March 6, 2023. OTTAWA, ON. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) expresses sincere condolences to the family and many friends of Dr. Wsevolod W. Isajiw.
Dr. Isajiw passed away in Toronto on February 28. He was 89.
“The Ukrainian Canadian community is deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Isajiw, a trail-blazing scholar and a renowned community leader,” stated Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the UCC. “Dr. Isajiw was part of the generation of scholars that built the institutions of Ukrainian scholarship in North America. He will be greatly missed. May His Memory Be Eternal. Вічная Пам’ять.”
Dr. Isajiw, a community leader, scholar, educator and author, made significant contributions to the field of sociology, undertaking research into ethnicity, ethnic groups, ethnic identity and other topics. Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, where he taught for more than a quarter-century, Dr. Isajiw was also former President of the Canadian Ethnic Studies Association and a member of many academic associations and community organizations. He authored two textbooks and was author or co-author of numerous scholarly works and studies.
Dr. Isajiw was a Founding Member and member of the Board of the Ukrainian Canadian Research and Documentation Centre (UCRDC), where he played a leading role in the production of Harvest of Despair, the award-winning 1983 documentary about the Holodomor Famine-Genocide. Dr. Isajiw served as President of the UCRDC from 2003 to 2013.
In 2006, Dr. Isajiw was bestowed with Papal Honours and named a Knight in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, for his “significant contribution to Catholic education, especially in connection with proposed changes to ‘The Education Act,’ which would have prevented Catholic School Boards from considering an individual’s faith when making employment decisions.”
Dr. Isajiw is survived by his wife, Christina, and four children. The UCC asks God to remember Dr. Isajiw’s family during this difficult time and grant Dr. Isajiw eternal life in His Heavenly Home.
May His Memory Be Eternal!
Вічная Пам’ять!
A full Obituary and information about Memorial Services is available here:
