Oryst Pidzamecky

Oryst is lovingly remembered by his wife of 48 years, Maria (née Borowec); his children, Daria (Brandon), Olena (Rodrigo), Lesya (Allan), and Stefan (Heather); and his grandchildren, Tristan, Melanya, Sofia, and Adrianna, to whom he was a proud Dido. He will also be remembered by his sister-in-law, Sue (née Huot), and niece, Laurie. He was predeceased by his parents, Volodymyr and Theodosia (née Romaniuk) Pidzamecky, and his brother, Morris.

Born Ernest “Oryst” Nastor Pidzamecky on June 23, 1946, in Sudbury, Ontario, to Volodymyr and Theodosia.

Oryst attended University of Western Ontario where he graduated in 1969. His early career included teaching elementary school, driving Greyhound buses through the summers, and catering church and Ukrainian events with his cousin Tim Nykilchuk. He found a long term career with the Co-operators where he worked for over 25 years. After retiring at 55, he took a leap of faith and opened a restaurant (OP’s Eatery) and later Oryan Catering in Guelph, which he owned and operated for 15 years. Anyone who knew Oryst knew he had a passion for food, serving others, and a personal love for apple pie after a meal.

Oryst was deeply committed to the Ukrainian community, serving as National President of the Ukrainian National Youth Federation of Canada in his early years. During his time as President, he later went on his first date with his future wife Maria Borowec at the “Night in Kiev” Zabava in Grimsby, Ontario. That event was played by the late, great Ron Cahute and Buriya Band. Four years later, Oryst and Maria were engaged, eventually marrying at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Church in Toronto, Ontario on November 18, 1978. Their wedding, like their first date, was played by Ron and Buriya. Oryst would fondly tell his children that their over 400 person, open-bar wedding only cost $5,000.

In 1980, Oryst and Maria moved to their first home in Guelph, Ontario. As a volunteer, Oryst became an instructor and later director of the Tyrsa Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, dedicating 25 years to preserving and sharing Ukrainian culture through dance. On July 31, 1980, Oryst and Maria welcomed their first child Daria. Two years later, Olena was born on May 25th, 1982. In 1986, the young growing family moved to a newly built home in Guelph. On September 9th, 1988, Alexandra “Lesya” joined her two older sisters. Finally, on June 23rd, 1990, Stefan Oryst was born on his father’s 44th birthday. They would’ve shared his 80th and Stefan’s 36th birthdays this June.

Oryst’s faith was central to his life, from his baptism at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Sudbury, to his time as parishioner and Hall Manager at Holy Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church in Guelph, to St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church in Brampton, where he had been a parishioner since 1987.

A devoted husband, Tato, Dido, uncle, and friend, Oryst cherished his family above all else. He was his family’s biggest supporter and a source of encouragement, wisdom, and stability. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic, quick wit, generous spirit, determination, loyalty, and unwavering love for those closest to him.

The family would like to thank the many personal service workers, nurses, doctors, and first responders who helped Oryst during the final years of his life.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 18, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., with Panakhyda at 7:30 p.m., at Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, 1099 Gordon St in Guelph. A second visitation will be held Friday, June 19, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church, Brampton, with Parastas at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will take place Saturday, June 20, at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at St. Elias Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church in Brampton https://www.saintelias.com/, the Canada-Ukraine Foundation https://www.cufoundation.ca/, or the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada https://unfcanada.ca/