John’s Assisted Living—ensuring safe homes and dignified care for seniors and for those struggling with addiction or homelessness. His refrain was always: “If I don’t take them in, who will?”

Father Dornic was known for his tireless persistence and infectious enthusiasm. In 2004, when the historic St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Fells Point faced closure, he led a campaign to preserve the building as a museum of Slavic religious and cultural history. Not content to rely on words alone, he organized fundraising events filled with polka music, dancing, and community celebrations. His vision and energy rallied the community, keeping alive the memory and heritage of generations of the city’s Polish, Czech, and Ukrainian immigrants.

His legacy in Harford County is the founding of St. Mary’s Assumption Byzantine Catholic Church in Joppa, Maryland housed in the historic St. Mark’s Catholic Church building. When St. Mark’s faced demolition in the mid-1980s, Father Dornic orchestrated the church’s careful relocation and reconstruction board by board, preserving a sacred space for generations to come. For over 35 years, he shepherded this “little wooden church in the woods,” expanding the grounds to include a parish hall, picnic grove, and events space. Under his guidance, the church launched the Slavic Heritage Festival, celebrating and uniting the culture, music, dance, and cuisine of all thirteen Slavic nations.

Through every project, every trial, and every triumph, Father Dornic remained above all a Good Shepherd, defined by courage, generosity, and an unwavering faith in God’s plan. He baptized, counseled, buried, and cared for generations of parishioners with tireless devotion. His vision was always larger than life, but his presence was profoundly personal. He lived not for himself, but for others. He will be remembered as a priest, builder, cultural leader, dreamer, and above all, a man of God whose legacy of faith, heritage, and community will be cherished and grow for generations to come.

Father Dornic was preceded in death by his parents Vasil and Maria (nee Timko) Dornic, brother Vasil (Maria) Dornic, sister Irene (Emil) Goloci, and sister Aurelia Dornic. He is survived by his loving wife, Ann (nee Koba) Dornic; his children Demetrian (Pam) Dornic, Myron Dornic, Yvonne (James Rhodes) Dornic, Corina (Charles) Peacock, and Tania Dornic; his grandchildren Matthew Dornic, Jevin Dornic, Elyssa (David) Nastalski, Ian (Holly) Peacock, Oona (Michael Palazzone) Peacock, Rudy Peacock, Selah Peacock, Greta Peacock, Ethan O’Neal and Kaden O’Neal; and great grandchildren Berckman, Jones, and Palmer Nastalski, Pascal Palazonne, and Charlie Peacock. He is also survived by brother Stefan (Anna) Dornic, and sister Anna Zizkova, extended family; as well as countless parishioners, colleagues, and friends who were blessed by his presence.

Viewings will be held at Schimunek Funeral Home, 9705 Belair Road, Nottingham, MD 21236, at 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday October 9, 2025, and 2-4p.m. and 6:00 to 9:00 p.m Friday October 10, 2025. A final viewing and special blessing will be held Saturday morning from 9-10am at the Funeral Home followed by a procession to the church. A Funeral Liturgy (Byzantine Rite) will be held at St. Mary’s Assumption Eastern Rite Catholic Church, 2807 Mountain Road, Joppa, MD 21085 on October 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m -12:30p.m., with interment to follow, in accordance with the tradition he served so fully. A luncheon and tribute to the amazing life he led will be held in the pavilion at the church following burial service. Friends and faithful are invited to join in remembrance, thanksgiving, and prayer.

May the Lord grant rest to his righteous soul, and may his memory be eternal.