Jan Michal Wawrzków
April 9, 1917 – April 7, 2022
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Jan Michal Wawrzków passed peacefully away with his family by his side on April 7th, two days before his 105th birthday. Born and raised in Lwów, Poland (present day Lviv, Ukraine), he served with the Allied forces in World War II, then worked in the UK and the US, retiring from the Library of Congress in 1981.
He obtained a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, and a Master’s degree in Law from Oxford University.
Following his retirement, he moved to Quebec with his cherished wife Thérèse. Several years after her death he moved in 2011 to St. John’s, Newfoundland. He continued living independently until his 104th year, kept up with world events, contributed to Polish periodicals, and worked on various genealogical projects.
In retirement his plan was to write his memoirs, learn to drive, and master the French language; however, his keen interest in food, wine and old movies, and sprints around Costco and Dollarama kept his nobler ambitions in check.
He is survived by his children, Anne-Marie, Michel (Maxine Ledwell), and Jeanne Freeman (Richard), his grandchildren Olivier (Rachelle), Thaddeus (Eileen), Paul (Sabina), Hallie, and Tristan (Katie) and his extended family in Poland, Canada, the United States and Australia.
We learned much from our dear father- about love of family and God, compassion, humour, history, politics and life, and we wish him God Speed on his new journey.
Special thanks to Christopher and Lillian, who provided such devoted home care to our father as a centenarian. Thanks also to management and staff at Tiffany Village for the exceptional care he received in his final year.
A private family funeral will be held in Québec at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jan Michal Wawrzków 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Torbay, Province: T-N