Wojciech JAWORSKI

JAWORSKI, Wojciech
Peacefully at home on Friday, May 29, 2015. Wojciech "Wojtek" Jaworski of Williamstown; age 87 years. Beloved husband of Anna Williams. Father of Daniel Jaworski (Elizabeth Hurst) of Halifax, Stephanie Jaworski (Ron Brennan) of Williamstown, and Patricia Jaworski and Maria Samson (Mozac) both of Calgary. Cherished grandfather of Julia, Adessa "Ollie", Roman and Zena. He is survived by his first wife Anna Jaworska, of Warsaw, Poland. Predeceased by his older siblings Teodeosia, Antoni and Stanislaw. Son of the late Edward and Konstancja Jaworski.
Born in Poland in 1927, Wojtek spent his early teenage years making bricks, as the Nazis forbade Poles to attend school past grade 6. Because his family escaped to the countryside, Wojtek was the only member of his elementary class to survive the war; all were killed in the Warsaw uprising.
After the war, Wojtek completed his high school in 2 years. He received an Engineering degree and a Master of Science from the Warsaw Polytechnik, in 1952. He completed his Ph.D, in the Dept. of Mathematical Machines - what were to become computers. His thesis was sent to the Soviet Union to be evaluated, as he was literally the first person in Poland in this field.
Considered a pioneer of Polish computing, Wojtek was personally responsible for bringing the first working computer to Poland, the Elliott 803b, installed at the Polish Electrotechnical Institute. Within a few years he headed this institute of over 400 people.
Wojtek had an amazing imagination and saw how computers could be used in industry. He quickly became an adviser to the Polish Minister of Heavy Industry, the National Planning Commission, and the National Computer Commission. Unfortunately, the Communists soon realized that computers could also be used to control the populace. Wojtek did not want to participate in this, and was fortunate to be sent to universities in Rhode Island and Buffalo to acquire new computer skills to bring back behind the Iron Curtain. Instead of returning to Poland, he came to Canada, where he became a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at what is now Concordia University in Montreal. He continued to do cutting-edge research and wrote many papers. He developed a unique notational system called jMaps to represent knowledge in 3 dimensions. After he retired, he was active in Studium, the North American Polish Study Centre and followed world events and politics with a passion.
Soon after he came to Canada, he purchased a farm. He always said that if he could not make it in North American society, he would live on his farm and grow potatoes! His favourite sports in Poland were rowing and sailing, in both of which he excelled. His favourite sports in Canada were felling trees, splitting logs, carrying impossibly heavy pieces of wood, and doing everything necessary to heat his house only with wood. He developed new wood-fuelled heating systems every year.
He was also captivated by the power of Big Machines, and regularly embarked on large earthwork projects using his backhoe, two bulldozers, and excavator. His biggest triumph in this "hobby" was creating a lake at the top of his property. Wojtek gained immense pleasure from building over-the-top toys for his children, from a larger-than-life tobogganing hill to a trapeze and climbing rope in the middle of the living room. He also loved animals, and kept many horses, dogs and cats.
He lived with his family in Pine Hill, Quebec, for many years before moving to Williamstown, Ontario, to be closer to grandchildren.
Wojtek was a dreamer and not bound by the usual norms of practicality. Never boring with his stubbornness and unrestrained ideas, he attracted interesting people and was much loved by many. We shall miss his hearty laugh, his opinions on everything, his energy, enthusiasm and of course, his imagination.
Visitation for family, friends and colleagues of Prof. Jaworski will be held at the family home, 19885 Maple Rd. Williamstown, on Saturday, June 6, 2015 from 10 a.m. – 12 noon, followed by cremation. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date (date and location to be announced). Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of the Munro & Morris Funeral Homes Ltd., 114 Main St. South, Alexandria (613-525-2772). As expressions of sympathy, Memorial Donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be made online at
www.munromorris.com