Jerzy Stanislaw Kolodziej, 87, of Beaconsfield, Quebec, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2026. Born on October 31, 1938 in Ostrow, Poland, he built a life defined by resilience, ingenuity, a sense of adventure, and an unwavering commitment to those he loved.

Jerzy grew up with his parents and three younger brothers on the Baltic Seashore. In addition to being driven in all his activities, including in academics and as a competitive swimmer, he also had a great sense of adventure to the point of being a risk taker, such as sledding down the very steep hill of Kamienna Gora and diving with his friends amongst the post-war shipwrecks in the Baltic. His adventurous, risk-taking side stayed with him throughout his life, most notably marked by his famous hike in the Canadian Rockies where he encountered a grizzly bear slightly too close for comfort.

Above all else, Jerzy was devoted to his family. He shared more than six decades of marriage with his beloved wife, Maryla, a partnership rooted in love, loyalty, mutual strengths, and shared “joie de vivre,” whether traveling, spending time with their dear friends in Poland and Canada, enjoying outdoors concerts, or dancing to the tunes of rock and roll. They were the happiest when their family gathered for the holidays and family dinners. Jerzy’s greatest joy came from watching his family grow and carry forward the values he lived by.

In 1981, Jerzy and Maryla made the courageous decision to immigrate from Poland to Canada, seeking political security and a future where their family could thrive. The early years in Montreal were not easy, marked by cultural adjustments, hard work, and the challenges of starting over. Jerzy met every obstacle with determination, resourcefulness, and the quiet confidence of someone who believed deeply in building a better tomorrow.

Trained as an electronic engineer, Jerzy brought both precision and creativity to his work, especially during his tenure at CBC where he designed TV studios throughout Canada, including in Halifax, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Yellowknife. Whether designing systems, solving complex problems, or building with his own hands, he approached every project with curiosity and craftsmanship. One example was his exquisite renovation of a rumbling yet historic townhouse in the Shaughnessy Village in Montreal, which in 1985 culminated in the first prize of the annual beautification contest.  His family often joked that he could build anything, and often, he did.

Jerzy leaves behind a legacy of perseverance and deep familial devotion. His life stands as a testament to what can be built through courage, hard work, and love.  He is preceded in death by his parents Stanislaw and Maria. He is survived by his wife Maryla, children Leszek and Monika, grandchildren Patrick, Conrad and his wife Dorothee, Nicholas, Olivia, Gustav, and Ingrid, and two great-grandchildren Hugo and Leon, extended family that includes his brothers Kazimierz, Pawel, and Krzysztof together with their families, as well as friends who will carry his memory forward.

The funeral mass will be held at the Church of Saint Paul John II in Lachine, Quebec on Friday, July 24th at 11 am,  followed by the Burial Service at the Jardin du Souvenir Cemetery in Pointe Claire, Quebec. Reception and celebration will follow at the Fritz Farm in Baie d’Urfe, Québec starting at 1:30 pm. All are welcome to join his family for the mass, the burial, and the reception as we honor and give tribute to Jerzy’s life and legacy.