Myron Bakun

Myron Bakun, 80, of Kinnelon, New Jersey, passed away on August 15, 2025, at his daughter’s home in Mendham, after 16 relentless years fighting and thriving despite various cancers (including pancreatic, liver, lymphoma, bone marrow, and melanoma).

During those 16 years, he refused to let these diseases keep him down—he continued to live with courage and determination, doing the things he loved, like skiing, hiking, body surfing, and spending time with friends and family.

Myron was born in 1945 in a refugee camp in Austria, where his family lived after fleeing Ukraine during the war. Though his earliest days were marked by hardship, he was raised with a deep respect for culture, education, and the finer things of life—values instilled by his mother, who came from a once-wealthy Ukrainian family. Remarkably for the time, she studied music, painting, ceramics, and literature in Vienna, when few women had such opportunities. Her family’s deep love of the arts was reflected in their home, which once held a rare Bösendorfer piano—one of only a few in the world. That piano, along with their estate and possessions, was lost to war. What endured, however, was the family’s resilience, fighting spirit, and devotion to art, music, and education—treasures carried into exile and nurtured in young Myron.

In 1949, the Bakun family boarded the USAT General Sturgis in Bremerhaven, Germany, with four-year-old Myron, departing as displaced persons officially labeled “stateless.” They arrived in Boston on July 2, 1949, before beginning the difficult process of rebuilding their lives in America—first in Newark, New Jersey, and later in Irvington, where Myron spent his boyhood.

From a young age, Myron was taught to work hard, study hard, and play hard. During this time, he spent countless hours studying, practicing violin, and playing soccer—skills that would play a major role in the rest of his life.

Fast forward, Myron graduated from Newark College of Engineering (now NJIT) in 1967, where he was a standout soccer player, earning two All-American honors and later being inducted into the NJIT Hall of Fame. He earned a master’s degree in business from Baruch College in New York City, and briefly pursued a PhD before focusing on career and family. Soccer remained a lifelong passion—he played in competitive leagues, coached his children in Kinnelon, and rarely missed a match on TV.

Music was another constant. A gifted violinist, he practiced daily from childhood and carried a love of both classical and popular music throughout his life. His love of music ranged from symphonies and opera to Johnny Mathis, Abba, John Denver, and the Gypsy Kings. Family gatherings often ended in music, laughter, and dancing by the fire pit, often stretching late into the evening.

In 1972, Myron married the love of his life, Eugenia, with whom he celebrated their 53rd anniversary this year. Eugenia was a source of endless inspiration for Myron and was his best friend through thick and thin. Together they built a home and a life that became their greatest pride—first in Vernon and later in Kinnelon. He often said nothing mattered more than the home they created, a place where their children, grandchildren, and friends would always feel welcome. They spent countless hours side by side, planting gardens, chopping and stacking wood, building stone walls, and handcrafting projects that turned their house into a sanctuary—and always taking walks hand in hand together.

Professionally, Myron built a distinguished career in technology and education. He was a tenured professor of Computer Science at Seton Hall University for many years and, in addition, served as Head of Global IT (the equivalent of CIO today) for Firmenich, a Swiss fragrance and flavor company. Through his career, Myron traveled extensively and saw much of the world, often being joined by Eugenia so they could share those experiences together, deepen their relationship, and experience many cultures of the world.

After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August 2009, Myron turned his natural curiosity and spirit of exploration toward his own medical research. He never defined himself by cancer. To him, it was simply something he was managing. Myron trusted his own intuition—listening closely to his body and blending his research in natural therapies with his doctors’ pharmaceutical advances to create a path that felt right for him. His determination, optimism, and zest for life carried him through extraordinary challenges, including pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, lymphoma, bone marrow cancer, and even a battle with melanoma.

Above all, Myron will be remembered for his devotion to family, his strength in adversity, and the example he set of resilience, curiosity, and joy in living. His legacy is one of love, determination, and unshakable will.

He is survived by his wife, Eugenia; his children, Romanna (Joseph) DeSantis of Mendham, Damon (Christine) Bakun of Doylestown, PA, and Tanya (Kristian) Ording of Ridgefield, CT; and eight grandchildren: Kalyna, Gregory, Zachary, Arianna, Gabriella, Julian, Mateus, and Annaliese.