Peacefully at the home that he loved with the golden sun setting on him, in the arms of his loving family on Friday, October 21st, 2016 at the age of 67. Beloved husband of Antonina Zakrzewski of 46 years. Loving father of Kinga Powers (Timothy Harrison), Dominika Budzinsky (Michael Budzinsky), Berenika Palys (Kevin Palys). Proud grandfather (Dziadek) of Elliott, Charlotte and Teddy. Dear brother of Barbara Zakrzewska, Malgorzata Goraczkowska (Andrzej), and Michal Zakrzewski (Stefania). Dear brother-in-law of Renata Kozlowska (Zenon) and Elizabeth Banasikowska (Sylwester). Predeceased by his parents Tadeusz and Antonina Zakrzewski. Son-in-law of Janina Mozanski and the late Bonawentura Mozanski. Also missed by his many nieces and nephews and extended family.
Born in Warsaw, Poland, Wojciech Zakrzewski graduated from the Faculty of Forestry of the Warsaw Academy of Agriculture in 1972. He was Editor-in-Chief at the Warsaw Agricultural University Press and was an active member of the Solidarity movement. Having earned a Ph.D. in Forest Biometrics at his Alma Mater in 1983, he left for Canada a year later to complete a post-doctoral fellowship in Edmonton, Alberta. Dr. Zakrzewski came to Ontario in 1989 to work at the Ontario Forest Research Institute in Sault Ste. Marie where for over a quarter century he served the people of Ontario with distinction. His primary focus had been forest modeling: developing methods for quantifying ecological productivity of forest sites. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals. He served as an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. Dr. Zakrzewski presented his research findings and solutions internationally. In 1996, he received a prestigious invitation from the Finnish Academy of Sciences to model trees’ growth dynamics. Among his contributions may also be named the International Union of Forest Research Organizations project on inventorying rain forests in Nigeria. He served on the advisory board of the Institute of Biometrical Studies (Kerala Forest Research Institute in India), and as an invited reviewer for the Oxford Journals. His original models helped gain US concessions during the recent softwood lumber trade dispute. Dr. Zakrzewski led the Great Lakes Biofibre and Carbon Program involving Canadian and American partners. He sought to improve the cross-border compatibility of estimates of the timber products and carbon content in wood.
A strong man of strong Roman Catholic faith and conviction, he carried himself with nobility and integrity. His warm, open and generous personality and unbounded loyalty and selflessness toward family and friends are what many people will remember him for. He was always the first to help a person in need. He had humour and a sharp wit. He took immense pride and satisfaction in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. His passing is a loss not only for his family but also for many people who had the chance to know him.
Friends are invited to visit at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Friday, October 28, 2016 from 9 until 10:30 am. Funeral mass to be celebrated from Precious Blood Cathedral at 11 am. Rev. Pat Woods officiating. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Memorial contributions made to the Sault Area Hospital Surgical Care Fund would be appreciated by the family. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.arthurfuneralhome.com.