Oryst Sawchuk died May 2 at Health Sciences North, following complications from a successful heart procedure at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. He was 91.
Sawchuk was an architect, artist and community leader. He was born in Winnipeg but lived in Sudbury most of his life. As senior partner of Sawchuk Peach Associates Architects Planners, his architectural contributions to the city include the Sudbury Transit Centre, the main fire hall in downtown Sudbury, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, and the N’Swakamok Native Friendship Centre.
He was most proud of his work as the designer of the original Grace Hartman Amphitheatre when Bell Park was extended in the mid-1960s.
In 2001, he was chosen to design the national memorial to Canadians who fought for the republic in the Spanish Civil War. The monument is located on Green Island opposite Rideau Falls on the Rideau River in Ottawa.
Oryst was an active member of the Sudbury Chamber of Commerce in the 1980s, and served as its president in the late 1980s.
In 2010 he was awarded a Community Builders Award for his contribution to the arts. In 2018, Thorneloe University also honoured him for his community contributions.
The family is making plans for a celebration of his life. Details will be made available later.
He is survived by his loving partner of 25 years, Vicki Gilhula, his son Sergei (wife Julie), his son’s mother, Natasha, and grandchildren Ivan and Viktor. He is remembered by his nephews James, Justin and Alexander. His is missed by his business partner of 60 years, Arthur Peach and his wife, Louise.
Northern Life produced a video on Sawchuk’s community contributions in 2010 in honour of his Community Builder Award. You can watch that video below.
