Marian Wiacek
February 2, 1930 ~ February 16, 2017
Marian was born in Korzec, Poland (now part of the Ukraine) on February 2, 1930. When he was only ten, he, his mother, brother and sister were deported to Siberia as part of a mass deportation of Poles ordered by Stalin at the beginning of the Second World War. For two years, Marian and his family lived in a labour camp where everyone was forced to work. They survived epidemics of scarlet fever, dysentery, scurvy and other hardships. Eventually, they landed in a Polish Refugee Settlement on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda after travelling through Soviet Asia, Persia (Iran) and Pakistan. As a member of the ‘Junaki’ (Polish scout movement) Marian made his way to Egypt and Palestine under the protection of the British, landing in Southampton, UK in 1947.
In England, Marian worked at numerous jobs while learning English and also finishing an Engineering diploma. After moving to London, Marian would frequent the numerous Polish clubs, and in December 1962 he met Danuta. Love bloomed quickly, and Marian and Danuta wed on July 27, 1963. Family life soon followed with the arrival of Andrew, Richard and Helen over the span of four years.
The family moved to Montreal, Quebec in 1975, and then to Mississauga, Ontario in 1979 as Marian advanced his career as an Engineer. The family became Canadian citizens in 1980. In 1988, Marian and Danuta moved to Holliston, Massachusetts where Marian worked for Duracell and where they spent many hours planning their retirement to the Kootenays. They bought property near Sanca, British Columbia in 1993, on which they built their dream log home, overlooking Kootenay Lake, which Marian designed.
Full-time life in the Kootenays began in 1997. The couple soon developed many special friendships in their community; Marian was passionate about gardening and his flower and vegetable gardens won many local accolades and praise. The couple’s home was always open to family and friends, filled with delicious fruits and vegetables from the garden, as well as with Marian’s homemade wine from his own grapes. After 17 years of happiness and fulfilled dreams in the Kootenays, Danuta passed away following a short battle with cancer. Eventually Marian moved to the Lower Mainland to live with his daughter Helen, her husband Nick and granddaughter Caitlyn.
Marian passed away peacefully at the Irene Thomas Hospice in Delta, British Columbia. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by family and friends.
Marian is survived by his children Andrew (partner Charlene Bailey), Richard (wife Robin Gutsell) and Helen (husband Nick Fowler); grandchildren Matthew, Daniel, Heather and Caitlyn; sister-in-law Zosia (husband Bill Riddell); brother Tolek (Antoni); sister Elzbieta; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces in Poland.
He is predeceased by his wife Danuta (nee Binieda) Wiacek, father Antoni Wiacek, mother Zofia Markowska (nee Sajpel) and daughter-in-law Monica Scarabello.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on July 28, 2017 at 11am at G.F. Oliver Funeral Chapel, Creston, followed by a light lunch.