In Memoriam – William Sametz

In sorrow over the past year, we remember the late William Sametz who passed away in his 84th year on March 6, 2010, in Toronto, Canada.

Our beloved husband, father and grandfather was born in Canora, Saskatchewan in 1926 into a patriotic Ukrainian family. Having earned a baccalaureate degree in Business and Finance at the University of Toronto in 1949, William Sametz worked for many years as an engineer and was active in various community organizations. He lived the majority of his life in Hamilton and Toronto.

From 1993 to 2003, William Sametz was an executive member of the Ukrainian World Congress, where he held the position of Financial Officer, as well as head of the Ukrainian World Foundation for many of those years. In such high esteem of his contribution and work, the UWC awarded him with their highest honour in August 2008 – the St. Volodymyr the Great Medal.

Being a son of a priest, William Sametz understood well the importance placed on the development of Ukrainian religious and spiritual life, and aware of its many facets, he assumed the following responsibilities and served in community positions: long-time member of the Consistory, Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Canada; head of the St. Vladimir Sobor Church Council in Hamilton; head of the St. Volodymyr Cathedral Executive Board in Toronto and board chairman of St. Andrew’s College in Winnipeg and St. Vladimir Institute in Toronto. In addition, he carried out much work in other Ukrainian and Canadian community organizations, as President of the Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association in Hamilton and Chamber of Commerce member, Board Chairman of the Hamilton Philharmonic, and Hamilton Place Performing Arts Centre, as well as, member of the Royal Hamilton Military Institute. William Sametz had been recognized in Canada with several prizes and awards, including the University of Toronto Chancellor's Circle Alumni Medal for the graduating class of 1949.

William Sametz is lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife Rosalia, daughters Katherine and Gloria, son-in-law William Chewchuk, and grandchildren Katherine Chewchuk, Alexandra and James Jarosil.

Vichnaya Iomu pam’yat’.