Obituary for
John Savaryn
It is with sadness that the family announces John’s (Ivan’s) recent passing, on October 6th, 2021.
John was born March 17th, 1930, in Zubretz, Ukraine, the youngest of four children to Mychajlo and Anna Savaryn. His older siblings, Peter, Stefan, and Marusia have all predeceased him.
Due to the outbreak of WWII, at a tender age he fled first to Poland, then later lived in Wales, where he married Sheila and helped raise their two children, Claire and Mark. His life’s path shortly led him again to resettle, this time in Canada, where he lived closely with his brother’s family in Edmonton, Alberta.
John firmly believed in hard work and in living a very frugal lifestyle. He worked as a Master Mechanic and Power Engineer in both England and Canada. He retired from working at the U of A, having maintained its campus buildings’ air conditioning, heating, and power systems. He was incredibly skilled at fabricating tools, repairing anything mechanical, and fashioning ingenious methods of making everyday tasks more efficient.
John was a valued and well-loved member of Edmonton’s Ukrainian community, singing for many years in the choir, “Dnipro”, volunteering in various capacities for multiple organizations’ fundraising events, such as Casinos and local political candidates’ campaigns.
His legendary green thumb encouraged geraniums, pole beans, amazingly juicy tomatoes and giant sunflowers to flourish. He enjoyed watching WWE matches and Western movies, as well as keeping up with current events in his beloved Ukraine.
He will be greatly missed by his two children, Claire, and Mark (Theresa); his grandsons, Matthew and Ashley (Candice); his great-grandchildren, Frankie and Savannah; his nieces, Halia Yarovenko (Boyan), Vera Hnenny (Paul); and nephew, Michael Savaryn (Ustyna), and all their respective children.
A Panakhyda will be held at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 6 p.m., with Pochoron at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, on Friday, November 5, at 10 a.m.
To view the livestream of the service click on the Webcasting link on John’s Book of Memories on this page. Please provide proof of double vaccinations if attending the services in person, or proof of a negative rapid COVID test taken within 72 hours of entry, or an original medical exemption letter.
Вічная пам’ять
Order Flowers
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John
Savaryn 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta