Obituary of Henryk MIGALLO

January 15, 1924 – Radom, Poland

May 14, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Henry was the much-loved husband of Jirina - they were married for thirty-seven wonderful years. He passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2020, in Calgary, AB at the age of 96 years, with Jirina at his side.

Henry was born in Radom, Poland on January 15, 1924, to Stefan and Leokadia Marta (nee Malecka) Migallo and grew up with his two sisters, Irena and Janeczka. Their family owned a department store in Radom. When Germany invaded Poland in September 1939 Henry, who was only 15 at the time, joined the Polish underground to fight against the Nazis. He was later captured as a POW in 1944 but managed to escape after about three months. He then enlisted with the Polish army which was under British command.

After the war, Henry moved to London, England where he enrolled in the university to study Architecture. While there, he met his first wife, Anna Patoczka. They were married and in 1956 their daughter Danusia was born. During the war, Henry contracted tuberculosis (TB) and had to have one lung removed. Then, later on, when he was already in England and married to Anna, he contracted TB again in his other lung. He insisted on getting a specific injection for the TB, which was very new at the time, but receiving it saved his other lung. His doctor told him at that time that if he was very careful, he might live to the age of 36. And here we are sixty years later. Not only did he beat those odds, he was also a smoker for many years, with his one lung – he was our Superman.

Ever since Henry was a child, he wanted to immigrate to Canada. After receiving their visas, he booked passage for himself, Anna and Danusia on the Polish ship Batory and landed in Montreal where he began looking for work. They ended up moving to Ottawa where their son Mark was born in 1960. In 1961, Henry flew to Calgary for an interview with the City of Calgary Planning Department. He was hired and his family moved to Calgary later that year. While employed with the City as a Town Planner, Henry was involved in a number of projects, including introducing the Plus-15 walkways to Calgary. He also designed the original Heritage Park and the original Prince’s Island design.

Then, around 1966, he was contracted by the Canadian government to work in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa as a Town Planner. He was there on a five-year contract, during which time he met his second wife Elizabeth (Liza) Nandi. He brought her to Calgary and his second son Danek was born in 1972.

Henry then started his own company, Henry Migallo Architects and Town Planners. It was during this time that he designed the original Queen of Peace Polish Roman Catholic Church on Uxbridge Drive N.W. Henry’s business grew and he ended up employing a dozen staff and operated out of downtown Calgary. His architectural firm was responsible for the design of many noteworthy commercial buildings and apartments. One of the architectural designers that worked for Henry was the beautiful, very competent and indispensable Jirina. After spending many years working side by side, Jirina and Henry married in April 1983. They lived in a beautiful home in Elbow River Estates that they designed together. Many Christmases were celebrated with everyone, including Anna and Liza. Everyone got along very well and we were one big happy family.

Eventually, Henry and Jirina closed the office in Calgary and moved to San Diego to form a residential architectural firm. They lived in another beautiful home that they designed together which was located in Vista, California. After eight years there, they moved to Whitefish, Montana, designing unique Architectural Digest homes and retreats on Big Mountain. After a few years in Montana, Henry and Jirina decided to return to Calgary and retired in 1999.

Henry will be remembered as a kind and generous man, always willing to help others, having endless stories and jokes to share, making others smile and laugh. He had a terrific sense of humour, always the life of the party at social functions. He always said that he loved what he did for a living and therefore it wasn’t work. He believed that one out of one hundred people loved what they did for a living and he was one of those fortunate few. Henry and Jirina loved to entertain and frequently had friends and family over for very enjoyable and memorable dinner parties. Henry’s legacy will live on for many years through the loving family he created and the many friends he left behind.

Henry leaves behind the love of his life, Jirina; his three children, Danusia (Ray), Mark (Suphansa) and Danek; his grandchildren, Christopher (Duby), Henry, Amy and Fynn; and great-grandson Caden.  In addition, we were all reunited in 2008 with his grandson Tyler (Lesa) and great-grandchildren Presley and Koby.

Celebration of Life will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB), at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Henry’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Henry Migallo, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB, T2E 2V6,   Telephone: 403-243-8200.