Obituary
Andrzej ‘Andrew’, dear and best companion to his wife of 54 years, Henryka ‘Henrietta’ Ficek (Zientkowska), passed away suddenly due to a heart attack on January 15, 2021 at the age of 79. Andrew was born during WWII in Gniewczyna, Poland. He was the father of two children: Peter ‘Piotr’ (Lalaine De Guzman-Ficek) and Maggie ‘Magdalena’ (Quentin Enns); and grandfather to their two children Hudson and Julius.
Andrew was a man of many talents – a mechanical engineer, teacher, and municipal leader in the Gdynia, Poland. Their family of four escaped communism, emigrated to Canada in 1981, and settled in Calgary, Alberta. In the new country, Andrew supported his wife in her pursuit of re-qualification of her professional diploma as a medical doctor while working as a lathe machinist at CPR. The couple was blessed with the ability to travel all over the world and settled in Summerland, BC, where Andrew enjoyed many years of productive retirement and activities he loved most. There, he fulfilled his lifelong dream by building a house and he made it a home. He could fix anything. Outdoor pursuits, including hiking, swimming, and cross-country skiing, which he shared with Henrietta and friends, were passions he pursued all of his life.
In October 2015, in Summerland, an unfortunate accident left him with limited physical abilities and stopped him from most of his endeavours. Bravely, he strived to live with his disability and neuropathic pain for several years. It also did not stop him from being a fun-loving guy, admired by many friends, and unusually lucky in playing cards. He tried to better himself always, to be objective, and to do the right thing.
May the Lord keep him in his favour with eternal life. His family and friends who are scattered all over the world will miss him.
Private Mass of Christian Burial will be held on January 21, 2021 at Holy Child Catholic Church in Summerland, BC.
Condolences may be directed to the family through providencefuneralhomes.com 250-494-7752.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Andrzej ‘Andrew’ Jozef Ficek, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Andrzej ‘Andrew’ Jozef Ficek May 9 1941 January 15 2021 (age 79)..
Death notice for the town of: Penticton, Province: Colombie britanique
With great sympathy, sorrows and shock our deepest condolences for the global family of Henrietta, children and grandchildren…..Zofia + Eugeniusz Gawor.