Alex Mihnovets

North Royalton, Ohio—Alex “Aleksei” Mihnovets, 96, the beloved patriarch of the Mihnovets  family, passed away Saturday, December 17, following a brief illness, but surrounded by love.

Alex’s life was the embodiment of the American Dream.  The son of Ukrainian parents, Stephen and Agripina Mihnovets, Alex was born on February 25, 1926 in Wartitisk, Poland.  After surviving the persecutions of World War II, Alex immigrated to the United States in 1950 at the age of 24.  He learned English in addition to his native Ukrainian and Polish.  He married the love of his life, Olga, on September 26th, 1953, and together they built an amazing life outside of Cleveland, Ohio. 

Alex spent 36 years as an employee of the Ford Motor Company providing for his family.  He ensured that his children would all be first generation college graduates from The Ohio State University.  He was a devout member of St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Parma, Ohio since 1953. 

Alex will be remembered by many as an avid swimmer, biker, and jet skier.  He filled his retirement with family and friends and enjoyed life between Ohio and sunny Florida.  He loved to garden and will forever be known for his delicious pickles.

Alex’s life and legacy, which once filled entirely inside two wooden crates, now stretches generations and across the United States.  His life was one of incredible strength, resilience, and perseverance—making him a hero to his family.  His passing has left an unimaginable void to all who knew him. 

Alex is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 69 years, Olga Mihnovets; his three sons: Stephen (Eva Jo) Mihnovets of Punta Gorda, Florida; Nick (Cherie) Mihnovets of Lago Vista, Texas; Peter Mihnovets of York, South Carolina; his grandchildren: Jonathan (Emily) Mihnovets, Michael (Taylor) Mihnovets, Christopher (Sarah) Mihnovets, Justin (Lizelle) Mihnovets, Ragan (Aaron) Speer, Carley Hege; his great-grandchildren: Olivia, William, Marshal, Amelia Rose, Weston, and Blakely; his nephews: Nicholas and Serge Mihnovets and Peter and John Michnovec; and his great-grand nieces Anastasia and Nasha Mihnovets.

Family and friends may gather to pay respects to the family from 10:00 -11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2022 at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 5913 State Road, Parma, Ohio 44134, where a funeral service will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will follow at the Brooklyn Heights Cemetery, 4700 Broadview Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44109.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Kolodiy-Lazuta Funeral Home in Parma.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.