Obituaries

Obituary: Kazimierz Rzeczycki Died at His Home Thursday

Kazimierz Rzeczycki, a World War II veteran, Polish Home Army member and a Righteous Gentile, died in Ridgefield on Sept. 12.

Kazimierz Rzeczycki, 88 of Ridgefield, husband of Aniela (Pyryt) Rzeczycki, died  in his home on Thursday September 12, 2013, surrounded by his loving family.

Kaz was born near Warsaw, Poland, son of Nikodem and Apolonia (Andrezejewski) on April 13, 1925.  He was the youngest of 7 children and the last survivor in his immediate family of 3 brothers and 3 sisters.

He & his family fought tirelessly to defend Poland during the Nazi invasion during World War II, including working with the underground resistance, the Polish Home Army or Armia Krajowa (AK), and later working alongside allied troops in Italy.

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His efforts in rescuing and hiding Jews have been documented, and they earned him the title of Righteous Gentile.  In 2001, through the Red Cross, he was privileged to locate and re-connect with a surviving rescuee that he and his family hid for years.

After fighting in Italy with allied forces in the artillery, Kaz moved to England, where he was able to trace and locate his brother Joe who had fought in Normandy. Due to the Communist takeover of Poland after the war, both brothers travelled on a decommissioned war ship to Argentina. He lived in Argentina for a decade before moving to New York, where Kaz met his wife Aniela and settled in Ridgefield.

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Kaz was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish, the Men’s Ministry, The Polish-American Club, and The American Polish Home Army Veterans group.  He was honored to have the title 2nd Lieutenant for his contribution in the Home Army.

Though he was very proud of his Polish heritage, and Poland’s contribution in the Second World War, he also loved South America, and spoke other languages fluently. He had a deep love of God, was a truth seeker, an avid non-fiction reader, a strong fighter and defender of the underdog, and an eternal free spirit.

Despite the extreme hardships he faced, he remained a kind, gentle, and loving husband, father, neighbor, and friend.  He will be greatly missed, but remembered by the countless stories and anecdotes he shared.  Most importantly, “But above all things truth beareth away the victory” and most fondly, “Don’t worry, be happy.”

He is survived by his wife Aniela of 49 years; his son Thomas and daughter-in-law Colleen of Hilton Head, SC; daughter Theresa of Anchorage, AK; son John and daughter-in-law Kiley of Moab, UT; son Peter of Ridgefield; and three grandchildren Phillip, Erik, and Amelia.

Viewing will be at Kane Funeral Home, in Ridgefield, on Sunday September 15th, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by Mass and burial in Our Lady of Czestochowa National Shrine in Doylestown, PA.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his memory to the American Red Cross Restoring Family Links Program.

This obituary was provided by the Kane Funeral Home.


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