John Yaremko

JOHN YAREMKO, B.A., Q.C., LLD., Dr.rer.Pol. Peacefully in his sleep, three days short of his 92nd birthday at the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre, Toronto. Predeceased by his wife Mary and parents George and Mary Yaremko. He is survived by brothers and sisters Anne Holota, Fred Yaremko, Lucy Migus, Jeanette Cooke, Robert Yaremko and Rosalie Yaremko. He is predeceased by siblings Mene, Michael, Lena Hish and Peter and in-laws Bob Cooke, Dennis Holota, Ronald Migus and Frances Yaremko. He is survived by many nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Guardian Angels Rose and Bill Sametz, as well as niece Hélène Yaremko-Jarvis and Gary Jarvis. Born in Welland, Ontario in a family of immigrants from Ukraine. He put himself through school while working on farms and the Steel Company of Canada during summer months and nights while attending the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School. Was awarded scholarships for excellence while at university and became a Gold Medalist at Osgoode Hall. Began political career in 1951 when elected to Ontario's Provincial Parliament as first Canadian of Ukrainian ancestry to be elected in Eastern Canada. Served in Parliament for twenty-five years - longer than anyone in the history of Ontario. In 1958, was appointed youngest Cabinet Minister and served in seven Ministries in the administrations of Premiers Leslie Frost, John Robarts and Bill Davis. Upon his retirement in 1975, the Toronto Star newspaper wrote of John Yaremko: 'His career exhibited a distinct concern for social justice, as Minister responsible for legislation which improved the lot of persons with physical or developmental disabilities, the aged, the poor, and ethnic and cultural minorities.' In 1945, he married Myroslava (Mary) Materyn of Montreal. Together they began to assemble one of the earliest collections of Canadiana including furniture, artefacts and early Canadian Glass, some of which is on display at the University of Toronto Library and the Royal Ontario Museum. He was supportive of many community undertakings including the 'John Yaremko Centre for Community Living' at Bellwoods Centre for Community Living in Toronto, one of the foremost residential facilities for persons with physical disabilities in North America. Throughout his life he supported the aspirations of all of Canada's ethno-cultural groups and maintained that public offices, including the judiciary, should be open to everyone. Recognized by many Canadian groups, he was awarded the Latvian Medal Pro Merito; the Freedom for Hungary Medal; Life Membership in the Polish Alliance of Canada; Honourary Life Member of the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association of Toronto, the Pisticci Club of Toronto, the Abruzzi Club of Toronto; Honourary Member of the Hungarian Freedom Fighters Association of Canada; Honourary Member of the Toronto Greek Community's Canadian Arcadian Association; and recipient of the Metropolia Award on the 75th Anniversary of St. Volodymyr Cathedral in Toronto. In 1981, he was a Founding Member of the University of Toronto Chair of Ukrainian Studies Foundation. He supported the establishment of the Canada Ukraine Parliamentary Internship Program for university students from Ukraine in the House of Commons and the Ontario Legislature. A proud graduate of the University of Toronto, he supported Canada's and Ukraine's universities by establishing the John Yaremko Scholarship at Wilfrid Laurier University, the John Yaremko Scholarship at the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto, and the John and Mary Yaremko Program in Multiculturalism and Human Rights at the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto and the Multicultural Heritage Lecture Series at the University of Toronto. He assisted the Ukrainian language program at York University and established the Canadian Visiting Scholars Lectureship Program at Kyiv-Mohyla University, University of Lviv, Ostroh University and Kamianets-Podilskyi University in Ukraine. For his community work in Canada he was awarded the Order of St. Andrew and for his support of democratic governance in Ukraine, the President's Medal. In 2009, he received the Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism which was established by Citizenship and Immigration Canada to recognize individuals from communities across Canada who have achieved excellence in promoting multiculturalism so that all citizens can take pride in their ancestry and have a sense of belonging to Canada. The last recognition for the support of his Alma Mater was the establishment of the John Yaremko Chair of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Toront O. The Yaremko Chair will be officially inaugurated in September, 2010 in what would have been the 92nd Autumn of John Yaremko's life. Family and friends will be received at St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral (406 Bathurst Street) on Monday, August 9, 2010, from 5-9 p.m. Orthodox Right of Funeral will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 10 a.m. commencing at Cardinal Funeral Homes (366 Bathurst Street) at 9:30 a.m. Mr. Yaremko will be laid to rest in St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery, Oakville. Online condolences can be made at www.cardinalfuneralhomes.com In lieu of flowers a donation to the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre, 60 Richview Road, Toronto M9A 5E4 would be pleasing. Vichnaya Pamiat - Always Remembered.