Casimir Szydlowski

The family of Casimir Szydlowski are devastated to announce his unexpected passing on Friday, September 24, 2021 at St. Joseph's Hospital with his sisters by his side.

Cas was born on August 3, 1954 in Port Arthur, Ontario. At the age of 7 he was diagnosed with a brain tumour which took the majority of his sight. Even though he became legally blind, it did not stop him from enjoying life. He graduated grade 12 at Hammarskjold High School and went on to work at the Film Factory as a darkroom technician until their closure. He participated in many events offered by the CNIB such as annual car rallies and blind bowling.

Cas loved dogs, especially his dog Shadow. He also loved children and would regale his nieces and nephews with fantastical stories. He was a born storyteller and jokester and liked to make people laugh. He also had a memory like a rock. If you needed to know a birthday or information on an event, he was the man to ask.

Even though life kept throwing health challenges at him, losing his hearing, having a stroke and most recently being hospitalized, he never lost faith that better days were ahead and he was excited to return to his apartment to continue the next chapter of his life. Sadly, it was not meant to be.

Casimir was predeceased by his father Mieczyslaw in 2000, his sister Irene Urbanski in 2013 and his mother Rozalia in 2017.

He is survived by his sisters Stefanie Turkovic (Tom), Mary Seymour (Vern), Christina Etienne, brother John Szydlowski (Lynn), brother-in-law Frank Urbanski and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services for Cas will be held on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at St. Mary Our Lady Queen of Poland where the Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Piotr Dudek at 10:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St. Andrew’s Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held at church, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

As directed by the Province of Ontario and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, a record of attendance must be maintained. Wearing of masks or face coverings by everyone and maintaining social distancing of 6 feet is mandatory for those attending the visitation and services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a Local Animal Rescue or to the Northern Cancer Fund.