Michael Paul Tesluk's Obituary
Rev. Michael Tesluk passed away peacefully on September 4, 2009 at the age of 95 in Saratoga, California. He was born in Ukraine on August 8, 1914 and immigrated to the United States in 1949 along with his wife, Wira, and young daughter. They settled in San Mateo, California where they lived most of their life. Rev. Tesluk pastored the First Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Church of Burlingame, California from 1964 to his retirement in 1999. He founded the Western Ukrainian Evangelical Baptist Convention in 1964 and presided over that organization for 20 years. He also founded the Good Samaritan Mission in 1971 and presided over that organization for 25 years, supporting missionaries abroad and reaching out to hundreds of believers throughout Ukraine and Poland who endured hardships and perils because of their faith during the Soviet occupation. Rev. Tesluk was also a prolific poet and his works were frequently published in Ukrainian periodicals and publications. He was also an energetic and renowned speaker at Ukrainian Baptist conventions throughout the U.S. and Canada. Rev. Tesluk is survived by three daughters, Nadia Tesluk of San Francisco, Luba Lehman of Oakland, Vera Shantz of San Jose; and granddaughter, Kristin White of Palo Alto. Memorial services were conducted on September 12, 2009 at Lifemark Center in San Mateo and interment at the adjoining Skylawn Memorial Park. Those wishing to honor Rev. Tesluk's legacy may make contributions to the Good Samaritan Mission, 956 Harvest Drive, San Jacinto, CA 92583.
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