Zbigniew ( Stanley ) Bieniawski, 97, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Friday, May 12, 2023.

Stanley was born in Bieniawa, Poland on March 25, 1926 to Vincente and Paulina ( nee Slawik ) Bieniawski. The 3rd youngest of 5 children, Stanley's early life can only be described as an ongoing struggle for survival amidst the oppression of World War II where as a young boy in 1940, only 13, he and his family were rounded up by the Russian invaders and sent by cattle car to Siberian work camps.

In June 1941 they were no longer prisoners of Siberia and set free. From there they were transported south to Uzbekistan state where the Polish Army formed. At 14 Stanley joined the Polish Army Cadets. Stanley was then shipped to Persia (Iran). From Persia in army trucks they travelled to Iraq, Jordan and into Palestine where he joined the Polish Military Academy.

Through unfailing perseverance and what can only be described as a journey through Hell, Stanley volunteered for the Polish Air Force in England as there was a great demand of Aircrew personal there and two weeks later he boarded a troop vessel in Port Alexander, Egypt to England. His family joined him soon after. Stanley quickly joined the RAF as an aircraft technician. Stanley supported the 2nd wave on D-Day and after the war trained as a tail gunner on the Lancaster Bomber.

Returning to England he met the love of his life, Marysia (Maria/Mary) ( nee Kunicka ). They were married in 1949 and soon after welcomed their first child, a boy, Waldemar ( Wally ) followed by Janina ( Janet ) in 1953 and Christopher in 1954.

Seeking a better life for his family, Stanley brought his young family to Canada in 1955. His passion for airplanes soon landed him a job at DeHavilland Aircraft in Downsview, Ontario where he rose from an assembler to inspector in no time flat.

He worked hard all his life, sometimes holding down 2 jobs to make ends meet and to follow his Canadian Dream. He passed this work ethic on to his children.
When he and Mary became more settled in their new home, they were blessed with a 4th child in 1960, a girl, Bernadette ( Bibi ) was born and now they were 6.

As mentioned, Stanley loved airplanes and in the 1960's got his Private Pilots Licence where he was able to fulfill his dream of flying. During a long Layoff at DeHavilland, he moved the family to Victoria BC, where he drove a bus before returning to Toronto to work for McDonell Douglas in Malton. Bibi stayed and married and started a family in Victoria where she still lives today.

Later in life he was an active member in the Royal Canadian Air Force Association 441 Wing as well as 430 Polish Warsaw Wing, Knights of Columbus, and the Canadian Air Crew Association. Stanley Was the Vice President of the 441 Wing. He attended many Veteran Memorial parades and events during the years where he made sure the Polish people were remembered for their major part in freedom. He always made sure the Polish flag flew high!

Stanley will be remembered as a man who loved life and was passionate about family and friends. He especially took joy and delight in his 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren who brought him true happiness whenever they were together.

Stanley is predeceased by his Mother and Father, his oldest brother Anthony, and his 2 sisters, Danuta and Gertrude. Stanley is survived by his wife of 73 years Mary, his 4 children, Wally ( Janet Simmons ), Janina ( Janet )( Michael Long ), Christopher and Bernadette ( Bibi ) and his youngest sister, Czesia. His 7 grandchildren, Taryn, Adam, Julia, Andrea, Dennis, Jay, Christine, and his 6 great-grandchildren, Emma, Owen, Finn, Drew, Vivienne and Jacob.

He will be missed by his many nieces and nephews and families in Canada, Poland, Ukraine, England and the United States, as well his many surviving friends and family around the world.

Memorial contributions can be made to Alzheimer Society of Canada and Royal Canadian Air Force Association Trust in Stanley's name.