Obituary of Slavko Stojanov

Slavko Stojanov, was the founding father of the first Serbian Orthodox Church in the Boston area. He passed away peacefully on Friday, January 26, 2018 at 90 years old. Slavko’s life was something that could have been memorialized into a current day historical documentary. He was born in Yugoslavia, now known as Serbia. As the only son of Milivoj and Jelena Stojanov, he grew up on a small family farm in the tiny town of Jasenovo. World War II would change his life forever. His soldiering began prior to his enlisting in the war, as he was responsible for negotiating with the Nazi soldiers for the lives of his neighbors. The Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) invaded Yugoslavia on April 6 of 1941. Consequently, a guerrilla war was fought against the Axis powers from two factions, the Communist Partisans and the Serbian royalists, the Chetniks. At the tender age of 16, Slavko chose the side of the anticommunists. Despite being a soldier, he was a man of compassion. He came across a German soldier, the enemy, lying on the road dying. In his heart, he could not let the soldier die and came to his assistance. Later in Slavko’s life, the two were reacquainted when the German soldier recognized him, embraced him, and thanked him for his kindness and compassion. During his tour of duty, not only was he a young soldier torn away from his family, but he also endured time in a concentration camp. When the war ended and the Communist Party took control, Slavko was left without a country. So with 1 small suitcase (which he still has) 18 dollars in his pocket, and unable to speak English, he immigrated to the United States. He settled in Michigan with his best friend and fellow Serbian Soldier, John Lakich. His first years in the US were difficult, but he managed to get by with the help and kindness of friends and strangers, who gave him a place to stay, food, and some work. Determined to succeed, he went to Wayne University and earned a degree in Engineering. Years later, despite his confirmed bachelor status, he met the love of his life through a chance meeting while at his friend’s shop in Munich. They married 3 months later in Paris and eventually settled in Burlington, MA, to raise their three children. He went on to have a very successful career as an engineer. He worked for Raytheon and was a consultant for NATO in Europe before accepting a position at RCA. He spent 30 years with RCA working as a Publication Engineer and had a significant role in the development of the Apollos 7, 12 and 17 space missions. He really enjoyed his career and his many coworkers who became his friends. An avid golfer, he was a member of the RCA Golf League and organized numerous RCA Golf trips to the Caribbean Islands. Despite being in his 80’s, he was still golfing, known for his great short game and his impressive putting. Slavko’s family, career and experiences would be enough to describe his life, but it was his faith and determination that really defined him. There were Greek, Armenian, and Russian Orthodox Churches in the Boston area, but not a Serbian Orthodox Church. So he methodically worked for years to establish the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church. His mission started as a very grass roots campaign as he and a handful of fellow Serbs would scroll through phone books searching for “Serbian sounding names,” then make cold calls to these individuals, asking if they would like to help establish the church (or at least come to worship). He would arrange for a priest to come once a month and say mass in a rented church or hall in the area. Often, the priest would stay at the Stojanov home. Eventually, the first Serbian Orthodox Church was established in Wakefield, MA. Although small, the church was a source of pride and wonder. And finally, as the parish continued to grow, the current St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral was established in Cambridge, host to thousands of dedicated parishioners. It was the result of decades of hard work by Slavko and fellow parishioners to bring the Serbian Orthodox Church to the Boston area. He served as Church President for many years. The church was central to the lives of those who worshipped there, a place they called home where they could profess their faith and socialize as a community. Slavko was extremely devoted to his family as well. He was a loving husband to his loving wife Nada for 49 years. They complimented each other: Slavko was the dreamer and the force, while Nada was the hostess and harmony builder. As a father, Slavko was a strong role model for following your faith and convictions, working hard, and being a leader. He exposed his children to a variety of cultural experiences as they often traveled abroad. He was supportive and had an unwavering love for each one of his family. As a son, it was difficult for his parents, who had remained in the Communist controlled Serbia. For many years, they didn’t know his whereabouts and whether he was safe. Eventually, they were able to reconnect by meeting in countries outside of Serbia. Once Serbia allowed him to enter the country again, he would faithfully visit his family and friends each year. His heart never left Serbia as it was his home. Slavko was the beloved husband of the late Nadezda (Nikolic) Loving father of Helen Acford & her husband Paul, Michael Stojanov and Michele Stojanov all of Burlington. Loving grandfather of Mila. He was also survived by many relatives and friends locally and in Serbia. Funeral Services will be held at the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Cambridge on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 10:00 a.m. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn Side) on Friday, Feb. 2 from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Slavko’s name may be made to the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, 41 Alewife Brook Parkway, Cambridge, MA 02140. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net or http://www.stsavaboston.org