JANUSZ WALERIAN KIELBUSIEWICZ

Janusz Walerian Kielbusiewicz was born on July 1, 1946, in Warburg, Germany, to his father Justyn Walerian Kielbusiewicz, an Army Lieutenant, and his mother Sofia Kielbusiewicz (née Musiat). As a baby, he and his family returned to Wrocław, Poland, settling in Księże Małe.

Like many young boys, Janusz was mischievous—pouring water out of windows onto unsuspecting neighbors and even cutting off little girls’ ponytails in class. Normal boyhood antics, as he would say. By the age of 16, he stood an impressive 6’4” yet was as skinny as a pole. Friends joked that a strong gust of wind could blow him over.

Janusz grew up in a loving family of five, though life was not always easy on a single income. He often shared stories of his mother making over a hundred pierogies at a time. Janusz and his younger brother Witek would devour most of them in minutes, while younger siblings Bolek and Ewa were rarely as lucky. When Janusz was about to be punished, he would retreat to his favorite hiding spot—the bathroom—locking the door until his mother calmed down. Only then would he emerge and ask sweetly, “Mommy, are you okay now?” He was a clever and charming boy.

At a young age, Janusz enlisted in the Army, an experience that proved to be one of the most difficult chapters of his life, leaving him with memories that stayed with him forever. His height was both a blessing and a challenge. Abnormally shy, it was hard for him to blend in while towering over everyone else.

Then one day, Janusz met the love of his life—Elżbieta “Ela” Kielbusiewicz (née Szoldra), a fiery, beautiful woman standing just five feet tall. They first met on a city train. Afterwards for a few days Janusz returned to that same train station, waiting for her. When she finally appeared, he followed her home, introduced himself to her parents, and told her plainly, “I’m going to marry you.” And he did. They were married on September 4, 1976.

Janusz was a dreamer with a deep fascination for the world—maps, globes, flags, and geography. He could name country capitals, the tallest mountains, the largest lakes, and population statistics with ease. His greatest dream, however, was to one day live in Canada.

On February 22, 1981, Janusz and Ela welcomed their son, Dominik. In 1986, seeking a better life, Janusz convinced Ela to leave Poland and move to Germany, later settling in Nuremburg hoping to obtain German citizenship since he had been born there. With only what they could carry, the three boarded a tour bus and left Poland, knowing it was a one-way journey. Family gathered to say goodbye.

Life in Germany was far more difficult than expected. They faced homelessness, sleeping in missions and wandering the streets for twelve hours each day. Yet Janusz never gave up. Through faith and determination, things slowly improved. A tireless worker, he took on any job he could—painting, moving furniture, and other physically demanding work. He never missed a day and never slept in. After four and a half years, despite all efforts, he was denied citizenship and faced a choice: return to Poland or start again somewhere new.

Thanks to the sponsorship of close friends Yola and Stan in Canada, Janusz’s lifelong dream finally came true. In 1991, the family moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba. There, Janusz eventually found steady work at Ancast Iron as a steel worker, where he remained until retiring at the remarkable age of 73.

Janusz embraced Canadian life fully. In the hot Winnipeg summers, he loved spending time at their trailer at Nutimik Lake, fishing from his boat, and later enjoying the family cabin at Awanipark. He rode his bike, kayaked, and most famously, rummaged through landfills and free giveaway weekends—believing wholeheartedly that one man’s trash was another man’s treasure. In Germany, these weekends were known as Szpery, and Janusz found everything from televisions to furniture, all in pristine condition.

You could often spot Janusz wearing his signature cowboy hat and crocodile cowboy boots, inspired by his love of American cowboy movies. Though shy by nature, he secretly enjoyed the attention they brought him.

Janusz also had a passion for music and became a DJ, spinning Polish Disco Polo, Latin music, and techno EDM at the Polish Sokol Club in St. Boniface. When he wasn’t behind the turntables, he was on the dance floor, moving like Elvis.

Despite his strength, Janusz was famously clumsy—breaking legs, ribs, his nose, burning an eye, almost being suffocated to death my fumes in a basement while working and even surviving bee attacks. Yet through every accident, he persevered.

After losing his beloved wife Ela to cancer in 2015, Janusz could not find true happiness again. Though he continued living and staying active, life without Ela was never the same. She remained the love of his life.

Janusz was an extraordinary father to Dominik. At every gathering, he could be found playing with Dominik and the neighborhood children.  He was also the only 45-year-old father in the neighborhood playing hours of soccer each day with all the children. He offered wisdom freely, and a phone call with Janusz could make any problem feel manageable.

He loved his daughter-in-law Krista, always listening attentively and responding warmly with his favorite phrase: “Yes, Krista!” especially when she offered health and wellness advice.

One of Janusz’s greatest joys later in life was his granddaughter Victoria and his little dog Rex He proudly influenced both her first and middle names through his guidance and life experience. He cherished visits to Vancouver Island, where he would dance and sing with her, hike together, and play instruments. Their laughter lives on through treasured videos.

In recent years, Janusz bravely battled dementia, fighting it every day until it eventually overtook him and led to further health challenges.

Janusz passed away peacefully on December 30 at 11:45 p.m. at the Maples Care Home.

He will be deeply missed by his son Dominik, daughter-in-law Krista, and granddaughter Victoria; his brother Witek and sister-in-law Ewa; brother Bolek and Daniella; sister Eva  ; Cousin Margaret and Mark; close friend Julie; and many other family members and friends.

The family extends heartfelt thanks for all the love the staff at the Maples Care Home and Amber Meadow’s for the exceptional care they provided Janusz—and his beloved dog Rex—in his final months.

Known affectionately as Perla and Szperek, Janusz was truly one of a kind. He will be missed every single day.

We loved you so much. God bless your soul, our sweet tall man. 💙

You can shed tears that he is gone

Or you can smile because he has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him

Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember him and only that he is gone

Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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