It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Tomasz Roman Fudakowski (Tom) on April 4, 2022. Tom was born in Penley, England in 1947 and immigrated with his family to Cowansville, Quebec at the age of two.
Tom was a man with one passion and that was flying. He obtained his private pilot’s license at the tender age of 16 and could fly a plane before he could drive a car.
He enjoyed a long career in air traffic services with Transport Canada and later with Nav Canada, first as an Air Traffic Controller in Montreal before moving on to Ottawa, Calgary, and back to Ottawa in various management positions. He was honoured to attend the National Defense College in Kingston, Ontario graduating in 1994.
In his retirement, his favourite pastime was chatting under the gazebo with his buddies at the Rockcliffe Flying Club. He was an enthusiastic volunteer grass cutter at the airport, which amusingly did not translate to his duties at home. Quebec Eastern Townshippers at heart, he and Cynthia often returned to reconnect with old friends and tour the beautiful part of Quebec where they grew up. Their far-flung travels also took them to Poland, Portugal, France, Spain, the USA and points beyond.
He is predeceased by his father Leon and brother Jacek (Marysia), survived by his mother Halina (nee Daszkowska) and sister Sophie. Tom is the beloved husband of 53 years to Cynthia (nee Allen), dear father of Amanda (Joel), Kristy and Emily. He is the proud grandfather of Avery, Samantha, Tommy and Adaira and uncle to Monika and Juan Sebastian. He will be missed by his family in Canada, Poland and around the world.
Heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff at the Ottawa General Hospital 6 East and the ICU.
A celebration of life will be held at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa on April 19 at 1:00pm.
*The family is requesting that all attendees wear face masks.*
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s honour to The Canada-Ukraine Foundation and/or The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.
Condolences and tributes may be made at www.beechwoodottawa.ca.
Digital Guestbook
Paul Tomascik
robert bromby
Saddened by the news. I recall Tom from CHS back in the 60's.
George (Jerzy) Domaradzki
My sympathies to Cynthia and his family. Until recently, Tom was the Chief Tow Pilot at our Rideau Valley Soaring Club. He was always very willing to help and so agreeable. Later on, he often flew in with his Piper Comanche to keep up relations, and we were always glad to see him. Such a sincere man. Rest in Peace, Tom
Jose Vivanco
My condolences to the family. I spent many a great summer evening under the RFC gazebo talking aviation with Tom. I’m going to miss him.
Ulrich Werneburg
Tom was a welcome mainstay of the Rideau Valley Soaring Club for many years as the Chief Tow Pilot. He was always a pleasure to talk to and had a wealth of knowledge about flying. A real gentleman. My sincere condolences to his family.
Trevor Duff
Tom will be greatly missed, a true gentleman and passionate aviator, I am thankful for the opportunity to know Tom. Condolences to Cynthia and family.
Tarrel Armstrong
Bob and I send our love, Cynthia, to you and the family to surround you at this time. I was barely out of high school when met you both. It seems like Tom was always in my life, with you. I will miss him very much.
Georgina (King)Cote-Christopher
Sorry for your loss, may he rest in Peace
Blake Reid
Enjoyed my time talking to Tom about airplanes under the gazebo at RFC. I found him to be very knowledgeable. Will miss you.
Hania Grabowski
My most sincere condolences in the loss of your beloved Tomasz to Marysia and Halina and the Fudakowski family. May he fly higher....
As a pilot, Tom loved chatting about flying, always looking to the sky and flying his beloved Piper Comanche. I knew him only briefly as a friend from the Rockcliffe Flying Club and enjoyed spending time with him chatting under the Gazebo. He will be missed. I’m so sorry for your loss. I will always think of him when I fly and see him as my wing man. God speed Tom.