KAZIMIERZ OLEJARCZYK TURNS 90

Detroit, Michigan - One of the most remarkable Polonian activists to come out of the Metro Detroit community, Kazmierz Olejarczyk celebrated his 90th birthday on December 1st. On that occasion, a few days earlier, on Sunday, November 29, 2009, a birthday celebration took place at the American Polish Century Club in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Family and friends gathered to celebrate Mr. Olejarczyk's life, which could not only make a fascinating book, but also an epic-type movie.

Born December 1, 1919, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Olejarczyk was raised in Poland, after his parents returned to their ancestral country. He completed his primary and secondary schooling in Warsaw, and completed two years of engineering at the Warsaw Polytechnic University.

With the eruption of World War II and the Nazi invasion of Poland, Olejarczyk, an American citizen, made the difficult decision to leave Poland, and return to the U.S. Since Olejarczyk desired to fight the Nazis, in 1941, he enlisted in the Polish Air Force in Exile, operating out of Great Britain as part of the R.A.F. He served as an officer/navigator in the 304th Silesian Bombing Squadron of the Coastal Command flying combat mission over the Bay of Biscayne. In 1944, he transferred to the 58th U.S. Army Air Force Bombing Squadron.

After the War, Olejarczyk came to the Detroit area and completed a BBA from the University of Michigan (1947) and an MBA form the University of Detroit (1949), as well as an MA in the political science, also from the U of D. In his early days in Detroit, he worked as an instructor in mathematics, and later as a lecturer of Political Science at U of D. But his main employment was with General Motors Fisher Body Division, from which he retired in 1982 as an analyst and systems engineer.

Although his family and professional like were very busy; Olejarczyk was concerned with the fate of his ancestral homeland, Poland. Once Olejarczyk had gotten out his childhood sweetheart Bronislawa (who became his wife) from behind the Iron Curtain, he got involved in his work for the liberation of Poland. In conjunction with this, he worked as a reporter for "Voice of America" and as a translator for Radio Free Europe.

Olejarczyk was one of the main organizers for the Michigan Chapter of the Polish American Congress. Under his leadership the PAC became a force to be reckon with locally. From 1969 to 1985 he served as PAC Michigan Division President and then as the Vice President for Polish Affairs. Nowadays he still serves as the Advisor to the PAC Board of Directors. PAC work included political lobby work, anti-defamation, cultural endeavors, and solving everyday problems of Poles living in the area.

Over the years, Olejarczyk was actively involved in a vast array of activities and organizations, including Polish American Engineering Association, Polish Air Force Vets, Polish National Alliance, Friends of Polish Art and many others.

It has to be mentioned that one of Mr. Kazimierz's passions is writing poetry and translating English poetry and song lyrics into Polish. Guests at the Sunday's birthday celebration had a chance to hear a few examples of his translations. Truly remarkable work!

Present at the celebration were some collegues, including PNA Vice President Paul C. Odrobina (past PAC Michigan Division President), Mariusz Szajnert (Current President of  PAC Michigan Division) and Stella Szczesny (President of Council 122 PNA).

Mr. Odrobina called Olejarczyk "an example for all men who are driven to do good for their family, God and Country"; Stella Szczesny name him "an inspiration".

His family (namely Olejarczyk's daughter Ania Bankowska and his granchildren, Renata, Iwona, and Stefan) prepared a special presentation showcasing his life. With countless photos and facts it was a great tribute for a great man. "To his family he remains the warm, generous, and thoughtful person they've come to know and love. Friends and colleagues know him as a gentleman of imagination, moderation and humor" said his grandson Stefan. "to the community he is known as a person of integrity demonstrating love for God, country, heritage and fellow men. Dziadzia, we love  you. You're our hero"

Story and Photosby:
Sebastian Szczepanski
Polish Times - Warren, MI

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