Vicnaja Pamjat John Krenisky 06-30-1941 to 12-06-2023

The dash between your birth and death reflects your time on earth.  John can be very proud of his "dash" time.   In addition to his work caring for our garden, he was our garden representative for the Cultural Gardens Federation for more than 30 years, he was very active with his veteran's group, the Teamsters, churches both in Cleveland and Pennsylvania, the Greek Catholic Union and made time to be with family.  His work was always done quietly without seeking rewards or accolades.

John Krenisky and Florence Orris take over the care of our garden.  

The 70's and 80's saw a time when the gardens fell into disrepair.  Vandalism was rampant.  Weeds were more common than flowers and many of the busts and plaques made of bronze were stolen.

In the 1990's a concerted effort was made to bring the gardens back to their former glory.  John and Florence took the reins of our garden and brought it back to life.

In the early days John was able to get flowers for free from the Rockefeller Greenhouse.  As you can see, many flowers were added to the garden.

For many years John checked on the garden regularly and made sure the stone areas were not covered in leaves, the ivy was trimmed back, and the plantings were watered.

He enjoyed just sitting in the garden, which is a very peaceful setting.

To celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the founding of Cleveland, Holden Parks Trust granted each existing garden $2,500.00 to make improvements to their garden.  John was able to have  many shrubs and trees added to our garden.  From this planting, 1 Austrian Pine, 2 Darf Burning Bushes, 2 Dogwoods, and possibly 1 Linden remain in 2024

The celebration for the 60th Anniversary of our garden was held in conjunction with One World Day in 1999.  At the time, host gardens were chosen as the focal point of the event.  In 1999 it was held in the lower level of the Rusin Garden.  John Krenisky and Florence Orris were responsible for a full day of activities and entertainment.  A small bust of Father Duchnovich was borrowed to be seen on the pedestal there, as he had been in 1952.

See dropdown from History for more information 

John marched in every One World Day Parade of Flags from 1994 to 2023.  Many years he marched alone or with his grandson.  John is seen here with two other faithful marchers, Laurel Tombazzi (daughter of Florence Orris) and her husband Frank.  

See One World Day - Parade of Flags

During the low period in the 1970's and 1980's the bust of Father Alexander Duchnovich, which had been dedicated in 1952, disappeared.  In 1996, Dr. Paul Robert Magocsi visited Cleveland and was appalled to see an empty pedestal where the bust of Father Duchnovich had been.  This led John on a crusade to return a bust to a place of honor in the garden.  With the help of Paul Burik, in the early 2000's, John managed to work with the Cultural Gardens Federation, the City of Cleveland, Wawrytko Studios and a foundry to recreate a new bust based on the original designed by Frank Jirouch.  A dedication of the new bust was held June 24, 2012

See dropdown under History to see more about this event.

The Cultural Gardens Federation provides each garden with a new flag each year.  Because our flag is a bit unique, the company they used to purchase new flags did not carry a Rusyn flag.  John, with the help of the Greek Catholic Union, made sure our flag was always flying and in good condition.

Currently the Federation is able to get the Rusyn flag from its current supplier and is replace annually.

(For more photos of the dedication of the new bust - go to - drop down menu under History - Dedication 2012)

In the early 2000's John was joined in caring for the garden by Marcia Benko and Wayne Slota.  They were followed by Barb Popovich, Greg Smith, Diana Essock, Tom Kolakowski, Patti Poole, Terrence O'Malley,  Jason and Jack Rohal, and Susan Stolitza.   John was the principal caretaker of our garden.  It will take all of us to manage what he seemed to do so easily.  We invite anyone interested to join us.  Help us keep our garden a place of which we can all be proud.