Jozef Palimaka

The remarkable life of Jozef Palimaka has come to a peaceful close at his home in Port Lambton on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Jozef, son of Jan and Wiktoria (Zielinska), was born on May 9, 1926 in rural Poland near Krakow before the family moved to Eastern Poland (now Ukraine). At the outbreak of World War II, his family was torn from their home by the Russian Army, starting a treacherous journey that passed through the Siberian Gulags, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iran before he joined the Polish Air Force and trained as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic in Palestine. In England, Jozef was eventually assigned to the famed Polish 303 Squadron. In 1955, Jozef and his wife Franciszka moved from England to Canada. Jozef was honoured to be Canadian and was proud to raise their family in a peaceful land. Settling in Wallaceburg, he honed his skill as a tool and die maker and co-founded Five Star Tool & Die Ltd. Jozef had an inquiring mind and he worked hard in order to ensure his children and grandchildren had every opportunity for higher education. Jozef took great pride in his Polish heritage and was a dedicated volunteer at the Polish Club in Chatham for many years. He was a dedicated member of the Polish Combatant’s Association and was elevated by the Polish Airforce to the rank of honorary Lieutenant. Jozef is predeceased by his beloved wife Franciszka (1995). He is survived by his brother Ken (Fila), and predeceased by his sister Helena (Ken) and brother Lou (Elizabeth). He is predeceased by his beloved daughter Renee, and he will be sadly missed by his children: John (the late Connie Johnson) along with Connie’s granddaughter Maggie; Richard and his partner Gale West along with his children Emily, Stefan and Katherine; Wesley and his wife Christine along with their daughter Jacqueline; Christopher; Zenia VanRuymbeke (the late Marshal) along with their children Jennifer and Tim; Alex and his wife Leslie along with their children Natalie, Megan and Dean. Jozef was loved by his great-grandchildren Madilyn, Seth, Evelyn, Autumn, Evan, and Matilda. Jozef has been recognized by the Polish Government with the Gold Cross of Merit, the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Poland Restituta, the Siberian Exiles Cross and he was scheduled to receive the Golden Medal of the Polish Armed Forces to recognize him as the last surviving member of 303 Squadron. The family is truly grateful for the compassionate care provided by the professional staff from Care Partners, Victorian Order of Nurses (VON), the Doctors from St. Joseph’s Hospice, as well as his devoted caregiver, son Chris. Family and Friends will be received for visitation at the Haycock-Cavanagh Funeral Home, 409 Nelson Street in Wallaceburg (519-627-3231), on Thursday, March 6th from 5-8pm and on Friday, March 7th from 11am until 12:30pm. His Funeral Service will be celebrated at Our Lady Help of Christians Church on Friday at 1pm. If you wish to make a donation in his memory, his family would like you to consider either St. Joseph’s Hospice (Sarnia) or the Canadian Polish Congress. Cherished stories and tributes may be left for the family at www.CavanaghFuneralHome.ca