GUTOWSKI

GUTOWSKI, GEN. RET. MICHAEL 1910-2006 A distinguished and highly decorated Polish officer who served his country with pride and valour, died peacefully, after a lengthy illness, in Warsaw, Poland on August 23, 2006 in his 95th year. Predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Zofia and his son Marek. Survived by his family in Canada ­ son Peter, retired Air Canada pilot and wife Peggy and loving grand daughter Michele and husband George Radziszewski, brother Zbyszek, retired capt. RAF, neice Tanya (Asia) Gutowska-Norman and son Alexander and nephew Jan Gutowski and wife Maria. In Poland he leaves his cousin Wojtek Jazdrzewski and wife Krysia as well as cherished friends Ewa and Ryszard Szlifisz who with great dedication looked after him while in Poland. General Gutowski was a career cavalry officer and a very accomplished horseman. In 1936, he rode in the Berlin Olympics, as a member of the Polish Olympic equestrian team. After Poland's capitulation he made his way to Great Britain where, under the direct leadership of General Maczek, commander of the 1st Panzer division, and together with Allied forces landed in Normandy, fought in the battle of Falaise with Canadian troops and went on through France, Belgium, Holland and on to Wilhelmshaven on the way liberating prisoner of war camps. He was awarded the Silver Virtuti Militari Cross V class, French Legion d'Honneur and Croix de Guerre with Palm , American Legion of Merit, Polish Krzyz Walecznych (pieciokrotnie) and Krzyz Komandorski z Gwiazda Restituta. In 1948 he settled in Canada, and after a difficult beginning, he became the trainer of the Canadian Olympic Equestrian team. Many of Canada's finest riders were trained by General Gutowski. Even into his 90's, General Gutowski founded a ceremonial cavalry troop in Poland and lead a demonstration cavalry charge just 3 years ago! A very gifted orator, with great clarity of events and a far reaching memory, he was a sought after speaker, whether it be about horses or the events of the last war, he would keep the audience spellbound for hours. As a soldier he cared deeply for his troops and after the war, even when money was scarse, he always found a way to help the ex soldiers from the 1st Division both here in Canada and in Poland. 4 years ago, after his wife's death, Michael moved back to Poland but is fondly remembered by all who knew him here. An official Military funeral will be held in Warsaw, Poland on the 16th of September, 2006 at 10.00am a t the Katedra Polowa Wojska Polskiego followed by internment at the Polish Military cemetery in Warsaw at 11.30am. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any donations be made to the First Polish Ar moured Division Association in Canada..c/o Mr. Adam Kreutzer, 40 Neilson Dr, Toronto, Ont M9C 1V5, or a charity of your choice. `It is with great sadness that we say goodbye'.