Czeslaw Olejarz

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Czeslaw. He was surrounded by his loving family in his final hours at the Hamilton General Hospital. He was a devoted husband to Barbara (nee Kielbasa) for 65 years. Loving father of Andrew (Theresa), Anna (Eddie), Mary-Jane (Randy), George (Stephanie) and Madeline (Alec). Cherished Dziadziu of Stefanie (Jack), Matthew (Beverley), Alex (Cait), Daniel (Karolina), Andrew (Emma), Anna (Brody), Michelle (Michael), Adele, Lilia, Zofia, Sonia and Gemma. Beloved Pradziadziu of Cynthia, Violet, Eddie, Freddie, Blaine, Byron and Mila. Predeceased by his sister Janina (Kazimierz) Cerekwicki and brother Kazimierz (Teresa) Olejarz. Survived by his sister-in-law Elzbieta (Andrzej) Laskowski and many nieces and nephews in Canada and Poland. Czeslaw brought his young family to Canada in 1962 and settled in Hamilton, Ontario, where he worked at Dofasco for 28 years, retiring in 1992. He was an industrious man who took on extra work, including apple picking, during his “vacations” to provide for his family. He was especially proud of the university educations earned by all of his children and grandchildren, a privilege that was not available to him as an orphan in post-war Poland. He will be remembered as a master gardener, a zealous card player and an avid fisherman. Czeslaw was a man of immense faith and served as the first Extraordinary Minister at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish. A lifetime member of the Polish Singers Alliance of America, he sang for almost four decades with Symfonia Choir of Hamilton, having also served as a vice president, and finally retired as an honourary member, but continued to sing with enthusiasm at church and every family gathering. He will be greatly missed.

Visitation at MARKEY-DERMODY FUNERAL HOME, 1774 King Street East, on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 from 3-7 p.m. with Rosary at 5:30 p.m. Funeral mass will be held at St. Stanislaus Church (8 Saint Ann St, Hamilton) on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish would be appreciated by the family.