Andrzej Bogumil Zaleski – Biographical Details

Andrzej Bougmił Zaleski was born on Dec. 20, 1938 in Warsaw, Poland where he remained with his mother through WW II. His father, Eligiusz,escaped to Britain with the Polish Air Force in 1939. Initially Andrzej remained in Warsaw with his Mother and two grandmothers. They then moved to the countryside outside Warsaw where they remained to the end of the war. Andrzej and his Mother, Janina, made their way to England in 1946 reuniting with his father.

Andrzej’s life path took him to Argentina in 1948 and then the family immigrated to Canada in 1958 where they settled down in Toronto. His professional career began with the Canadian Admiral Corporation and Beach Appliances which had him working across Canada. He changed careers from appliance sales to become the President of White Farm Equipment in Brantford in 1978. Another career change was effected when in 1982 Andrew joined Trimac Transportation Services in Calgary as Vice-President and General Manager, retiring in 2001 as President / CEO and went on to serve on a number of Boards, including Trimac’s Board of Directors.

In the early 1960s, Andrzej’s father bought land on Lake Kaminiskeg. In the early years, the family spent summer vacations in the two room cabin and in cottages in the surrounding area. Ursula was actively involved in the Polish scouts summer camps. Upon the death of their parents, Andrzej and his brother, Konrad, split the parcel of land into two. In 2003 Andrzej and Ursula built a summer home on the land adjacent to his brother’s cottage. They enjoyed many summers hosting family and friends, and travelled during winter months.

Andrzej’s passions outside his work were rugby, tennis and history, especially World War II and Poland. Having lived through the war as a young child instilled in him a need to learn as much as he could about WW II and Poland’s history. This resulted in Andrzej acquiring an extensive library of both English and Polish books. One of his interests was the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. His aunt, Zofia Proszek, nee Siemaszko, had been a S/Sergeant in the Home Army involved with a clandestine radio station. Andrzej would read something about the Uprising and then question his aunt for more details. His interest was insatiable. Andrzej was a strong believer in “truth to power”. He would spend hours discussing the subtleties of how an author may not have quite depicted an historical fact correctly. A major concern of Andrzej’s centred on how history books portrayed the unfolding of the Warsaw Uprising, and how the Soviet army refused to help the people of Warsaw in their futile attempt to take the city from the Germans.

Andrzej spent years thinking how he could ensure that the history of the Warsaw Uprising, 1944 needed to be accurately written so those visiting the “Szare Szergi” (Grey Ranks) Monument on Old Barry’s Bay Road would know the history behind the striking monument. He finally reached out to the Polish Scouting Association in Canada and offered to fund a new information board to that effect. Andrzej belongs to the exclusive club of “true patriots”.

Andrzej’s other passion was good food and wine. He considered himself to be “Master Chef” on the BBQ, enjoyed fine wines and dining wherever he was. Andrzej’s story is truly one of success – coming to Canada as a young immigrant who worked his way up to President of a major international transportation service.

On April 1, 2022 Andrzej Zaleski passed away peacefully at his home in Calgary, with his wife Ursula and son Bohdan at his side. He leaves his daughters, Tamara (Doug Jones) and Renata, his brother Konrad (Helena), his nephew Andrew (April) and great-nephews Eli and Cole. As well, his grandsons Mark (Tori) and Derek, great-grandsons Evan, Skyler and Stefan, his favourite cousin, Iwona Proszek-Mooney (Marv) and extended family in Poland.

A Celebration of Life service was held in Calgary on May 3, Poland’s Constitution Day befitting a true Polish patriot. A private celebration service was held at Spectacle Lake Lodge on July 16.

Prepared by Iwona Proszek-Mooney

September 26, 2022

Additional information:

Zaleski receives national distinction by Truck News November 29, 2001 OTTAWA, Ont.

A man of integrity and vision, is how the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) describes Andrew Zaleski, previous president of Calgary-based Trimac Transportation Services. Zaleski is this year’s recipient of the CTA/Trailmobile Service to Industry Award, recognizing an individual making an outstanding contribution to the development and success of the truck transportation industry. The award will be presented at Ottawa’s National Press Club in conjunction with a reception held by the Alliance.

Best known for his previous job, Zaleski receives national distinction when Zaleski stepped down from this position earlier this year, he was simultaneously appointed to Trimac’s board of directors. Zaleski began his career at Trimac Transportation Services as vicepresident and general manager of the company’s Canadian operations. In just over a year he rose to president of the company and, in 1986, he also assumed responsibility for the company’s U.S. trucking operations. Trimac’s revenues grew from $100 million to approximately $700 million over the 19 years of Andrew Zaleski’s leadership.

A native of Poland, Zaleski and his wife Ursula make their home in Calgary. The couple has three adult children — Tamara, Bohdan and Renata.

The Unveiling of New Information Boards at the “Grey Ranks” Monument

Why is the Szare Szeregi “Grey Ranks” monument on Old Barry’s Bay Road so important in Poland’s history? What is its significance to the Polish scouting movement?

In 1994 the monument was officially opened to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. Some historians consider the Warsaw Uprising as one of Poland’s key battles in WW II. Thinking that Soviet troops positioned across the Vistula River would come to their assistance, the call to arms was made on August 1, 1944 when the Polish Home Army with minimum firearms and aided by civilians of Warsaw went out into the streets in one last heroic attempt to overcome their German occupiers. No such assistance materialized and the Allies were also denied landing rights to bring in much-needed supplies. Given the terrible loss of human lives, Polish General Komorowski ordered the insurgents to surrender. The Warsaw Uprising ended on October 3, 1944 having lasted 63 days.

The Polish scouting movement was strong and well-organized in Poland before the war. Their distinctive light-grey uniforms provided their moniker of Szare Szeregi, the “Grey Ranks”. When WW II broke out they quickly organized auxiliary fire and ambulance units in key Polish cities. They also set up a clandestine arm which worked directly with the Polish Underground forces. They assisted in handling communications among various entities, established armed units and helped wherever they could. Being young they could easily slip in/out of areas with little suspicion.

The monument on Old Barry’s Bay Road honours those Polish Scouts, male and female, who perished and/or who fought so gallantly at such a young age. There is a story that needs to be shared with all who visit so they can better understand what happened in those fateful 63 days. Visitors can walk up steps bearing the names of the various Warsaw districts where the “Grey Ranks” operated alongside civilians and the Polish Home Army. Bricks and an authentic manhole cover were donated by the City of Warsaw to be incorporated into the structure when it was erected in 1994.

 History has tried to obfuscate what happened in the last few weeks of the Uprising. Andrzej Zaleski, a seasonal resident, who passed away in April, 2022 felt he had to do something so visitors could learn about the significance of the monument. On October 8, 2022 new “information boards” were officially unveiled that tell that story in pictures, maps and words. Over 100 people attended the unveiling ceremony. Present were senior ranking members of the Polish Scouting Association in Canada, Polish Boy and Girl Scouts who were having a camping weekend, family and friends. Unfortunately Ursula Zaleski, Andrew’s wife who herself served many years in the Polish scouting movement, was not able to attend.. The Toronto-based TV program, Polish Studio, filmed the event which will be featured in an upcoming show.

A special thank you to the Polish Scouting Association in Canada which undertook the task of preparing the information boards with the assistance of historians at the University of Toronto, the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising 1944 located in Warsaw, Poland, and the many volunteers who refurbished the monument and handled the physical installation of the boards.

Thanks to Andrzej Zaleski’s generous donation, through the new information boards, visitors can learn and appreciate the role of the “Szare Szeregi” in the Warsaw Uprising 1944.

Czuwaj! Be prepared!

Comments for the Unveiling of the Information Boards

Niestety, Ula, żona śp. Andrzeja Zaleskiego, nie może brać udziału w dzisiejszych obchodach. Konrad, brat Andrzeja, jest z nami. Konrad był długoletmnim członkiem harcerstwa. Ich ojciec, Eligiusz Zaleski, był jednym z założycieli szczepu Bałtyk.

Unfortunately, Ula, widow of Andrzej Zaleski, was unable to attend today’s ceremonies. Konrad, Andrzej’s brother and himself a long-serving members of the Polish Scouts, is here. Their father, Eligiusz Zaleski, was one of the founding members of the Baltic sea scouts.

Members of the Polish Scouting Association in Canada, family and friends. Today’s unveiling of new information boards at the ‘SZARE SZERGI” monument is an important milestone in the history of the monument which was erected in 1994 to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising.

Polish scouts had a crucial role in the Uprising, acting as couriers, go-betweens, doing anything they could to help the Home Army, Armia Krajowa, try to overcome the Nazi occupiers. It is befitting that this monument stands in the soccer field of the Polish scout camp in Barry’s Bay to honour those who perished, who fought so gallantly at such a young age.

Andrzej Bogumił Zaleski lived through the war as a young child in Warsaw. He believed that “truth to power” needed to be the foundation of the information that today we read on these boards. History has tried to obfuscate what happened in the last few weeks of the Uprising as Soviet troops refused to cross the Wisla River to help the people of Warsaw, and how the Soviets refused to give landing rights to Allied airmen trying to bring in supplies.

In the summer of 2021Andrzej was showing a young couple the highlights of Madawaska Valley and area. At the monument he told the young couple about its history. They were most interested, questioning why there was no information available to inform visitors about the meaning behind the monument.

That was enough for Andrzej to move forward on his intentions as noted in his Last Will and Testament. In his patriotic fervor, Andrzej wanted visitors to the monument to understand what really happened in 1944. In my last conversation on March 31, 2022 I told Andrzej that the work on the information boards was well underway and that the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising in Warsaw, Poland was involved in providing actual photographs and information. To that end, he achieved his dream, albeit too late to see the outcome in person.

I am proud to have been associated with this initiative, to have met the original team that erected the monument and then returned this past September to undertake the installation and repairs. For me this initiative was personal. Andrzej’s aunt, my mother, Zofia-Hanka Siemaszko, pseudonym “Hanka”, S/Sgt in the Armia Krajowa, was a member of a clandestine radio station. For her this monument was a testament to those who fought so bravely, only to be betrayed by a so-called ally.

Przekazuję serdeczne podziękowanie w imieniu śp. Andrzeja Zaleskiego dla Związku Harcerswta w Kanadzie za to, że podjęli ten projekt, a szczególnie:

• Staszek Reitmeier, Przewodniczący Zarządu Okręgu Związku Harcerstwa Polskiego w Kanadzie
• Iwona Piotrowska, Okręgowa Kierowniczka Organizacji Starszego Harcerstwa, ZHP Kanada
• Małgorzata Sobolewska, Okręgowa Kierowniczka OPH Kanada
• Hanna Szlendak, Szczep Zorza i Warszawa, Scarborough

• Staszek Reitmeir, Chairman of the National branch of the Polish Scouting Association in Canada
• Iwona Piotrowoska, Regional Chairman of the Older Scouting Organization, Polish Scouting Assocation, Canada
• Malgorzata Sobolewska, Regional Chairman of the Friends of the Polish Scouts in Canada
• Hanna Szlenda, member of the Zorza and Warsaw troops, Scarborough

To those of us whose heritage is Polish, whose parents, relatives fought in the Warsaw Uprising, this monument is a tribute to the fortitude, perseverance and resilience of those “Szare Szergi” we honour today.

Thank you.

Iwona Proszek-Mooney

October 8, 2022