Leon Lewicki, age 94 years, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2018 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
A special thank you to his family physician Dr. D. Ek , hospital staff, volunteers, and family for their compassionate care given to our father during his stay in the hospital.
Leon was born in Zalesie, Poland. At the age of 18, when World War II broke out between the Russians and Germans he was forcibly taken to a labour camp in Hanover, Germany. In 1945, he met the love of his life Antonina, who was also in the same labour camp. On March 3, 1945 they were married.
In 1948 they arrived in Belgium where he worked in the underground mines until 1951. Upon receiving sponsorship to Canada, they immigrated and landed in Halifax on November 3, 1951 and then moved to Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay) for a better future for themselves and family. He was employed with the CPR for 37 years until retirement in 1989.
Leon was a long time parishioner at St. Mary Our Lady Queen of Poland Church. An active member of the Polish Combatants Association in Canada Branch No. 1 and Royal Canadian Legion Polish Branch 219. He was a member of the colour party for over thirty years. He was also a member of the executive serving as first vice-president as well as other functions.
Leon had many interests. He loved camping, travelling, fishing, hunting, dancing, and picking mushrooms and blueberries. But most of all playing on his harmonica for the grandchildren and his pet dog Rusty.
Every year he took pride in his garden, growing lettuce, onions, beets, potatoes that he would share with family and friends. Most of all he took pride in cooking his own homemade soup.
He was predeceased by his loving wife, Antonina on June 3, 2017. They were married and lived together at home for 71 years. Also he was predeceased by his brothers Adam, Mieczyslaw, Witalis and sisters Ewa and Gienia.
Surviving are his two daughters Jane Wazinski (Victor) and Lucy Michalak (Tadeusz); his grandchildren Gene Wazinski (Heather), Cathy Chinnick (Todd), Mark Michalak (Holly DeCaigny), Cynthia Mashinter (James), and Adam Michalak (Savoarn). Also his nine great grandchildren: Truen, Cameron, Troy, Megan, Lukas, Katey, Jillian, Kai and Kobe.
Services will be held on Friday morning, September 21, 2018 leaving the Harbourview Funeral Centre to St. Mary Our Lady Queen of Poland Church, 93 North Algoma Street, where the Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. celebrated by Rev. Krystian Sokal. Interment will follow in St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday evening (TODAY) from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre where the Vigil Service will begin at 7:00 p.m.
As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
