Andrew Lukjanczuk

Andrew “Andy” Lukjanczuk, 83, formerly of Erie, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at his home in Buffalo, New York on December 19, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. Andy was born in Brest, Belarus, to Alexander and Marta Lukjanczuk. 

Andy survived a childhood that is difficult to imagine. His earliest years were marked by displacement and hardship as he journeyed from Belarus to southern Germany under Nazi oppression. From the ages of 5 to 10, he lived in hospitals in Germany and later Sweden, confined to a cast from his armpits to his ankles while recovering from tuberculosis in his left hip. During this time, he was separated from most of his family, who had already immigrated to the United States. Andy was accompanied only by his oldest brother, Serge, who had also been stricken with tuberculosis.

After his release from the hospital, Andy was placed in an orphanage, where he waited anxiously for a foster family. His Christmas wish was granted when he was welcomed into a Swedish family who gave him some of the happiest years of his childhood. Living on a farm, he experienced freedom, care, love, and joy that left a lasting impression on his life.

At the age of 14, Andy was reunited with his family in Cleveland, Ohio. He worked tirelessly to learn English and quickly discovered a talent for mathematics. Determined to pursue higher education and become the first college graduate in his family, Andy earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from The Ohio University in 1967.

In 1972, Andy founded Lukjan Supply & Manufacturing Incorporated in Erie, Pennsylvania. Lukjan Supply is a family grown HVAC wholesale and sheet metal manufacturing business that Andy built with passion, dedication, and perseverance. With the help of his 3 sons, he successfully expanded the business to Buffalo, New York.

Andy shared 42 years of marriage with his former wife, Freida, and together they raised 3 sons and a daughter.

Andy was deeply passionate about traveling, cooking, storytelling, and his business. He was known for his elaborate and captivating stories—experiences so rare and vivid that listeners couldn’t help but hang on every word. Andy loved to cook and never followed a recipe, instead reading cookbooks as if they were novels. He showed his love through food, though he was happy to leave the kitchen mess behind for someone else.

An avid traveler, Andy took dozens of trips over the years, primarily to Europe and the Bahamas, where he spent cherished time with his Swedish foster family and lifelong friends. In later years, he especially enjoyed cruises and trips to Mexico, where he could indulge his love of food and relaxation. As a devoted entrepreneur, Andy worked in his business until his final days, determined to leave a meaningful legacy for his family. He was a hardworking father who provided a rich and loving childhood for his children and a generous man who cared deeply for those closest to him, always without expectation.

Andy is survived by his 4 children: Paul (Rebecca) Lukjanczuk, Stefan Lukjanczuk, Gregory Lukjanczuk, and Tamara (Trent) Richardson; 5 grandchildren: Elizabeth (Richard) Lukjanczuk, Mary (Benjamin) Foley, Sarah (Scott) Proper, Nash Richardson, and Andrew Lukjanczuk, his namesake; 2 great-grandchildren: Joanna and Colt Proper; and his siblings, brother Serge Lukjan and sisters Mary Nestor and Helen (Paul) Kavel.

Andy was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Marta Lukjanczuk; his brothers, Anatol Lukjanczuk and John Lukjanczuk; and his beloved grandson, Abel Lukjanczuk.

A memorial to celebrate his life will be held at a later date.

Those wishing to honor Andy’s memory may make a donation to the Foundation for Prader-Willi Research in his name.