ZDZISLAW (BOB) NOWAK

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ZDZISLAW (BOB) NOWAK Zdzislaw (Bob) Nowak passed peacefully on February 21, 2013, at the age of 85. Zdzislaw leaves to mourn, son Tadeusz; son Francis (Heather); cherished granddaughters Kate and Mila. Also left to cherish his memory in Poland, niece Marysia (Krzysztof) Tomula and family; nephew Jan (Rysia) Widelka and family. He was predeceased by the love of his life wife, Janina; parents Tadeusz and Helena Nowak; brother Boleslaw Nowak. Zdzislaw was born on July 31, 1927, in Wylewa, Poland. As many Poles of his generation, Zdzislaw survived the ravages of the Second World War where at the tender age of 14 he was taken away from the arms of his loving mother and put into a forced labour camp in Austria where he remained till the end of the war. It was with great effort and help from the Red Cross that he was able to once again be reunited with his family when the war ended. Coming back to a war torn country, he and his mother were able to start a successful business to support themselves and with this experience he went on to the city of Krakow to further his studies and receive an accounting degree. In 1955, he married the love of his life, Janina, and had their first son the following year. Zdzislaw and Janina decided to leave communist Poland in 1959, and make a new life in Winnipeg. As a young immigrant to Canada, faced with the difficulties of a new culture and language, he took on the first job that was available to him. He immediately started to work as a mechanic and attended Red River Community College in order to attain his Journeyman Degree as an Automotive Mechanic. With hard work and determination, Zdzislaw was soon able to become the proprietor of the very garage he started to work in. He was very proud to be the owner and sole proprietor of "Nowak Shell" for over 30 years. Zdzislaw also took great pride in the fact that he was able to help many young immigrants from Poland get their start in Canada by offering them employment. Throughout all the hardships that Zdzislaw endured in his life, he always kept his good nature and sense of humour. Zdzislaw was an avid card player and especially enjoyed his Bridge Club. He spent many summers with his family and friends at the cottage where he would spend hours boating and fishing and inevitably, playing cards. He was also a person of great faith which often helped him withstand the challenges and trials that life sent his way. He was a member of Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church and a member of the Rosary Solidarity. Prayers to be held Tuesday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 27 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church, 341 Selkirk Avenue with his son Fr. Tadeusz Nowak, OMI officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Ghost Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Richard Sarbiewski, Daniel Sarbiewski, Ray Hayes, Lech Galezowski, Andrzej Szukiewicz and Steve Rowinski. Honourary pallbearers are Jaroslaw Balewicz and John Sarbiewski. Should friends so desire, a donation in his memory may be made to the Missionaries of Charity, 167 Aikins Street in Winnipeg. WIECZNY ODPOCZYNEK RACZ MU DAC, PANIE CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 204-586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 25, 2013