Obituary

Michael (Mykhailo) Wawryshyn was born 1940 in Toronto; died Oct. 13, 2022. Predeceased by his wife Helen and sister Mary. He leaves behind daughters Olena (Oleh Leszczyszyn) and Oksana Wawryshyn, sister Anne Wawryshyn, brother-in-law Ron Berketa, nieces Stephanie Dawe (Greg) and Christine Yuzwin (Nick), family in Ukraine and many good friends. Michael attended St. Rita School, Humberside Collegiate and was a University of Toronto graduate.  He taught at Central Tech High School where he was Geography department head for many years. He was among the initiators of the Heritage Language Program that introduced the teaching of Ukrainian in Ontario schools.  The Canadian Ukrainian community and his Faith were integral to his life.  Michael served on the executive of the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association (UCPBA), Toronto; Ukrainian Canadian Congress; Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Federation. He was a Canadian Foundation for Ukrainian Studies board member and belonged to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church and numerous other organizations. Choral music was his great passion and he sang with the Canadian Bandurist Capella, the Canadian Ukrainian Opera Chorus and other choirs. He also enjoyed gardening, golf and baseball. Family and friends will be received at the Cardinal Funeral Homes "Annette Chapel", 92 Annette St., Toronto on Tuesday, October 18 from 4 to 8 pm. Panakhyda 7 pm. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, October 19 at 10 am at St. Elias Church, 10193 Heritage Rd, Brampton. Interment St. Volodymyr Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers donations to the Ivan Franko Homes "Our Future Together New Building Campaign" in memory of the late Michael Wawryshyn at the following link would be greatly appreciated: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=SSN6V9HJFE8PY

Visitation

Date
October 18, 2022
Location
Cardinal Funeral Home, Annette Chapel
Time
04:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Memo

Panakhyda 7 p.m.

Service

Date
October 19, 2022
Location
St. Elias The Prophet Ukrainian Catholic Church
Time
10:00 AM

Burial

Date
October 19, 2022
Location
St Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery
Time
11:45 AM

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November 19, 2022
Harold Pohoresky
So sorry to hear of his passing. Met Michael at U of Toronto in 1962 at the Ukrainian club. Though we hardly knew each other before then, I was invited to his wedding in 1963 and we became friends. Though we did not stay in touch much over the years, we did meet as part of the group from Canada overseeing the elections in Ukraine and it was so nice to renew acquaintances after so many years. I remember him as a very nice man and have many fond memories of our friendship.
October 27, 2022
Jim Chapman
Anne, I saw your brother' s obituary in the Toronto Star on Monday October 17. I first noticed the last name and then I looked for your first name. I know you and just wanted you to know I was and am thinking about you. I end my condolence messages with this phrase: To be absent from the body is to be with the Lord. Sincerely, Jim Chapman I still have your brother's obituary if you would like me to mail it to you via Canada Post it would mean more to you than it would to me. I would need a mailing address of course.
October 18, 2022
Ada & Peter
Olena, Oksana, Oleh (and family), your father Mykhailo will be missed dearly, not just by the Ukrainian community he served so tirelessly, but by you, his dearest. I will always remember his boundless energy and great sense of humour, and our rides to and from Ukrainian school amongst other adventures. May he rest peacefully. Вічна йому пам’ять!
October 17, 2022
Olya Kuplowska
Dear Olena, Oksana and Oleh, My deepest condolences to you. I am so sorry that Mykhailo is gone – somehow, I imagined him around forever. I first met your father back in the 70’s shortly after I moved to Toronto. Even back then, he seemed to be front and centre of everything happening in Toronto’s Ukrainian community. If there was a committee, Mykhailo was sure to be on it. He gave endlessly and generously to UC community causes, be they local, provincial or national. On a more personal level, Mykhailo was a kind, caring and decent human being. He would always go the extra mile for you. He leaves an indelible mark on the history of Toronto’s UC community but also on the many individuals who engaged with him over the years. Bloor West will just not be the same anymore. He will be missed. May he rest in eternal peace! Вічна йому пам’ять!
October 17, 2022
Board of the Canadian Foundation for Ukrainian Studies
Dear Olena, Oksana and Oleh, The Board of the Canadian Foundation for Ukrainian Studies extends its deepest condolences to you on the loss of your dear father/father-in-law. Mykhailo served on the CFUS Board and Executive Committee from 2005 to 2014 as the ex-officio rep from the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Federation. Not only did he keep us well informed about the UCPBF but because of his extensive contacts in the Ukrainian community, he was a treasure trove of information on just about anything and anyone in the community. He was passionate about education and brought that zeal to all the meetings. Even after he was no longer on the board, he continued to show his support for the work of CFUS through generous donations. As others have commented, he was a tireless activist and thoroughly dedicated to the Ukrainian-Canadian community. The Board mourns his passing and lauds his many contributions. May he rest in peace! Вічна Йому Пам'ять!!
October 17, 2022
Zorianna Hrycenko-Luhova
My sincere condolences. A genuine loss to the Ukrainian-Canadian community. His tireless dedication and many contributions to its development over the years - to be remembered. Always ready to stand up, to push forward issues of concern -- he has helped leave a permanent mark on Ukrainian-Canadian community's history. He will be missed. Vichna Jomu pamiat'!
October 17, 2022
Michael P. Maciuk
You and your family are in my heart and mind. My condolences on the passing of your father. I first met your father on a high school sponsored trip to Ukraine in the 1970’s. I am honored and blessed to have known Michael. Michael was a man of character, full of wisdom, always smiling, warm, and greeted everyone kindly, and sincerely. Decades later, whenever I would run into Michael, he always greeted me warmly, had time to converse, and always offered a kind word. Your father will be terribly missed. Michael was a wonderful man, loved, well respected by all of us, and he will be cherished in our memories forever. God rest his soul in peace! Вічная Пам'ять!
October 17, 2022
Peter & Larissa Bayrachny
We are truly sorry to hear about the loss of your father and the loss to the Ukrainian community which he was a strong part of. A kind and very nice man - we will miss seeing him about but we hope that knowing he is with his beautiful wife Helen, bring you comfort at this difficult time. Вічная Пам'ять!
October 17, 2022
Lucy demelo
I remember seeing Mr. Wawryshyn in the halls of Central Tech, I didn't take Geography, but, I would see him daily and he always had a friendly smile and would always say hello to the students. May he rest in peace. My condolences to the family.
October 16, 2022
Orysia Krucko
I enjoyed knowing Mykhailo throughout his life as part of our opera group under Kolesnyk, interacting with him at UCC, UCPBA and on many occasions. We always had great chats even in Montreal when he participated at our Ukrainian festival when he came to sing with the banduristy. I will always remember Mykhailo. He was quite the character! Vichnaya Pamyat.