Tribute to the Longest Serving President of UNF of Canada

40^th Anniversary Commemorating the Passing of Wladimir Kossar

By Mary Pidkowich

This article is for the readers of today’s generation to become acquainted with Wladimir Kossar, former President of the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada, by mentioning briefly his life in Ukraine and Canada, and his dedicated efforts and work for the Ukrainian community in Canada and people in Ukraine.

ladimir Kossar was born on November 23, 1890 in Rusyliv, Ukraine. After the First World War, he was a brigadier in command of Ukrainian troops fighting the Bolshevik forces in 1919-1920. Although defeated by the Bolsheviks, many of these veterans continued the struggle for Ukraine’s independence. For his activities in the clandestine Ukrainian Military Organization (UVO), Mr. Kossar was sent to a Polish prison. After a brief period of incarceration, he was fortunate enough to escape to Czechoslovakia. In 1922, Wladimir married Franka (Frances) Jaksh in Prague. Before coming to Canada, Mr. Kossar worked as a superintendent of agricultural schools and professor at the Pedagogical Institute, Ministry of Agriculture in Uzhorod, Carpatho-Ukraine.

On May 7, 1927, Wladimir Kossar, along with a group of ten university graduates (Engineers of Agriculture) came to Quebec. Their destination was Western Canada. Wladimir’s decision to come to Canada was based on not only to start a new life but to enter an independent occupation – the work of a Canadian farmer.

Kossar’s Impression of Canada

Travelling by train from Quebec to Winnipeg, Wladimir was overwhelmed to see vast uninhabited territory, rocky sections in Northern Ontario and huge farms with machinery. Most of all, he noticed the lack of police interference with Canadian people and especially with new immigrants. Arriving in Winnipeg, the group of students was confined to the Immigration Hall. However, Mr. Kossar was granted leave and met some Ukrainians, including two editors of Ukrainian newspapers. Wladimir also had the opportunity to visit the Ukrainian Labour Temple, where he was bitterly disappointed to see pictures of Lenin and Trotsky. It was difficult for him to find out that some Ukrainians in Canada were propagating destructive Communist doctrines.

Farming

Returning to the Immigration Hall, Mr. Kossar found out that the others in the group left for various points on the Prairies. The immigration officer suggested that he stay in Manitoba and work for a Ukrainian farmer. However, Wladimir’s preference was to go to Saskatchewan and work in an English speaking district and learn the language of his new country. Thus, on May 15, he arrived in Macklin, Sask. to work for a farmer who was a WWI veteran from Britain. Mr. Kossar was also happy to learn that two of his companions were assigned to work on neighbouring farms.

Only after securing employment, Wladimir was allowed to bring his wife Franka to Macklin who arrived on August 17, 1927, just before the harvest. Both worked on the farm under severe weather conditions and stayed in Winnipeg during the winter, returning in the spring to the farm in Macklin. Wladimir’s earned wages gave him an opportunity to buy his own farm near Saskatoon, today’s airport. Unfortunately, because of the Great Depression, the Kossars were forced to give up the farm in 1934.

University Years

As an agrologist who applied soil science in the production of crops, Wladimir Kossar worked 8 years as a researcher at the Dominion Laboratory of Plant Ecology, University of Saskatchewan. He also spent time on weed research and other ecological studies with Dr. T. K. Pavlychenko, under the direction of Dean L.E. Kirk and later under I. B. Harrington, Professor of Field Husbandry. In 1943, Mr. Kossar left his university post and went to Winnipeg to devote his efforts to the Ukrainian National Federation and continue as National President. He also became the Agricultural Editor of “Novyi Shliakh” - The New Pathway, founded in 1930 providing Ukrainian immigrants newsworthy articles about life in Canada and Ukraine.

Organizational Activities in Canada

Wladimir Kossar was well-known for his organizational activities in Canada. He was instrumental in the formation of the Ukrainian Canadian Relief Fund, Oseredok – Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre, and the Ukrainian Canadian Committee for which he served as Vice President for many years. He was also an executive member of the Empire Club, member of the Agricultural Institute of Canada, Manitoba Institute of Agrologists, Canadian Club and Royal Canadian Legion (BESL).

Tributes include the 1953  Coronation Medal; 1967 Centennial Medal “In recognition of valuable service to the nation”; Wladimir Kossar Scholarship Fund at the University of Manitoba; the W. Kossar Ukrainian Village, a senior's home sponsored by the UNF Vernon Branch officially opened in June 1975; and the Public Archives of Canada in Ottawa which house the Kossar Papers.

Wladimir Kossar passed away on May 11, 1970 in St. Catharines, Ont. His resting place is at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. The double burial plot was generously provided by the UNF St. Catharines Branch. Mr. Kossar will always be remembered for his out-going personality and his dedication to the UNF. He encouraged all members to be respectful, good workers and good citizens of Canada. By following his example, may we continue to work together for the good of our community in Canada and support democratic principles and human rights in Ukraine.

Even with his many responsibilities, Mr. Kossar took an avid interest in his children’s education, in which Ukrainian culture and traditions remain as cornerstones of their lives. He is survived by his daughter Mrs. Alma Bilak (Jaroslaw), daughter-in-law Zena (Leon deceased), and four grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Mary Pidkowich is former President of the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada and Honorary Member of the UNF Board of Directors.