Wasyl Veryha

WASYL VERYHA Passed away peacefully on December 30th, 2008 at his home in Toronto in his 87th year. Dearly beloved husband of his wife Oksana (nee Albota) for 57 years. Loving father of Andrew and wife Irene, Luba, Peter and Olena and husband Nick. Dear grandfather of Matthew, Alexander, Larissa, Julian and Daniel. Wasyl was born in Kolodribka, Ukraine (Ternopil region). His youthful years were disrupted by World War II and he served in the Ukrainian Division "Galicia". After spending several years in Italy and England, Wasyl emigrated to Canada in 1951. In spite of the obligations of a young family and full-time employment, he resumed his studies culminating in a degree in library science from the University of Toronto and a senior position with the University of Toronto Libraries. Wasyl remained with the University of Toronto until his retirement in 1986. His life represented the pursuit of academic excellence with a Master of Arts degree from the University of Ottawa (1968) and a PhD from the Ukrainian Free University in Munich (1990). Wasyl was a dedicated and active member of the Ukrainian community in Canada. He was a member of numerous community organizations as well as the Ukrainian Historical Society, Taras Shevchenko Scientific Society and the World Congress of Free Ukrainians. Wasyl was the author of many books and articles in both Ukrainian and English dealing with the 20th century history of his homeland. Over the last two decades Wasyl received a number of awards for his dedicated pursuit of various initiatives both in Canada and Ukraine. Wasyl Veryha will be greatly missed by his family and friends, both here and in Ukraine. Friends and family may call at Cardinal Funeral Homes at 92 Annette Street on Friday, January 2nd, 2009 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for visitation with a panachyda at 6:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (Bellwoods Avenue and Queen Street) in Toronto on Saturday, January 3rd at 1 p.m. followed by interment at St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Cemetery in Oakville. Memorial donations to Children of Chernobyl Canadian Fund or Taras Shevchenko Scientific Society would be most appreciated.