Obituary

Musicologist, composer, pianist, and music critic, Wasyl was born into the family of artist Petro and Kateryna Sydorenko. While he completed a B.A. (Musicology Specialist, Geology Major) and an M.I.St. (Library and Information Science) at the University of Toronto, Wasyl’s most cherished achievement was his ARCT Diploma in Piano Performance (Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto). Starting his career in Vertebrate Palaeontology at the ROM, Wasyl moved to the University of Toronto libraries (35 years).

From 1994 he was East European Reference Specialist, Petro Jacyk Resource Centre; in 2010 he became President of CUPE Local 1230 (Library Workers). In this role, Wasyl was a fierce advocate for his colleagues. Equally committed to the Ukrainian community, for 25 years, he edited and contributed to the St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral bulletin, Cathedral Bells. First and foremost, however, Wasyl was a composer. An alumnus of Runnymede Collegiate Institute, his compositions were performed by the school’s Senior Orchestra.

In 1991 Wasyl organized a concert to promote the 100th year of Ukrainians in Canada, conducting a ten grand piano ensemble at Massey Hall. His music has been performed in North America and Ukraine. Wasyl also penned numerous articles and music reviews, contributing knowledge and expertise to many music initiatives (Ukrainian Music Festival, Ukrainian Art Song Project).

Wasyl is deeply missed by wife Nadia (née Burachok), daughter Natalia, son Petro, sister Halyna, aunt/godmother Lubow Baziuk, cousins Andrij and Natalia with their families, and relatives in North America and Ukraine.

Public visitation is Friday, January 21 at Cardinal Funeral Home, 92 Annette Street, Private Panakhyda. The Orthodox Rite of Funeral is Saturday, January 22.

In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to a memorial fund for Wasyl Sydorenko and his music legacy.

In memory of WASYL SYDORENKO (1960-2022) – musicologist, composer, pianist, and music critic, the Sydorenko family has created a fund to publish and disseminate Wasyl’s music legacy:  http://www.htplus.net/sydorenko/

 

Gifts in support of this fund can be made by e-transfer or cheque. Please note:  the fund is not a registered charity; tax receipts will not be issued.

 

E-TRANSFER

    1. Under name/contact, write: Wasyl Fund
    2. Under e-mail, write: [email protected]
    3. Before you confirm the transfer, please ensure that the full legal name of the fund, Wasyl Sydorenko Publication Fund, appears on your screen.
    4. The transfer is set up as auto deposit. No security question is required.
 

CHEQUE

    1. Payable to the Wasyl Sydorenko Publication Fund
    2. Mail to:

Sydorenko Family

34 Brumell Ave.

Toronto, ON M6S 4G5

CANADA

 

With appreciation,

The Sydorenko Family

Feel free to watch Panakhyda via zoom, which will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022 at 7pm. To join zoom meeting please click on the link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86145017652?pwd=ZUJiMm1CazloTnh1Ty9FeTd0UktZdz09

                 

Due to the current pandemic restrictions and direction from our regulator, the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, effective January 5, 2022 all guests attending funerals and visitations must pre schedule their attendance in order to prevent line ups or exceed current capacity limits. We encourage those that are unable to attend in person to express their sympathy by posting a message of condolence to our website, donating to a charity or by sending flowers to the funeral home.'

 

Please use this button to sign up to attend the visitation and/ or funeral.

Click to View Volunteer Opportunities on SignUp.com

Feel free to sign up using your computer, tablet or mobile device. If you are attending the visitation and service, please remember to sign up for both. You are required to sign up each person individually as opposed to 2 spots being reserved under 1 name. Please know that you are able to assist others by signing up those who may less proficient on a computer. You will need their full name and phone number. Please keep in mind that children and infants do count towards the total guests and must be signed up as well. Please also feel free to call the funeral home at 416-762-8141 if you would like some assistance. Thank you.

   

Visitation

Date
January 21, 2022
Location
Cardinal Funeral Home - Annette Chapel
Time
02:00 PM - 04:45 PM
Memo

Please sign up. If you are not on the attendee list you might not be able to enter the funeral home.

Service

Date
January 22, 2022
Location
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Demetrius
Time
10:00 AM
Memo

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Burial

Date
January 22, 2022
Location
St. Volodymyr Cemetery
Time
11:45 AM
Memo

Arrival time is approximate

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January 22, 2022
Romana Bahry
Dear Nadia, Natalia, Petro and Halyna, I am heartbroken that my good friend and trustworthy colleague has left us. Wasyl was a kind, gentle and beautiful soul. He was a perfectionist with a keen mind and a passion for detail in his work. I am very grateful for the endless hours he spent providing me with valuable editorial advice these past 10 years for my biography of Dr. W. S. Kindraczuk, Forgotten Chemist of Łańcut and Pioneer of Probiotics. I will miss our conversations on topics ranging from language to history and music and religion and current global issues. Wasyl was passionate about his musical compositions, and I was honoured to have heard some of them performed. There was so much more that Wasyl could have accomplished. He left us so suddenly and way too soon. Rest in peace, dear friend. I send the family my deep condolences at this time of profound grief. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
January 22, 2022
Craig and Catherine
We were very saddened to hear about the passing of our neighbour Wasyl. Wasyl was a lovely and interesting man, and always a friendly face on our street. He will be very missed by all who knew him. We would like to offer our deepest sympathies to Wasyl's friends and family at this difficult time.
January 22, 2022
Joanne Lynes
My sincerest condolences to the Sydorenko family and his colleagues at the library.
January 22, 2022
Joy Campbell
To my dear friend Halyna, I am so very sorry for the profound loss of your beloved brother Wasyl. I pray that you and the rest of your family in time,will find some comfort in knowing how much Wasyl was loved, respected, appreciated and is clearly missed by all who was lucky enough to spend any time with him. Loving father,cherished brother, devoted husband, a friend and colleague, forever missed. If ever you need me Halyna, I am always here my friend.
January 21, 2022
Brian Musselwhite, ROM European Department (retired)
My sincere condolences to the Sydorenko family. I rarely think of my days in the ROMs Saturday Morning Club but when I saw Wasyl's photograph all the happy memories of Wasyl and his sister Halyna came flooding back. Serious yet fun to be with, they both worked beautifully with the children helping them with their crafts. And I've never seen a brother and sister so close. When you found one, you found the other. And although our paths never crossed in the last thirty-five years, I still remember both of them with fondness. Wasyl has gone too soon but his accomplishments were many and he left the world a better place than he found it. The sadness never goes away but may the many beautiful memories he left comfort you.
January 21, 2022
Teresa Pietropaolo-De Marco
My condolences to the Sydorenko Family. I had the pleasure of knowing Wasyl for many years while working at the University of Toronto Libraries. He was a devoted and passionate union president for CUPE 1230. He will be missed. He was also a very accomplished individual and most of all a very proud and loving family man. Rest in Peace Wasyl
January 21, 2022
Lari Langford
I extend my sincere condolences to the Sydorenko family and to the staff of the libraries. Wasyl leaves a legacy of caring for others, as I was able to witness over the years of working together. May he rest in peace.
January 21, 2022
Irene Dorothea Solomon
Pani Nadju. I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are for you and your family.
January 21, 2022
Fu-Rong
Dear Nadia, Natalia, Petro, and family, I am so sad to hear the loss of Wasyl, I knew Wasyl from working in the library. He was a kind-hearted person, a person with sense of duty, just, and integrity. Please accept my deepest condolences to you! May his love and care for you carry you through such a difficult time. My prayers and thoughts are with you. May God comfort you and give you strength! Fu-Rong
January 21, 2022
Peter Landry
Dear Halyna and family, I am so sad to hear about your loss. I did not know Wasyl, but it is clear from the memorials that he was a very remarkable person. My thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.
January 20, 2022
Marianna Ovesny
Dear Sydorenko Family, please accept my sincere condolences at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have known Wasyl for many years. He was a person of many interests and creative pursuits. However, music, especially classical music, was his forte. His passion was also Ukrainian culture and history and the life of Ukrainian Diaspora. As CUPE 1230 Union President he was deeply committed doing his best and cared very much for each and every member. He shall be greatly missed by all. Вічна пам'ять!
January 20, 2022
Svetka Vučina
Dear Wasyl’s Family and U of T Members, In shock😢😢😢 I am writing this message. Wasyl and I worked for decades in the Robarts Library. Myself, I worked 35 years in the Library. Being young when we met, we grew up older sharing news of our families. He adored his family, his wife Nadia, daughter Natalia, son Petro and sister Halyna. Always spoke highly of his family. As President of our CUPE 1230 he was tirelessly working and improving our working conditions… and he was always thinking of his “U of T Family members”. Always attentive to each one of us. He kept us informed of each other, even after we retired. An excellent music composer and music critic, an excelled pianist, music gifts inherited from his beloved Parents. An excellent writer, he conveyed his thoughts beautifully. My fondest memories and stories shared with Wasyl are with me today. He always had present his beloved Motherland Ukraine, he was an active participant within his community. An extremely caring friend. He was the most respected and cared coworker. Sincere Condolences to his dearest wife Nadia, children Natalia and Petro, to his family in Canada and Ukraine. May You all find Peace and console in your hearts. Too young to depart to Heaven. Dear Wasyl will be remembered fondly by each one of his friends and by the tireless contributions to his beloved University of Toronto. Praying for his kind and loving Soul transcends to Heaven free of earth sufferings. Rest In Peace dear friend ❤️🙏🏻 In Solidarity in this saddest moments😢😢😢 Eternal Rest Svetka Vučina and Son Ivo
January 20, 2022
Alan Scheer
Dear Sydorenko family, I send my deepest sympathy at this time of your loss of Wasyl. Wasyl was very proud of all of you and over the many years he worked in the library I have met all of you, including Wasyl's sister on different occasions. He loved to talk about his family, his love for his children, and he loved his Ukrainian heritage and his parents who he spoke about often with tremendous love. I have worked with Wasyl since he first started in the library, and I have worked on the Union executive with Wasyl for the past four or five years. Wasyl had an incredible mind for detail, he remembered everything no matter how obscure it was and the loss will be greatly felt by all of us who worked with Wasyl here in the library. Wasyl knew all the staff, including the student employees and he will always be remembered as being a great and incredibly profound leader. I wish all of you strength during your grief. All of us who work in the library will never be the same without Wasyl. He was friends/family with everyone he worked with .
January 20, 2022
Partha Mohanram
Dear Sydorenko Family My deepest heartfelt condolences on your loss. I did not know Wasyl (I am colleague of Halyna) but am amazed at his legacy, musical and otherwise. May he rest in peace and may his music live on forever.
January 20, 2022
Avi Goldfarb
I am sorry for your loss. May his memory be a blessing.
January 20, 2022
Ihor kosar
My deepest sympathy in Wasyl’s passing. There are never the right words to say when someone leaves at an early age. May god ease the pain and let you remember the goodness.
January 20, 2022
Donna Holodryzuk Kosar
Dear Nadia, Natalia , Petro and Halia, we are so very sorry to hear of Wasyl's passing. We loved seeing all of you at church and Ukrainian Dance. Our chats with Wasyl were always so interesting, he loved to share his knowledge about the Ukrainian community and he was always interested in what was going on in our lives. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
January 20, 2022
Jeff Heeney
I think Wasyl would have made a very good president of anything he took on. It is very upsetting to hear of him passing prior to retirement, and i'm sure he had many plans to continue with his music. I had the pleasure of hearing him talk about his musical ideas several years ago and was surprised to see how much he knows. One could see it was an inseparable part of him. However I was only an acquaintance of his through CUPE 1230. My condolences to the family and close friends. The world has lost a rare thing, a man with high integrity. He leaves us all with the challenge of living up to his level of kindness, sense of duty to others and gentle manner.
January 20, 2022
Lana Soglasnova
It is hard to imagine the library without Wasyl. I knew him as a colleague working with the Slavic collection. He was passionate about knowledge and cared deeply about books. My deepest condolences to all Wasyl's family and friends. Memory eternal!
January 20, 2022
Allison Dubarry
I was very sad to see this as I worked with Wasyl in his role as President of the CUPE local when I was president of the USW local. Wasyl was a person with integrity who believed in fairness and improving the working conditions of his fellow staff. I enjoyed working with him in the coalition of unions and he contributed so much to improving conditions for UofT staff.
January 19, 2022
Lydia Pawlenko-Lobos and Henry Lobos
Dear Nadia, Natalia, Petro and Halyna, and your extended family, Our sincerest condolences to you. Wasyl was the son of my talented godfather, the artist Petro Sydorenko. While growing up, Wasyl showed so much curiosity and musical potential! Wasyl’s devoted work at the University and passionate contribution to Ukrainian culture will forever live on. Wishing you peace and comfort at this time of sorrow.
January 19, 2022
Forugh Sohbaty
Dear Sydorenko family, Your loss deeply saddens me. I knew Wasyl from the library. He was the pillar of CUPE, a passionate and caring leader. He will be greatly missed.
January 19, 2022
Polina Vendrova
Dear Sydorenko family, My deepest condolences to you at this time of sorrow. I knew Wasyl from the library, and though I didn't work closely with him, I knew he was a passionate leader who was committed to CUPE and to the library and its staff and patrons. He will be missed. Memory Eternal!
January 19, 2022
Vera Vynohrad
Dear Nadia, Natalia, Petro and Halyna, I send my deepest sympathy on the passing of Wasyl. I am thinking of you, sharing in your sadness, and wishing you strength, peace and comfort as you mourn the loss of a wonderful and special person. I feel very fortunate to have known Wasyl for most of my life and I will forever cherish my memories of the experiences, reminiscences and conversations that we shared together. God bless and comfort you.
January 19, 2022
Pawlenko-Lomaga Family
Dear Nadia, Natalia, Petro and Halyna, deepest condolences on the loss of your husband, father and brother. May you find comfort in the special memories shared with Wasyl. You are all in our prayers. Vichnaya Pamyat!
January 19, 2022
Lisette Henrich
Dear Sydorenko Family, I had the pleasure of working with Wasyl for 11 years on the CUPE 1239 executive. He was a fair and caring leader. I miss him and his amazing memory and recall already. My heart goes out to you all during this difficult time.
January 19, 2022
Olenka Wasley
Dear Sydorenko Family, Deepest sympathy on the passing of your dear father. My thoughts are with you.
January 19, 2022
Nina Kryshtalskyj
Dear Nadia, Natalia , Petro and family; My deepest condolences on Wasyl's sudden passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this most difficult time. May God help you cope with this loss.