Obituary of William Boleslaw Makowski

MAKOWSKI, William (Boleslaw) - Born: 24 Dec.1924 in Kobryn, Poland Died: 8 Oct. 2012 in St Catharines, Ontario. William B. Makowski was born and raised in the Eastern Borderlands of pre-WWII Poland. On 10 Feb. 1940, at the age of sixteen, he was arrested by the invading Soviets (along with his step-mother, his two sisters, and his step-brother) and they were deported to a labor camp in the Archangelsk region of Siberia. His step-mother and step-brother died in captivity. Released in 1942, he joined the Polish Army being formed in the Soviet Union, and was evacuated to Persia (Iran). He engaged in battle in the Middle East and, later, as part of the Polish Second Corps in Italy. He was awarded the Order Virturi Militari, Poland's highest military honour. His decorations also include the Cross of Valour, the Cross of Monte Cassino, and the Italian Star. After World War II, William Makowski entered Canada on a farming contract, and worked near London, Ontario. Later, he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Montreal. He studied Canadian ethnic communities, especially Polish-Canadians. In 1956, he became the first Secretary of the Polish-Canadian Research Institute. In 1967, he published the book, †œThe History and the Integration of Poles in Canada†œ. From 1968 to 1971, he undertook post- graduate studies at McGill University, specializing in geography and natural science. He headed the Geography Department at Lakeport High School in St. Catharines, Ontario, until retiring in1985. His other books include †œPolish People in Canada - a Visual History†œ, 'The Uprooted†œ (Wyrwani z Korzeniami†œ), as well as †œPowojenny Wiatry†œ (about the farming contracts under which many veterans of the Polish Second Corps came to Canada). At the time of his death, he was working on a new book about the Polish women who joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force in the UK. William is survived by his children Jadwiga, Lucjan, Kazimierz, sister Maria Osicki in Winnipeg, sister Jane Jagodzinski (Walter) in Chicago, step-brother Boleslaw in Wisconsin, many nieces and nephews, and numerous friends in Canada and Poland. All who knew him, or were touched by his life, mourn his passing. Mr Makowski is resting at the GEORGE DATE FUNERAL HOME, 585 Carlton St. until Wednesday at 9:30am. Visiting hours are Tuesday from 7-9 pm. Vigil prayers will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday evening at 7 pm. Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 5 Oblate Street, on Wednesday, at 10:00 am. Rite of committal to follow at Victoria Lawn Cemetery, Veterans' Section, 480 Queenston Street