Janusz Karpinski, 80, passed away suddenly at home of natural causes on Friday, January 24, 2025. He was born on July 18, 1944 in Nisko – Stalowa Wola, Poland to Karolina (nee Ostrowska) and Stanislaw Karpinski. He earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from Silesian University of Technology (Politechnika Śląska) and later worked at Electroproject in Lublin. Passionate about sports, Janusz loved playing tennis and ping pong, and coached youth in both disciplines. In the early 1980s, Janusz became deeply involved in the Solidarity (Solidarność) movement, which played a pivotal role in the downfall of communist rule in Poland and Eastern Europe. Janusz became a political prisoner on December 13, 1981 when Martial Law was declared. After the hardships of his imprisonment, and continued frequent interrogations by the secret service (SB), Janusz and Elzbieta took the opportunity to emigrate to Canada in October, 1983 and settled in Calgary. In Calgary, Janusz worked for Colt Engineering, Suncor, and Bantrel, where his professional contributions were highly valued. Throughout the years, Janusz continued to be an engaged member of the Polish-Canadian community in Calgary. His ‘coffee chat’ outings with friends were a highlight, and he was known for his outgoing personality, steadfastness, intellect and sharp sense of humor. He is survived by his wife Elzbieta (nee Szubartowska) of 54 years, brother Marek, daughter Berenika (Michael), son Milosz (Amanda), and grandchildren Kaja, Evan, Madelyn, Emma and Nolan. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 at 11am at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 2111 Uxbridge Dr. NW., Calgary. Reception to follow at the Parish Hall.Interment at Queen’s Park Cemetery will occur at a later date.
