Ihor Krawciw

Ihor was born on January 2, 1935, in Stanislav, Ukraine, to the late Lew and Olena (Fidyk) Krawciw. The realities of World War II meant that many of Ihor’s childhood years were spent with his sister and parents – and countless others – in a displaced persons camp in Germany. Later in life, he would attend ‘camp reunions’ for more celebratory times with fellow refugees.

With the support of the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, Ihor and family relocated to New York City in 1949. A few years after high school, he joined the United States Marine Corp, spending time on bases in North Carolina and Puerto Rico, among others, until 1961.

His travels after the military brought him to Italy to pursue his passion for music and talent as an opera singer. Ihor, a baritone, could sing beautifully in English, Italian, Ukrainian, and German; over the course of his career he performed in Milan’s famed La Scala, New York’s Metropolitan Opera House, and everywhere in between. He spent nearly two decades in Italy, and his two children, Alexander (1974) and Diana (1981), were born there…as was his love of soccer, which he would watch whenever possible.

Upon returning to the United States in 1982, Ihor and his family settled first in Queens, NY, and later in Bergenfield, NJ. He worked as a printer operator, commuting to Manhattan, and joined the Pressroom Union. He continued to pursue his singing locally, and, with a soft spot for his time in Italy, was always on a mission for the most authentic Italian restaurants he could find.

He moved to Croton-on-Hudson in 1996 to join his significant other, Lydia, and the couple enjoyed many happy years together attending dinners and dances, sharing stories and laughing with family and friends, and traveling. On these travels, Ihor was partial to a cruise ship buffet and loved spending time in the sun (while avoiding the sand).

In his later years, even as his health declined, Ihor would still rally for a good meal at a restaurant and kept his great sense of humor. He didn’t want anyone to worry about him, but spent his time thinking about his loved ones and praying for their health and success. He was a kind and devoted family man who will be sorely missed.

Ihor is survived by his loving partner Lydia Crosier and her daughter Christine Williams – whom he cherished like his own – as well as Christine’s husband and sons, Brian, Paul, and Andrew Williams. He is also survived by his beloved daughter Diana Dapito and son-in-law Norman Dapito. His treasured grandchildren are Alexis and Erika Krawciw and Benjamin and Lila Dapito.

Ihor was predeceased by his parents, dear sister Nadia Shkilnyk and her husband Vladimir, his much-loved and missed son Alexander, and many close friends.

A visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20th from 11am-12pm at Edward F. Carter Funeral Home, 170 Kings Ferry Road, Montrose, NY 10548. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for the same day at 1pm at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 141 Sarah Wells Trail, Campbell Hall, NY 10916. Interment to follow at Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery at the same address.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, which is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of Ukrainian communities and individuals around the world, a cause near and dear to Ihor.