IN MEMORIAM: George Alexander Ochrym
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of George Alexander Ochrym, longtime parishioner, former Council member, trustee, and community leader, who departed this world in Toronto on 9 May 2025.
Born on 4 May 1934 in Voldymyr Volynsk (now Ukraine), after an idyllic early childhood on his parents’ farm, his life was suddenly upended by World War II as the family fled from the invading Soviets to Poland in 1940, then to Germany and finally to Canada in 1948. After a brief stint in Winnipeg, they eventually settled in Toronto. He completed high school at Bloor Collegiate and graduated in 1959 from the University of Toronto, Civil Engineering. A striker of some repute, he played for the Varsity Blues and continued to enjoy watching football until his final days.
After graduation, he held engineering positions around Toronto, eventually becoming a Chief Engineer for the Swiss company Holderbank, where he traveled the world and gained invaluable experience building cement plants throughout North and South America. In 1975, his entrepreneurial spirit could no longer be contained, and he incorporated Consultec, an engineering firm, which grew into a successful concern now in its 50th year. A serial entrepreneur, George had many diverse business ventures in Canada, the USA, and Ukraine, ranging from building materials, property development, and storage facilities. He prided himself on his professionalism and discipline, which were reflected in both his casual and professional endeavours. This was accompanied by a deeply positive outlook, a good heart, and a fondness for meals with close friends. His passion for his native Ukraine and all things Ukrainian was an important focus of his life. As an eventual Trustee of St. Volodymyr Cathedral of Toronto, he oversaw the construction of a new Cultural Centre in Oakville in 1988. In the exciting days of the late 1980s when Ukraine was striving for independence, George played a leading role in Canadian Friends of Rukh - many will still remember the party held at his house in 1991 on the very happy day of Ukraine’s Declaration of Independence. He also sponsored the Holodomor Memorial Park in Toronto, of which he was very proud. A frequent visitor to Kyiv, he liked nothing more than to stroll the tree-lined streets and call on old friends.
Predeceased by his parents, Alexander and Olha Ochrym, his doting older sister Zina (Walter Semeniuk), son Mark, George is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Jean, daughter Natalie, son Alex (Anna), and adored grandchildren Theodore, Marcus, and Roxane. Nothing gave him more pleasure than spending time with his family at the cottage on Lake of Bays, passing time in conversation on the dock, and fishing long hours with his grandchildren.
He will be deeply missed by family, friends, business associates, and all who knew him.
The funeral took place on May 15, 2025, at All Saints of Ukraine Chapel, 1280 Dundas St W., Oakville.
Vichnaya Pam'yat!
