Obituary for Antoni S. Wojcik
Antoni (Tony) Wojcik, Col (Ret)
Aged 69 of Glen Haven, NS, died peacefully at home surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer. He will be forever missed by his wife of 44 years, Jane, his children, Mandy (Tyler), Laura (Marc), and Danny (Michelle) and his grandchildren, Daniel, Simon and Chloë.
He was a professional engineer, and an amateur lumberjack, carpenter and landscaper. He was a devoted husband who shared many trips, golf games and slices of cheesecake with Jane. He was a patient father who coached sports teams, organized family camping and ski trips and always made Saturday morning pancakes. He was a proud “Papa” who offered endless tractor rides, trail walks and treats to his grandkids. Tony will be remembered for his boundless positive energy and penchant for hard work as well as an unending love of adventure, people and learning.
Born in Kolboskowo, Poland, one of his earliest memories of school involved memorizing a poem while he sat under a cherry tree tending to his family’s cow. After immigrating to Canada as a young child, his education continued in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Manitoba. In high school, he could not believe his good fortune when a recruiter told him that the military would not only offer him a university education but pay him to attend. He was soon on his first plane ride to Victoria BC to attend Royal Roads Military College. Four years later, he left Royal Military College with a civil engineering degree, a commission scroll and Jane as his fiancee.
Together they built a marriage and family as he pursued his 36 year career as a military engineer. He had many postings throughout Canada and abroad including a return to RMC to complete a masters degree. While he enjoyed all of his postings and the people he met along the way, his career highlights included UN peacekeeping missions in Cyprus and the Golan Heights, the construction of an ice runway near the North Pole, leading the Canadian Forces relief operations for the 1997 Manitoba flood and his Canadian Defence Attaché postings to Poland and the Baltic states followed by Italy, Greece and Albania.
Retirement was an opportunity for new adventures because slowing down was not an option for this busy man. After returning to Canada, Tony served in several management positions for Commissionaires NS, was an honorary colonel of 14 Engineering Squadron, and volunteered weekly in the St. John’s Ambulance therapy dog program with his golden retriever, Abby. His last career choice satisfied his love for wine and people through work in a wine shop where he was one of the store’s best customers. When at home, a chain saw or hammer was never far from hand.
His family are forever grateful for the medical care, kindness and support of the many healthcare professionals who treated Tony. Special thanks to Dr. Holly Zwicker and Dr. Lucy Helyer whose expertise and care kept Tony with us for 11 years.
He is survived by his parents, Michael and Stanislawa, his siblings, Roman(Pat), Andy(Sheryl), John(Christine), Donna(Earl) and a large extended family of sisters and brothers in law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
In Tony’s words, the best advice for a happy life comes from observing our four-legged best friends. Love unconditionally, make many friends, eat well, take time to romp and play every day, never underestimate the value of a good nap, and most importantly, trust each other. Tony lived by this advice every day of his life.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will take place in the future when we can gather again. Online condolences can be offered at www.rawalker.ca
Aged 69 of Glen Haven, NS, died peacefully at home surrounded by family after a long battle with cancer. He will be forever missed by his wife of 44 years, Jane, his children, Mandy (Tyler), Laura (Marc), and Danny (Michelle) and his grandchildren, Daniel, Simon and Chloë.
He was a professional engineer, and an amateur lumberjack, carpenter and landscaper. He was a devoted husband who shared many trips, golf games and slices of cheesecake with Jane. He was a patient father who coached sports teams, organized family camping and ski trips and always made Saturday morning pancakes. He was a proud “Papa” who offered endless tractor rides, trail walks and treats to his grandkids. Tony will be remembered for his boundless positive energy and penchant for hard work as well as an unending love of adventure, people and learning.
Born in Kolboskowo, Poland, one of his earliest memories of school involved memorizing a poem while he sat under a cherry tree tending to his family’s cow. After immigrating to Canada as a young child, his education continued in a one-room schoolhouse in rural Manitoba. In high school, he could not believe his good fortune when a recruiter told him that the military would not only offer him a university education but pay him to attend. He was soon on his first plane ride to Victoria BC to attend Royal Roads Military College. Four years later, he left Royal Military College with a civil engineering degree, a commission scroll and Jane as his fiancee.
Together they built a marriage and family as he pursued his 36 year career as a military engineer. He had many postings throughout Canada and abroad including a return to RMC to complete a masters degree. While he enjoyed all of his postings and the people he met along the way, his career highlights included UN peacekeeping missions in Cyprus and the Golan Heights, the construction of an ice runway near the North Pole, leading the Canadian Forces relief operations for the 1997 Manitoba flood and his Canadian Defence Attaché postings to Poland and the Baltic states followed by Italy, Greece and Albania.
Retirement was an opportunity for new adventures because slowing down was not an option for this busy man. After returning to Canada, Tony served in several management positions for Commissionaires NS, was an honorary colonel of 14 Engineering Squadron, and volunteered weekly in the St. John’s Ambulance therapy dog program with his golden retriever, Abby. His last career choice satisfied his love for wine and people through work in a wine shop where he was one of the store’s best customers. When at home, a chain saw or hammer was never far from hand.
His family are forever grateful for the medical care, kindness and support of the many healthcare professionals who treated Tony. Special thanks to Dr. Holly Zwicker and Dr. Lucy Helyer whose expertise and care kept Tony with us for 11 years.
He is survived by his parents, Michael and Stanislawa, his siblings, Roman(Pat), Andy(Sheryl), John(Christine), Donna(Earl) and a large extended family of sisters and brothers in law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
In Tony’s words, the best advice for a happy life comes from observing our four-legged best friends. Love unconditionally, make many friends, eat well, take time to romp and play every day, never underestimate the value of a good nap, and most importantly, trust each other. Tony lived by this advice every day of his life.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will take place in the future when we can gather again. Online condolences can be offered at www.rawalker.ca