Ukrainian community fetes Joseph Lesawyer (07/13/97)

Ukrainian community fetes Joseph Lesawyer

by Mary E. Pressey

NEW YORK - On June 8, despite a day of graduations, weddings and cemetery pilgrimages, the turnout for Joseph Lesawyer's testimonial banquet held at the Sheraton New York Hotel was an outstanding success as many friends and organization members came to pay tribute to this community leader for his lifelong contributions to various Ukrainian causes. The dinner was sponsored by the Ukrainian Institute of America, Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and Ukrainian National Association.

The afternoon vibrated with much interest, resonating with seriousness and lightheartedness. Walter Nazarewicz, the dinner committee chairman, a member of the board of directors of the Ukrainian Institute, opened the program by welcoming the guests and introduced the personable master of ceremonies, Julian Kulas, member of the Chicago UCCA's executive board. The invocation followed by the Rev. Roman Tarnawsky of St. Volodymy Orthodox Cathedral, who represented Archbishop Antony.

Following a luncheon in an elegant setting decorated with candelabra and roses the guests witnessed a superb musical program executed by the Lesia Hrabova, soprano, Oleh Chmyr, baritone, and Volodymyr Vynnytsky, pianist.

The guest speakers constituted a roster of well-known organization leaders whose remarks encompassed the work of the honoree. One could not help but see the delight in Mr. Lesawyer's countenance upon hearing all the honors bestowed upon him, even though he has been awarded numerous prior honors and awards - among them the Shevchenko Freedom Award, the World Congress of Free Ukrainians Award and the Ukrainian Institute Recognition Award.

Guest speakers Askold Lozynskyj, president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee, and Stefan Hawrysz, chairman of the Auditing Committee of the Ukrainian National Association, touched upon the honoree's invaluable counsel and profound dedication to organizations. Their words of praise were a constant reminder of how much time and effort were expended by this public servant and leader.

Speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party, Marcanthony Datzkiwsky, president of the Ukrainian American Democratic Association of Essex County, New Jersey, and Helen Cheloc, chairlady of the Ukrainian American Democrats of New Jersey, noted Mr. Lesawyer's dedication to Democratic causes.

Representing the Ukrainian American Veterans, Sir Harry Polche, a Knight of St. Gregory, briefly depicted Mr. Lesawyer's life in the U.S. armed forces in World War II and his prowess as a baseball player - careers in which he excelled by winning a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service and hitting home runs too many to mention. "Mr. Lesawyer has always hit home runs in all his life's endeavors," said Mr. Polche.

The principal speaker was Walter Baranetsky, president of the Ukrainian Institute of America, who spoke eloquently of Mr. Lesawyer's special contribution to the institute's success since its inception in 1954, as well as his many activities in the Ukrainian community.

Mr. Baranetsky observed: "Being born, raised and educated in the United States, Joseph Lesawyer retained the love instilled in him by his Ukrainian émigré parents to his Ukrainian heritage, which he not only preserved and cherished, but enriched by perfecting his Ukrainian language and involving himself in the organized life of Ukrainian Americans, in the defense of human rights in Ukraine and the struggle for the rights of Ukrainian people to self-determination."

Spanning a life of civic and national work for over three-quarters of a century, Mr. Lesawyer's ability to grasp situations predictably, has invariably thrust him into many leadership positions. To mention a few, he held positions as an executive in the Ukrainian Youth League of North America, executive vice-president of the World Congress of Free Ukrainians, president of Ukrainian National Association for 17 years, executive director of the Shevchenko Memorial Committee, national chairman of Ukrainian American Democrats. He was also a leader in the real estate business, and an active member of scores of other civic American and Ukrainian organizations. To be fair, however, it should be noted that Mr. Lesawyer's success in these undertakings was not his alone. Standing faithfully at his side throughout the years was his charming and dedicated wife, Mary.

In recognition and appreciation of Mr. Lesawyer's services and innumerable contributions to the Ukrainian community, two plaques were presented to him, one by Mr. Lozynsky, on behalf of the UCCA, the other by Mr. Baranetsky on behalf of the UIA.

Presented also by the master of ceremonies were myriad congratulatory letters and telegrams, among others, warm greetings from President Bill Clinton, Ambassador Yuri Shcherbak (who could not attend as the main speaker due to ill health), Bishop Basil Losten, Ambassador Roman Popadiuk, and Michael Starr, former Canadian minister of the department of labor.

In conclusion, the honoree expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the guests for attending and to the speakers for their kind remarks, and elaborated briefly on some of his activities and experiences during his crusade for Ukrainian causes. As he put it, none of his good works would have borne fruit without the dedicated effort of thousands involved in those his undertakings.

He also gratefully acknowledged the efforts of Walter Nazarewicz, Walter Baranetsky, Mary Pressey, Andrew Paschak and Harry Polche, dinner committee members, and Jaroslav Kryshtalsky, Natalie Chuma and Bill Chirash for their help in making the event a cherished occasion.

In closing, Msgr. Leon Mosko, representing Bishop Losten of the Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Stamford, Conn., expressed his gratitude to the honoree and his devoted wife, and conferred upon them blessings for good health and continued good works.

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