ODON LEOPOLD OSTROWSKI

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ODON LEOPOLD OSTROWSKI Suddenly, on Saturday, July 23, 2011, Odon passed away at home with his dear wife of 56 years, Odile, at his side. Remaining to forever cherish Odon's memory are his loving wife, Odile (née Beaupré); children Sonia (Brian) Tesch; Virginia (Ginia) (Robert) Freynet, Ste Geneviève, MB; Marietta (Eugene) Talbot, Creighton, SK; Nita, p.s.m. (religious order Famille Myriam, QC); Conrad (Sandra LeSage), St. Pierre-Jolys, MB; Pierre (Gwen Penner), and André; grandchildren Melanie (née Watkins) Karlaftis (Frank); Jennifer Watkins (Mathew Hinksman); Raphaël, Pierre, Sophie (Wilgis Agossa), Nathalie, Geneviève, François and Marco Freynet; Aaron Talbot (Melisa Vye Krienke), Churchbridge, SK; Christopher Talbot; Sasha, Shayne and Devin Ostrowski; Ellery Haley; great-grandchildren Riley and Khail Talbot; brother-in-law Léo Beaupré (late Blanche Forest); sisters-in-law Sister Marie Beaupré, m.o; Jeanne Beaupré, Jeannette (Beaupré) Brisson (late Roland), Yvonne Beaupré, Denise Beaupré (late Philippe), Katherine Beaupré (late Alphonse), Jeannine Bilodeau (late Eugène Beaupré); numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives in Canada, the U.S. and Poland; close lifelong friends Emil and Nina Rekrut, Adam and Barbara Straszynski and his special e-mail buddies Cyril and Thelma Sekerka-Bajbus. Odon was predeceased by his parents Piotr and Helena (Laskus); brothers and sisters-in-law Joseph and Annette Beaupré, Philippe Beaupré, Edmond and Eva Beaupré, Alphonse Beaupré, Paul Beaupré, Eugène Beaupré; as well as several aunts, uncles and cousins in Poland. Odon Leopold Ostrowski was born on November 15, 1926 in Sosnowiec, Poland. Here is a brief overview of his life in his own words: In 1940, at the age of 14, I was taken from my homeland by the Nazis to work in Germany as a forced labourer. I first worked in a rolling stock factory in Breslau (now Wroclaw) and later in a chemical plant in Hohensaaten. Being a virtual slave in Hitler's Third Reich, I was not allowed to gain an education. I finally became free in 1945 when the Second World War ended in Europe. I immediately enrolled at the General Sikorski High School in Lippstadt, Westphalia. This school was specially organized by the Polish military forces stationed in the British Zone of occupation in West Germany for Polish youth like me who had lost five years of their lives in Hitler's labour camps. Following graduation, I immigrated to Canada and landed in Halifax, N.S. on June 19, 1948. I made my way to Winnipeg and from there to the farming area of Little Britain near Lockport, MB. Along with a group of other Polish immigrants I found employment on sugar beet farms and later helped with the general harvest. During the winter months I worked as a lumber jack in Northern Ontario and later near Seven Sisters Falls, MB. In due course of time, I continued my studies at the University of Manitoba. I participated in various sports and I was also involved with the International Students' Organization (ISO) and became its president during the academic year 1953 to 1954. I met my future wife, Odile, during this time period and we were married on July 2, 1955. I earned B.A., B.Ped., and B.Ed. degrees from the University of Manitoba and later an M.A. degree from the University of Ottawa. I taught in various schools in Winnipeg, Emerson, Portage la Prairie, Creighton (SK), and my final 22 years in Somerset (MB) until my retirement in 1989. From a young age I was fascinated by theatre and drama and in addition to my academic duties as a teacher I enjoyed involving my students in numerous productions. Throughout my teaching career I was also involved in the Manitoba Teachers Society and held various executive positions. For the benefit of his family, Odon wrote two novels: The Holocaust in Poland and From Berlin to Winnipeg which were based on his experiences in the Second World War and his life as an immigrant to Canada. Proud of his Canadian citizenship, he instilled that pride in all of his children as well as a love for God and all of His creation. In addition, Odon loved music and valued the knowledge of different languages and always encouraged his children and grandchildren to grow and develop in these areas. Merci, Dad! Funeral Liturgy will be Celebrated on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., in St. Andrew Bobola Roman Catholic Church, 541 Marion Street, with Rev. Fr. Henryk S. Laciak presiding. Interment will take place in Assumption Cemetery. The family would like to extend their eternal gratitude to the members of the W.F.P.S. for their efforts and helpfulness as well as the staff at Concordia Hospital for their kindness and empathy shown.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 27, 2011