Teofil CWIERTNIA

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CWIERTNIA: On Wednesday, November 30, 2016 Teofil (Tom) Cwiertnia joined his beloved wife Janina after 100 years of an exceptional life. Teofil was born in Poland and spent much of his youth between different relatives as his Mom passed away when he was three. He served in the Polish Army during World War II; was captured by the Germans during the war and spent time in a POW camp before escaping. He lived out the rest of the war working on a farm in Austria. It was during this time he met the love of his life Janina from Belarus, who was placed in a work camp in Austria by the Germans. Every Sunday the girls from the work camp were allowed to go into town where Teofil took a liking to Janina. Post war, Teofil married Janina and moved back to Poland where he farmed and for several years was a manager of a collective farm. Teofil and Janina soon welcomed two children to the world, Marie and Stan. In 1959, Teofil moved his family to Canada to reunite with his father and to give his children an opportunity to flourish outside of communist Poland. They settled in Brandon, MB where Teofil worked construction jobs to make enough money to provide for his family. Teofil also enjoyed, and was very gifted at, anything plant related. He was known for his market garden and would often be found among his plants and bees. Teofil was a hard working man and would often go without so his children and grandchildren could have what they needed. Teofil is survived by his son Stan (Terry) and his daughter Marie (Rick) Plaisier; grandchildren Kent (Shalen) Plaisier, Todd Plaisier, Shawn (Debra) Plaisier, Karlyn (Chad) Leslie, and Leanne Cwiertnia; and great-grandchildren Brendan, Breanna, Haylee, Ty, Mya, Tristan, Reed, and Landon Plaisier. Teofil was laid to rest beside his wife on December 6, 2016 at the Brandon Cemetery. At the conclusion of the service by Rev. Fr. Kelly Wilson, Shalen and Haylee sang Amazing Grace as family members placed roses on the coffin. Pallbearers were grandsons and great grandsons: Kent, Todd, Shawn, Brendan, Ty and Chad. Teofil lived a long and wonderful life and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Father. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com.

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 24, 2016