KAZIMIERA BUDZIAK (nee BEBEN) It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Kazimiera Budziak. Kazia, as she was affectionately known by friends and family, died at St. Joseph’s Hospital, in the early hours of July 1, 2016. Kazia was born in Krosno, Poland in 1927. At age 26 she met and married the love of her life, Kazimierz. In 1958 with their three young sons, Henry, Kryst and Bob in tow, they embarked on the adventure of a lifetime and sailed to Canada. They landed in Revelstoke, BC, where her fourth son, Martin was born in 1960. In November of that year they picked up stakes and headed east to Toronto to seek employment opportunities. Over the next 57 years, the family grew and thrived. Kazia became a pillar of Toronto’s Polish Community. She was a recipient of numerous awards recognizing her dedication to helping fellow Polish immigrants in Canada and her tireless volunteer work. Kazia worked as a Bookkeeper and Librarian at the Polish Alliance Press until her retirement in 1995. She continued to volunteer for the Mickiewicz Foundation and many other Polish organizations. Although her professional and community service accomplishments were considerable, what Kazia was most proud of was her family. Nothing picked her spirits up more than when the family was together. She was often heard saying, “family is the most important thing”. She put her heart and soul into every family gathering with Christmas being extra special. Her borscht, uszka and perogies were, according to her grandchildren, “epic”. She was a kind, loving and gentle wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be greatly missed by her family that she so lovingly nurtured. Kazia is survived by her husband of 67 years, Kazimierz; four sons, Henry (Alda), Kryst (Debbie), Bob (Jola) and Martin; seven grandchildren, Peter (Betsy), Jacob (Katarina), Allison (Anthony), Andrew (Diane), Maggie, Patrick and Tom; two great-grandchildren Matthew and Delfina; and other extended family. Friends will be received at Ridley Funeral Home 3080 Lake Shore Blvd. W. (at 14th St.) on Tuesday, July 5th, between 2:00-4:00 and 7:00- 9:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 277 Park Lawn Rd. on Wednesday, July 6th at 10:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Park Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be sent to The Hospital for Sick Children.