It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of our father Stanley Joseph Gawrylowicz, age 93. He was born July 8th, 1923 in Wojnicz Poland.
In 1942, during WWII, he was taken by the Nazis to work in a forced labour farm. Two years later he escaped and enlisted with the United State’s Armoured Medical Battalion in Normandy, France. He was stationed in Bremen, Germany and drove an ambulance.
In 1950 he immigrated to Canada. He lived in Portage La Prairie and worked on a sugar beet farm. He met his wife in Portage La Prairie and settled in Port Arthur and had children. He briefly worked in the bush before starting his career at Canada Car, where he retired after 38 years of service. He was a proud member of CAW local 1075 and was an active member until his passing.
He was proud of his Polish heritage and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Polish Combatants and the Polish Alliance of Canada. Twice he travelled back to Poland, once in 1977 and again in 1980. Those visits were very special to him and he often spoke of how much joy they brought him. He was a very caring man who liked to help his friends in the Polish community. He was the personal Polish welcome wagon to the newcomers of Thunder Bay.
Dad was well respected in the Polish community. He was an honorary member of many families and no matter the occasion or holiday there was always a place for him at someone’s table. When he was unable to get out and visit with his friends they came to him. He was never short on people reciprocating the generosity he showed to them.
Dad had many hobbies. He liked to travel to Duluth frequently for shopping trips and enjoyed taking pictures and videos of anything and everything. He loved dancing at the Polish hall, where the ladies would line up waiting for their turn to dance the Polka with him. He liked to play the organ and the accordion. If you had something that needed repairs he could fix it, sometimes in the most unconventional way. Dad loved dogs and animals in general, always making sure they were fed. He would go visit his family and friends with treats in hand for the animals. Dad loved to talk on the phone and check in with everyone, sometimes multiple times a day.
Dad was a regular at the “Hawaiian Gardens” where you would always find him having coffee and making friends with anyone within ear shot.
In 1998 a local celebrity was born when he was reunited with an old girlfriend Hannelore who he met while stationed in Bremen, Germany. A German TV crew came to Thunder Bay and documented their reunion. They remained in contact until his passing.
Stanley is survived by his daughters Rosemarie Larizza (Rocco), Debra Baker (Larry), Sandy Gawrylowicz (Gary), his grandchildren Cynthia (Mark), Pauline (Glen), Jonathan (Barb), Jocelyn (Dave), Matt (Tarra) and his great grandchildren Jonah, Ciera, Caprice, Jaya and Emry. Dad is also survived by his siblings Stefan, Bronislaw, Stanislawa and numerous other relatives in Poland and Russia He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Josephine, his brother Kazimir and son-in-law John Siciliano. He was very proud of his family and their accomplishments.
Dad was dearly loved by his family and friends. Him and his outlandish sense of humour will be greatly missed.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday February 14th, 2017 at St. Mary Our Lady Queen of Poland Parish at 93 Algoma Street officiated by Father Ireneusz Stadler followed by reception at the Polish Alliance of Canada Branch 19 at 102 Court Street South. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the War Amps of Canada or Thunder Bay Humane Society Would be appreciated by the family.
