Edward Podgorski
June 16, 1950 – May 08, 2019
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Passed away with dignity on Wednesday, May 8 at the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH), much too early, aged 68. He died from complications relating to multiple myeloma, originally diagnosed last December while he vacationed in Florida.
Ed is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 47 years, Barbara (née Jaworowicz), and by his daughter Alicja (Hamed), and son David (Rezan). Ed and Barbara lost two of their four children prematurely: Mary (aged 30) in 2013, and Gregory (aged 30) in 2015. Ed’s parents, Janet and Walter lived long lives, both dying in their 90s.
Ed was an avid learner from early childhood. After winning a high school scholarship to St. Michael’s College School in Toronto in 1963, Ed earned a B.A. in English from St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto in 1972, a M.Ed. from University of Toronto (OISE) in 1973, and a Master of Divinity from St. Michael’s College in 1990. He was an enthusiastic teacher of Religion and English for the Halton Catholic School Board for over thirty years, serving also as curriculum developer, and the Principal at St. Bernadette School in Oakville. After retiring in 2007, he continued to teach religious educators until recently, at York, Windsor, and Brock Universities. Ed was a teacher and a leader his many students and colleagues will continue to remember with admiration.
From childhood, Ed was deeply devoted to music, both as an amateur pianist, and as an eager listener to music of all kinds, especially classical and sacred. He was proud that both of his sons graduated from St. Michael’s Choir School, and that both his daughters trained at world-renowned classical ballet schools in Toronto, New York City, and London.
Ed was especially devoted to his family throughout his life, which made his children’s early deaths excruciating to bear. With Barbara, his was a welcoming house, alive with European hospitality. Ed was alert and alive to every moment, quick of intelligence, and inquisitive at the same time. He was a loving friend to many, displaying the rare gift of being truly present and interested in each friend, gently engaging them with grace on their ideas and adventures. The loss of Ed creates an immense void in the lives of all the people who were his easy friends and fellow travellers.
The family would like to thank Dr. Breen, Dr. Kazem, Dr. McFadden, Dr. Sayal, and the doctors of the OTMH Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and are especially grateful to nursing staff of the ICU, and the 5th and 6th floors of the hospital for their commitment to providing Ed with exceptional care and for maximizing his comfort.
Visitation will take place at Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Rd. West, Oakville (one block East of Kerr St.) from 2:00 pm until 4:30 pm Sunday May 12, 2019. Funeral service to take place at Saint Dominic Roman Catholic Church Oakville, Monday May 13, 2019 at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Wellspring Birmingham Gilgan House or the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Cancer Care Clinic.
SERVICES
Visitation
Sunday, May 12, 2019
2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home
64 Lakeshore Road West
Oakville, Ontario L6K 1E1
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Funeral Service
Monday, May 13, 2019
10:00 AM
Saint Dominic Roman Catholic Church
2415 Rebecca Street
Oakville, Ontario L6L 2B1
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Edward Podgorski June 16 1950 May 08 2019..
Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home
Death notice for the town of: Oakville, Province: Ontario