JOZEF RALCEWICZ

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JOZEF RALCEWICZ It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jozef Ralcewicz, aged 94, on Friday, February 1, 2019, at the Charleswood Care Centre, in Winnipeg, MB. Jozef is predeceased by his wife Janina; his parents, Antoni and Maria; and his sister Christine. He is survived by his brother Stanley, and three children, Wanda Simpson (Philip), Karol Ralcewicz (Jacqueline), and Christopher Ralcewicz. He also leaves behind two grandchildren, Christopher and Carolyn Simpson. Jozef was born on January 15, 1925 at Zubielewicze, Lachowicze, district of Baranowicze, county of Nowogródek, Poland. In 1939, he was deported from Tocin, Holowicze when the Soviet Union occupied Poland and was sent to a labour camp in the former U.S.S.R. Released for the purpose of joining the Polish armed forces, he enlisted in the Polish army on May 24, 1942. He crossed the Soviet-Iranian border and thereby came under British command and was sent to Palestine where he was transferred to 8 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, 2 Polish Corp, 8 British Army. He saw action on the rivers Sangro and Rapido, Battle for Monte Cassino, Battle for Ancona, Northern Apennines, river Senio and Battle for Bologna. His exemplary service earned him a Monte Cassino Cross and an Italy Star. After the Second World War, Jozef immigrated to Canada and settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he met his wife Janina and started a family. He began his work life in the logging industry in Northwestern Ontario, worked at Victoria Leather and performed track maintenance for CNR, eventually becoming a custodian for Winnipeg School Division One until his retirement in June of 1990. The family thanks the wonderful staff at Charleswood Care Centre for their care and compassion. We will be celebrating Jozef's life on Friday, February 15, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Interment will follow in Holy Ghost Cemetery, 4387 Main Street, West St. Paul.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 09, 2019