Yefim Usherenko

Yefim Usherenko of West Hartford passed away peacefully at home on February 1st, 2025, with his dear wife of 30 years, Yelena Yurevich, at his bedside. He was 86 years old. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 34 years, Larisa Usherenko, who passed away in Zhitomyr, Ukraine in 1994. Yefim was born on August 11, 1938, in Zhitomyr, Ukraine to Nuta and Sura Usherenko. His father was killed in World War II when Yefim was only 3 years old, and his mother raised him and his late brother, Lev, by herself. During the war he was temporarily evacuated with his mother and brother to Uzbekistan. Since his childhood he retained memories of those difficult times during the war and the struggle to adjusting to a different culture. He started working at a young age to help his mother support the family. During his service in the Army, Yefim lost his dear mother when he had just turned 20. His life was not easy but was very fulfilling. In 1960 he met and married his late wife, Larisa, and together they raised two wonderful children, Aleksander Usherenko and Irina Chibisov. He was very grateful to his late mother-in-law, Sofia Yakovlevna Gitelman, who was always by their side and helped raise their children. She was like a mother to him when she accompanied him to America in 1994. Yefim worked as a chemical technologist at the large manufacturing factory in Ukraine for over 30 years and was well respected by his colleagues. He worked very hard to provide for his family and make sure that his children received higher education. He was very proud of his son, Alex, when he received his military engineering degree, and when his daughter, Irina, became a physician. He loved spending time with his family and his doors were always open to all friends and relatives. He loved family trips and was fortunate to be able to travel to Europe in the 1980s. When his beloved wife, Larisa, died suddenly in 1994, he was heartbroken, but still found strength to move on and emigrated from Ukraine to the United States where his family was eventually reunited. Once again, he had to start his life over again, learn a new language, and adjust to a new culture. He was not afraid of any work and always worked very hard. His devoted and caring wife, Yelena, was by his side for the past 30 years of his life in the United States. Despite difficulties he might have had, he always remembered his brother Lev and his family in Israel and helped them as much as he could. He was able to visit them in Israel and brought back a lot of good memories. Yefim loved the outdoors, and he especially loved doing different projects at home and in his backyard. He was very athletic, lived a healthy lifestyle, and enjoyed swimming and playing various sports. Yefim is survived by his wife Yelena Yurevich, son Aleksander (Irina) Usherenko, daughter Irina Chibisov, grandchildren Dennis and Michael Chibisov, Mariya (Sean) Courchesne and his great grandson Anthony Courchesne. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Lev, his first wife Larisa and his son-in law Valeriy. He loved them all and had a special place in his heart for everyone. Yefim leaves behind many cherished memories of being a wonderful husband, an extraordinary father, and loving grandfather who taught his children and grandchildren to play many sports, work hard, and live a long and fulfilling life. Friends and relatives are welcome to join the family on Thursday, February 6th at 10 am for visitation and a service at 11 am held at Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06119 followed by a burial at Fairview Cemetery, 200 Whitman Ave, West Hartford, CT 06107.

Yefim Usherenko

February 1, 2025