Joseph Skarzenski passed away in Ottawa on August 6th, 2024, at the age of 91. He was the loving husband of Danièle (née Large) for 67 years and a devoted father to Catherine, Anne and Dominique (Russ Phillips) and proud grandfather to Alexander, Jonathan (Karine Makhijani Malagon), Joshua, Maya and Marek. He was predeceased by his two sisters Zofia and Mary; and leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews.
Joseph was born in Krakow, Poland in 1933, and was deported to Siberia as a child with his mother and two sisters. His journey continued for five years in an orphanage in India, followed by years in England where he met Danièle. After working as an engineer, he emigrated to Canada in 1957, where he later built a successful manufacturing company.
This extraordinary journey shaped him into a generous, empathetic, entrepreneurial, sharp witted and humble individual.
He recently published his memoir Marek’s Coat. Joseph was truly inspirational to so many.
Friends are invited to gather at the Sacred Space of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa on Monday August 19th after 12 noon. Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. followed by a reception.
Music was a big part of Joseph’s life, we encourage you to attend a music concert of your choice in his memory in lieu of flowers or donations.
Digital Guestbook
Mirjam Clemann
Mirjam Clemann
Chère Daniele
Mes pensées sont avec toi dans ces moments tristes et difficiles.
Je t‘embrasse en profunde amitié.
Mirjam .
Jean et Michelle Roy
Danièle et la famille,
Nos pensées sont avec vous dans ces moments difficiles.
Dominique Laniel
Chère Nika, mes sincères condoléances à toi et ta famille. Mes pensées et prières vous accompagnent.
Mayra Malagon de Makhijani
Dear Skarzenski family, It is with great sadness that we learned about the demise of Mr. Joe Skarzenski. Even though we only met him once, and were the lucky receivers of his and Mrs.Skarzenski's kind hospitality, We have known him through Catherine and Jonathan who have inherited his amazing energy and kindness. As many people of his times, that lived through a very tumultuous and dark period of our history and managed to find the resilience to built a prosperous life in a new country. Joe remains an example of a life well lived, and left a a big mark in the hearts of all that he met. May you rest in peace. You will continue to live in your daughters and grandchildren and in all the descendants to come. On behalf of the Makhijani-Malagon family, we embrace you all.
Jadwiga Jaworska-Adamu
Kuzynka z Jastkowa
Mary MacKinnon
We have been neighbours for many years and share mutual friends, whom we thank for bringing us together. Joe and Danielle have enriched our time at Canal 111 with their warmth and wit. We will miss Joe and send condolences to Danielle.
Josette Couture
Toutes nos pensées vous accompagnent chers amis. Perdre un être cher est toujours tellement triste.... Que notre affection puisse vous apporter un peu de réconfort en ces moments difficiles.
Josette, Michel, Pascal, Joël et Emmanuel
Corinne Phillips Fardy
I’m so grateful to have met Joe. He was a great man.
Igor, Marzena and Aleksander Modelski
It is with deepest sadness that we have recived this news.
Józek has shown that in a family which cares for each other you can withstand any storm; and has planted and grown this care for the family in his family.
We will miss him and his example, and we share the grief of his passing.
Chère Daniele
Mes pensées sont avec toi dans ces moments tristes et difficiles.
Je t'embrasse en profonde amitié.
Mirjam