Edward Holowinski

Edward Holowinski, born on March 18, 1933, in the farm village of Brody Duże near Szczebrzeszyn, Poland, passed away on March 23, 2024. He left behind a legacy filled with faith, resilience, love, and joy. Edward was a loving husband to Josephine, a cherished father to Mark, Elizabeth, Tony, and Matthew, and a doting grandfather to his eight grandchildren. His journey through life's challenges and joys has touched many and left a lasting mark on those fortunate enough to have known him. Edward's early years were marked by extraordinary challenges. During World War II, when he was only 7 years old, his family was deported to a labor camp in Archangelsk, Russia, near the Arctic Circle. It was a place known for its extreme cold and brutal conditions. Despite these hardships, Edward's spirit remained unbroken. He often shared stories from this time, including the memory of eating Solyanka, fish head soup, and dancing the Cossack for Russian soldiers hoping they would throw him a piece of bread. In 1942, Edward's family left Russia for a Polish refugee camp in Southern Rhodesia, Africa, while his father joined the Polish armed forces under General Anders who fought for the British. Edward lived in Africa for 6 long and formative years. He often spoke of interacting with the native children and of the spectacular wildlife of Africa. He recounted that he would eat whatever fruit in the jungle that the monkeys ate and that in Africa he was never hungry. After the war, his family moved to London, England and then to Detroit, Michigan. Edward graduated from Hamtramck High School and later from the University of Detroit Mercy with a degree in Engineering. After, he served in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany. In 1966, Edward returned to Poland. Four days after meeting a very special young lady, Josephine, he proposed. They were married 10 days later. Their marriage laid the foundation for a life filled with love and partnership. Back in Detroit, Edward and Josephine raised four children and established a thriving real estate business. Edward achieved this while working for Chrysler as a design engineer for over 30 years. Edward’s life always centered around faith, family and community. He was very kind and always willing to help anyone who needed it. He provided temporary shelter to many refugees from Poland escaping communist Poland and helped them achieve a prosperous life in America. Edward’s philosophy of hard work and the enjoyment of life's pleasures, led him to be the life of any party, especially on the dance floor. And boy could he dance! Polka, rumba, salsa, cha-cha, lambada…you name it, he danced it! Later in life, retirement allowed him and Josephine to travel and further explore the world, creating lasting memories on numerous cruises. Edward's legacy is one of faith, enduring strength, love, and the capacity to find joy in every moment. His story, from the challenging beginnings in war-torn Europe to a life full of achievements and happiness, remains an inspiration. Edward Holowinski will be profoundly missed. Yet, his spirit will continue to inspire all who knew him, serving as a reminder to live every moment to the fullest.

Edward Holowinski

March 18, 1933 - March 23, 2024