THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FORUM

UNA announces changes in management at Soyuzivka

Joining the UNA to spearhead our Soyuzivka Project Renaissance is Nestor Paslawsky, of Ramsey, N.J., newly appointed as director of hospitality services. Mr. Paslawsky has a great deal of experience in hotel management, working both with the Ramada and Marriott hotels. His appointment is effective as of January 13.

After 15 years of continuous service, John Flis, General manager of Soyuzivka will be leaving to pursue other endeavors. Mr. Flis will remain at Soyuzivka through the spring in order to help in the transition to the new management structure. We thank him for his contribution and many years of continued service and wish him much success in all his future endeavors.

This completes the new management team at Soyuzivka, which now includes:

• Olesia Guran - reservations and front desk manager, who joined us this summer from Florida and the Best Western Hotel;
  
  
• Daria Nyzankiwsky - operations manager, in charge of maintenance and housekeeping, a former Soyuzivka employee, who returns to us from the Nevele Resort;
  
  
• Andrij Sonevytsky - executive chef, who will also serve as Banquet Manager; and
  
  
• long-time Soyuzivka employee Sonia Semanyshyn, who has assumed a new position as manager of accounting and back-office operations.

Stay tuned for a chance to meet the new staff "up close and personal" in future issues of the UNA's two newspapers.

- UNA Executive Committee

George Yurkiw, secretary of UNA Branch 130, dies

ASTORIA, N.Y. - George Yurkiw, longtime secretary of Ukrainian National Association Branch 130, died on December 18, 2002, after a serious illness. He was 73.

Mr. Yurkiw was born on September 17, 1929, in Mali Didushychi, near Stryi in western Ukraine, into a family of teachers. He completed elementary school in his village and then attended the gymnasium (secondary school) in Stryi. In 1944 the Yurkiw family emigrated to the West, and while in Salzburg, Austria, Mr. Yurkiw studied at the Ukrainian gymnasium there.

Mr. Yurkiw arrived in the United States in 1948 and a short time afterwards enlisted in the U.S. Army, completing training with a photography unit. He was assigned to the 2nd Division, which in 1950 took an active part in the Korean War.

After returning from Korea, Mr. Yurkiw trained new recruits. Once he completed four years of service in the Army, he worked for some time with the renowned dance master Vasile Avramenko, assisting him with film production.

Mr. Yurkiw joined the UNA upon arriving in the United States, becoming a member of Branch 130. In 1972 he became the branch secretary. In that position he displayed a great talent for organizing work and assisted the UNA's growth by enrolling many new members. He was recognized for his hard work by being elected the branch's delegate to numerous UNA conventions, at which he was active as chairman of the Verifications Committee.

Mr. Yurkiw was active also in the Ukrainian American Veterans.

A parastas was offered at the Quinn Funeral Home in Astoria, N.Y., on December 20, with many mourners in attendance, among them veterans and New York City police officers with whom Mr. Yurkiw had worked for many years as an auxiliary.

Funeral services took place on December 21 at Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church. The casket was draped with a U.S. flag and police formed an honor guard. Burial was at Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Hamptonburgh, N.Y. Cadets of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point attended the funeral and participated in the military tribute paid to a comrade.

Surviving are Mr. Yurkiw's wife, Anna; son, Mark; and daughter, Renée Apostolos, with their families; sister, Lida Belendiuk, with her family; and other relatives.

In Memoriam

George Yurkiw
September 17, 1929 - December 18, 2002

The Executive Committee of the Ukrainian National Association regrets to announce to the Members of the General Assembly, and members of Branch 130 and to the UNA membership at large that George Yurkiw, longtime secretary of Branch 130, died on December 18, 2002.

The Executive Committee and the entire UNA membership wish to express their sincerest sympathy to his wife, Anna, his children, Mark and Renee, grandchildren, and sister, Lydia Belendiuk and family. Funeral services were held December 21 at Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church in Astoria, with burial at Holy Spirit Ukrainian Cemetery in Hamptonburgh, N.Y. Mr. Yurkiw will be remembered for his long years of service and dedication to the UNA.

Vichna Yomu Pamiat!

Maizeville community hosts St. Nick

MAIZEVILLE, Pa. - St. John's parishioners were treated to a visit by St. Nicholas on Sunday, December 8, 2002. Approximately 60 parishioners attended this year's dinner and sang the traditional Ukrainian St. Nicholas song. After the dinner, St. Nicholas, assisted by parishioner Jason Yulich, paid a visit to the church members and spoke briefly about the importance of giving of one's self and kindness toward others. Each of the parish schoolchildren came to greet St. Nicholas and received a gift and traditional packet of gold foil-wrapped chocolate coins. Seen above are altar boys with St. Nicholas and the Rev. D. George Worshak, pastor.

- Joe Chabon, Secretary of UNA Branch 242.

UNA Branch Meetings

Sunday, January 26

WATERVLIET, N.Y.: UNA Branch 13 and St. Nicholas Brotherhood will hold its yearly meeting at the Ukrainian American Citizens' Club at 2:30 p.m. On the agenda: reports for 2002, discussion and election of new officers for the year 2003. A reception will follow the meeting. All members of the UNA and the brotherhood (bratstvo) should be present. Guests are always welcome. For information call Nick Fil, (518) 785-7596, or Paul Shewchuk (518) 785-6793.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, January 19, 2003, No. 3, Vol. LXXI

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