A Celebration Of Your Life
Born in Poland on 17 November 1909
the eldest of 4 children to Michael & Rosalia.
Emigrated at the age of 12 with your family to Brazil where you grew up and became a schoolteacher,
teaching 6 grades at the one time in the same classroom.
When WWII broke out you were the first Polish volunteer in Brazil to enlist in the Polish Army.
During WWII you were stationed in Kelso, Scotland, where you met Helena,in 1945,
who was to be your wife for the next 53 years, 11 months, 14 days.
On 3 July 1946 you had a daughter, Jamie, an only child who loved you with all her heart.
You were strict, but fair and I wouldn't have had it any other way.
You, along with Mum, taught me love and respect.
You taught me to be honest, trusting, caring and have compassion.
When the war ended you settled in Scotland with Mum. You couldn't go back to teaching
because it would have meant more study and exams in Scotland and finances were tight.
So, you applied for a job as a Compositor with a local printing firm. You were honest, told them you had no experience in this field, but you were willing to learn and would work hard. You got the job!
We all went to Brazil when I was about a year old, to visit your family for 6 months.
Your father was a farmer, respected and loved by his family. We then returned to Scotland until 1957.
You had been sick and in hospital with ulcer problems in 1955, the damp,
cold weather was not what you were used to and for your health and for a better life for us all
we emigrated to Australia, arriving in March 1957.
We did enjoy a better life, you had made the right decision.
We settled in Sydney until 1983 when we moved to Hervey Bay in Queensland.
From the time we arrived in Sydney until the day you retired,
you worked for the Sydney Morning Herald as a compositor.
You and Mum made sure I never went without. We had lean times, but we had great times.
I wouldn't have changed anything.
You supported me in every way, you were always 'there for me' no matter what.
You provided me with the best education and although you were disappointed that I didn't take up your first love, teaching, it made no difference.
We had lots of overseas trips over the years, we did everything as a family.
Even though in later years these trips may have been taken seperately
we never lost sight of where 'home' was.
You loved everyone, my first husband, David, our son Jason, his wife Helen,
their sons Jared and Hayden. You loved Mum's family, paid for my Grandmother and Aunt
to come to Sydney for 6 months to spend time in this wonderful country.
A trip they would never forget.
I don't know about "loving" my second husband, George,
considering he was only 10 years younger than yourself,
you were concerned about our age difference, you were right,
but you respected him and you both got on well together. He always respected you.
You made your last trip to Brazil to spend 3 months with your family about 12 years ago.
When you left you still had the 'tail end' of the flu.
When you returned 3 months later you had lost over 28 pounds.
Your health gradually deteriorated from that time.
I was so very angry that your family had allowed this to happen to you.
But you made excuses for them, you believed they did what they thought was best for you.
You gradually lost your sight and were left with only peripheral vision.
Your hearing was not the best for many years.
Then you had the worry about what I have been going through and continue to go through
with the government beurocracy for the last two and a half years.
You had a slight stroke in August 1998, you were tired even then
and were hoping that your time had come to leave all earthly things behind.
This was not to be and you were angry with us for convincing you not to give up.
But you forgave us for being selfish, wanting to have you with us for a while longer.
You made me promise though, that when the next 'time' came I was to let go.
Dad, this time I did as you wished.
I love you more than anything but your quality of life had gone
and I couldn't bear to see you struggle with life any longer.
This time I was ready to let go, for your sake and for your peace.
Today, the 2nd June 1999, at 2p.m. will be our last chance to say our final farewells.
I know it is only your body we will be farewelling, your soul left to be with God two days ago.
How I wish I had been with you at that last minute instead of being asleep.
Dad, I miss you and love you and you will always be in my heart.
You were a wonderful, caring father and I know that some day in the future we will be together again.
I have to be thankful that you are now at peace and have joined your Mum and Dad,
your brothers and sister, Grandpa, Nanna, Bette and Ross.
We have wonderful memories, especially the almost 7 years you spent with your great grandson,
Jared, when you didn't even think you'd be around to see him walk and talk.
He misses his Papa, Jason misses his Papa and Mum misses you.
Your sole surviving sister, Stefka will miss your phone conversations.
You had a long and fulfilling life and I thank you for giving me life.
I am grateful that I was given the chance to tell you over these past months since you left hospital
how much I love you, and how much you meant to me.
I will fight on for what we
believe to be right and I will never give in.
Your Loving Daughter
Jamie
