Pawel “Paul” Wdowiak, age 92 years, of Thunder Bay passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 25, 2015 with his family by his side. He was born on August 22, 1922 in Tarnawica Polna, Poland to Jozef and Anna Wdowiak.
As a member of the Polish Army, he fought in World War II. After the war, the family was relocated to Bystrzyca Klodzka, Poland. There he married Weronika “Veronica” Pocion and together they had two sons. His father left for Canada in the 1920s and the family was separated for many years. He and his family joined his parents in 1958.
He worked at the Prince Arthur Hotel and later Lakehead University until his retirement. His home and his very large garden were his pride and joy, which he maintained well into his late eighties and then supervised thereafter. Most of all, he was a devoted and loving Dziadzio to his three grandchildren and would do anything for them.
He was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Our Lady Queen of Poland Church and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Polish Combatants of Canada Branch 219.
He is survived by his sons Jozef (Andrea) and John (Gail), his grandchildren Olivia (Jesse), John (Heather) and Julia and his great grandchildren William, Mirabel and Raina, and sister-in-law Weronika Pocion, niece Ursula (Robert) MacDonald and nephew Roman (Grace) Pocion and their children Anastasia, Nicole and Michelle. Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives both here, the United States and in Poland also survive.
Pawel was predeceased by his wife Weronika, his parents Jozef and Anna Wdowiak and his great grandson Paul.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, July 3, 2015, leaving the Harbourview Funeral Centre at 9:30 a.m. to go to St. Mary’s Our Lady Queen of Poland Church, 85 Algoma Street North for the Funeral Mass beginning at 10:00 a.m. with Father Ireneusz Stadler officiating. Visitation for family and friends will he held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. with Vigil Prayers beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2015 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Our Lady Queen of Poland Church.
