Dr. Michael Leonid Kondracki, a Toronto-based dentist known for his professional dedication and deep commitment to his Ukrainian heritage, passed away recently. Born and raised in Toronto to immigrant parents Anna and Volodymyr, Kondracki's upbringing was strongly influenced by his family’s values of faith, education, and cultural pride.
Kondracki’s early life was shaped by the community around his father’s cobbler shop on Queen Street West. He attended Parkdale Collegiate Institute, where he excelled as co-captain of the football team, a passion he carried while studying dentistry at the University of Toronto. After completing his education, he established a dental practice in Bloor West Village, serving multiple generations with a blend of professionalism and warmth that earned him patient trust and respect.
A career highlight came in 1976 when Kondracki was selected as the official dentist for Team Canada. His role, initially a special appointment during the hockey season, evolved into a long-standing relationship with the national team. His trustworthy handling of team affairs, including their per diem, earned him the nickname “The Count” among players and staff.
Beyond his dental career, Kondracki was actively involved in promoting Ukrainian culture and supporting humanitarian causes. He was a passionate advocate for Ukrainian artists whose work had been suppressed under Soviet rule, helping to introduce their art to broader Western audiences. His dedication to charitable efforts was evident through his long-term volunteer work with Help Us Help the Children and the Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund (CCCF), where he served as co-president and vice-president.
Since 1999, the CCCF has facilitated the delivery of $22.5 million worth of specialized medical supplies to various institutions in Ukraine, including hospitals and orphanages. Kondracki played a key role in securing ambulances, transport incubators, and dental chairs donated by the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Dentistry to support healthcare facilities across Ukraine. He was instrumental in founding the Ukraine Paediatric Fellowship Program, a partnership between the CCCF and Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, designed to improve pediatric care in Ukraine through knowledge exchange and training opportunities.
Family was central to Kondracki’s life. He was married to Kvitka, founder and artistic director of the Vesnivka Choir, a group renowned for sharing Ukrainian music globally since 1965. Kondracki was a devoted supporter of the choir, often accompanying them on international tours and proudly attending performances. He was also the proud father of two daughters, Larysa, a director and screenwriter, and Rayisa, an actor. He appeared in a cameo role alongside his daughters in the film The Whistleblower.
Known for his generosity, professional rigor, and cultural advocacy, Kondracki’s legacy extends through the many lives he touched—patients, artists, charitable organizations, and his family alike. Funeral services are scheduled in Toronto, with donations encouraged in his memory to the Ukraine Paediatric Fellowship Program and the Shevchenko Foundation.