Obituary of Tadeusz Maciag

It is with profound sadness that the family of Ted Maciag announces his passing on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at the age of 80 years, when he lost his long and courageous battle with lung disease. Ted was born in Poland on August 1, 1927. As a twelve year old, together with all his family, including elderly grandparents, he was forced out under the Soviet gun, from the home and “resettled” in Siberia (Perm), to work in the labour camps and forests. In 1941, the USSR was invaded by Hitler and “amnesty” allowed thousands of Poles to trek south to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan where the Polish Army was forming. Ted’s long trek from the USSR led through Iran, Iraq, Africa and Palestine where he continued his high school, until he joined the Polish 2nd Corps under British Command in the Middle East. After the War, Ted came to England where he studied engineering in London. He loved his profession and was involved in many interesting projects in England, Ireland and further afield. He was a recipient of the Oscar Faber Medal. His distinguished career as a Structural Engineer led him to Calgary in the 1970’s to work on the new Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Grandstand. Ted’s greatest engineering challenge came as Calgary was chosen to host the Winter Olympic Games for 1988. Ted and his team were invited to design the Calgary Saddledome and other Olympic facilities and features. Ted was always delighted and proud to see the flags at the Canada Olympic Park and the Calgary Stampede as they fluttered in the breeze, hoisted on flagpoles anchored firmly in the bases which he designed. He loved Calgary and his initially temporary assignment extended to the rest of his life. He was a consummate engineer, dedicated, hard working to the last day of his life. Ted was a Fellow of the Institute of Structural Engineers in England, a Professional Engineer in Alberta and a member of the Canadian Prairies Group. He will be lovingly remembered for his strong work ethic and for his generosity, wisdom, determination and courage in the face of overwhelming adversity. Ted is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Janina (Janet) and by his three children Andrew (Cheryl) of Calgary, Jan (Margaret) of Peterborough, England, Anna Maciag of London, England and by his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Adam, Alex, Rachel, Gabriella and Lucy. Ted is also survived by his brother-in-law Michael Zalot of Peterborough, England. Ted was predeceased by his parents Pawel and Helena Maciag and by his sister Janina Zalot. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church (4718 Worcester Drive S.W, Calgary.) on Thursday, November 1, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. Graveside service to follow at Edenbrook Memorial Gardens. Condolences can be forwarded to www.mcinnisandholloway.com . If friends desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Lung Association, P.O. Box 4500, Station South, Edmonton, AB, T6E 6K2 (Telephone 1-888-566-5864). In living memory of Tadeusz Maciag a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.