Obituary of Kazimierz Debski

Kazimierz Debski of Calgary passed away on Friday, October 12, 2007 at the age of 100 years. Kazimierz was born in Poland. He committed all of his early life to studying and learning. In 1927 he completed studies at the Polish Military Academy, School of Engineering, earning a Bachelor of Engineering degree. Three years later he was accepted at the Technical University of Warsaw, he completed his studies in June 1935 with a degree of M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering. In 1934, he married his great love and future life companion Irena, with whom he had two daughters Hania and Basia. As all Polish citizens with higher education he served as an officer in the Polish army. In summer 1939 he was mobilized and participated in Polish, French and British campaigns against Nazi Germany. He ended his military career with a rank of Major. When in Britain, Kazimierz committed all his energy to the war effort and locating his missing wife and children, who were imprisoned in the Soviet Union gulags. Through the International Red Cross and military channels he located his wife and younger daughter in Persia. His older daughter Hania died of starvation and disease in a Soviet labor camp in the Far East. Following a lengthy recovery in Teheran, Irena and Basia joined Kazimierz in 1944 in London. After the horrors of labor and concentration camps now they had to endure V1 and V2 attacks on London. After the war, Kazimierz, a true Polish patriot, declined all the opportunities the west could offer and decided to return to Poland. The country was in ruins, the population decimated and there was a severe lack of educated people. He believed that it was his duty to return and contribute to the reconstruction of his Motherland. Making this decision, he did not anticipate that the Soviets would take control of Poland and introduce “communism”. As a person with western connections, he was persecuted and denied normal living conditions. With time his technical and linguistic capabilities prevailed and he rose to high technical positions in the Polish automotive industry. He was instrumental in the reconstruction of the automotive industry and in bringing the Fiat license to Poland. Kazimierz was a recipient of many orders and medals for his military service and professional contributions. He retired at the age of seventy-five years, immigrated to Canada to join his daughter Basia. Upon retirement he started to paint as a hobby and enrolled in courses at the University of Calgary to improve his skills. All his life he tried to learn languages and improve his knowledge. Kazimierz is predeceased by his daughter Hania and by Irene, his wife of sixty-three years. He is survived by his daughter Barbara (Tad), grandson Michael (Monica), great granddaughters Isabella and Sophie as well as relatives in Poland. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter’s Catholic Church (541 Silvergrove Drive N.W.) on Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Dabrowskis’ family wishes to thank the Management and Staff of Wentworth Manor ( a Division of Brenda Strafford Foundation Ltd) for their kindness and excellent care provided to the elderly under their care. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes, in memory of Kazimierz, may be made directly to Brenda Strafford Foundation Ltd, 4628 Montgomery Blvd, NW, Calgary, AB. T3B 0K7 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. In living memory of Kazimierz Debski, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.