OBITUARY: Andriy Lesiw, 81, former chef at Soyuzivka resort (06/06/04)

OBITUARY: Andriy Lesiw, 81, former chef at Soyuzivka resort

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - Andriy Lesiw, known to countless guests who vacationed at Soyuzivka over the decades as the resort's chef, passed away on April 26, at the age of 81.

Mr. Lesiw was affectionately called "Pan Andriy" by legions of waiters, waitresses, busboys and cooks who worked at the resort of the Ukrainian National Association in Kerhonkson, N.Y.

He was born on December 10, 1922, in Dobryanyn, Ukraine. During the second world war, he served in the Galicia Division, which fought for the freedom of Ukraine.

Mr. Lesiw emigrated to England, and from there arrived in the United States. Eventually, he was hired as a cook at Soyuzivka and became part of the regular staff there.

Funeral services were held on April 30 from Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church across the road from Soyuzivka.

Surviving are Mr. Lesiw's brothers Jaroslaw and Mykola, and sister Olesia Horochovjanko, with their families; niece Maria Cade, with her husband , Robert, and son, Andriy; and other family members in the United States and Ukraine.

Following are excerpts of a eulogy delivered at the funeral by Daniel Slobodian, a former manager at Soyuzivka.

* * *

Family and Friends:

Why are we here today? Each of us has his reasons. Mine are that I have known Andriy Lesiw and his family very well. He came to America from England, having served in the Ukrainian Army.

He was hired to work in Soyuzivka. He developed great talent as first cook. People still talk of the delicious dishes he made. Especially his duck on Sunday and his superb prime rib...

As his boss, I noticed that the most outstanding feature was how clean he kept the kitchen. ... Andriy was a conscientious responsible worker. ... When the summer season ended we had a maintenance crew of four, and Andriy worked outdoors - which, by the way, he loved. Most of the rock walls, stairs and swimming pool were wholly or partially built and remain today as a tribute to his hard work.

I have never forgotten the long hours he worked in the kitchen from breakfast until well after supper plus often a banquet in the reception hall on Saturday night.

... Andriy was loyal and dedicated to Soyuzivka, the UNA and the Kerhonkson community, as evidenced by his personal donations to Ukrainian causes. He often cooked ... for our Church dinners.

Children, of all ages, knew him by name, and he liked it when they visited him in the kitchen. He was a quiet, soft-spoken man.

Andriy, you deserve all our respect and gratitude for the work you have done with such little acknowledgment. I, for one, say to you, "Thank you." It was a pleasure to have you as a close friend. You were a good American, a good Ukrainian and everyone's friend.

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