January 6, 1921 – December 7, 2023
It is with great sadness that the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko (TSF) shares news of the passing on December 7, 2023, of community leader and philanthropist Dr. Peter Kule.
“The Shevchenko Foundation expresses its deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Peter Kule in gratitude for his philanthropic vision and legacy that will change the lives of many young Canadians for years to come,” stated TSF President Boris Balan. “As generous supporters of the Shevchenko Foundation, Peter and Doris Kule understood the role of the Foundation in developing and promoting the Ukrainian Canadian narrative in which they, themselves, were the main characters of a most pivotal chapter.”
Peter Kule was born in the village of Stratyn, Ivano-Frankivsk oblast, Ukraine. He emigrated to Canada in 1938 with his mother and two brothers to join his father, Petro Kuleba, in Two Hills, Alberta. He studied accounting, built his own accounting firm, and became a successful entrepreneur. In 1944, Peter married Doris Radesh, the Canadian born daughter of Ukrainian immigrants. Doris, who pre-deceased Peter in March, 2020, dedicated her life to education, working as an elementary school teacher for 34 years.
The Kules were active members of the Ukrainian community, particularly in the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
In retirement, wishing to give back to their community, Peter and Doris Kule turned their attention to philanthropic activities. They understood the value of education and deeply respected the contribution of Ukrainians to Canada throughout history. These principles, coupled with a desire to help young Canadians succeed, guided their philanthropy.
At the University of Alberta they made an impact with the establishment of the Peter and Doris Kule Centre for Ukrainian and Canadian Folklore, the Kule Ukrainian Canadian Studies Centre at the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS), and the Kule Institute for Advanced Study (KIAS). In 2005, both Doris and Peter Kule became the first joint recipients of honorary doctorates from the University of Alberta.
The Kules’ philanthropic vision was extended to MacEwan University with the establishment of the Drs. Peter & Doris Kule Chair of Ukrainian Community & International Development, and the Drs. Peter & Doris Kule Visiting Scholars in Ukrainian Studies and Culture Fund. At the University of Ottawa, the Kules established the Drs. Peter & Doris Kule Doctoral Scholarship on Contemporary Ukraine.
Their deep commitment to the Church and Eastern Christian theology and spirituality was realized through a major gift – The Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute Foundation Kule Family Endowment.
To learn more about the legacy of Drs. Peter and Doris Kule we share a video produced in 2020 by the Kule Institute for Advanced Study in celebration of Peter Kule’s 100th birthday. https://vimeo.com/526283693
May His memory remain eternal. Вічна Йому пам’ять!