June 26, 1927 – January 6, 2021
Our family is heartbroken to announce the passing of Chris Szaszkiewicz January 6th, 2021 at the age of 93.
Chris is survived by Alina, his wife of 38 years, his brother Joseph (Barbara); his sister Helen; his six children Jean (Helene), Andre (Anne), Marie (Orlando), Charles, Paul (Peggy), Helen (Ian) and their mother Cecile, Alina’s children Richard and Mark (Eva), and his 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Chris’ family was forced to flee their idyllic home in Ros, Poland September 1st, 1939 – the start of World War 2. His father Antoni, an expert in languages, had been recruited to help Poland with negotiations and later to British Intelligence to work on the Enigma project deciphering military codes. Chris’ mother, Marie (nee Potocki) took charge of the family’s harrowing escape from their estate at Ros (now Belarus), and managed their movements throughout the war as the family relocated from Paris to Touraine, Salies du Salat, Hyeres, Langogne, Bagnoles des Bains and eventually to Challe les Eaux where he, his older brother George and his younger sister Helen went to school at Villars des Lans near Grenoble.
Being constantly on the move, attending different schools, and learning to live under occupation had a big impact on Chris and his siblings. Perseverance, resourcefulness and compassion would serve him and his siblings well, but these were also character traits earned at a price. Chris lost friends and classmates to the ravages of the war, and eventually his youngest sister Marie (Bobo) to sickness at 12 years old just as the war was ending in 1945.
Chris’ younger brother and sister, Joe and Helen, describe this difficult time and the sacrifices required only when pressed, choosing instead to highlight the necessity for joy and humour. A favorite story, now legendary in fact, is of Chris and his older brother George skipping school to go swimming in the Mediterranean Sea – a valued life lesson about priorities not lost on the next generation!
Chris was sent to Scotland to complete his military training in Edinburgh and graduated just as the war ended. He was later accepted at the London School of Economics where he completed his undergraduate studies before emigrating to Canada in 1951 joining his family in St. Paul, Alberta.
Chris met his wife Cecile Langlois at the movies. They settled in Bonnyville and had six children together, built a house and built a cottage. Chris also built his accounting practice while working on his Chartered Accountant at nights, hunted ducks, served as the head of the Chamber of Commerce and the Agricultural Society, went to church, to the rodeo, to cattle auctions, to Pontiac hockey games and dragged his kids in sleighs across frozen lakes behind his Ford Meteor.
The family moved to Edmonton in 1973 where Chris worked to rebuild a thriving practice in St. Albert. He was able to renew his commitment to tennis, although the transition to Malmo’s asphalt from the lawn courts of his youth must have been a difficult one. Chris and Cecile divorced, Cecile moved to Montreal, and Chris later met Alina Maslowski to whom he was married until his passing.
Cross country skiing, tennis, canoeing, gardening and symphony dates were passions he shared with his children, Alina, her children and later their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Chris’ family seemed to grow again exponentially with the house in Malmo always open to extended family and friends – all welcome, so long as you didn’t sit in his chair!
He also shared his fondness for numbers and horses (he had learned to ride horses in Poland) on visits to Northlands where master classes in permutations and probability were offered at a nominal price to ‘investors’. Here too life lessons were available to those attentive enough to listen.
An avid reader, Chris loved the Western Catholic Reporter, the Edmonton Journal and his weekly Racing Form. Car rides to hockey, ringette, orchestra practice and piano recitals were simply backdrops to CBC radio broadcasts from around the world. Bespoke book gifts at Christmas and birthdays were chosen with purpose.
Intellectual curiosity, genuine interest and empathy for others, and a strong work ethic made for a man that seemed above it all. He lived his beliefs with humility, accepted life’s twists and turns with grace, and set the bar high for those of us who face his empty chair.
The family is thankful for wishes received from colleagues, friends and family, and especially for staff at the Grey Nuns Hospital where Chris received exceptional compassionate care, even including an impromptu violin solo by staff that brought him immeasurable joy and comfort even in the most trying of circumstances.
Chris was passionate about his favorite charities including Aid to the Church in Need (Canada) Inc, The Polish Canadian Humanitarian Society and CNEWA. Chris would have been pleased to know his charitable commitments inspired others to consider meaningful giving.
Cremation has taken place and due to COVID restrictions, a celebration of life will take place at a later date where we can gather together to remember and honour Chris.
Maria Filipowski says
My condolences at the loss of your father. Sounds like an amazing man. He, like many of his generation, had quite the life journey in his youth.
Suzanne Macdonald says
My sincere condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this hard time. He had a wonderful life and will be missed.
Stephen Bernstein and family says
Our family sends our deepest condolences to Paul, Peggy, Zoe and the entire family. There is no doubt that Christopher lived a long, productive and exemplary life. It is self evident that all who knew him were incredibly fortunate and lucky. May amazing memories aid you at this difficult time. All our very best,
Stephen, Edit, Sarah, Melanie and Jack
Stephanie Dea says
To the Szaszkiewicz family,
I am saddened to hear of Mr. Szaskiewicz’s passing. I remember him well. I am so sorry for your loss and send my condolences.
Kindest regards,
Stephanie Dea
Lucie Bernier-Lycka, Barry Lycka says
Our deepest heartfelt condolences to the Szaszkiewicz family. We are deeply saddened for your loss. Chris was a great man. Wish we could’ve shared more moments with him.
Greg Colucci says
Deepest condolences to Paul, Peggy, Zoe and Chris’ family.
Perseverance, resourcefulness and compassion – that says it all!
kind regards
Greg Colucci
Helen Dea says
Dear Szaszkiewicz family,
I’m saddened to hear of Your father’s passing.
I enjoyed reading about his youth. What a beautiful life.
My deepest condolences to all of you.
Love Helen Dea
Fr. Leo Hofmann says
Dear Members of the Szaszkiewicz Families,
I am sorry to read of the death of Mr. Szaszkiewicz. Please accept my sympathy and prayers as you grieve over the death of your husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and beloved family member.
May Chris experience the fullness of eternal life.
Fr. Leo Hofmann
William Chodkiewicz says
Chris was one of the most decent, caring, compassionate and giving
man I have had a privilege to have known. A true humanitarian who gave selflessly of his time and resources–so generously. There are many orphans and disadvantaged people, literally thousands in many scattered countries–Belarus, Poland, Ukraine. Lithuania, Kazakhstan,
Syria, Iraq and various continents in Africa, Asia and South America
and here at home, in Edmonton and Canada–in the homeless, youth and women shelters, soup kitchens, hospices who benefited from his his tireless work that stretched for decades. A true man and inspiration to others. A loss which I, having worked besides him for
for many years in the Polish Canadian Humanitarian Society feel very deeply. I truly feel as if I lost a brother. He performed his duties as a treasurer so diligently but above all he was our counsellor guide and inspiration. Chis has departed from this earth, but his work and mission will continue. The poor will be served the hungry will be fed
as much as our resources will permit. His memory will be with us as
long as we live on this earth. May God give this good shepherd of
good deeds, a personification of all that is good and decent an eternal rest, and may he rest in peace. Our deep condolences to Alina, who
also worked so diligently as a director of the Board in our Society, and
to the entire Szaszkiewicz family. Thank you so much for sharing this special man –a true and precious gift to us. You are really a great family. We will miss him so much.
God Bless.
William, Rose Chodkiewicz and the family.
Former President (1998 – 2016) Polish Canadian Humanitarian Society.
Alina Szaszkiewicz says
Thank you Willy for your your heartfelt message of condolence ! It was a pleasure to work with you and I know Chris appreciated everything you did for the Humanitrian Society and beyond.
Rocque Richard and Lynnette (Landry) Richard says
Our sincere condolences on the loss of your father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Lynne Moser says
My deepest sympathies John to you and your family. An incredibly storied life well lived! Take good care!
Tony Muszynski says
As the President of the Polish Canadian Humanitarian Society, on behalf of our Board of Directors and members, I wish to express our deepest condolences to Chris’ wife, Alina and the entire Szaszkiewicz family on the passing of this very good man.
Chris Szaszkiewicz was the Treasurer of our organization for many years before stepping down in 2016.
His work on our Board was critical to the building of the Polish Canadian Humanitarian Society. His collaboration with our former President, William Chodkiewicz was, in my assessment, the glue that held our organization’s charitable work together for most of its existence.
Chris resigned from our Board the year that I became President but I had an opportunity to speak with him many times. I particularly appreciated a lengthy letter he prepared for me at the time I became President explaining his work for the organization and how to best continue attaining the charitable goals that he had worked so hard to achieve. I reread it frequently for direction.
His commitment to help the needy, not only in Canada but also the wider world and particularly those who shared his Polish roots but lived in difficult conditions on lands that were formerly part of Poland but are now in Lithuania, Belarus the Ukraine, was a true inspiration.
His wisdom, commitment, intelligence, compassion, and counsel will be remembered and treasured by all those in the Polish Canadian Humanitarian Society.
He did so much good work.
We will miss him greatly.
Tony Muszynski
President, Polish Canadian Humanitarian Society
Alina Szaszkiewicz says
Thank you so much for your message of condolence and your kind words about my husband Chris. Indeed I feel lucky to have been married for 38 years to this kind and generous man.
john Tomczak says
We express our sincerest sympathy to you and your family for the loss that saddens members of Polish community as Chris’ good heartful soul has passed, and a good man has gone up to heaven.
May the love that surrounds you bring comfort and peace to you and your family.
Kasia Tomczak and
John Tomczak
President
Polish Congress in Canada
Alina Szaszkiewicz says
Thank you very much for your kind words. Indeed I was fortunate to be married to this good and kind man!
Louis Bugeaud says
Sincères condoléances à la grande famille Szaszkiewicz lors du décès de votre très cher père, Chris. Nous avons bien connu Chris et sa famille lorsque ils habitaient Bonnyville pendant plusieurs années. En plus, nous avons eu le privilège d’avoir les Szaszkiewicz comme voisins à Bonnyville Beach au Moose Lake pendant longtemps. Quels bons souvenirs de Chris et son beau sourire, ainsi que de toute ses enfants avec qui nous avons passé de merveilleux étés ensembles! Très intéressant de lire l’histoire de la vie de Chris et d’apprendre tellement de choses à son sujet. Courage et comfort à toute la famille pendant cette période difficile.
Pensées et prières pour vous,
Louis Bugeaud et famille Bugeaud
Nicole J Bugeaud says
Avec empathie et amitiés, nous tenons à vous offrir, Alina, Jean, André, Marie, Charles, Paul, Hélène et toute la grande famille Szaszkiewicz, nos plus sincères condoléances suite au décès de votre mari, père, grandpère et arrière grandpère. Nous nous souviendrons toujours de lui du temps passé à Bonnyville; ce grand homme intélligent, doux et au sourire facile qui aimait beaucoup la musique, le ski, la chasse, les livres et sa grande famille. Il a vécu une vie remarquable et vous lègue un héritage inestimable d’amour. Qu’il repose maintenant en paix et que cet amour de la famille et de vos amis vous réconfortent en ces jours difficiles.
Nicole Bugeaud et Claude Croteau
Reply
Ewa Grecka and Pawel Stroemich says
Dear Aunt Alina and the Maslowski and Szaszkiewicz families,
We are very sorry to hear that Uncle Chris passed away. We would like to send our sincere condolences to you all.
We met Chris for the first time on February 28th 1985. It was a typical winter day in Edmonton. He met us at the Edmonton International Airport, where we had just arrived as emigrants from Europe, hoping to build our new lives in Canada. Alina and Chris greeted us very warmly and offered us a ride to the city in an incredibly large, “woody” station wagon (I think it was a Chevy Caprice). It cruised so smoothly on the snowy highway.
Although Ewa’s relation to Alina is very distant, already in this car we could feel that we were welcome in our new Polish-Canadian family and Chris was our new uncle – a handsome one too.
Over the next 35 years there were many visits, dinners, discussions, tax/accounting consultations, and exchanges of ideas – something we cherished very much. Uncle Chris was always a good listener, carefully considering and respecting the opinions of others before presenting his own. We always admired how well, and with passing time, Chris and Alina navigated their lives together. We learned from them to be thankful for each day given to us.
Rest in Peace Dear Uncle Chris. You touched our lives in an immense way and You will stay in our memories forever.
Ewa and Pawel.
Leszek Grecki with Ania Dziarmaga says
Our deepest sympathies to all Family of Chris! This extraordinary man had so many reasons to be proud of his life and all the fulfillments he achieved! It can’t be measured how much I personally owe him, as the course of my life was shaped by his generosity and acceptance when I emigrated to Canada 39 years ago. So many great memories! That was the time when he, single father of 6, met my gorgeous aunt Alina, mother of 3, during her efforts to help me to emigrate to Canada. They always joked I was their 10th unmarried child. I found myself among 9 young adults and soon to be adults having times of their life’s with my inability to speak English- how could I forget… What an amazing crowd, one by one becoming highly educated professionals under Chris’s and later Alina’s wings, providing all the diversified services in both English and French. 3 years ago when I flew to Edmonton for Chris’s 90th he had an hour speech in which he outlined with great detail all the credentials of all his countless grandchildren, now adults, and aspirations of all the great grand children. What a rich contribution to the Canadian population. There is so many more contributions Chris made during his life which are mentioned in previous comments, but one I would like to emphasize was his help for the poverty stricken community of the land were he grew up in Poland, presently within borders of Belarus. I always felt honored to be able to call Chris my uncle and how fortunate it was for him and my aunt Alina to find each other! Bravo Chris! You are leaving great legacy after your departure. Rest In Peace wujek Krzysztof. Wieczny odpoczynek prawdziwie zasluzony !
Leszek Grecki with Ania Dziarmaga (man who’s young life was greatly affected by Chris’s and his super nice children’s help)
Lise Jean-Louis says
Chers Marie, Paul, Charles, Jean, André et Hélène,
Quel beau témoignage d’une vie bien vécu.
Votre papa était une personne extraordinaire qui mérite d’être célébrée pour tous ses accomplissements et sa bonté humaine.
Nous vous gardons tous dans nos prières.
Lise (Brosseau) et Maxim Jean-Louis
Elzbieta Popiel says
My deepest condolences to Alina, Helenka, Joe , all Chris children and grandchildren. Chris was a special and unique person with a great heart. He was dear friend of all our family and will be always remembered in our hearts.