Obituary of Wladyslaw Urbanski

Urbanski, Wladyslaw (Wladz) Our Dad Wladz passed away in the prime of his life, in his 91st year, on Tuesday, February 13, 2007. He is predeceased by his wife Helena of 51 years, who passed away September 5, 1996. He will be forever loved and missed by his daughters Nina and Barbara and sons-in-law Bruce Graham and Steve Ellis. Wladz was born in Kolacin, Poland on March 18, 1916. In 1941 during the war he was imprisoned in Germany where he met his one and only Helena. They married in 1945 and in 1949 immigrated to Canada with their 3 year old daughter Nina. The family settled in Red Lake, Ontario and in 1951 their second daughter Barbara was born. Life in Red Lake was idyllic, where Walter where he honed his deer hunting, fishing and socializing skills, but after 14 years working in the Madsen gold mines, it was time to move on. Walter and Helena bought a 10 acre fruit farm in Beamsville, Ontario in 1962 and for the next 12 years he juggled two jobs between farming and General Motors of Canada on the Molding and Casting Production Line. As Team Leader, his strong work ethic helped win several Mark of Excellence Trophies and Awards of which he was very proud. At the age of 70 he retired from General Motors of Canada and finally reaped the rewards of his hard work. Over the next 20 years he enjoyed enlarging his garden from year to year: 80 pepper plants, 40 tomato plants, 8 foot beanstalks on hockey sticks, countless beets, onions, raspberries, blackberries; he tried to compete with his daughter Nina for asparagus plants, but did not succeed. He also enjoyed wine making and was known to add vodka to improve the flavour, but always denied this. Hunting rabbits, fishing, gathering wild asparagus, wild berries, wild mushrooms and taking 10 km walks along the Welland Canal were also part of his retirement years. He also "babysat" Nina's pooch Rascal, under great protest, with whom he had a love-hate relationship. At age 85 he was known to clear the snow from his neighbours driveways with his snowblower. And always there was Helena, the love of his life; she gave his life purpose. Wladz was truly one of a kind, a rare character who loved life, the "occasional" drink, loved to dress up and loved the ladies, especially Halina Grochot, Nancy Wallace and Enid Graham and was always a gentleman. He was very generous with his wine and produce; always inviting his friends, strangers and neighbours, especially Bill Weerheim, for a drink or two and some Polish sausage. No one will ever forget his steel-grip handshake. He celebrated his 90th birthday at his favourite pub, Apple Granny's in Lewiston, New York, where his favourite bartender Dave brought out his birthday cake. The last 6 months have been especially difficult for our Dad, however, he maintained his good spirits and his positive attitude. Throughout this time his friends, Kazimierz Pundyk, Halina Grochot, Bill Weerheim, Ursula Goralski, Stella Legucka and his Godson Teddy Pundyk never forgot him, visiting regularly. The family thanks these very caring people and are grateful for their constant support. Walter Urbanski is resting at the George Darte Funeral Chapel, 585 Carlton St. until Friday at 10:30 a.m. Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church at 11 a.m. with Rite of Committal in Victoria Lawn Cemetery. Visiting Hours Thursday 6:30-9 p.m. Vigil Prayers for Walter will be held in the funeral home on Thursday at 7 p.m. Memorial Remembrances can be made to Heart and Stoke Foundation if so desired.