Peter Savaryn | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 6th President of theWorld Congress of Free Ukrainians | |
| In office 1983–1988 | |
| Preceded by | Ivan Bazarko |
| Succeeded by | Yuri Shymko |
| Chancellor of theUniversity of Alberta | |
| In office 1982–1986 | |
| Preceded by | Jean Beatrice Forest |
| Succeeded by | Tevie Miller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1926-09-17)September 17, 1926 |
| Died | April 6, 2017(2017-04-06) (aged 90) |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Spouse | Olga Prystajecky |
| Alma mater | University of Alberta |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Germany |
| Branch/service |  Waffen-SS |
| Unit |  SS Galizien |
Peter SavarynCM (September 17, 1926 – April 6, 2017) was a Ukrainian-born Canadian lawyer. During World War II, he belonged to theSS Division Galicia.[1][2] Savaryn was among the approximately 2,000 Waffen-SS Galicia fighters allowed to immigrate to Canada.[3]
Savaryn arrived in Canada in 1949, and attended theUniversity of Alberta (B.A. 1955, LLB 1956). Savaryn was a partner in the law firm Savaryn & Savaryn. He was married to Olga (Olya) Prystajecky (1951) with whom he had three children. He served as Chancellor of theUniversity of Alberta from 1982 to 1986 and was involved with the university Board of Governors and Senate.
Savaryn was the president of theUkrainian World Congress, at the time called the World Congress of Free Ukrainians, from 1983 to 1988.[4] He was also president of theProgressive Conservative Association of Alberta and vice-president of theProgressive Conservative Party of Canada.[5][6]
Savaryn was awarded an honorary degree in 1987 from the University of Alberta, and was also awardedOrder of Canada the same year. He died on April 6, 2017.[7] In 2023, after international scrutiny and outrage when the Canadian government honoured fellow SS Galician veteranYaroslav Hunka, the Governor General of CanadaMary Simon expressed "deep regret" for Savaryn's award of the Order of Canada in a response to an enquiry fromThe Forward magazine.[3]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | President of theWorld Congress of Free Ukrainians 1983–1988 | Succeeded by |
| Academic offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chancellor of theUniversity of Alberta 1982–1986 | Succeeded by |
