KWOLEK, Edward, Antoni - Edward went to join his Lord and Saviour, in his 96th year on August 24, 2023 in the presence of his family.
Edward was a loving and caring husband of 59 years of his beloved late wife Janina Kwolek, (Jasia). He was the loving father of Krystyna Ferguson (late Ronald), Henryk Kwolek (Susan), Romuald Kwolek (Helen) and beloved Dziadziu of Jeffrey (Christine), Bradley (Lesley), Dana (Anton), Brendan (Barbra), Erin, Trevor (Caitlin), Stephanie (Jose), David (Darah). Also mourning their Pradziadziu are his great grandchildren Leah, Cody, Gabriel, Theodore, Isla, Edison, Duncan, Maria, Rafael, Joseph and Renley.
Son of the late Karolina and Jozef Kwolek. Dear brother of the late Eugenia Wieczor (late Czech), late Jozefa Obierski (late Jozef). Fondly remembered by many close nieces and nephews.
Above all else, Edward was a man of faith. He helped build St. Andrew Bobola Church, now the site of Holy Family Parish. He was a lifetime, active parish member. He prayed the rosary daily. His life was a shining example of what it means to be a Christian.
He never complained about his pain or the difficulties in his life and was always the eternal optimist.
In his early childhood, after the outbreak of World War II, following the division of Poland by Germany and Russia, he was removed from his home, and together with his siblings and parents, was deported to a Siberian workcamp. From Siberia, following a Russian “amnesty” he travelled across the continent to become a cadet with the Polish army in exile in Egypt and Palestine, while his mother and sisters found refuge in a Polish mission in Kenya.
After the war, he was reunited with his sisters and parents in England. Together they immigrated to Sault Ste. Marie.
Edward was an incurable romantic. He corresponded by letter with the love of his life, Jasia, who, at the time, lived in Victoria, British Columbia. Jasia travelled to Sault Ste. Marie with her mother and sister to meet Edward in person for the very first time in Nov. 1951. After a whirlwind romance, “ Jasia and Edziu” were married less than two months later in a double ceremony, with Jasia’s sister Stasia marrying Marian Widlas on the same day.
Edward was a man of many talents. He could fix watches, clocks and small appliances as well as small engines and automobiles. He did carpentry and masonry work, built his own home and helped with home improvement projects and renovations for his children, family and friends.
He had a great sense of humour and was always joking. He enjoyed playing card games, especially cribbage and bridge.
He was fiercely proud of his Polish heritage and encouraged his children and grandchildren to speak the Polish language. True to his Polish heritage, he loved to dance. He especially loved to polka, and boy could he polka!
He was a talented soccer player and in his later years enjoyed teaching and watching his grandchildren Dana and David play soccer. Edward worked at Algoma Steel for over 35 years and was able to enjoy retirement for 38 years. He cared for his beloved Jasia for many years in their home after she suffered a major stroke and nursed her back to health. When her health once again began to deteriorate and he was unable to care for her any longer, they were both able to share her final days at the F.J. Davey Home (his mansion) together.
In his later years, Edward suffered from Alzheimer’s disease losing first his memory, then his ability to walk and eventually his ability to speak.
The family of Edward Kwolek would like to thank all those employees of the F.J. Davey Home and volunteers who went out of their way to make Edward’s stay there a little bit brighter especially David, Lindsay, Cathy, Sarah and Suzie. Thank you all for your care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, please offer a prayer, mass or make a donation to a charity of your choice in memory of Edward Kwolek. The family would appreciate a donation to Holy Family Parish or to the Alzheimer Society.
The Kwolek family will receive friends and family at Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. E., 705-759-2522) on Sunday, August 27, 2023 from 6 - 8 p.m. Parish prayers will be held at 8:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish on Monday, August 28, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Boguslaw Jaroszek officiating, followed by interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to view the service online (for up to 90 days) . Please visit funeraweb.tv to view the live stream. Please visit www.arthurfuneralhome.com obituaries section to leave a message of condolence as a keepsake for the family.
Wieczny odpoczynek racz mu dac Panie, a swiatlosc wiekuiste niechaj mu swieci na wieki wiekow. Amen.
Tatus, my ciebie kochamy!