Genealogy

Franciszek Ryszard Zwierzchowski was born on June 19, 1920 in Lomza, Poland. The son of Jan Zwierzchowski and Janina Ozarofska, he was the second of five children: Wanda, Frank, Jurek, Marta and Waldek.

Frank joined the war effort when the Nazis invaded Poland, lying about his age in order to join.

He was captured by the Germans in Libya during the Battle for Tobruk on Christmas Eve, and brought to Italiy.

It was while he was interned in a prisoner of war camp, from across the fence, that he first took notice of the lovely young lady that would become his wife.

With a natural talent for learning languages, he learned German so well that he convinced them he was an interpreter, and used this ruse to walk out of the camp. Frank spoke 9 languages throughout his life.

The third time he escaped from a prisoner of war camp, he was harbored by one of the heads of the Underground movement. As it turns out, that man also happened to be uncle to Lucia Lombardo, the lovely young lady that Frank had so admired.

As an escaped prisoner, Frank had to stay on the move; so he and Lucia eloped on September 24, 1944. Tragically they lost their first two infants in their first year of life.

Once the war had ended, they moved to England, where they lived for seven years in the same town as Frank’s brother, Jurek.

Their son Richard was born in 1947. In 1952, Lucia’s brother Orazio convinced his family to join him in the Land of Opportunity, Canada. The couple arrived with $10 in their pockets. Frank began doing odd jobs as a painter to support his young family. In 1954, their daughter Sonia was born.

Meanwhile, Lucia began taking on small sewing jobs from home. This would eventually pave the way to opening up their clothing manufacture in 1961, which they ran successfully together for over twenty years.

Their son George was born in 1958. And three years after buying their family home, their daughter Miriam was born in 1966.

Frank was a proud Nonno to seven grandchildren - Nadia, Lidia, Frankie, Jenny, Sarah, Sophie and Anthony; And bis-Nonno to four great-grandchildren – Olivia, Noah, Angelina and Mateo, with the fifth one, Hannah, on the way.

Frank’s family was his pride and joy, and he was unconditionally devoted to them. He was the rock on which everyone could lean, and the glue that kept them together. He was most content when his loved ones were near him and happy.

His wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and many friends could always count on him. He was an endless source of wisdom, love, comfort and laughter. Frank’s sense of humor and wit were some of his trademarks.

But he will be remembered most for his absolute selflessness and tremendous generosity. Always putting the needs of others first, his home and his arms were always open to everyone.

Frank was a true gentleman. He exuded chivalry, dignity, decency and compassion. We honour his memory by remembering him not with tears but with a smile, and by reaching out to one another the way he always did.