Ireney Isajiw

Ireney Isajiw peacefully passed away in his sleep on April 18, 2024.

He was born in Lviv, Ukraine on September 3, 1937. He was the son of Peter and Jaroslawa (nee Konrad) Isajiw. During World War II, his family fled Lviv and followed escape routes through Eastern and Central Europe until they found refuge in a displaced persons camp and lived near Aufkirch, Germany. Ireney, along with his parents and 3 siblings, Olya, Bakho and Yurko, immigrated to the United States in 1949 and settled in Philadelphia.

Ireney attended Northeast Catholic High School, graduating in 1955. He attended and graduated from LaSalle College, receiving a B.A. in 1959. Afterwards, he completed an M.A. at Villanova University. Ireney was a very enthusiastic and dedicated member of the Ukrainian Scouting Organization Plast. During his many years of commitment to this organization and its principles, Ireney forged long-lasting friendships. He enjoyed expeditions and adventures which were the basis of a nearly endless catalog of stories that he frequently shared. His involvement included an array of leadership positions at Plast camps and leadership training programs. Ireney also enjoyed playing various sports with his brothers and friends in parks and fields throughout Philadelphia. It was at one of these sports facilities – a tennis court in Hunting Park, where he met Oksana Subtelny, who eventually became his wife of nearly 58 years. They married July 9th, 1966 and subsequently had three children - Larissa, Tamara and Roman.

Ireney pursued an extraordinarily long career as a professional educator. In this capacity, he was a memorable presence in Philadelphia's Ukrainian community as a teacher in Ridna Shkola (one of the predecessor programs to the Ukrainian Heritage School, now a program of the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Jenkintown). He held positions as both a teacher and an administrator at a variety of schools in the Philadelphia area, as well as New Jersey. His educational career eventually prompted a move to Newton, NJ in the late months of 1976, where he and Oksana raised their children and lived until his passing. Ireney was also a sports enthusiast who was active as an organizer and promoter of sports and athletics in the Ukrainian community, committing his time to USCAK, the Ukrainian Sports Federation of US and Canada. He also spent many Sundays and Monday nights honing his craft as an analyst of American football, generously sharing his commentary with family members.

Ireney will be mourned and missed by his wife, Oksana, his children Larissa with husband, Peter Kebuz, Tamara with husband William Davis and Roman with wife Bridget (nee Mathieson). His grandchildren, Luke and Ariana Isayiw, along with Adrian and Alexander Kebuz, will miss his colorful tales and off-beat jokes. Ireney was predeceased by his brother, Dr. Wsevolod Isajiw and his brother-in-law, Dr. Orest Subtelny. His passing is deeply mourned by his sister, Olha Hayduk and his brother Dr. George Isajiw with wife Patricia. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews, as well as cousins, throughout the US and Canada, as well as extended family in Lviv, Ukraine.

Relatives and friends are invited to Ireney's viewing at 6-8pm on Friday, April 26th at Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home in Philadelphia. Additional visitation will occur at 9am on Saturday, April 27th at Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Melrose Park followed by Requiem Liturgy at 10am. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Elkins Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organization, 700 North Cedar Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046

Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center, 700 North Cedar Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046

Ukrainian American Sports Center - Tryzub, P.O. Box 346, Lower State and County Line Roads, Horsham, PA 19044

Ireney's family values the organizations listed above. The family understands that there are many Ukrainian organizations and causes that nobly serve Ukraine and the greater Ukrainian community. Please consider any of them when contemplating donations.

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