Severin Mstyslav Palydowycz

Born in Lviv, Ukraine , a Ukrainian patriot until his last breath and staunch proponent of democracy who loved with zeal and fervor the United States of America. Saw the horrors of World War II, was interned in a Nazi war camp and then was a displaced person until winning the lottery and immigrated to United States as a child. An exceptional student and athlete he attended Yale.

 He was involved in Ukrainian Scouting and through the Ukrainian community met and married a saint and the love of his life- Olha Tamara Kulyk. Together they graduated from the University of New Haven. Erko showed an aptitude for linguistics and received a masters degree from Dartmouth. He was a teacher at Clifton high school of Russian and German and was the youngest vice principal ever hired in the Clifton high school system. Mr Palydowycz was known as a staunch disciplinarian. 

He became a renowned coach in Clifton of the soccer team which he started as well as the tennis team. He won many county championships as well as a state title in soccer. He was always ultra competitive and gave of himself fully and completely to his players that he mentored with unwavering commitment.

Erko was active in the Ukrainian community, his entire life, and dedicated himself with the dream of someday seeing a free Ukraine. He was the president of the Ukrainian Congress committee in New Jersey, and then later was president for the entire United States. He led many rallies and demonstrations and sought out politicians and leaders in the communities to try and help illuminate the injustices and oppression of Ukrainians.

He was born with a musical flare and a penchant for the stage. His mother was in the Lviv theater, and his father was a concert violinist. In his 50s, Erko reinvented himself and followed his lifelong passion of music and performing. He produced eight CDs of classic Ukrainian music and had numerous concerts throughout Ukraine.

He was an accomplished athlete, his entire life, excelling at basketball, volleyball, and tennis. His greatest freedom and expression could be found making exquisitely crafted, elegant turns in the snow. He was a ski instructor and worked closely with Karl Plattner for many years. With his gifted personality, he became an ambassador for Hunter Mountain. He was the president of the KLK ski organization (carpathian, ski club) for many years. He passed on his love of skiing to all those that he taught, the countless people he skied with and to his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by a daughter. Wolodumyra Ripnick and son Severin B. And six grandchildren,   

Erko , Sev, Severin , Coach has moved on….,I am certain that the most interesting man alive will find plenty of trouble to get into in the afterlife…

In Lieu of flowers Donations can be made to in memory of Erko Palydowycz

KLK American Ukrainian Sports Club 

C/O Miroslawa Moroch

4 Farmstead Court East, Randolph, NJ 07869