Ivan I. Kurtianyk (Santa)

Sergeant Major Ivan Kurtyanyк (call sign Santa) was killed on January 2, 2023 in battle with the occupiers near the city of Soledar in the Donetsk region. The defender was 51 years old. In a few days he was supposed to go on vacation for the Christmas holidays to his family. Ivan was from the village of Hrabovets, Lviv region. He graduated from the Skole boarding school. He served his military service in Crimea. He worked on construction sites. He got married, started a family, which was his main value in life. He was the head of the village church. He was engaged in beekeeping. Before the full-scale invasion, he worked at a woodworking plant. During the full-scale invasion, the man joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Despite his health and age, he sought to defend his country, because he wanted to protect his large family and dreamed that his grandchildren would not see the war. He served in the 46th battalion of the 24th separate mechanized brigade named after King Danylo. "A good, faithful man and father, a loving brother and grandfather. He always helped neighbors and relatives, served in the church and loved to take care of it. He loved his children and grandchildren very much. We miss you dearly, dear one," wrote the youngest son of the deceased, Roman. Ivan was buried in his native village. He left behind a wife, four children, six grandchildren, three brothers, a sister, and other relatives and friends.