Victor Szwez

Victor was born on June 7, 1959, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, to Ukrainian refugees Vira and Wasyl Szwez, who had met and fallen in love after being displaced from their homeland. The family moved to Chicago when Victor was a year old, and he was raised in Elkhart, Indiana, surrounded by extended family and deeply involved in ODYM (the Ukrainian American Youth Association), where he attended Ukrainian school and studied bandura and Ukrainian dance.

Victor met the love of his life, Irene, at a Ukrainian wedding in Chicago. They married and built a life together grounded in partnership, faith, and community, eventually settling in Phoenix, Arizona.

A talented engineer, Victor spent his career in aerospace, contributing to work on NASA's Orion spacecraft. Alongside his engineering career, he opened Florencia Pizza with his brother, George, a family-owned pizzeria that operated for more than thirty years and became a gathering place for friends and family alike.

Victor was a deeply devoted member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, where he served as church president and led the choir for many years. He carried forward his father’s legacy of service to the church community. He also served for years as Komandant of ODYM summer camp in London, Ontario, mentoring generations of young people and helping keep Ukrainian culture and community alive far from the homeland his parents once fled.

When Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, Victor threw himself into supporting the cause, organizing and shipping humanitarian supplies and donating toward vehicles and drones for the war effort. His passion for Ukraine's fight never wavered, remaining a source of energy and hope for him through his final days.

Victor loved music throughout his life — from Ukrainian folk and rock to classic rock, and a lifelong devotion to Bruce Springsteen. He was known among friends as an honorary roadie for several Ukrainian bands and rarely turned down the chance to take the stage himself. He was also a passionate cook, a fixture behind the bar at every family party, and a devoted Notre Dame football fan.

Above all, Victor was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was also a beloved uncle to his nephews Alexander, Nicholas, and Andrew Szwez, who grew up just two doors down and knew him affectionately as "Dya Dya." He is survived by his mother, Vira Szwez; his wife, Irene Szwez; his daughter, Larissa, son-in-law Mark; his grandchildren, James and Vera; his brother, George Szwez; and his sister, Natalie Szwez. He was preceded in death by his father, Wasyl Szwez.

Family and friends are invited to join in celebrating Victor's life at the following services:

Phoenix Memorial Service Sunday, August 23, 2026 Visitation: 12:00 – 1:00 PM Panachyda / Memorial Service: 1:00 PM Sunland Memorial Park, 15826 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ 85351

Chicago Funeral Service Saturday, August 29, 2026 Funeral Service: 12:00 PM Burial and memorial lunch to follow St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, 300 E. Army Trail Road, Bloomingdale, IL 60108

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Saint Mary's Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church (donate via PayPal) or to UCARE (ucareinc.org).