Daily Sitka Sentinel

Eugene Bourdukofsky Sr. Dies in Anchorage at 71

Eugene Bourdukofsky Sr.

Eugene Bourdukofsky Sr., 71, a lifelong Alaskan and former priest at St. Michael’s Cathedral, passed away March 9, 2021, at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.

A visitation was held March 20 at Saint Innocent Russian Orthodox Cathedral, followed by the funeral service at noon. Pallbearers included Kaleb Bourdukofsky, Dionisy Jr. Bourdukofsky, Myron Melovidov Jr., Sean Melovidov, Jonathan Krukoff, and David Hinchman.

Eugene Bourdukofsky Sr. will be buried May 2021 at the Angelus Memorial Park Cemetery in Anchorage, next to his beloved Matushka Mary.

Eugene Bourdukofsky Sr. was born  August 27, 1949, on St. Paul Island, one of six children of Mary Nicolai and George Bourdukofsky. He lived on St. Paul Island, graduated from Chemawa High School in Salem, Oregon, and then attended seminary school at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, in Wayne County, Pennsylvania.

He served as a priest at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Sitka from 1974 to 1997. While here, he was adopted into the Eagle Kaagwaantaan clan by Naomi Kanosh. He moved to Anchorage in 1997.

Eugene Sr. loved serving the church and its people. In Sitka, St. Paul, or Anchorage, many community members have adoring stories of Eugene Sr. and his loving Matushka Mary.

As much as Eugene Nicolai Bourdukofsky Sr. was dedicated to the church he was also devoted to his job at Aleutian Pribilof Island Association. While working at APIA for 19 years he helped many Unangax people. He was very dedicated to preserving the Unangax Culture, just like his mother Mary Nicolai Bourdukofsky.

The family states “Eugene Sr., was a loving husband, brother, priest, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He enjoyed fishing, sports, being out on the ocean, dancing, traditional Native heritage – and most of all he loved spending time with family.”

He was preceded in death by his  parents, Mary Nicolai and George Peter Bourdukofsky; his loving wife Matushka Mary Janice Bourdukofsky; and siblings, Benjamin Bourdukofsky, The Very Reverend Peter Bourdukofsky, and Mary Catherine Fratis.

 

Eugene Sr. is survived by his brothers, Jason, Dennis, and Thomas Bourdukofsky; his children, Eugene Jr. (Sharon)., Rachel, and George (Rachael) Bourdukofsky; his grandchildren,  Mitchel, Kyle, Chloe, John Jr., Domanic, David, Kaleb, Jaydin, Julia and Elena; great-grandchildren, Matthew; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and Godchildren.