Raymond was born in Wilanow, Poland on
July 19, 1920 where the foundations of his life
began. In 1941 Raymond sacrificed his
freedom to help his brother escape from the
Gestapo. He was sent to Auschwitz where he
was known as prisoner 12623. After four
years he became one of the longest surviving
prisoners in Auschwitz – Buchenwald. Freed
by U.S. troops while on the Buchenwald death
march, he was down to just 90 pounds.
While living in Germany as a displaced person
he met Jadwiga who became his wife. In 1949
they immigrated to Canada to start a new life
and begin his service to his community. His
contributions and the honors he received are
numerous including the Pro Memorial medal
for the Republic of Poland and the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee Medal. Despite all the
horrors he endured, he harbored no hatred in
his heart and always recognized how truly
blessed he was, never losing faith in God. He
served as a lesson to what it means to live
honorably and to find strength in the darkest
of places.
A Prayer Service will be held
at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 24, 2018 at
Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home, 10011-114
Street, Edmonton. Funeral Mass will take
place on Friday, May 25 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy
Rosary Parish, 11485-106 Street, Edmonton.
Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
the Polish Canadian Humanitarian Society,
4507-190 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6M 2S9.
More info: http://www.polandpolska.org/auschwitz/pierzchajlo.htm
