Mr. Stanislaw “Stan” Adamkowski, age 100, of Thunder Bay passed away peacefully in St. Joseph's Hospice on Friday, July 17th, 2015.
Stan was born in Dabkowice, Poland in 1915. He served as a Polish Frontier guard and was a prisoner of War in the USSR/Siberia.
He was released on amnesty; he joined the Polish army in the USSR and was transferred to Persia under British command. Stan served in the Middle East until 1944 and then in Italy until 1946; he was wounded in action in 1944 and 1945, and was discharged on immigration to Canada in 1946. Stan has been decorated with numerous medals in honour of his courage, dedication, honourable conduct and service.
Stan retired in 1980 after many years of work at Abitibi Mission Mill. His home and garden were his pride and joy which he maintained well into his late 90's. Stan was also a long standing member of St. Mary our Queen of Poland Parish and Choir, the Royal Canadian Legion Polish Combatants of Canada, Branch 219, and Polish Alliance, Group 19.
Stan approached every challenge he faced over his many years with a smile and humility. He always had a good word to say, a song to sing, a joke to make and of course, a charming compliment for ladies. He was a true gentleman.
Stan will be greatly missed by grandchildren Fallon, Jonathan, Lindy, Julie and Christopher and daughter-in-law Michelle; nieces Marianna and Wanda; niece Zofia with husband, Peter and children, Adam, Monica and Agatha; cousin Elizabeth with family; a great friend, Krystyna, who Stan always said was like a daughter to him, with husband, Wieslaw and children, Mark and Christopher; numerous nieces, nephews and relatives in Poland as well as a large circle of friends.
Stan was predeceased by his siblings Marianna, Francziszek and Wojciech; children John, Joe and Krystyna; step-daughter Mary; and wife Anna.
Funeral Services for Stan will be held on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015, leaving the Harbourview Funeral Centre at 10:30 a.m. to go to St. Mary’s Our Lady Queen of Poland Catholic Church where a Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM by Fr. Ireneusz Stadler. Interment will follow in St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, July 21st, 2015 from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in the Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street. Vigil Prayers will be offered that same evening at 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary our Lady Queen of Poland Church or to the Charity of your Choice.
