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02/26/2013 09:00 AMPlaton “Paul” Choma, 91, of East Haven, loving and devoted husband of 67 years to Halyna “Lala” Kulisz Choma, died on Feb. 23 at the Connecticut Hospice after a long and valiant battle with squamous cell carcinoma. Platon was born in Ivano Frankiswk, Ukraine, son of the late Joseph and Michailina Schumansky Choma. Due to political conditions and the terror of the communist regime, he was forced to flee his native homeland and found refuge in a displaced person camp in Mittenwald, Germany, where he met his wife Halyna, and they immigrated to the United States in June of 1949.
Although he was grateful for the opportunities that America had to offer, Platon never forgot his heritage and wanted to ensure that his children were well aware of their roots.
Platon was a man of integrity and high ethical and moral standards and convictions. He was one of the co-founders of Ridna Shkola, a Ukrainian school of studies, as well as the Ukrainian National Home. He was also a supporter and member of various Ukrainian organizations, as well as a coach for the Ukrainian Soccer Dowbush.
Platon was employed at High Standard and Winchester Fire Arms, and he retired from Avco Lycoming/Textron as a supervisor of quality control. He enjoyed winter vacations in the Bahamas, and after retirement, had the opportunity to travel to Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and most importantly, returned to his homeland Ukraine.
Platon was elated when the Soviet Union crumbled and Ukraine regained its independence, but was most distressed at Ukraine's political situation since its independence. He closely followed its political situation and developments.
Platon was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and he took great pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He was a parishioner of St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Besides his wife, he is survived by two beloved children, Lidia Choma of East Haven and Igor Choma and his wife Joanne, also of East Haven. In addition, he is survived by three grandchildren, Adrianna, Eric, and Gregory Choma, and three nephews, Adrian, Roman, and Jaroslaw Melnyk, and their families. He was predeceased by three siblings, Lubomyra Melnyk, Joseph Choma (husband of Wilik Choma), and Edward Choma.www.portofuneralhomes.net.
His funeral procession will leave the Porto Funeral Home, 234 Foxon Rd. (Rte. 80), East Haven, on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 10:15 a.m., for a mass of Christian burial at St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 569 George St., New Haven, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in East Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford, CT 06405, or to St. Michael's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 569 George St., New Haven, CT 06511. Sign Platon's guest book online at