Mrs. Iraida Cherniak

Obituary

It is with heavy hearts that we are writing of the passing of Iraida Cherniak (neé Bezverha). Iraida was born on May 25, 1925 in Kyiv, Ukraine to Maria Martynenko, a mezzo soprano in Ukraine’s National Opera and Dmytro Bezverhyj, a surgeon and professor of medicine Kyiv and L’viv Universities. She was predeceased by her husband Petro Cherniak, a civil servant with the Ontario government as well as an operatic tenor, and by her brother, Volodymyr, an oncologist surgeon in Kyiv.

Iraida inherited her mother’s love of music, and after completing the Music Conservatory in Kyiv, became an accomplished pianist and coloratura soprano. She was in demand as an accompanist, and recorded music albums in which she performed Ukrainian classical and traditional songs. Iraida also studied medicine at the Kyiv Medical Institute, but was interrupted in her studies by the Second World War.

Iraida married Petro Cherniak in Kyiv, and they emigrated to Canada in 1948, settling in Toronto, where they became active members of the Ukrainian-Canadian community. It was in Toronto that they raised their four daughters, Natalia, Oksana, Anna and Marta, instilling in them not only good values but also the importance of education and music.

Iraida’s life in Canada was active and full, and she believed strongly in the continuing development of the mind and spirit. She continued to perform, often with her husband, and appeared in numerous theatre and musical productions, including concerts in Massey Hall. She spent many winters in North Port, Florida, where she was an active participant in the Ukrainian diaspora’s social and cultural life, including conducting the choir at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church. From 1975 to 1981 she was the head of Kozub, a Ukrainian Cultural Literary and Art Club. Iraida was also a skilled translator of books and other literary works. During her time at Ivan Franko Home, Iraida continued to perform, to conduct and to give readings and presentations on various Ukrainian intellectuals and other cultural matters. Professionally, she worked for Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications, earning many commendations, and was promoted to management. In addition, she and her husband also ran a music school.

Iraida was well-travelled, starting from a young age with her father, which spurred her interest in the world and its people, flora and fauna. She was also a passionate believer in the importance of multilingualism. Among many other things, Iraida imparted to her family the importance of travel, languages, culture, and nature.

Iraida was the strength, inspiration and guiding light of her family, and will be deeply missed. She leaves behind her daughters Natalia (husband Roman), Oksana (husband Volodya), Anna, and Marta (husband Paul); her grandchildren Tamara (partner Nick), Andrew, Hrad, Matt (Motia), Raya, Jason (wife Jacqueline), Michael, Tara, and Adrian (wife Stephanie); her great-grandchildren Nathan, Cristina, Victor, Johnny, and Jocelyn; and her family in Kyiv, nephew Andrew (wife Anastasia) and niece Olha (husband Serhiy).

In honour of the memory of Iraida (Irene), the family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers you consider donating to Ivan Franko Home in Mississauga, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St Demetrius in Etobicoke, or Graceview Presbyterian Church in Etobicoke. 

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