EUGENE ZALESKI

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EUGENE ZALESKI August 28, 1917 - December 18, 2010. Eugene was born in Riga, Latvia to Ignace and Anna Zaleski, brothers Victor and Zozislaw (all lost in the war). Educated in Poland, trained as an armament engineer, he entered the Polish Air Force in 1937. At the outbreak of the war, while on a mission to Rumania set up by Winston Churchill and the Polish Government, Gene and a group of other young men were captured but escaped and in a roundabout route through Europe and the middle East, went to France and then to England where they joined the Polish Air force within the R.A.F. The Polish Squadrons were the first allies for Britain who until that time had fought alone. The Swinton aerodrome where they were stationed was near the city of Lincoln, Lincolnshire and it was there that Gene met his wife of 68 years, Lilian Hugman. Gene became a navigator but was recruited and trained in the Special Services Branch. At the end of his assignments he was called to London to the British Intelligence Offices for a personal thank you for his work. In 1952, Gene with wife Lilian and daughter Anna immigrated to Canada. In 1955 he was offered a job in Churchill, MB, to work with a small, recently purchased northern airline called Arctic Wings which was previously owned by the Roman Catholic Church to take supplies to their missions. Charles Webber was the only pilot. Both Gene and Charlie loved the challenges of building up the small airline and the friendship that grew between them was to last a lifetime. Arctic Wings evolved into Transair and all supplies to the northern communities were flown in by this line. More planes, more pilots, more workers, more contracts, Gene loved every minute of the job and always remembered the people he worked with. In 1954 the DEW Line was being set up and along with his job at Arctic Wings/Transair, Gene also became the co-ordinator organizing the flights and delivery of supplies and equipment needed at the DEW Line sites. This job lasted 25 years. During this time period Transair had grown and become Pacific Western, numerous chartered flights into the north and other destinations were organized by Gene. The letters of thanks and commendations he received are numerous, from: the governments of Canada, the U.S., and the N.W.T., Dept of Indian Affairs, Dept. of Transport, Arctic Co-Ops, northern businesses, Boeing Aircraft Co., Walt Disney Studios, Universities, professors, councils of northern communities and many individuals. Gene left Churchill in 1973. Before he left the Dept. of Transport organized a social attended by many guests and the town of Churchill honoured him with a dinner party.. Gene went to work in the Winnipeg office of P.W.A. until his retirement in 1984. Gene received many gifts on his retirement including a trip around the world by Pan Am Airlines. When they moved to Winnipeg Gene and Lilian bought a small acreage near St. Francis Xavier which they turned into a hobby farm. When visitors came to their home Gene was so proud to show them around. Gene began winemaking as a hobby using the apples from their own orchard to the enjoyment of family and friends. Gene belonged to the Canadian Legion, Assiniboine Senior Centre, and ANAF hall of St. James. He was also a member of the Western Canada Aviation Museum, they honoured him with a letter that stated that his diligent and innovative pursuit of aeronautical professions, have contributed significantly, to the development of aviation in Canada. You are considered a pioneer of Canadian aviation. Gene and Lilian bought a home and moved to Winnipegosis in 1998. Gene liked the area and enjoyed his new home, landscaping the yard, trips to the lake and bird watching. Gene is survived by his wife Lilian Zaleski, daughter Anna (Tom) Shewchuk, grandson Christopher, granddaughters Beth (Brian), Angela, Shannon and great-grandson Justice. HE LIVED WITH HONOUR.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 15, 2011