Born at Rhein, Saskatchewan on 19 April 1913, son of Ukrainian immigrants Dmytro and Evdokia Yuzyk, and completed high school in Saskatchewan before taking postgraduate music degrees from the London College of Music. He worked in the Saskatchewan civil service before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving in London until 1945. After the Second World War, he worked in a series of businesses until settling on real estate sales in Winnipeg. Active in Ukrainian and veterans affairs, serving on the national executive of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Ukrainian Canadian Veterans Branch 141, and President of the Ukrainian Veterans Association (1971-1974). Known as the “Ukrainian Mitch Miller,” he recorded two albums of Ukrainian folk music in the 1960s. He managed Steve Juba’s mayoral campaign and was a committee member of the Manitoba Centennial Corporation. In recognition of his community service, he received the Manitoba Centennial Medal (1970) and Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002). He died at Winnipeg on 21 October 2003. He is commemorated by John Yuzyk Park in Winnipeg.
John Yuzyk has had a lifelong commitment to promoting Ukrainian culture through his music. He has devoted most of his life to promoting and preserving the culture, especially in areas of Veteran’s Affairs an in Cultural Arts. As a World War 2 veteran, he has worked on many projects involving Ukrainian Canadian veterans from wartime to the present.
Holding two degrees in music, he dedicated much of his energy to the promotion and preservation of the Ukrainian culture through song. He might still be singing professionally. had he not required surgery for his vocal cords.
His singing had been recorded and continues to be played and enjoyed by many. John’s daughter, Mary Ann Shore, recalls that as a youngster her parents being deeply immersed in endeavours of Winnipeg’s Ukrainian community. He would always be called upon to make presentations, sing or act as MC for Malanka or other celebrations, make television appearances and officiate at such events as Folklorama and The Dauphin Festival.
John recorded several albums and was noted as the “Ukrainian Mitch Miller”.
John Yuzyk is definitely “Canada’s Ukrainian Ambassador”. We honour you with his Golden Achievement Award on behalf of the Ukrainian Musicians Association for your outstanding achievement.
