Obituary for Waclaw Szczepan Galas
Wacław Galas
December 9th, 1925 - October 18th, 2019
We are greatly saddened to announce that Wacław Galas, loving husband, father and grandfather has passed quietly into God’s loving arms on October 18, 2019.
Wacław was born in 1925 in the small town of Nieporęt, about 30 km north of Warsaw. He was the son of farmers, and the middle child in a family of five children.
When World War II broke out in 1939, Wacław was 14 years old. Within a few years, he joined the Polish Resistance Army, and became involved in the fight against Nazi Germany occupying Polish territory. In 1944, when the Resistance leaders in Warsaw gave the call to all the outlying areas that they were organizing a massive uprising in order to free the capital city, Wacław and his younger brother, like many others, decided to make their way to Warsaw. On August 18, 1944, they were arrested and deported to Germany to work in a forced labour camp. Wacław spent the last nine months of the war working in a factory under very harsh conditions, until the labour camp was liberated by the Allied Forces.
After the war, Wacław decided to stay in Germany. Poland was overrun by the Soviets, who did not look kindly on members of the Resistance Army. He married a Polish woman in Germany, and they had a son together. Unfortunately, his wife died of tuberculosis a year after their wedding. When his son turned two, Wacław decided to send him to Poland to live with his grandparents.
Wacław worked at a steel mill. He eventually remarried and had three more children born in Germany. This marriage ended in divorce, and Wacław was given sole custody of the children. He decided to leave Germany and arrived in Canada with his children in September of 1965. Wacław was able to get work as a welder. He worked on many of the buildings in downtown Calgary, including welding the rebar for the Calgary Tower.
He remarried again, and worked in the steel industry until his retirement at the age of 65. That same year, his third wife died. In 1993 he met Krystyna, the love of his life. They were married in 1995. His last 24 years were peaceful and happy. It was not until the last three months of his life that his strength truly waned. He passed away quietly at AgeCare Glenmore in Calgary. We are grateful for Agecare’s quality care and sincere compassion during this difficult time.
Wacław will be greatly missed by his children Witold, Mary, Erwin and Michaela; and his grandchildren, Tammy, Christopher and Corey. He leaves behind the love of his life, Krystyna, who grieves the loss of a wonderful husband. Her children, Peter, Mark, and Dorota, with their families, also grieve the loss of a wonderful stepfather and grandfather (Dziadziu).
Funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church (2111 Uxbridge Drive NW) on Thursday, October 24th. Graveside Service followed at Mountain View Memorial Gardens.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Waclaw please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
December 9th, 1925 - October 18th, 2019
We are greatly saddened to announce that Wacław Galas, loving husband, father and grandfather has passed quietly into God’s loving arms on October 18, 2019.
Wacław was born in 1925 in the small town of Nieporęt, about 30 km north of Warsaw. He was the son of farmers, and the middle child in a family of five children.
When World War II broke out in 1939, Wacław was 14 years old. Within a few years, he joined the Polish Resistance Army, and became involved in the fight against Nazi Germany occupying Polish territory. In 1944, when the Resistance leaders in Warsaw gave the call to all the outlying areas that they were organizing a massive uprising in order to free the capital city, Wacław and his younger brother, like many others, decided to make their way to Warsaw. On August 18, 1944, they were arrested and deported to Germany to work in a forced labour camp. Wacław spent the last nine months of the war working in a factory under very harsh conditions, until the labour camp was liberated by the Allied Forces.
After the war, Wacław decided to stay in Germany. Poland was overrun by the Soviets, who did not look kindly on members of the Resistance Army. He married a Polish woman in Germany, and they had a son together. Unfortunately, his wife died of tuberculosis a year after their wedding. When his son turned two, Wacław decided to send him to Poland to live with his grandparents.
Wacław worked at a steel mill. He eventually remarried and had three more children born in Germany. This marriage ended in divorce, and Wacław was given sole custody of the children. He decided to leave Germany and arrived in Canada with his children in September of 1965. Wacław was able to get work as a welder. He worked on many of the buildings in downtown Calgary, including welding the rebar for the Calgary Tower.
He remarried again, and worked in the steel industry until his retirement at the age of 65. That same year, his third wife died. In 1993 he met Krystyna, the love of his life. They were married in 1995. His last 24 years were peaceful and happy. It was not until the last three months of his life that his strength truly waned. He passed away quietly at AgeCare Glenmore in Calgary. We are grateful for Agecare’s quality care and sincere compassion during this difficult time.
Wacław will be greatly missed by his children Witold, Mary, Erwin and Michaela; and his grandchildren, Tammy, Christopher and Corey. He leaves behind the love of his life, Krystyna, who grieves the loss of a wonderful husband. Her children, Peter, Mark, and Dorota, with their families, also grieve the loss of a wonderful stepfather and grandfather (Dziadziu).
Funeral Mass was celebrated at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church (2111 Uxbridge Drive NW) on Thursday, October 24th. Graveside Service followed at Mountain View Memorial Gardens.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Waclaw please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.