Jan Pasierbek

Peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, March 13, 2020, Jan Pasierbek in his 98th year. Beloved husband of the late Waclawa (1990). Loving father of Krystyna Delanowski and her husband George and Henry John Pasierbek and his wife Krystyna. Cherished grandfather of Janene Raven and her husband Philip, Katrina Pasierbek, Megan Pasierbek and her partner Matt DaCosta and Nick Pasierbek. Dear great-grandfather of Harriet and Conrad Raven. Brother of Aniela McLeod of Cape Town, South Africa. Predeceased by his parents Jozef and Anna and his sister Helen who died in the Soviet Union labour camps during WWII (1942) and, later after the war, by his siblings Wladzia, Kazik and Anthony in South Africa, Marian in Australia, Stephanie in England and Marysia in Poland. Jan was a young soldier in the Polish Army in 1939 when his homeland was attacked by Germany and the Soviet Union. He was taken prisoner by the Soviet Red Army and sent to a prisoner of war labour camp in Siberia where he was forced to extract platinum deep in an underground mine. Two years later Germany invaded the Soviet Union and the Polish prisoners were freed. In 1942 Jan journeyed south through Russia, Iran and Iraq to join a new Polish army being organized in the Middle East under British command. During 1942-1945, Jan was a Corporal in the Polish 2nd Corps, British 8th Army and was very proud of his role fighting for the liberation of Italy at the battles of Monte Cassino, Ancona and Bologna. Although Jan was seriously wounded by gunfire during each of these battles, he quickly rejoined his army unit once he recovered to continue the fight. When the war ended in 1945, Jan chose Canada as his new home and settled in London where he met his beloved wife, Waclawa, in 1949. Jan was a founding member of the London Branch of the Polish Combatants Association (SPK) and served as branch president for many years. He was also a founding member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church in London. Jan was a very loving, kindhearted and caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, a true gentleman. He was a man with many talents, a skilled craftsman and a gifted artist. A special thank you to all the wonderful caregivers at People Care Oak Crossing for their kind care and compassion. There will be no visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 419 Hill Street , on Monday at 9:45 a.m., followed by interment in St. Peter's Cemetery, London. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Ontario Lupus Association (www.lupusontario.org) in Jan's memory would be appreciated. Online condolences & Guest Book at www.oneilfuneralhome.com.