James A. Melnyk, 82, went to his rest on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at Hackensack Meridian/JFK Medical Center.

Born and raised in Perth Amboy, James was one of three children born to John and Anna Tyhur Melnyk.  He is a graduate of Perth Amboy High School, and a veteran of the US Marine Corps.  Not long after his military service he married the former Gale Rogler.  He served as a volunteer, then later as a career firefighter with the Edison Fire Department.

James was a true family man.  There are many memories of how James spent time with them on the Jersey shore, hiking the Delaware Water Gap, helping his children plant vegetables and harvest their cherry and apple trees. He helped his son James with his Eagle Scout project and even sold him his 1974 Chrysler New Yorker to use for $1 to use for art college.  But one of the most important thing he demonstrated to his children were to be responsible, always do your best, have a healthy work ethic , and to never stop growing, exploring and learning.

In addition to being preceded in death by his parents, James is also preceded in death by his brother John. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years Gale; his children: James J. Melnyk, Dawn DeFillipo and her husband Michael, grandchildren Nikolas and Dylan De Fillipo, Liza and Mili Melnyk; and his sister Bette Lasko.

Friends may call at the Flynn and Son Funeral Home, 23 Ford Ave., Fords, NJ 08863 on Monday, March 27, 2023 from 3:00pm - 7:00pm where  funeral Services will begin on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 9:15 a.m. A Funeral Liturgy will follow at 10:00 a.m. in the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption, 684 Alta Vista Place, Perth Amboy.  Cremation will take place privately.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mr. Melnyk's memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 111 Littleton Road, Suite 221,Parsippany, NJ 07054 ( https://www.cff.org/chapters/new-jersey-chapter.)

A full obituary is forthcoming.