Obituary of Paul S. Tkachuk

Paul S. Tkachuk PEABODY – Paul S. Tkachuk, 68, died peacefully on Saturday May 6, 2017 at the Mass General Hospital in Boston, following an extended illness, while in the comforting presence of his family. Born in Peabody, he was the son of the late Peter and Tatiana “Tynna” (Grayton) Tkachuk. He grew up in Peabody and was a lifelong resident of the city. He was gifted intellectually, and graduated with honors from Peabody High School. He also graduated with honors from American University with a degree in International Relations. He later graduated with honors from Columbia University with a Master Degree in Mathematics. Mr. Tkachuk was an Associate Professor in English and Math at Columbia University for over 20 years. He also taught business skills to young people starting out in life who did not attend college through an extension of Columbia. Paul enjoyed gardening and developed his skills as a horticulturist. While living in New York City he saw many musical theater productions and met Barbara Streissand who was among his favorite performers. He was known for his gemstone collections, and although very knowledgeable, regretted he was not a gemologist to meet a desire to design jewelry. Further he enjoyed following Boston sports teams like the Patriots, and was an avid fan of tennis and acting as an informal, social judge for rating figure skating competitions. To round out his varied hobbies, he was involved while at Columbia in several organizations and political activities and discussion groups. He is survived by a brother Peter Tkachuk of Exeter, NH; two uncles and an aunt, Joseph and his wife Carol Grayton of FL, Robert and his wife Shirley Grayton of Danvers, and Ruth Sippel of Peabody, and many cousins. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather on Thursday May 11, 2017 at 11 AM in the Calvary Baptist Church, Chestnut St. ext., Peabody. A visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5 – 8 P.M. in the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody. Memorial donations may be made to Mass General Oncology Dept., c/o MGH Development Office, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for online obituary & sign condolences.