Antonina Grzegorczyk

Mrs. Antonina Grzegorczyk, age 95 years, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 18, 2021 in Hogarth Transitional Care Unit Thunder Bay.

Antonina was born in Bialy Brzeg, Wolyn, Poland, June 27, 1926. She lived there with her parents and nine siblings until 1940. In February 1940, Antonina was deported with her parents and five siblings to the Gulags in Russia where her mother died. They were released September 1, 1941, making their way south and remained in Uzbekistan for eight months where her two youngest siblings died. Antonina and her sister Wyncentina were separated from their remaining family and taken across the Caspian Sea to Persia, then India and Africa, where they lived for five years. In Africa, Antonina lived in Kenya and Uganda where she met her future husband’s mother and sister. Through them a correspondence was initiated with Peter Grzegorczyk. After WWII she flew to England where she met Peter, they married on October 23, 1948 in England and started their family. In December 1951 they landed in Halifax, Canada, and travelled to Fort William, Ontario. From there they settled in Port Arthur where they raised their family among the Polish community.

She is survived by her children; Adam, Richard (Wiesia) and Lucy; grandchildren Dennis Armstrong, Daniel Grzegorczyk, Annette Heming, Andrew Davison, Nikola Davison, Colette Grzegorczyk; great grandchildren Cameron Grzegorczyk, Victoria Carias-Grzegorczyk, Madelyn Heming, Kayson Armstrong, Jacob Heming, Lily Syrenka Davison, and sister in-law Christine Szkwarek.

Antonina was predeceased by her husband Peter Grzegorczyk, her parents and all of her siblings.

Funeral services for the late Mrs. Antonina Grzegorczyk will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 with family and friends gathering for the Funeral Mass in St. Mary's Our Lady Queen of Poland R.C. Church. Interment will follow in St. Andrew's Cemetery where Antonina and Peter will be laid to rest together. Arrangements have been entrusted to the EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL 299 Waverley St. at Algoma.

If friends so desire, donations to St. Mary's Our Lady Queen of Poland Church would be greatly appreciated.

Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com