Yury Zvyagolskiy

Funeral Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82688496939 Meeting ID: 826 8849 6939 Yury Zvyagolskiy, 72, passed away on May 15, 2023 in Salt Lake City, UT from a short battle with cancer. He was born on August 16,1950 in Khabarovsk, Russia (former USSR) to Praskovya and Vasili Zvyagolskiy. In his younger years in the former Soviet Union (USSR) Yury and his family lived on and around many military bases from the Black Sea to Russia’s Far East Region while his father served as a ranking officer in the Soviet Armed Forces (Red Army). Sometimes they would move multiple times in a single year. Yury would tell stories of mainland bases and islands in the Pacific where he and his brother, Victor would play on and off the military bases without a lot of structure. He loved his parents and his brother very much and spoke of many stories of their life together. Yury was very intelligent. He described his schooling as inconsistent. At times he remembers not going to school for several months because of having to move so much with his family. Despite this challenge, he excelled and graduated from Far Eastern State University in Russia. Yury’s profession was an Electronic and System Engineer for large IBM Computers. He met Vera Semenko at work, and they married on March 24th, 1979, in Vladivostok, Russia where they lived until December of 2010. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Russia on October 10, 1998. His family was the first to be baptized as a family unit in the Far East of Russia. He spoke often of his faith and belief in Jesus Christ and His Gospel. He was a devout member of his church, serving in many leadership roles and capacities in Russia and the United States. He met Prophets and dignitaries, serving charitable organizations and individuals alike. Yury’s dream was to immigrate to the United States of America and when 2 of his daughters moved to the United States, he decided to leave his Russian family members, his home and birth country to start everything over. He sacrificed everything for his dream. He and Vera moved to Utah on December 21, 2010. He became a homeowner, a business owner, a life coach, a mentor, and a confidant to many who cherished his advice and perspective. He spoke very good English as a second language and used his accent and humor to disarm and ingratiate others. He played tirelessly with his grandchildren and liked to “take them to the Moon” (which meant spending a few days around their birthday spoiling them with food and toys). He would teach them Chess and dance with them to music videos. He loved to boat in the ocean and on lakes and was an experienced traveler and skilled communicator. He loved the beach and the sun. On February 18, 2016, he achieved his impossible dream and became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America. Yury was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years Vera Zvyagolskaya; his children Olga (Aleksey) Zvyagolskaya, Maria (Tyler) Bleazard and Polina (Langoia) Latu; his grandchildren Maria (Sergey) Vinnikova, Petra Bleazard, Mila Bleazard, Sonia Bleazard, James Bleazard, Vera Latu, Viliami Latu, Alexander Latu, Langoia Latu; his brother Victor Zvyagolskiy. He preceded in death by his parents Praskovya and Vasili Zvyagolskiy. A viewing will be held Monday, May 22, 2023 at 9:00am-11am. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 6500 S Dixie Dr West Jordan, UT 84084 Funeral services will be held at 11am-12pm The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 6500 S Dixie Dr West Jordan, UT 84084 Graveside service at 12:30pm-2pm Valley View Memorial 4335 W 4100 S West Valley City, UT 84120 Dedication of the Grave by Eric Hansen (former bishop) A luncheon will be held at the ward church building for family members and close friends following services. The funeral service will be streamed through Zoom Time: May 22, 2023 10:30 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82688496939 Meeting ID: 826 8849 6939 The family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the generous outpouring of love and support to all those who have traveled or contributed in any way to help remember and honor Yury.

Yury Zvyagolskiy

August 16, 1950 - May 15, 2023