Paul E. Tarasuk, Phd

Paul E Tarasuk, PhD, passed away quietly on September 29, 2023, at the Fraser Health Care Center, Hilton Head. He had been a resident of The Seabrook, Hilton Head since 2016. Dr Tarasuk received his BA and MA degrees from the University of Connecticut, graduating with his United States Air Force commission. He also received his 6th year from the University of Bridgeport and his doctorate in Education from the University of North Dakota. He held local and national leadership positions in the American Counseling Association. Paul served in the US Air Force and in his early career, he was a teacher and guidance counselor at military dependent schools in Japan and Germany. Paul was a professor of Counselor Education and Human Services at Central Connecticut State University for many years. Upon retirement from CCSU Paul continued teaching English as a Second Language to Russian immigrants in Hartford, Connecticut. When he moved to South Carolina he continued teaching in the ESL program in Bluffton.

Paul was the youngest of the six children of Elarion and Mary Bruzenak Tarasuk of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Paul was born in 1931. He married Mary Ann Bochnak in 1961 and they had two children, Anne Mary and Paul Douglas. Paul and his wife were active members of the All Saints Russian Orthodox Church of Hartford, Connecticut. Mary Ann passed away in 1991.

In 1994 Paul married Marilyn Young Bishop. Paul and Marilyn lived in Avon, Connecticut, and in 2001 they moved to Sun City, Bluffton, South Carolina. They were active members in their community and they were communicants at the Church of the Cross. Paul and Marilyn spent many happy summer vacations together in Aruba. Paul was an avid reader. He loved history, opera, tai-chi, and foreign languages. Paul was a joy to know.

Paul leaves his wife Marilyn, and his children Anne Mary, Paul Douglas (Janet), and his grandchildren, Ellery, Cameron, Kala, Aubrey.  He also leaves Marilyn’s children Deborah (Paul), Bishop (Leah), and Holly (Greg), and granddaughter, Hannah. Paul is survived by his older brother Harry and a sister-in-law Ora Marie. He was Uncle Paul to many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Paul E Tarasuk will be held on Friday, October 27, at the Church of the Cross, Calhoun St., Bluffton SC at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Paul’s name to The Seabrook of Hilton Head Foundation, The Church of the Cross Food Bank, Bluffton, SC or All Saints Russian Orthodox Church, Hartford, Connecticut.