It is with deep sadness that we announce that Wladyslaw (Walter) Szkwarek passed away at the age of 86 years on April 4th, 2015. Walter was born on February 28th, 1929 in Tlumacz, Trojany Poland.
At the young age of 11, Walter, along with his parents and three siblings, was arrested by the Russians and deported, via cattle cars to Komi, Russia, a Siberian Slave camp. While there, his brother Mieczyslaw died of scurvy. The Polish families suffering in Siberia were later granted “Amnesty” when Stalin made a pact with the Allies. Walter’s family was transported through Kazakhstan to Teheran, Iran. During this period, Walter’s father Marcin and sister Genowefa died of typhoid. Walter then enlisted in the Polish Youth Corps stationed in Egypt.
After the war Walter reunited with his mother and sister Janina in Scotland. At the age of 22 years, Walter immigrated to Canada. He settled in Port Arthur and it was there that he met his wife Krystyna (Christine) Grzegorczyk. They were married in 1954 and raised two daughters Basia (Barb) and Alinka (Aileen).
In 1969 his beloved mother, Anna, passed away. Walter worked hard as a millwright, was a proud member of the Polish Combatant’s and was very involved in the Polish Community. In his retirement years, Walter enjoyed his garden, travelling with his wife and, most of all, spending time with his grandchildren Annika and Evan Bunkis, especially following the unexpected passing of their father, Eriks Bunkis in 1997.
Walter was the picture of health and was always physically active. In his mid-seventies, he began showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease and in 2009, he moved to Hogarth Riverview Manor where he resided until his recent passing.
Walter will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 61 years, Krystyna, his daughters Barb and Aileen (Mark Bjorkstedt), his two adoring grandchildren Annika and Evan Bunkis, Sister Janina Winski (Czeslaw) and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Funeral Services for Walter will be held on Friday April 10th, 2015, leaving the Harbourview Funeral Centre at 10:15 AM to go to St. Casimir Catholic Church, 613 McKenzie Street for a Mass at 11:00 AM celebrated by Fr. Ireneusz Stadler. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday evening from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street, with Vigil Prayers being offered at 7:00 PM that same evening. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hogarth Riverview Manor.
