Leo Henry Ulashkin

Leo Henry Ulashkin, 73, of Richmond, VA, was welcomed to his eternal home on Christmas morning, 12-25-2025. 

 

Leo was born on May 15, 1952, in Philadelphia, PA to a Kalmyk Mongolian father, Kopa Ulashkin, and a Polish mother, Jadwiga.  His parents arrived in the USA by sea from a Displaced Persons camp in Europe in January of 1952.  Four months after his family’s immigration, Leo became the first Kalmyk American born in the USA.  Life was hard for the Ulashkins, and by the age of eight, Leo had already buried both of his parents.  His sister Tatiana and her husband Beket took Leo in and raised him in Philadelphia and later in South Jersey as their own son.  After high school graduation, Leo studied accounting at Temple University for two years and was later employed as an accountant in New Jersey. 

 

In the 1990’s, Leo moved to Richmond, Virginia, where he became a patient at CrossOver Healthcare Ministry.  He made many friends there, and in 2001, graduated as a Lay Health Promoter volunteer with CrossOver.  Leo used his knowledge and resources to guide others toward health and healing.  CrossOver later employed him for nine years as a Medications Associate.

 

In 2011, Leo’s great niece, Stacy Tsultsumova, came to the USA from Russia to attend college.  By this time, Leo’s immediate family in the USA was all deceased, and he was unaware that he had any living family.  Prior to coming to the USA, Stacy’s grandmother (Leo’s older sister) requested that Stacy try to locate Leo.  One of the happiest days of Leo’s life was when he received a message on Facebook from Stacy informing him that she was his great niece and that his older sister, Raisa, was still living in Russia.  Stacy enabled Raisa and Leo to connect via video calls, and she served as their Russian-English translator.  Raisa passed away in 2015 at the age of 90.  Leo has a nephew, Beket, and nieces Svetlana, Alexandra, and Tatiana, still living in Russia. They treasured getting to know their uncle.

 

Leo had a deep Christian faith and often gave witness to the lavish love of Christ and the abundant grace of God, which he experienced daily!  He was known for his gentle demeanor, joyful countenance, generous heart, and his one-of-a-kind, contagious laugh.  He found great joy in coming up with puns that made others laugh.  Leo enjoyed collecting many things, but he particularly loved collecting samurai swords and military models and showing them to others.

 

Leo became a wonderful baker and would delight others by showing up with warm bread.  He made the communion bread that was served for many years at his church, Christ Presbyterian, and generously taught his skill to others, who have taken up his mantle. Leo also served as a deacon at Christ Presbyterian.  One of the ways he cared for others at church was by sending birthday cards to each member.

  

Leo’s faith was nurtured by his long-time involvement with “Church in the Home”, a Sunday evening small group that provided Leo with lasting friendships. The Richmond AA community was also a significant part of Leo’s life, and he helped to organize and lead an AA group at CrossOver Health Center for over 15 years. 

Leo’s friendly personality and caring spirit endeared him to people wherever he went.  To know Leo was to love him! He leaves behind three nieces, a nephew, two great-nieces, and 2 great-nephews. 

 

 

A service will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 1:00 at Christ Presbyterian Church (2508 Dickens Rd., Richmond, VA) to honor and celebrate the life of our beloved brother, Leo Ulashkin.  For those unable to attend, the service will also be live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/@christpresrva.