Albin Zarowny

Obituary of Albin Zarowny

May 30, 1922 – May 1, 2023

 

Albin Zarowny was born in Krydor, Saskatchewan to John and Katherine.  Al (or Ben) was the eighth born of eighteen children.  He lived and worked on the family farm until he was 18 years old. When WWII broke out, Al volunteered to serve in the Armed Forces.  He took basic training in Chatham, Ontario, before being stationed in England to be trained as a tank mechanic.  During his deployment, Al served in North Africa, Italy, and finally Holland as a tank driver. For his service, he was awarded six medals.

 

Al met and courted his wife Audrey (Foster) in 1943 in Brighton, England, while in the forces. After the war, they married in England and moved to Saskatchewan.  Over the years they moved many times, finally settling in Calgary.  Al and Audrey had six children; Kathleen (Verne - passed away October 2022), Stewart (Heide), Garry (Wendy), David (Karen), Donna (Steve), and Jo-Ann (Bryan).

 

Al and Audrey shared 66 years of marriage before Audrey passed in 2012.  Al was the proud grandpa to fourteen grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. He is survived by three siblings; Lorae, Ralph, and Lucille.

 

Most of Al’s life he worked as a Millwright.  He was a hard worker and loved to fix and build things.  Al was one of the first diesel mechanics for the railway.  He also worked in the oil patch repairing large engines.  Later in his career, he made a transition to head locksmith for the Calgary International Airport where he worked for many years.

 

Al loved to travel and enjoyed the outdoors. He especially enjoyed fishing, canoeing, horseshoes, and campfires at the cabin.  He also enjoyed motor homing, square dancing, playing cards, and puttering in the garage.

 

Throughout Al’s life, and especially during the war, he held an unwavering faith in God.  He would say “Lord give me one more day”. He truly believed that his daily prayers, and praying the rosary are what brought him home.

 

Al passed peacefully in his sleep at the Colonel Belcher senior’s home in Calgary on Monday, May 1, 2023, at the age of 100 years.

 

The family had a private celebration of Al’s life.

 

For those wishing to make a contribution in Al’s honour, please donate to the War Amputations of Canada, National Headquarters, 2827 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON K1V 0C4, www.waramps.ca or the  Calgary Veteran’s Food Bank at https://www.veteransfoodbankalberta.ca/donate.

 

In living memory of Albin Zarowny, 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.

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