Obituary of Stanley Sawicki

Stanley Sawicki 1920 - 2012 Early this morning, Stanley Sawicki passed away. He was a wonderful man, having lived a full life. Born in 1920 in Poland, he enjoyed his childhood and youth up until 17 September 1939, when Russia invaded Poland as part of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. He, along with his brothers and sisters, were shipped into Russia to work in a forced labour camp. In late 1941, when Germany invaded Russia, he was freed. He next found himself being moved to the Middle East to recuperate and train as part of the Polish First Army. Stanley was part of the Polish artillery, freeing Italy though the battles of Monte Casino and Anzio and ending up in Rome. After the war, he worked in England as a bus driver. He immigrated to Canada in 1949 (through Halifax Pier 21), and worked as a labourer until finding a home in Port Colbourne, Ontario. As with many immigrants, he obtained survival jobs until he found employment at Inco. He saved up his money and bought a house. A house is not a home until filled with love, so in 1960 he travelled back to Poland to marry Francis. In 1962 they celebrated the birth of Christine and in 1963, the birth of Elizabeth. He joyously celebrated each step of his children†™s lives, through school, university and marriage. The pride in his grandchildren John Paul, Cecilia, Christian, Nick, Sebastian, Matthew, Alexandra and Emily was evident every time he spoke or was with them. Proudly Canadian, proudly Polish, Stanley celebrated life to its fullest but never forgot the sacrifices of his colleagues during the war. In late 2011, Stan suffered a series of strokes that eliminated many of his abilities to communicate. This did not stop him from expressing his opinion on issues. Sadly, early in the morning of September 17, 2012, Stanley died. His laughter, smile and his love of family and food (especially Francis†™s perogies) will be sadly missed. Family and friends will be received at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton Street, on Wednesday, September 19th, 2012 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Vigil prayers will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 5 Oblate Street, St. Catharines on Thursday, September 20th at 10am with Rite of Committal to follow at Victoria Lawn Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish building fund.