Myron Swidersky

Amsterdam, NY — Myron Swidersky, 97, passed away Wednesday, November 9, 2022.

Born in 1925 near Zolochiv, Ukraine, he grew up knowing his wife-to-be, Domna, from childhood. They were married for 67 years, prior to her passing in 2016.

In the mid 1940s, Myron and Domna escaped the Russian and German fronts that were converging near their home village. During the time they lived in a displaced persons’ camp in Germany, he began learning English in preparation for their new life in the United States. Shortly after arriving in 1951, they settled in the Capital District area and quickly became involved in the local Ukrainian-American communities of Amsterdam, Watervliet, Cohoes, and Troy.

Myron’s professional career began as a Draftsman for the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in Schenectady, NY, and continued as a Mechanical Engineer at Mechanical Technology Incorporated (MTI)/Turbonetics, Inc. in Latham, NY. He retired as a Chief Engineer from Atlas Copco Comptec in Voorheesville, NY, where he received recognition and the John Munck award for the development of their H-series of industrial plant air compressors.

Myron’s love for his homeland fueled his dedication to his work within the Ukrainian community, both locally and beyond. The center of Myron’s work was in Amsterdam, NY, at the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church and Ukrainian–American Citizens’ Club. During Ukrainian Saturday school, he taught the Ukrainian language, history, and traditions. As president of the Amsterdam Branch of the Organization for the Defense of the Four Freedoms for Ukraine, he chaired the greatly anticipated annual Ukrainian Easter Bazaar for more than 30 years. He was also president of the local branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) and active within the Ukrainian–American Youth Association.

Myron is survived by his daughters, Martha Swidersky and Iryna (Wolodymyr) Kohut; granddaughter Adriana Kohut (Gabriel) Galvao; great-granddaughter Sofia; nephews Bohdan and Ivan Kwasowsky; and nieces and their families as well as extended family in Ukraine. He is predeceased by his younger sister and brother, Irena Kwasowsky and Orest Swidersky.

The family would like to express its deep gratitude to Dr. Emily Etzkorn for her exceptional compassion and care, and its sincere appreciation to Dr. Etzkorn’s staff; to Dr. Andrij Baran and staff at Saratoga Cardiology Associates; and to the caretakers at Wilkinson Residential Health Care Facility for their support and understanding.

Calling hours will be Friday, November 11, 2022, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Jendrzejczak Funeral Home, 200 Church St, Amsterdam, NY; with the Panakhyda service at 6 p.m.

A Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 24 Pulaski St., Amsterdam, NY. Interment will be in St. Nicholas Cemetery, Widow Susan Road, Amsterdam, NY.