We Remember
PIDEK, Jan
—
Born on July 24, 1920 in Strzyzewice, Poland, Jan passed away at home on June 29, 2017. Jan, along with thousands of other Polish servicemen, escaped Poland in 1939 when the Germans invaded. They fled to Romania, then Lebanon and then France, where they were interned as prisoners. The British government obtained their release in exchange for money and brought them to England. By 1940, Jan was flying Spitfires in the 308 Squadron (Poland) in time for the Battle of Britain. He flew in the Battle of Dieppe and during the Normandy Landings. In 1945 Jan’s Squadron was stationed in Germany and Jan, along with his Squadron mates, visited former slave labour camps seeking out Polish citizens. On one such visit, he met a beautiful young girl who had survived the labour camp. In 1945, he married his beloved Gizella and later moved her to Canada. Jan and Gizella were married for 68 years. In Canada, Jan worked as the Director of the Public Archives in Ottawa. Gizella predeceased Jan in 2013. He is survived by several nieces and nephews. In his later years, Jan lived at home with the assistance of his nephew Mike and wife Gloria. The family wishes to thank Dr. Livingston and the Interior Health Palliative Care Team. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1077 Fuller Avenue, Kelowna, BC on Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or to share a memory, please scroll down this page to the area called “share your condolences.”
Service
Saturday, July 8, 2017 at 10:00 am
Location
St. Pius X Catholic Church
From Ottawa on behalf of the entire Donnelly & Smith family, – my parents Betty & Larry, my sister’s , Erin, and Tara, my wife Kyna, our children Sam, Maggie and Coco and my sister Erin’s family, her husband Barry, daughter Meaghan and sons, Liam & Declan – our very sincere condolences.
When my parents first moved to Ottawa in the early 60’s, Jan & Giselle were among the very first and, as it turned out, best friends they made. Jan and Giselle (and their dogs Prince and later Marcus & Sirius ) were a very big part of our lives. As my godfather, I looked up to Jan for the remarkable life he had lived and for the warm and generous person he was. Jan & Giselle were examples of the fortitude and resilience of a generation that endured much and achieved even more. Rest in peace Uncle Jan.
Remembering my uncle Jan. Rest in Peace. Erin, Barry, Meghan, Liam & Declan
from Ottawa on behalf of the entire Donnelly family, our sincere condolences.
Jan & Giselle were among the first and, as it turned out, very best friends my parents Betty & Larry made after they arrived in Ottawa in the early 1960’s. Jan & Giselle lived a remarkable life and, like many of their generation, demonstrated extraordinary courage and compassion. I feel so very fortunate to have Jan as my Godfather. Rest in Peace Uncle Jan.
Sincerely,
Betty, Larry, Tara, Erin, Kyna, Sam, Maggie, Coco & Tom
Remembering our good friends Jan & Giselle. Rest in Peace.
Betty, Larry & Tara
Jan was a beautiful man, dedicated to his faith and to Gisele, to his many friends and family, to his countries of birth and adoption, and last but not least, to the many four-legged friends who lovingly shared his and Gisele’s home and company. He leaves a lifetime of memories marked by his intellect, his wit and his gracious hospitality. My special thanks to Mike and Gloria for easing his way this past year. I will miss him very much. Susan, Ottawa
Nie zyjemy,aby umierac ale umieramy zeby zyc wiecznie