Ukrainian community stalwart dies

INFLUENCE . . . Teodor Derewienski

A MAN who proudly led Oldham’s Ukrainian community for decades has died, aged 85.
Teodor Derewienski, known as Ted, was recently diagnosed with a brain tumour and died in hospital in Southport last Thursday.

He was chairman of the Association of Ukrainians in Oldham for many years and renowned as a tireless worker for his compatriots.

Mr Derewienski worked as a miner in Scotland following the Second World War and moved to Greater Manchester in 1950 for work. He met his bride-to-be Jean at a dance and they married three weeks later.

He teamed up with friends to create the association, which organises church services, social activities and talks on Ukrainian culture.

His daughter, Lesia Turnbull (55), Oldham born and bred, said: “They decided to build somewhere to continue the traditions of Ukraine that they had at home. They started in a small way and got lots of men together. They got a brewery to back them and bought the building in Scholes Street.

“People gravitate to a community and the community just grew and grew as the second and third generations were born. It was a big community at the time, but unfortunately it’s dying off now. Everything they built, they built themselves. They got no handouts from anyone.”

The association was based in a building on King Street before moving to its current premises in Scholes Street. They also ran a Ukrainian school and a youth section.

Lesia’s earliest memories are of the association and her father was always there. She recalls when he broke his leg down the pit and was off work — but was still carrying out his duties at the association, including climbing a ladder to do some painting.

Lesia added: “My dad was like an alderman. If anyone was sick he would be there. A lot did not speak English and he would communicate with them. They all got involved with each other and he would help them out.

“He was a massive influence. Being chairman he knew about everyone and everything that was going on. He was a bit of a hub really. He was the centre and everyone gravitated to him.

“He was a rascal. He had a glint in his eye and was just cheeky and so funny when he got going.”

Mr Derewienski also leaves another daughter, Maria Portman, and grandchildren Peter, Robert and Katharine. Jean sadly died two years ago. He also still has family in Ukraine.

Lesia added: “One of his dearest wishes was to go back to Ukraine and last year my sister took him back to where he was born and that was very emotional.”

The funeral takes place on Friday at 11am at St Anne’s Church, Cook Street, Oldham, before interment at Greenacres Cemetery.