FRANCISZEK (FRANK) ANDRZEJ CZAJKA

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FRANCISZEK (FRANK) ANDRZEJ CZAJKA

On the morning of October 15, 2025, Frank passed away at the age of 74, surrounded by his family.

Frank was born in Nieglowice, Poland in 1951. He was the oldest of three children, growing up in rural Poland, walking to school and doing chores on the farm. He went on to train as a machinist and at 20 years old, he completed his two years of mandatory military service. He was drafted to the Honour Guard in Warsaw. After his service, he worked various jobs in Poland.

In 1976 he travelled to Chicago to visit his uncle Frank. While working at a Polish club, he picked up the bikini bottoms dropped by his future wife Sophie as she was leaving the pool change room, and returned them to her. This simple act led to a brief, long-distance romance. When Sophie returned in May 1977, they were married at Chicago City Hall and he followed her back to Canada. They were married for 45 years and have two beautiful daughters, Cynthia and Nicole.

He worked in construction in Cold Lake, and when they moved back to Winnipeg in 1983, he worked for Selkirk Wood building furniture. He carried this skill with him and built so many pieces of furniture for his family over the years. He found long term work at Boeing where he stayed for over 20 years until his retirement in 2016. He earned his GED in 2005, proving his commitment to life-long learning.

After his retirement, he joined Sophie volunteering at the North Centennial Senior’s Association. He was a passionate volunteer with the Grandma and Grandpa Swim Program. He was the honorary maintenance man, drove his friends to appointments, and made things for the club. He spent time travelling with his friends and family, hunting for wild mushrooms and blueberries, taking his grandsons on grand adventures, and truly embraced his community. He was recognized for his volunteerism in March 2025 with the King's Coronation medal.

He was predeceased by his wife Sophie; parents, Maria and Stanislaw Czajka; and his brother Adam. He leaves to mourn his passing his daughters, Cynthia and Nicole and their spouses, James and Kathy; his sister Irena and her husband Tadek; his grandsons, Connor, Logan, Matthew and Arthur; his extensive family in Poland and the United States; and many beloved friends, especially Barb Brown.

Dziadzio, thank you for all of the adventures.

His Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025, at the North Centennial Seniors Centre, 86 Sinclair Street, Winnipeg. Reception to follow.

We are grateful to Dr. Mendoza, Stephanie L. from CancerCare, the Palliative Care Team, and the MAiD Team, for their care and compassion

In lieu of flowers, if so desired, donations can be made to the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation or Craig's Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society.

Tribute Link at: www.alternacremation.ca

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 25, 2025