Wolodymyr "Walter" Smaha

Wolodymyr (Walter) Smaha, 92, of Syracuse, died peacefully Sunday, June 4, 2006 at University Hospital with his daughter by his side. Born in Doroshiw Welykyj, Ukraine, on June 15, 1913, he was the son of the late Hryhorii and Anna (Kluk) Smaha. In Ukraine, he worked in publishing. A refugee during World War II, he lived in Germany as a displaced person. Since 1951, he lived in Syracuse. Wolodymyr worked for Smith & Caffrey Steel Corp. before retiring in 1978. He was a communicant of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church and a member of the Ukrainian National Association. Wolodymyr had a great love of learning, a good discussion, nature, gardening and getting a good tan. Above all, he loved God, his family and his homeland, Ukraine. He was a proud member of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists. He traveled to Ukraine five times and undertook the project of restoring his village church. He received a Missive of Gratitude from the Bishop of Sokal, Ukraine for his generous support of the Church of the Most Holy Mother of God, and its restoration. Surviving are his wife of 42 years, the former Anna Dumka; one daughter, Maria Smaha of Syracuse; a sister, Sofia Chemych of Ukraine; a brother-in-law, Marian Dumka of Poland, and nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother, Hryhorii Smaha. Services will be at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, June 10, 2006 at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus and at 10 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church where a Divine Liturgy for the Deceased will be celebrated. Friends may call Friday, June 9, 2006 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. A Panakhyda service will be at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery. A Mass will also be held in Ukraine Saturday. Contributions may be made to Ukrainian Catholic Education Foundation, 2247 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622