Eugeniusz (Eugene) Gawor

Eugeniusz (Eugene) Gawor would like to wish you all a Happy Birthday. This is one of his favourite sayings, and he would text his family daily with this special greeting in the last months of his life. To him, life was sacred, and every day of life was a rebirth, a new beginning.

His life began in humble circumstances in a small village in Poland and he leaves it, impacting many around the world. He was born on April 2, 1945, in Chotel Czerwony, and passed away 78 years later, on Sept 13, 2023, in Calgary. Educated as a Mechanical Engineer in Poland, he emigrated with his family to Canada in 1982.  Settling in Calgary, he would spend the next 30+ years applying his expertise all around the world, rising to the rank of Primary Principal Engineer in the oil and gas industry. Extremely hard-working, ambitious, and multi-talented, he would seek out opportunities to apply his knowledge and expertise globally. He worked in Poland, Alberta, the Middle East, and Japan. He was deeply attached to family, enjoying camping, traveling, and get-togethers with the extended family. He cared about his family dearly and will continue to watch over the family from heaven. A devout man of faith, he was driven by the leadership and example of his hero, the former Pope, John Paul II.

He was a tireless volunteer and leader in the Calgary community from early on, first helping immigrants find work placements through the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, devoting his time assisting the Polish Catholic and Holy Spirit churches. He served as President of the Polish Canadian Cultural Centre and also volunteered in other roles. He helped establish the John Paul II Foundation in Canada and the Middle East, and following the Pope’s example, was a passionate pro-life advocate. He volunteered at hospitals, the Kerby Centre, and at Heritage Park and made friends everywhere.

He loved the outdoors and sports, partaking in tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, and kayaking. An avid traveler, he explored places with his family throughout Europe, North America, and Asia. He was wise, extremely generous, and selfless, and as tough as they come. We joked he had more lives than a cat, as he survived at least 4 major accidents in life: surviving a near-death experience in his first month of life, then a helicopter crash in his 50s, and being hit and run over on two separate occasions while walking or biking, this in his 70s. Given three months to live, he fought cancer for two years.

The second-born of five children, he was predeceased by sister Irena who passed away as an infant, his parents, Boleslaw and Marianna, and brother Leszek, all in Poland. He is survived by his wife, Zofia, his sisters, Jozefa and Janina, his children, Mariusz (Magdalena), Janusz (Kasia), Anya (David), and his 4 grandchildren, Victoria, and Julia (Janusz), Michelle (Mariusz) and Sophie (Anya).

Prayer service will be held at Evan J. Strong Funeral Services (5502 2 Street SW) on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.  Funeral Services, will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church (2111 Uxbridge Dr. NW) on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 11:00 am. Photos, memories, and condolences may be shared with Eugeniusz’s family on the tribute wall.

In place of flowers, please make a donation in his name to the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary at https://www.albertacancer.ca/ 

He will be deeply missed by everyone that knew him.

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