On Monday February 17th 2020 at the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre we bid a sad farewell. He was in his 99th year, husband of the late Zofia.
Pier, as he was often called, was born in Krakow, Poland. At the outbreak of WW2 he had just graduated from the prestigious Cadet School in Lwow. Following the Russian invasion, he escaped from Poland through Hungry, Yugoslavia and Italy to France where he joined the Polish forces under French Command. He fought at the battle of Lagarde where he was captured and became a POW in Stalag VD Strassburg. He escaped and joined the Polish Resistance as a guide for escapees across the Alps from France to Switzerland. With the occupation of Vichy France he again escaped through the Pyrenees to Spain only to be captured and imprisoned in Miranda de Ebro concentration camp. Following his release, he made his way to England where he again joined the Polish forces under British command. He became a paratrooper commando with the Independent Grenadier Company (Special Forces), initially as an instructor but ending as it’s last commanding officer. In 1946, he was posted to Oslo Norway as senior liaison officer to the Allied Forces Headquarters. It was here that he met his life time partner and wife of 52 years, Zofia.
Return to Poland was not possible so they decided to start a new life together in England. Following demobilization, Pier worked for the British Civil Service from 1948 to 1962 as Liaison officer and Quartermaster for several Polish resettlement camps. Life stabilized for the young family when Pier was transferred to Daglingworth Hostel near Cirencester after the birth of two sons, one in Cornwall and one in Dorset. It was during this time he developed an interest and became certified in all aspects of Civil Defense. He moved to Local Government Services when appointed Civil Defense Training Officer. In 1970 he became the Chief of the Department of Civil Defense for Gloucestershire County a position he held till his retirement in 1984.
He was immensely proud of his two sons, the eldest Andrew, a surgeon and the younger Tadeusz, a dermatologist. In 1989, he and his wife emigrated to Canada to join them and they derived great enjoyment from their involvement with the grandchildren. He often shared his wartime adventures and life’s lessons with them. He settled in Ottawa and became an active member and leader in the Polish community.
The love he had for the Polish Fatherland and Family never dwindled. Although a fierce Polish patriot he was a pragmatic realist. He actively advocated for and supported displaced Poles in England to assimilate into the British fabric. In Canada he was a longtime member, Branch Secretary, Branch President and Branch Vice-President till age 94, of the Polish Combatants Association. He was also Ottawa Branch Vice- President of the Canadian Polish Congress. He obtained and was proud of his British and Canadian Citizenships.
Pier will be dearly missed by his sons Tadeusz (Heather) and Andrzej, grandchildren Adam (Jen), Mark (Flannery), Alana, Jacob of Ottawa and James (Catherine) with great grandchildren Emily and Oliver of London England, niece Danuta Giel of Warsaw Poland and nephew Piotr Pierscianowski of Krakow. He will be sadly missed by his many friends in Canada, England and Poland.
Landmark Court was his beloved home for the past three and half years. Our sincere thanks to Landmark’s staff and many residents who cared for him with kindness and respect. We are grateful to the staff of Rideau 1 North for their professionalism and compassionate care during his final days.
Friends may pay their respects at McEvoy-Shields Funeral home, 1411 Hunt Club Rd at Albion, on Friday 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm during which time there will be prayers and eulogy. The funeral mass will be held Saturday at 10am in St. Hyacinth Church, 201 LeBreton St North, Ottawa.
In memoriam donations to the St. Hyacinth Mission Fund (Po Box 46089, 2339 Ogilvy Rd. Gloucester, ON, K1J 9M7) would be gratefully appreciated.
Decorations:
• National Order of the Legion of Honour (French)
• Croix de Guerre with Star
• Cross of Merit with Swords
• The Escapees’ Medal (French)
• Crosses and medals Polish, French, English
• Civil Defense Long Service
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