Obituary of STANISLAW (STANLEY) KLOCZKOWSKI

STANISLAW (STANLEY) KLOCZKOWSKI November 1, 1918 – February 8, 2016 It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Stanley in Grace General Hospital after 97 years of life. Stanley is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Halina, his daughter Catherine Kloczkowski (Jason) and his grandsons Griffin and Zennen Scott. Stanley truly saw the world change during his long life. He was born in Krakow, Poland in November 1918, just a few days before the end of World War I and grew up on a small farm outside of Niepolomice. Despite his impoverished family circumstances, he was an excellent student and enjoyed creating sports equipment such as skis, skates and soccer balls from scratch. This ingenuity would carry into his adult life, earning him the nickname “Mr. Fix-it.” As a young man, Stanley served in the Polish Air Cadets prior to the German invasion of Poland. In September 1939, he joined the Polish 65 Light Bomber Division and saw heavy bombing near Lwow. His division retreated to Romania, where he and his mates became prisoners of war. Eventually, using a false passport, he escaped and made his way to England where he joined 300 Squadron of the Polish Air Force in Swinderby, Lincolnshire. Stanley spent the rest of the war working as a radio operator and telegrapher, skills that would serve him later in life. Poland fell under Soviet control at the end of World War II so Stanley decided to remain in England, working in textiles. In 1952, following the call of friends who had left for Canada, Stanley decided to leave England and made his way first to Montreal and then to Winnipeg where he worked at Bristol Aerospace until his retirement in 1984. Stanley and his family loved to spend summers exploring the open roads and campgrounds in their beloved camper, often spending a week or more at Big Whiteshell Lake. Although evenings at the lake seemed serene, inside the camper a fierce card battle raged between Stanley, Halina and Catherine as each tried to win the best hand. In his spare time, Stanley was an active and long-standing member of the Polish Combatants Association Branch #13, where he served in several volunteer positions and made many life-long friends. He and Halina enjoyed evenings at SPK Club 13 at events such as Folklorama, New Year’s Eve, Smigus-Dyngus and other celebrations and dances. Stanley will be remembered for his humble, mild manner, his helpful, accommodating nature and his kindness towards friends and family. He bore every trial and tribulation in life with patient grace and this was true right to the end. His last three years were spent at Heritage Lodge where he was well cared for by the staff. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 18 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Ghost Church, 341 Selkirk Avenue, followed by a reception at the church. A private interment will take place the following day. Flowers are accepted or donations in memory of Stanley Kloczkowski can be made to the Dr. Victor Turek Prize for Polish Studies. Gifts may be made online at: umanitoba.ca/giving or sent to: Donor Relations, 200-137 Innovation Dr., University of Manitoba, Wpg, MB. R3T 6B6