We Remember
INDELAK, Iwo
November 16, 1934 — March 5, 2023
Our beloved Iwo Indelak, born November 16, 1934, in Sosnowiec, Poland, passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023, in the arms of his loving wife at his home in Kelowna, British Columbia. He was predeceased by his parents Edmund Indelak and Romana Indelak from the house of Rzadkiewicz; his sister Hania Indelak; and his aunt Maria Indelak. He is survived and deeply missed by his wife Teresa Indelak, whom he was married to for 51 years; two sons, Zbigniew and Michal Indelak; and two grandchildren, Jade Batt and Victor Indelak.
Educated as a Civil Engineer in Krakow, Iwo has worked on many large infrastructure projects in Poland, Algeria, and Canada. He finished his long and successful career with Stantec Engineering in Edmonton, AB in 2012 and leaves his professional legacy behind in the form of highways, bridges, and rail systems that are in use today.
In his early adulthood, Iwo enjoyed hiking in Polish Bieszczady and climbing the Tatra Mountains. He carried his love for mountains, hiking, travel and adventure throughout the rest of his life, immigrating to Canada and eventually retiring in the mountain valley city of Kelowna. To the very end, he enjoyed hiking or riding his mountain bike, which he did as much as the weather and his energy allowed.
As a personal hobby, Iwo cultivated a deep interest in European history and enjoyed reflecting on it in the context of current events. To that end, for several years in the 1990s and early 2000s he was the author of Spotkania z Historią (encounters with history) column in the Polish Panorama magazine (polishpanorama.com) published in print and aired on the Edmonton Polish Radio. After retiring to Kelowna in 2012, he resumed writing in his Felietony Emigranta (emigrant columns) blog (blog.felietonyemigranta.pl). He was an active member of the Polish Cultural Society in both Edmonton and Kelowna, and taught history in Polish Saturday school in Kelowna. His deep insights and thoughtful reflections on history and current events, and his engagement in the cultural life of local Polish communities has earned him great love and respect from other members of these communities.
Iwo was a godly man. He always kept Lord Jesus in his heart and, as the bible teaches us, he loved a fellow human being; strived to understand rather than judge; and was always patient, kind, and quick to forgive. He took on life’s hardships as they came and carried his cross, as small or large as it may have been, without complaint. He was the kind of man who lived rather than preached the gospel every day yet eagerly engaged in religious discussions. He would always find ways to explain and apply the Word of God in the context of today’s complex world and in a way that would resonate with the younger generation. He really was a perfect husband, father, and grandfather. He will always be remembered for his selfless and unconditional love and kindness, and will continue to live in our hearts and memories, cherished as the incredible man that he was.
A Funeral Mass, with Father Cerlouie Jiminez and Father Wladyslaw Karciarz presiding, will be held on THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2023, at 11:00 AM, at IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, 839 Sutherland Ave, Kelowna, BC. A reception will follow Mass, after the reception interment will take place mid-afternoon at St Charles Garnier Columbarium, 3645 Benvoulin Rd, Kelowna, BC.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Service
THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2023, at 11:00 AM
Location
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH
It’s with sadness I’m writing this condolence. I remember hearing stories of Iwo who was the baby cousin. My grandfather Zbigniew and his sister, my Ciotka Wanda would speak about their childhood fondly. He was quite a bit younger altho they always kept him in high regard. Love to all the family, He sounds like he had a good life and was a brilliant man. We will light a candle here in London on the day of the funeral in remembrance. Xxx
Tereniu, wiadomość o śmierci Iwa poruszyła nasze serca i ciężko nam zebrać słowa po takiej tragedii.
Sercem, myślami i modlitwą jesteśmy z Tobą i Twoimi bliskimi.
Pogrążeni w smutku: Danuta i Janusz oraz Beata i Michał Chmurzyńscy.
IWO BYŁEŚ WIELKI SERCEM I WSPANIAŁYM CZŁOWIEKIEM. NA ZAWSZE POZOSTANIESZ W NASZEJ PAMIĘCI!
It was so very sad to hear the news that Iwo had passed away. He was our late father’s first cousin and reminded us very much of him; his gentleness, kindness, empathy, generosity of spirit and interest in people and the world in general.
We first met Iwo in 1966 on our first visit to Poland and remember especially seeing the house where his grandmother and, after her, his mother, ran their school. Plus a lovely trip into the Tatra mountains. Iwo then came to visit us in the UK in 1967. After that the families kept in touch over the years via letters and then email and social media. We saw him for the last time when we visited Canada in 2014 and stayed with Iwo and Teresa for some days.
We still have lots of information and images from Iwo about the history of both our families and of Poland, and we will be forever grateful to him for his enthusiasm and generosity in sharing these.
Rest in peace, Iwo. you will be very much missed.
Iwonka i Ela Rzadkiewicz
My deepest sympathy. I am so sorry to hear your loss. If more people were like You Iwo there would be more reasons to celebrate each day, Tereniu and family, please accept my condolences, my heart goes out to everyone who loved Iwo. He will be deeply missed.
Urszula
Terenia, przyjmij nasze wyrazy glebokiego zalu i smutku z powodu odjscia najblizszej Ci osoby. Iwo byl nam bardzo bliski i bedziemy bardzo tesknic za jego spokojem duszy i dobrocia. Jestesmy myslami i w modlitwie z Toba, Michalem i Zbyszkiem.
Odpoczywaj w Pokoju Iwo.
Droga Teresko.Bardzo przykro slyszec nam ta wiadomosc. Ciezko uslyszec,ze ktos znajomy odchodzi.Dobrze ze moglismy sie jeszcze spotkac razem w Kelowna. Iwo pozostanie w naszej pamieci jako mila,spokojna osoba.Wieczny odpoczynek racz mu dac Panie.Zapalimy swiatelko w naszym domu w Edmonton.
Serdeczne kondolencje dla calej rodziny. Iwo byl dobrym czlowiekim I zaslozyl miejsce u Pana Boga w wiecznosci. Wieczny odpoczynek racz mu dac Panie.
Tereniu jestesmy zaszokowani wiadomoscia ze Iwa nie ma juz wsrod nas . Condolence dla calej rodziny . Mamy nadzieje ze Piekne wsomnienia z chwil przezytych razem zlagodza bol po JEGO stracie.
Teresa i Andrzej
Z całego serca współczuję Pani, Pani Tereso oraz całej Rodzinie. Jest mi ogromnie przykro. Miałem szczęście poznać Iwo i współpracować z nim w Panoramie Polskiej. Był człowiekiem przyjacielskim i otwartym, zawsze szukającym tego, co łączy i zbliża ludzi. Mając lekkie pióro, dzielił się swoimi obserwacjami otaczającego świata w swoich felietonach, które były stałym elementem Panoramy i miały wielu czytelników. Czekało się na kolejny tekst. Iwo dawał przykład, co to znaczy być człowiekiem tolerancyjnym i otwartym wobec innych. Zgoda i porozumienie były dla niego ważnymi wartościami. Wiele się od niego nauczyłem i przechowam w pamięci czas wspólnie spędzony. Niech Bóg obdarzy go życiem wiecznym, a Jego Rodzinę wesprze i pokrzepi.