Emil Czerkawski

Aged 87 years died at home January 17^th, 2013 surrounded by family.   Born in Poland he experienced the full horror of the Second World War.  He served first with the underground Home Army (AK) and fought in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, initially interned as a POW, he escaped, was arrested by the GESTAPO and was sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp in Weimer, Germany.  He was liberated by advance units of U.S. 3^rd Army and joined the free Polish forces in Italy, serving with General Anders’ 2^nd Polish Corps as a junior officer.  After he was discharged from the army he settled in England where he met his wife, Anna.  They were married in 1948.  He received his Bsc. Eng. at the University of London and moved to Canada in 1951, eventually settling in London, Ontario where he joined the M.M. Dillon firm in 1958. First as an associate and eventually becoming a senior partner and head of Electrical Engineering, he spent 32 rewarding years with Dillon.  He is survived by his children Barbara and Mark (Annette) and grandchildren Samuel and James.   He was a man of great strength, tolerance and understanding and will be fondly remembered by many.  Visitation will be held at the WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on Monday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. with prayers at 6:45 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael’s Parish, 511 Cheapside Street, London, on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. Interment, Woodland Cemetery.  Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Emil are asked to consider the United Way.