Obituary of MARIAN WLADYSLAW BALCERZAK

In Loving Memory of Marian Balcerzak
September 8, 1948 – April 12, 2025

It is with deep love and heartbreak that we announce the sudden passing of Marian Balcerzak on Saturday April 12, 2025.

Marian was born on September 8, 1948 in Warsaw, Poland to Antoni and Jadwiga Balcerzak.

As a young man Marian met the love of his life, Ewa. They married soon after and a year later welcomed their only son, Arkadiusz.

He completed his mandatory military service before pursuing a career as a Machinist. Marian worked diligently in his trade while also driving a taxi in Warsaw. He frequently travelled to Sweden for work. In 1981, with Martial Law declared in Poland, Marian and Ewa sought a better future and moved to Sweden and then to Austria where they lived in a refugee camp. Eventually, they immigrated to Canada and made Winnipeg their home.

A tireless worker, Marian quickly found employment in his new country. Never one to stop learning, Marian pursued further education and proudly earned his Red Seal certification. Over the years he worked at Mackow Industries, Versatile and eventually settled into a long career at Bristol Aerospace where he remained until retirement.

Retirement didn’t sit well with Marian—he loved to stay active. Following his passion for driving he earned his Class 1 license and spent ten more years on the road with Arnold Brothers.

Marian was a gifted musician who played several instruments. At family gatherings, he often brought out his guitar, filling the room with music and joy. In his younger days, he was an active member of the Polish community in Winnipeg. He served as a DJ for the Polish radio station, sang in the Polish choir and was involved in local soccer.

An avid sports fan, Marian would wake up at all hours to catch ski jumping qualifications or obscure football matches, but his true love was his beloved Legia Warszawa. He passed on his love and passion of sports to his son, whom he supported through countless practices, games and tournaments.

Marian especially cherished family vacations—often epic road trips to places like Phoenix, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Chicago, and Toronto. In his later years, he found joy in his home office, spending hours watching sports—often needing Eva to calm him down when his teams didn’t perform as he'd hoped.

Marian leaves behind his beloved wife Ewa; son Arkadiusz; daughter-in-law Agnieszka and three cherished grandchildren Jakub, Peter, and Benjamin.

He will be remembered for his strength, warmth, humour, and devotion to his family, sport, music, and his heritage. His memory will live on in the stories, songs, and love he shared with all who knew him.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday April 30, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church, 341 Selkirk Avenue, presided over by an Oblate Father.  Interment will follow at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Cemetery 4387 Main Street, West St. Paul, Manitoba. A celebration of life reception will take place at Sokol Hall 717 Manitoba Ave.

Wieczny odpoczynek racz mu dać, Panie

Mass of Christian Burial

10:00 am

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church

341 Selkirk Avenue

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

 

Interment

Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Cemetery

4387 Main Street

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada