Nicholas Orechoff (Nikolay Vasilyevich Orechoff), of Springfield, Virginia (VA) passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at the age of 93.
Nicholas leaves three children. Michael (Moorpark, CA) spouse Barbara (deceased April 5, 2021), Paul (Somerset, NJ), and Nicholas Jr (King George, VA, spouse Vanessa). Nicholas has two grandchildren, Alexander (London, England) and Marie (deceased June 28, 2019). Nicholas also has a grandchild-in-law Zachary (Fayetteville, NC, spouse Christina).
Nicholas was born in Zagreb, Croatia on August 19, 1928, to Paula and Vasily Orechoff who fled the Bolsheviks in Russia after the Russian Revolution to what was then Yugoslavia. Nicholas has no siblings.
Nicholas attended Russian Kindergarten and Elementary schools from 1933 to 1939 in Zagreb. Following this he attended Russia Cadet school from 1939 to 1941. He was one of the last Russian Cadets alive.
In 1944 Nicholas’ family immigrated to Austria fleeing the advancing Soviet Communist Army.
Following several years in Germany/Austria living in Displaced Person camps and with relatives, Nicholas immigrated to the United States in 1949 living in New Jersey for a period and settling on Long Island in Sea Cliff/Glen Cove, NY.
Nicholas served in the US Air Force from 1950 retiring as a Master Sargent in 1974. He spent much of his military career in Germany utilizing his language skills. He was fluent in English, Russian, German, Croatian and Polish. From 1968 to 1969 Nicholas completed his tour of duty in DaNang/Saigon, Vietnam
From 1974 to 1991, Nicholas was a US Government Civilian working for the US Government in Germany and Virginia. Nicholas moved back to the US in 1986 from Germany settling in Springfield, VA. Prior to the Soviet Union breakup, Nicholas participated in a visit of the Soviet Fareast Commander and his delegation visit to Alaska, US. This was the first time a squadron of Russian aircraft (MiG 21) landed on US soil.
In April 1991 Nicholas retired from the US Government after serving the United States for 41 years.
Nicholas continued to work for the US Government as a contractor until 2005. Fully retiring to enjoy his house, yard, and travel. He frequently traveled to Germany his favorite destination.
Nicholas married his wife Catherine Orechoff (nee De Enden) on November 15, 1957, in St. Cloud, France, City Hall. Russian Orthodox wedding was on November 17, 1957, at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (aka Rue Daru) in Paris, France. Catherine predeceased Nicholas on April 15, 2019. Following his wife’s death, his son Paul became Nicholas’ care taker and was fondly remembered by Nicholas on his death bed as being a wonderful cook! He had his wonderful sense of humor until the very end.
Nicholas was a member of St John's Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Washington DC for 35 years and was devout Russian Orthodox Christian his entire life.
Nicholas dedicated his life to the United States and was proud to be a US citizen. He spent his 93rd birthday in California in August 2021 with Michael, Paul, and Leon Waszak (Michael’s brother-in-law). He happily had shots of Vodka in California on his birthday!
Funeral service and interment is Monday, October 4, 2021 at 11am at the Novo-Diveevo Convent Cemetery, Nanuet, NY. There will be a memorial service Wednesday, September 29, 2021, at St John's Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Washington DC at 7pm. Another memorial service will be served after the Slavonic Liturgy Sunday, October 3, 2021 at St John's Russian Orthodox Cathedral. The 40 day memorial service will be at St John's Russian Orthodox Cathedral November 6, 2021 after the Vigil service, around 715pm.