Obituary for Czesław "Chester" Dumanowski
It is with deep sadness that the family of Czesław “Chester” Dumanowski announce his passing with his loving family by his side on Friday, October 27, 2023 at the age of 95 years. He was predeceased by his loving wife Zofia “Sophie” on March 22, 2020 after nearly 60 years of marriage. He was a devoted dad, “Tatus”, to their eight children, and especially loved as “Dziadziu” by his 27 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren: Bogusia (Wayne) Lust and their children, Derek (Stacey), Andrew and Joshua; Regina (Dean) Durst and their children, Nadine (Jonathon) Blackwell (Neve and Margot), Sabrina (Rory) Garrecht (Tatum and Daxton), Chelsey (Erik) Toews (Stevie and Sloane), Stephanie (Spencer) Kosolofski, and Abbey (Kross) Hepfner; Denise Cole (Don Pisoni) and her children, Matthew (Marina) Cole (Makayla, Maverick and Marshal) and Eric Cole (fiancée, Kali Sprott) and their son, Myren; Helena (Robert) Risling and their children, Amelia (Joel) Mackie (Olivia, Owen and Oaklen), Derrick (deceased), Isaac, and Isabella; Anna (Richard) Kappel and their children, Braden, Christopher and Daniel; Robert (Pamela) Dumanowski and their children, Kamiel, Zofia, Avaya and Roman; Mark (Jody) Dumanowski and their children, Luke (Emily), Adam (Brett), Samuel and Antonina; Bernadette (Jean-Paul) Cheret and their children, Wayland and Madison. Chester was born to his parents Adam and Stefania Dumanowski in Wesołówka, Poland on May 19, 1928. He was one of nine children; deceased siblings and their spouses include, Eleonora (Jozef) Stolarchuk, Franek (Doris) Dumanowski, Tadeusz (Irena) Dumanowski, Edward (Sabina) Dumanowski, Janina (Stanisław) Dubiel, Irena (Stanisław) Bryg and Władek Dumanowski (died in infancy), and all of Zofia’s siblings. Chester is survived by his youngest sister, Leokadia (the late Stanisław) Barwacz of Oyen, Alberta and brother-in-law, Tadeusz Dubiel of Róża, Poland.
After migrating to Eastern Poland (now part of Ukraine) to farm, WWII broke out where chaos, displacement and fight for survival ensued. Stalin ordered Poles living in this area forcibly removed by train to camps in Siberia where they endured extreme hardship, starvation and a fight to survive. The family endured extreme conditions and ate whatever they could find or catch, often going many days at a time without food. After nearly two years, the family was able to move to neighbouring Kazakstan where conditions were slightly better. As a young teenager, Chester and his dad worked side by side as blacksmiths, affording the family the ability to make enough to at least eat by making horseshoes and other items for the local people. After a few years and the end of WWII, the family slowly worked their way back to their original homestead in Róża, Poland. They returned to rebuild their life on the farm where there was so much destruction as a result of the war.
In time, Chester met his beloved Zofia and they were married on October 29, 1960. Their first two daughters, Bogusia and Regina, were born in Poland. They then had the opportunity to immigrate to Canada in 1964 (along with Chester’s mom Stefania) where their next six children were born. Chester quickly proved his talent and the very next day, after arrival to Canada, was hired to work as a welder at the Massey Ferguson shop in Oyen, Alberta. The family later settled in Medicine Hat, in 1972, where he continued to work as a welder until a critical accident ended his career and very nearly his life in 1986.
Dad and Mom worked tirelessly to earn a living to take care of their family. They always felt so blessed to be so close with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Even though they did not always have much, they always felt they had everything that was important in life. They continuously looked at their family as a gift from God and lived this out in how they raised their children and shared their faith in God and dedication to the Roman Catholic church. How appropriate that his name, Czesław, in Polish means Glory and Honour. Dad and Mom were very proud of their Polish roots, teaching their family all the traditions including food, song, stories and many jokes. Dad had a great sense of humour and was always sharing something funny and loved to laugh. He was a great gardener, growing beautiful flowers, vegetables and fruit trees. His love and talent for welding expanded later in life into a hobby, making unique gates, tables, quilt racks, candle and wine holders for his children. He just loved to spend time tinkering in his garage. Dad and Mom enjoyed the simple moments in life, sitting on the porch, visiting with their family, sharing meals and talking about their life in Poland. Dad had a number of incidents over the years that nearly ended his life, but he always persevered to live. He knew that God had a plan for him to fulfill. Dad’s life was full of many blessings; a truly remarkable life that was well lived. His most beautiful smile and zest for life will be forever cherished in our hearts and memories. He was ready to journey home to be with our Lord Jesus and family. May the heavenly angels and saints surround you and God bless you Tatus and Dziadziu with eternal rest. As said by patron St. John Paul II, whom dad had a strong spiritual bond with, “Be not afraid.” Kocham cię, lubię cię, nie dam cię nikomu! Kocham!
Our family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to all of Dad’s caregivers: Becky Markie (who became like another member of the family and who’s love will be cherished), Jay Lee “Lloyd” & Jay Lynn Bohnet and Marg VanderSpruit, and Dr. Jeff Bratvold whose special care and friendship with our family will never be forgotten.
Family and friends are also welcome to participate via livestream by logging on to www.youtube.com and joining the live webcast on Medicine Hat Holy Family Church on November 3 at 10:50 AM. Donations in Chester’s memory may be made to Holy Family Parish Building Fund, 1451 Strachan Road SE Medicine Hat, AB T1B 4V3 or Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation, PO Box 460 STN K, Toronto, ON M4P 9Z9. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Czesław “Chester” Dumanowski.
After migrating to Eastern Poland (now part of Ukraine) to farm, WWII broke out where chaos, displacement and fight for survival ensued. Stalin ordered Poles living in this area forcibly removed by train to camps in Siberia where they endured extreme hardship, starvation and a fight to survive. The family endured extreme conditions and ate whatever they could find or catch, often going many days at a time without food. After nearly two years, the family was able to move to neighbouring Kazakstan where conditions were slightly better. As a young teenager, Chester and his dad worked side by side as blacksmiths, affording the family the ability to make enough to at least eat by making horseshoes and other items for the local people. After a few years and the end of WWII, the family slowly worked their way back to their original homestead in Róża, Poland. They returned to rebuild their life on the farm where there was so much destruction as a result of the war.
In time, Chester met his beloved Zofia and they were married on October 29, 1960. Their first two daughters, Bogusia and Regina, were born in Poland. They then had the opportunity to immigrate to Canada in 1964 (along with Chester’s mom Stefania) where their next six children were born. Chester quickly proved his talent and the very next day, after arrival to Canada, was hired to work as a welder at the Massey Ferguson shop in Oyen, Alberta. The family later settled in Medicine Hat, in 1972, where he continued to work as a welder until a critical accident ended his career and very nearly his life in 1986.
Dad and Mom worked tirelessly to earn a living to take care of their family. They always felt so blessed to be so close with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Even though they did not always have much, they always felt they had everything that was important in life. They continuously looked at their family as a gift from God and lived this out in how they raised their children and shared their faith in God and dedication to the Roman Catholic church. How appropriate that his name, Czesław, in Polish means Glory and Honour. Dad and Mom were very proud of their Polish roots, teaching their family all the traditions including food, song, stories and many jokes. Dad had a great sense of humour and was always sharing something funny and loved to laugh. He was a great gardener, growing beautiful flowers, vegetables and fruit trees. His love and talent for welding expanded later in life into a hobby, making unique gates, tables, quilt racks, candle and wine holders for his children. He just loved to spend time tinkering in his garage. Dad and Mom enjoyed the simple moments in life, sitting on the porch, visiting with their family, sharing meals and talking about their life in Poland. Dad had a number of incidents over the years that nearly ended his life, but he always persevered to live. He knew that God had a plan for him to fulfill. Dad’s life was full of many blessings; a truly remarkable life that was well lived. His most beautiful smile and zest for life will be forever cherished in our hearts and memories. He was ready to journey home to be with our Lord Jesus and family. May the heavenly angels and saints surround you and God bless you Tatus and Dziadziu with eternal rest. As said by patron St. John Paul II, whom dad had a strong spiritual bond with, “Be not afraid.” Kocham cię, lubię cię, nie dam cię nikomu! Kocham!
Our family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to all of Dad’s caregivers: Becky Markie (who became like another member of the family and who’s love will be cherished), Jay Lee “Lloyd” & Jay Lynn Bohnet and Marg VanderSpruit, and Dr. Jeff Bratvold whose special care and friendship with our family will never be forgotten.
Family and friends are also welcome to participate via livestream by logging on to www.youtube.com and joining the live webcast on Medicine Hat Holy Family Church on November 3 at 10:50 AM. Donations in Chester’s memory may be made to Holy Family Parish Building Fund, 1451 Strachan Road SE Medicine Hat, AB T1B 4V3 or Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation, PO Box 460 STN K, Toronto, ON M4P 9Z9. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Czesław “Chester” Dumanowski.