Obituary for Joseph Bogucki
Józef Bogucki
January 4, 1925 – Wołomin, Poland
December 10, 2018 – Calgary, Alberta
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Józef (Joe) Bogucki on December 10, 2018 at the Peter Lougheed Hospital surrounded by close friends. Joe spent the last 18 months at the George Boyack long term care facility.
Born in Wołomin, Poland on January 4, 1925, he had his childhood cut short by World War II. At the age of 16, he joined the Polish underground resistance in 1941. Over the next 3 years, Joe risked his life on many occasions and fought in the Warsaw Uprising, as a member of the Polish Home Army. For this, Joe was decorated and recognized by the Polish government when he was invited for the 70th anniversary celebration of the Warsaw Uprising on August 1, 2014 in Poland. At the end of September 1944, Joe was taken to Germany as a prisoner of war where he remained until he was liberated by the British in May 1945. He immediately joined the Polish Army of Occupation with the American Forces until 1947, the time of demobilization.
Joe moved to Belgium where he worked in a coalmine for 18 months and later in a heavy metal factory. In 1951, Joe emigrated to Canada and settled in Montreal. Calgary would become his home in 1953.
Joe quickly became an active member of the Polish Canadian Association, the Polish Combatants Association and a founding member of the Calgary Polish Credit Union, where he worked for 7 years. He also served his community by generously giving of his time and energy in helping Polish immigrants find employment – several newcomers worked with him at Teledyne where Joe would be successfully employed for 16 years. Given his entrepreneurial nature, Joe started a printing company named Excello, which he ran for 10 years and where, once again, he opened the door to many fellow Polish immigrants. Pan Canadian Petroleum Limited, currently known as Encana, was Joe’s last place of employment where he discovered his passion for computers, while working as a draftsman.
Joe loved to travel and served as a tour guide when visitors from Europe arrived in Calgary. At home, he devoted countless hours in creating publicity materials for the Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, the John Paul II Polish School, the Polish Cultural Center and others in the Polish community.
Joe will be remembered as a hard-working, generous man who was never too busy to help in any way he could and a man who always saw the bright side of things. Joe, an only child, was predeceased by his mother, Jadwiga Moczydłowska in 1967 and his father, Michał Konstanty Bogucki in 1935.
A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church 2111 Uxbridge Dr. N.W. Calgary, AB on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 11:00 am followed by interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s memory to the charity of your choice.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Józef please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.
January 4, 1925 – Wołomin, Poland
December 10, 2018 – Calgary, Alberta
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Józef (Joe) Bogucki on December 10, 2018 at the Peter Lougheed Hospital surrounded by close friends. Joe spent the last 18 months at the George Boyack long term care facility.
Born in Wołomin, Poland on January 4, 1925, he had his childhood cut short by World War II. At the age of 16, he joined the Polish underground resistance in 1941. Over the next 3 years, Joe risked his life on many occasions and fought in the Warsaw Uprising, as a member of the Polish Home Army. For this, Joe was decorated and recognized by the Polish government when he was invited for the 70th anniversary celebration of the Warsaw Uprising on August 1, 2014 in Poland. At the end of September 1944, Joe was taken to Germany as a prisoner of war where he remained until he was liberated by the British in May 1945. He immediately joined the Polish Army of Occupation with the American Forces until 1947, the time of demobilization.
Joe moved to Belgium where he worked in a coalmine for 18 months and later in a heavy metal factory. In 1951, Joe emigrated to Canada and settled in Montreal. Calgary would become his home in 1953.
Joe quickly became an active member of the Polish Canadian Association, the Polish Combatants Association and a founding member of the Calgary Polish Credit Union, where he worked for 7 years. He also served his community by generously giving of his time and energy in helping Polish immigrants find employment – several newcomers worked with him at Teledyne where Joe would be successfully employed for 16 years. Given his entrepreneurial nature, Joe started a printing company named Excello, which he ran for 10 years and where, once again, he opened the door to many fellow Polish immigrants. Pan Canadian Petroleum Limited, currently known as Encana, was Joe’s last place of employment where he discovered his passion for computers, while working as a draftsman.
Joe loved to travel and served as a tour guide when visitors from Europe arrived in Calgary. At home, he devoted countless hours in creating publicity materials for the Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, the John Paul II Polish School, the Polish Cultural Center and others in the Polish community.
Joe will be remembered as a hard-working, generous man who was never too busy to help in any way he could and a man who always saw the bright side of things. Joe, an only child, was predeceased by his mother, Jadwiga Moczydłowska in 1967 and his father, Michał Konstanty Bogucki in 1935.
A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church 2111 Uxbridge Dr. N.W. Calgary, AB on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 11:00 am followed by interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s memory to the charity of your choice.
To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Józef please visit www.choicememorial.com. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Choice Memorial Cremation & Funeral Services (403) 277-7343.