THOMAS VELHAT (WIELGAT)

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THOMAS VELHAT (WIELGAT) Passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 13, 2000 at the Rockyview Hospital in Calgary, Alberta at the age of 81. Thomas was predeceased by his wife Anna in 1973; brother Antoni, killed-in-action 1944; and a sister Antonina in Poland, 1999. He is survived by Daughter Halina Kondel (Tony) son Richard (Darlene), granddaughter Renata Berger (Mark) and great-granddaughter Arianna Berger all of Calgary, Alta. He is also survived by brother Adam of Kenosha, Wisconsin, brother Mieczyslaw and sister Leokadia Babiasz and Lucyna Gaczynski, all of Poland. He also leaves to mourn many relatives and close friends in Poland, Czech Republic, Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario, and the USA. Thomas was the son of the late Jacob and Elenora Wielgat. He was born on December 22, 1918 in Osiecznik, Wolyn District, Poland. He immigrated to Canada with his wife and daughter in 1950 and settled in Winnipeg. He worked for the CPR as a Carman, Winnipeg Weston Shops, for 33 years retiring in 1983 and moved to Calgary in 1994 so that he could be close to his children. He was a highly honoured and decorated combat veteran of the Second World War, serving with the Free Polish Armed Forces, 27th Division, AK, and was a Life Member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Andrew Mynarski, V.C. Branch, Polish Combatants Association, Branch No. 13, Winnipeg and the Polish-American Veterans Association. Thomas greatly enjoyed hunting and fishing and the company of his many friends in Winnipeg. He was fluent in several languages and had a love for reading, especially military history. He was a good-humored, very kind and generous man who cherished his family, and will be very sadly missed by all who knew him. Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 18, starting at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church, 341 Selkirk Ave. with an Oblate Father officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Ghost Cemetery. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Jerzy Brzeski of Calgary for the extremely dedicated and compassionate care that he provided to our Father over the last six years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Thomass memory to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation, 301-352 Donald St. Wpg., R3B 2H8. Wieczny Odpoczynek Racz Mu Dac, Panie CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL in care of arrangements - 586-8044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2000