Tadeusz Pinkowski

Very sorry to hear. Our family knew Ted through Doug and Liz. Together we went once to visit Ted and Barbara some years ago when we lived in Guelph, Ontario. We stayed at their house and were showered with the most warm, kind, joyous and generous hospitality. I remember Ted as a very charming and elegant man.

It has taken me some time to finally enter this site and write my thoughts. Like many I have had some difficulty in finding the right words but the time has come to simply write.

It seems like just last week that I was watching Grandpa and Grandma at the Beloeil Golf Club celebrating their years together. It was at this occassion that many of us were able to truly appreciate the love that my grandparents have for each other.

While my granfather's life can never be truly captured through another's eyes it is through all of our eyes and thoughts that he will be lovingly remembered. He was a proud man but that pride was overwhelmed by his love for family and friends and his willingness to sacrifice for them. Whether hosting groups of polish military officers who were away from their own families or opening his home to family and their friends without question he was always there for others.

My wife, daughter and myself have received so much benefit from both my grandfather and grandmother over the years that it is hard to account for it all. With all the good that they have provided to others probably their biggest gift to us all has been their obvious and outward love for each other thereby providing us all a wonderful example to live by.

My Dear Barbara
Doreen and I add our sincere condolences. Such sad news.
Ted was such a grand colleague to
work with and such a great help in
my business career. A great friend
that I feel privilaged to have known.
My lasting memory-an ice cold vodka
on the roof of the Polish Embasy for
the Battle of Britain flypast and to share it with a real war hero.
May God Bless you.
Geoffrey & Doreen.

Dear Aunt Barbara, Liz, Andrew, Barb,

I don't know if anyone's ever shared a story with you about your spouse/dad from when he was a little boy. I got the story from Grandma through my Dad.
When he was still a little blond haired boy he sat Babcia Maria down in front of him and told her in a little boy's voice that:
"Mamusiu, listen, someday I'm going to take care of you and my brothers when I'm older. Don't worry. I'll take care of everyone" is what Grandma told my Dad little Tadziu told her.
For those of us lucky enough to have met Tadeusz (Ted) Pinkowski know he did not deviate from that little boy's promise one bit.

Your loss is great I grieve with you. I take solace in the thought that heaven has just gotten a lot livelier with Uncle Ted there.

Love,

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.

Eulogy
I would like to welcome you all and to thank you so much for being here to help us honor my father Tadeusz Pinkowski. So many of you have helped at this difficult time and it is very comforting to have such a loving extended family.
It seems very strange to be here, doing what my father has done so many times, delivering similar words to honor his friends and comrades. I can only hope that I don’t embarrass him with my attempt.
My father, muy tata…..each of you knew him in a specific, personal way. There were so many different roles he played…brave soldier and survivor, beloved husband and companion, his face lighting up each time he saw my mama, loving and inspiring father, (personally, I know he repeated my favorite Snow White story, word for word, hundreds of times). He was a proud and playful grandfather and great grandfather, a storyteller extraordinaire, a loyal friend, a tireless community volunteer, and a good…. no a great host, (as lots of you know…..no one ever, ever left our house hungry!) In the spirit of his generosity, we would love it, if after the Mass, you could join us downstairs for refreshments and the exchanging of more wonderful stories about my Papa.
What a charmer my dad was! He had beautiful manners and courtly ways… You Polish gentlemen really know how to impress the ladies and cause their hearts to flutter. Growing up, my sister and I had friends who delighted in coming over and having their hands kissed in this fine European tradition. Tata i Mama were wonderful dancers, often coming home in the wee hours of the morning. As children we were greatly impressed by our Papa’s Polish Kozachok done with great energy in the middle of our living room. One of the most touching photos I have is one of my dad dancing with my sister at her wedding and looking down on her with such great love and pride.

My father loved and lived life to the fullest…his journey was wonderfully full and rich. He loved to travel, climbing to the top of pyramids (and pushing my poor Mama to accompany him) -----riding a camel through the desert. He savored each and every moment. Even when his health problems started, he loved to laugh and entertain. It was a joy for us to tell him a good joke because he enjoyed it so much. It was one of the real pleasures of his life to see and host so many of you at his 60th wedding anniversary.

He was a passionate man, passionate about his wife, passionate about Poland and its history. When we were in Poland I remember hearing Papa and the older relatives furiously discussing something. With my poor Polish, I was not sure what was going on but I finally realized that the group, especially Tata, were furious about the fact that the Swedes had destroyed a nearby castle. This of course had happened over 500 years ago. He remained as passionate, as if it had happened yesterday!

He was a generous man– never wanting anything for himself, in fact a bit embarrassed to be given gifts…and yet incredibly giving to family, friends and even complete strangers. (I still regret his lovely leather pilot’s jacket that he gave to a new acquaintance who had casually admired it.) ----And yet I think he may have had a little Scottish in him…He never wanted to hire anyone else to work on the house and in fact it would take a virtual flood for him to even consult a plumber. He loved to read scientific material but even here he was economical, trading periodicals with his old friend Ted Kubowf ….

He was a man to be trusted and he was incredibly loyal. This week we received a sympathy call from the gentleman who was their car mechanic when they moved to Beloeil. My parents had been his first customers, he served them well for many years and later his son took over the business. When the son retired, my dad continued to have his car serviced by the original owner’s grandson. Once you gained my father’s respect you kept it through thick and thin.

My father was one of the most Law abiding and traditional men I have ever known but he had a touch of the outlaw in his heart. I remember when I traveled to Poland with him, we were stopped by the police. As we waited at the side of the road for the officer to approach, I could tell my father was digging his heels in about something. He hadn’t sacrificed everything for this country only to be hit up for a bribe. He told me, “Elsbieta, remember..I don’t speak any Polish, …you have to deal with the officer”, and sure enough when the patrolman questioned us, I had to struggle by with my broken, childish Polish, somehow unable to communicate the meaning of a bribe to the confused western gentleman next to me. The police officer finally left us in disgust.--------My Father always had a twinkle in his eye that displayed his delight when he told a risqué joke. He enjoyed the occasional casino visit and had a healthy tolerance and great admiration for vodka, He loved the company of women even his pretty nurses although none ever compared to his lovely Basia with whom he shared everything for 63 years …..… he took pleasure in the telling of his war adventures but was even prouder of her role in the Polish underground. Together, they embraced the joys and sorrows of life with open hearts and a spirit of adventure.,,, and we are all better of, for that.

There are people in this world who think they’re always right…my father was in the envious position of knowing he was always right. Whether giving his children driving directions, planning a meal or undertaking a construction project. My Dad was a perfectionist and the final authority on how things should be. There was never a time that I could not talk to him or that he would not offer advice (asked for or not) My husband, a vegetarian was surprised to learn that according to my Papa, Polish Kielobasa was definitely a vegetarian dish because after all, cows only ate vegetables..……. It became a family joke that even after my mother had put eight or more dishes on the table dad would say “What Basia…no potatoes?

Muy Tata was a survivor. Along with many of his generation and many of you here, he survived countless horrors during the war. Most of you have heard the stories, Siberia, starvation, three days floating in the ocean, piloting a Mustang.; Stories that when we were children were used to illustrate life lessons. Anytime his children and later his grandchildren wasted food they were told in the sternest of tones…”I’ll send you to Siberia and then you’ll appreciate your food.” The stories were told more seriously as he got older and like all of us, he seemed to feel the old pains more strongly as he aged. He received many medals and was honored several times and yet he was always so humble seeing his distinctions as small compared to what he called the real heroes. Our generation can only marvel at the strength of your generation and what these hardships have created… the ability to live life to the fullest, appreciating every moment. Dad endured so many things with humour, not the smallest of which was surviving three teenagers! As you can appreciate, that was perhaps the most grueling battle of all!
In the later years, life was easier, yet the ice storm brought one last trial…people 30 years younger went into shelters while my dad stayed up all night keeping first the fire and later the generator going. Not to mention, even though close to eighty, he insisted on climbing up on the roof to check on the ice conditions.

He was particularly proud of being able to serve as a pilot in the 315 Squadron and later for so many years as President of the 310 Vilno wing. He was intellectually curious about everything. In his work as an engineer and inventor he used this skill daily and continued into retirement frequently being begged to come and help consult on a project, often in a far away country. When he and I went to Poland it was amazing how many fledgling young entrepreneurs insisted on asking Vuy if he could help with their ideas

Muy tata never wanted to cause any one any trouble. He was the classiest man I have ever known. Eddie Klein told me a lovely story that illustrates this. My father was sailing with him one day and decided to step into a small dinghy. As the two boats separated and with one foot on the sail boat and one on the dinghy, he slowly and with great composure, sank into the water. ------- He was painfully honest and it was a great burden to him that all the rest of us Pinkowski’s loved to exaggerate…the stories, as we re-tell them become more outrageous, the remembered insults greater, the details funnier ---- but not my dad, his stories were exactly the same and could be counted on to be archivally correct. I only hope that what I have told you today will pass the strict test of accuracy that my father insisted upon. If it doesn’t, I am sure I will hear about it. -----------To the very end, my dad maintained his dignity. He held my mother’s hand and quietly with immeasurable dignity, closed his eyes and taking a last breath, he left us.

My papa was a complex man and yet his main interests were simple. I’d like to end by imagining him in his ideal environment; …there he is …..walking in his beloved woods with his cherished wife by his side and the delicious promise of a grove of boletus mushrooms just up ahead.

‘And think of him as living
In the hearts of those he touched
For nothing loved is ever lost –
And he was loved so much’ Zjegnigh Tato ……. Farewell Papa

Our sincerest regrets on "Pan Pinkowski's" passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I was very sadenned to hear the news, although I hadn't seen Mr. Pinkowski in a few years. I will always remember his warmth, his generous spirit and all around joy of life. I will also remember attending some delicious BBQ's at his home all those years ago. My heart goes out to Mrs.Pinkowski and all the children, and I'm sorry I couldn't attend the funeral to convey my condolences... From reading his obituary, I can safely say it's been quite a life, but you left us too soon. Pan Pinkowski (as I always called him) will be missed but his spirit will live on forever. Amen.

I have many fond memories of Mr Pinkowski - his generosity and support during difficult times in our own family will never be forgotten. My deepest sympathies to Mrs Pinkowski, Lizabeth, Andrew and Barbara, and to their families.

Thank you and Barbara for all the wonderful times at your home....you will be missed more than you ever realized.

TED, A very Special Person!
A Man who knew how to make you feel Welcome and Loved.
You never left his home Hungry or in Need.
You WILL be missed Ted!.

Love Frank & Ruth Wood

Ted was a special person who had a dedication to family, friends and to living life to the fulless that was an inspiration. I was lucky to have known him. I wish his Barbara, thier children and grandchildren the best wishes in your time of loss.

Kochana Ciociu, Elzunia,Andrew and Barbara,
Przesylamy Wam kondolencje i myslami jestesmy z Wami. Wujek to najwspanialszy czlowiek i zawsze bedzie zyl w naszych sercach.
Elzbieta z Yanina i Jasiem

Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time, and in the days ahead. We are thinking of you all.

Droga Basiu z Rodzina,
Najglebsze slowa wspolczucia dla Ciebie i calej Rodziny po stracie najdrozszego Meza, Ojca i Dziadka przesylaja Wam
Edward i Krysia

May you find comfort in knowing our prayers and thoughts are with you at this sad loss you all share.
Shirley McGivern & Family