Please accept my deepest condolence on the passing of Zofia. We will continue to keep your family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

VON Palliative Care Volunteer Program

George & Marilyn and family,
Sincere sympathy on the loss of your Mother and Grandmother. Thinking of you at this sad time.

George & Marilyn & family,
My deepest sympathy goes out to you on the passing of Zofia. I am Thinking of you at this difficult time.

Sherrie (employee of Harvey Bierling)

To George and family. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I have the fondest memories of “Ciocia” and our visits to the farm. Thinking of you at this difficult time.

Zofia was a great lady. She had been endowed with intelligence, wisdom, and generosity. If those talents were not as evident as she approached her 89th birthday, it may have been that the trials she had to overcome during the earlier years of her life, together with the difficulties of aging, added to a load too heavy.
Her life began as the only child of a small land holder in Poland. In September 1939 WW11 began as England declared war against Germany after German troops had invaded Poland, and it became clear that Hitler intended to bring all of Europe under German control. Russian military entered Poland’s eastern border after the German military entered Poland’s western border, with the purpose of preventing the German military from passing through Poland into Russia, even though Germany were supposed Allies with Russia at the time. Poland had a Pact with Britain with the provision that England would go to Poland’s aid should Poland be invaded. All Polish citizens in proximity to the Russian border were taken to Siberia, especially land owners and their families, and particularly military ranks. Polish Military Officers were taken into the woods and shot, it is estimated 40 thousand in total, to prevent any resistance. Zofia’s father tried to resist being forced from his property but the Russian military had their orders, and in the skirmish Zofia’s father was hit on each side of his face with the but of a gun breaking some teeth. When preparations to take the Polish people that had been scheduled for Siberia were completed, several unheated railway box cars were assembled at various locations and the people were herded into them with barely elbow room. By the beginning of January 1940 the human freight began the trip to labour camps in north-east Russia. A Polish career soldier who had been hiding in Zofia’s father’s barn before that property was taken over by the Russian military, became acquainted with Zofia. Henry Stasik and Zofia became lovers and did not want to be separated, so were married in Poland New Year’s Eve, 1939. Henry was then able to travel with Sofia and her parents in the same boxcar. The ill effects from all that had happened from the Russian occupation between September and January, caused Zofia’s father to begin the trip weakened. He was sick with pneumonia for a month into the trip and died. Zofia’s mother died from exposure to the severe weather three months after leaving their home.

In August 1941 after Russia joined the Allies, the Polish Government in exile in England, prevailed upon the British to oblige the Russian Government to let those prisoners free, which they did. Once free, the Russians strongly encouraged their former prisoners of both sexes, to join the Russian military. Germany had marched through Poland by this time and the Russian Military could see the need for all, and any trained or untrained persons. Very few Polish citizens preferred to stay in Russia even with the promise of food, or other privileges. Henry and Zofia opted to join the British Eighth Army and were stationed in Palestine for a year. During the almost 2 years in Siberia on starvation rations, the prisoners’ bodies had become skin and bone, their teeth had loosened, their sight had been affected, and their hair was thinning badly. In Palestine under British Command, with adequate food and medical service, guarding British oil fields there, they became healthy enough after a year, to be gathered under the Polish General Anders, in the British 8th Army, and were sent for combat to North Africa. When the Germans were defeated there, General Anders’ Polish troops were involved in the battle for Sicily and other battles on up through Italy to Monte Casino, on Italy’s west coast between Naples and Rome. Neither the American 5th Army, or the British 8th Army could advance to Rome until the impregnable mountainside fortifications at Monte Casino were overcome. The British had reached Monte Casino by Autumn 1942. First the New Zealanders, with their expertise in mountain scaling, were sent to capture that highway blockage. The German bunkers were placed strategically encircling the Monte Casino mountain overlooking the highway, and state-of-the-art equipment with experienced German personnel were atop the mountain, prepared to repel prospective invaders. The New Zealanders, after a brilliant effort, were forced to withdraw. Next an experienced Regiment from British India, were sent, but were forced to withdraw also. A Free-French Regiment whose homeland was German occupied, was assigned next, and were also overcome. By early 1943 the Americans bombed the prestigious Monte Casino Monastery unmercifully, razing the 400-year old stone edifice extensively to about a foot of base around the perimeter. After that had been accomplished the American troops were assigned to take the mountain, but also failed and the task was left to the British 8th. So Canadians were sent in, but with no more success than others, with the usual loss of life. A hardened British Regiment was assigned next, but had to retreat. Polish troops had been camped by the town at the south side of the mountain since late winter. Henry as an Officer’s chauffer, and Sofia had been enlisted as an Army truck driver. My husband, Alexander Gartenburg, was one of those combat troops that stormed Monte Casino mountain from the opposite side of the highway to Rome. The Polish campaign began May 1st, 1943. Since Polish troops had lost their homeland to the Russians, they were told they must NOT retreat. The 2 thousand plus Polish troops that were killed during the 17 days of that campaign before the Germans were defeated, lie in the Polish cemetery at the back of the mountain, 1500 in marked graves, plus 16 large mass graves of Polish personnel unnamed.
Zofia and Henry survived and were sent to England after War ended, with their little son. George, named after Kings George V1, was born in 1942 in British Africa where pregnant Polish women were hosted to have their babies. Later Sofia was obliged to return to her duties as truck driver. After hostilities ceased, some Polish Officers traveled through ex-German-held Europe up to the then Russian held territory, to seek out Polish citizens and collect data on their wherabouts and their wellbeing. Many Polish resisters (who had been taken by the Germans) had been put to death in German Prisoner of War camps and were killed in the ovens and gas chambers, as Jewish people had been. Henry remained a driver for Officers, as was my husband also became an Officer’s chauffer when war ended, for such fact-finding missions. Henry and Alex became acquainted, and kept in touch. When the chauffer assignments ended, Henry and Sofia went to Northern England temporarily, but as Britain was very crowded at that time, and low on food stuffs, only British natives were encouraged to stay. Polish and other misplaced persons were encouraged to go to one of the ‘colonies’. My husband, Alex, chose to come to Canada as soon as single Polish members were allowed, in November 1946, directly from Italy. Henry then decided on Canada as well, and came as soon as Polish married couples were allowed in. He chose to be close to Alex, not knowing anyone else here. He and Zofia, with 5-year-old George, were assigned to the Bell farm at Kippen. After having lost her inheritance in Poland, Zofia and Henry aspired to acquire their own property in Canada. On completion of their obligation with Mr. & Mrs. Bell, they made a down payment on a 50-acre farm near Kippen, with money saved from the British Military. After a couple of years of working the farm as well as being employed by an area plumber, Henry bought a used car. They came to visit us in Woodham occasionally, where we lived for several years, and we visited them more often.
Zofia was an intelligent, capable and wise woman. They were good farmers and diligent workers. After a few years they sold the small farm at Kippen to buy a hundred-acre farm by Hensall. With their hard work, prudence, and successful practices, they expanded their holdings. Zofia was never too busy to be a fine hostess. She had a generous heart. When our children were small, each year they brought us before Christmas either a large capon bird from the flock she raised for market, or a medium sized Christmas tree from their farm. She was revered by the several Polish-Canadians who settled in the area of Huron, Perth and Middlesex Counties. She was accepting of people’s shortcomings and befriended anyone. She will be missed by friends, and by her fine family, – son George and wife Marilyn; granddaughter Jenny and two children; and grandson Geoffrey and his family. When Mary Nedza came from Poland in 1970 as a young bride, Zofia was very supportive. Mary and Zofia have remained good friends over the years. Mary in Exeter, was in constant contact by phone until the last months as Zofia became confused and contact was difficult. Mary joins me in this Tribute to our friend.
My life has been enriched by knowing Zofia Stasik.

Dear Geoff, Jana, girls and Stasik Family,
Please accept our sincere condolences to you and your families on the passing of your grandmother. We hope you find comfort in fond memories and happy times. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Deepest sympathies,
Cindy, Arnie & Kathleen

Please except our deepest sympathy on the loss of Zofia. May her life be a fond memory to those that knew and loved her.

Just heard about your mom. Sorry we didn’t know sooner.