elevated VbRa6 1928 – 2022 

elevated VbRa6 Waclaw (Wacek) Zankowicz(also known as Jack or Jumping Jack) is predeceased by his beloved wife, Alfreda and is survived by his two sons Andy, married to Charmaine and Arthur. The grandchildren: Christopher married to Rebecca, Joshua married to Katrina and Cassie.  Most recently a great granddaughter was born in January, but sadly, because of the pandemic, Ariella never met her great grandfather but he was overjoyed and in tears to see her in videos and pictures.

elevated VbRa6 Waclaw was born in Wilno, Poland in 1928. His parents were Alfonse and Catherine. On Waclaw’s 11^th birthday Germany invaded Poland.  Lean years followed with little to eat and living in fear constantly.  After the war he was moved to Germany and on June 1^st, 1945 he began his love affair with the Scouting movement which lasted for 77 years and is why he had requested to be buried in his Scout uniform. 

elevated VbRa6 In June 1954, he emigrated to Australia and worked as a nursing orderly.  A position he began while in Germany at the Gresswell Sanitorium.  Subsequently he moved again to Canada and became a citizen in August of 1962.  It was there, that through the Polish community, he was introduced to his bride Alfreda and they wed in 1963. Waclaw worked at GM in Oshawa and started a Boy scout movement there.  He then was able to get a position within De Havilland aircraft where he worked until he retired in the late 80s.

elevated VbRa6 Dad was very handy and that was put to good use when in 1984 a cottage was purchased near North Bay.  Singlehandedly, Dad rebuilt pieces of the cottage and installed a wood burning fireplace to make it habitable and extremely enjoyable to his kids and grandkids.

elevated VbRa6 Dad was also the go to person to play the accordion at any gathering.  He was at his best when having friends gathered around, a drink to sip on, music to play and songs to sing to celebrate an evening.  There were many late loud nights at our home or homes of friends where food was consumed, dancing was to be had and everyone having a fantastic time.

elevated VbRa6 Dad was always so worried about ensuring that his legacy would live on.  He was always trying to figure out how we would remember him.  Little did he realize how big of a character he was, and it is demonstrated to this day in the fact that his grandkids continuously mimic his many very repeatable phrases of songs or quotes he enjoyed dishing out:

elevated VbRa6 “O yes we have no bananas” “It’s a long way to Tipperary” “Zero plus zero is always zero” “Have a drink, have a drink have a drink on me, everybody have a drink on me” “I’m not sick I’m only pretending to be sick”” Josh you are a lawyer or a liar?”

elevated VbRa6 Dad was an extremely active individual who could never sit still and always had something going.  At 91 he was still taking the ladder out to clean the eavestrough or to remove the Christmas lights.   When our Mom became sick and needed to go to Copernicus to be looked after, Dad diligently and dutifully went to visit her every day.  Making the trek from Mississauga to Roncesvalles to be with her, to read to her, to feed her, to paint her nails.

elevated VbRa6 He was a survivor and made of very stern stuff.  Even with his many competing health issues he continued to persevere.  Covid tried to get him but he beat that.  Unfortunately, just like in a video game his, Life levels started to drop and he spent his last month at St. Joseph’s hospital.  The staff and doctors at this Toronto hospital were absolutely amazing and they did everything to help Dad.  In turn, the staff shared with us that they just loved Dad and though of him as very cute because he called them his angels and his little chickens (It was a term of endearment).

elevated VbRa6 Tata/Dziadek you may be gone and we won’t be able to hear your jokes but you have left an indelible imprint on our lives that will never go away.

elevated VbRa6 Dad you finally get to rest and have nothing more to do.  Bless you.

elevated VbRa6 Visitation
Friday, April 22, 2022 from 11:00 – 1:00 pm
Assumption Funeral Home & Cemetery 
6933 Tomken Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5T1N4

elevated VbRa6 Funeral Service 
Friday, April 22, 2022 at 1:00 pm 
Assumption Funeral Home & Cemetery 
6933 Tomken Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5T1N4

elevated VbRa6 Interment 
Assumption Catholic Cemetery 
6933 Tomken Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5T1N4
Section: 4