April / May 2017, Polish American News - Page 6 Historic Refl ections Continued • April / May Walter Joseph Wojcik May 7, 1949 – March 16, 2017 April 9, 1241 - Henry II the Pious (Died) A dedicated member of Philadelphia’s Polish- Henry II the Pious (Polish: Henryk II Pobozny), American community, Walter Joseph Wojcik went was a Piast Duke of Silesia (Wroclaw), Krakow and to his eternal reward on Thursday, March 16, Southern Greater Poland from 1238 until his death. 2017 after struggling with pancreatic cancer. During 1238 - 1239 he served as a regent of two Walter graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High Piast Duchies: Sandomierz and Opole-Raciborz. School and Drexel University. In his professional life, he worked as a mechanical engineer for the April 10, 1943 - Andrzej Badenski (Born) Department of Defense. He inspected fi refi ghting systems on US Naval war ships including numerous battleships and Andrzej Badenski won a bronze medal in the 400 meter aircraft carriers. His work conducting safety inspections on US ships race in the Tokyo Olympics. took him to Japan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Italy, and other places. Walt was a passionate advocate of Polish causes and a member April 11, 1877 - Tomasz Arciszewski (Born) of several Polish-American organizations including the Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia, the Kosciuszko Foundation, In 1944, Tomasz Arciszewski became the Prime Minister and the Associated Polish Home. He was also a supporter of the of the Polish Government-in-Exile in London, England. Polish American Cultural Center and Museum on Walnut Street in In this position he was adamantly opposed to having Philadelphia. An avid musician, he was a devoted member of the new boundaries and a new Communist government Polish-American String Band for nearly 15 years, playing saxophone imposed on Poland. and serving as Publicity Director. Walt was inducted into the Polish- April 12, 1973 - Krzysztof Oliwa (Born) American String Band Hall of Fame. Since young adulthood, Walt Krzysztof Oliwa, born in Tychy, Poland, was an NHL played with The Tempos, a band founded by his uncle, Walter hockey player for the NJ Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, Seternus. Upon his uncle’s death, Walt assumed leadership of the NY Rangers, Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames. band and entertained at countless church functions, weddings, Krzysztof Oliwa, known as the “Polish Hammer”, anniversaries, and other social events. Walt and his family supported always played a very physical game of hockey. He is the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa and volunteered currently involved with the Polish National Hockey annually at the shrine’s Polish-American Festival. Program. Walter and his wife, Teresa, were married in 1973 at St. Ladislaus Church in Nicetown. They were married for 44 years. They moved April 13, 1872 - Jan Szczepanik (Born) to Bensalem and joined St. Ephrem Church, where both served as Jan Szczepanik was a Polish inventor who held several Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist for several years. Walt and hundred patents and made over 50 discoveries, many Teresa initiated the Polish Dinner at St. Ephrem fi ve years ago. of which are still used today in the motion picture Walter was a devoted husband, loving father, and cherished industry, photography and television. Jan Szczepanik grandfather. He was friendly and joyful, with an ever-present smile also worked on airplanes, helicopters and submarines. and unceasing positive attitude. Walt always thought the best of everyone and was unfailingly kind and forgiving. He lived by the saying, “One enemy is too many and you can never have enough April 14, 1895 - Wiktor Labunski (Born) friends.” Wiktor Labunski, a Polish pianist His legacy of love for his Polish heritage will live on in his four and composer, was the director of the children: Teresa, Marie (Alfred J. Wolanin, III), Wladziu, and Julia Kansas City Conservatory in Missouri (Daniel Clifton), and fi ve grandchildren: Natalie, Stanley, and from 1941 to 1958. Among his many Genevieve Wolanin, and Noah and Jacob Clifton. musical accomplishments, Wiktor Labunski received an honorary Doctorate Wieczny odpoczynek racz Mu dac Panie, a swiatlosc wiekuista niechaj Degree from the Curtis Music Institute Mu swieci na wieki wiekow. Niech odpoczywa w pokoju wiecznym. of Philadelphia and was also a guest conductor of the Warsaw Amen. Philharmonic. Tomaszewski Funeral Home April 15, 1865 - Olga Boznanska (Born) Olga Boznanska was a prominent Polish painter who was awarded the Order of Polonia Restituta in 1938. She is known for her famous portrait called Girl with Chrysanthemums. April 16, 1935 - Bobby Vinton (Born) Bobby Vinton is the popular singer and entertainer, Edward C. Tomaszewski, Inc. Funeral Home who proudly celebrates his Polish American heritage. My Melody of Love is one of the many recordings 2728-30 East Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19134-5999 associated with Bobby Vinton. (215) 739-6624 Create and Save American Jobs online at: April 17, 1025 - Boleslaw Chrobry (Crowned) Boleslaw Chrobry was King of Poland in 1025. He MadeInAmericaStore.com is known as Boleslaw the Brave for uniting and protecting the territories of Poland. He was a member For Store Locations of the Piast Dynasty. and Hours, Call us at: 1-800-284-0384 April 18, 1988 - Mary Angela Truszkowska (Beatifi ed) Mary Angela Truszkowska founded the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice, the Felicians. Today the Sisters are engaged in education, health care, social service and pastoral services. Blessed Mary Angela was beatifi ed April 18, 1988 by Pope John Paul II. April 19, 1943 - Warsaw Ghetto Uprising The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was another major resistance against the Nazi troops who brutally occupied Poland during World War II. Visit the Polish American Cultural Center Museum online at: PolishAmericanCenter.com.