BS: Gnomedad is 90!

Subject: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Jun 12 - 09:37 AM

Well, He is tomorrow - 11 June.

Born in Byalistok, Poland in 1922 to Zachary and Elizabeth. Along came little sister, Irene and younger brother - who was realy a a cousin (don't ask), Stanislaw and the family was complete. After having moved from Byalistok to Zachary's home town of Kropotkin in Russia they then had to flee from the Stalinist regime because of Zacharys anti-commumist views. Back to Elizabeths home town of Byalistok where her family, sucessful horse breeders, could help to support them. But in 1939 when a certain little Austrian has his eyes on Poland things got far worse. First the threat of German Occupation, then Russian it was little wonder that the whole family ended up in England.

Here he spent his life as a devout Russian Orthodox - His dad had become a priest by then - And then Roman Catholic. He married my Mum in 1952 and we stayed as a reasonably happy, if barking mad, family of myself, the eldest, and a little sister and brother. Then, after 20 -odd years differences between Mum and Dad became too severe to be reconciled and they went their own ways - Quite happily and they have remained friends since. She will be coming to attend the celebrations today.

He has worked all his life - Mainly as a Painter and Decorator. Is multi-lingual (English, Polish, Russian, some German, some Italian) and was active in his trade union unto he was 70! Quite frail now with a memory that comes and goes at will, but I hope I am as fit at his age!

If anyone would care to join me in saying Happy Birthday, Sto Lat or Mnogaya Leta feel free to raise a glass or two to a grand old man.

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Jun 12 - 10:28 AM

Mnogaya Leta!

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: Will Fly
Date: 10 Jun 12 - 11:35 AM

Sto lat - and Nasdrowja!

(You mean there's an older Gnome than you? Good Lord!)

My father-in-law had a similar early life - born in what was Poland in 1919 but became Russian in the 1920s - he left Poland in 1939 with his grandfather's old Mauser pistol a little money and his passport, making his way by various routes to North Africa. Here he was flown to Scotland to join the Polish Airforce. He served as a rear gunner and bomb aimer in bombers in North Africa and over Germany. Came out in '45 and spent 2 years with TB in a sanatorium in the Lake District. Worked hard all his life as a turner and miller, making precise parts for aero engines. Retired at 65 - dead of Alzheimers just a few short years later.

He was a good and sincere man - a devout Catholic - and came from a generation of tough, determined Poles who fought hard and worked hard. I drink to him to your Dad, and to others of his generation.

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: gnu
Date: 10 Jun 12 - 11:45 AM

I'll join in a toast also. Hope it's a good birthday for him.

Thanks for sharing.

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: Ebbie
Date: 10 Jun 12 - 11:58 AM

A Happy Birthday to Gnomedad!

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Jun 12 - 06:30 PM

Happy 90th, Gnomedad! Ya got a great kid there!

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: GUEST,999
Date: 10 Jun 12 - 07:19 PM

Happy Birthday to ya. Ten to go and you get the letter. Best wishes to you, sir.

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 11 Jun 12 - 01:51 PM

Thanks All - He had a grand day yesterday. We got him to our house Ok and he recognised a lot of the visitors if not all! He was certainly happy when we sang Happy Birthday and pleased as punch when I played 'Sto Lat' for him on accordian. Saw him again today as I managed to wangle some time off work. We took a huge cake for him to share at the residntial care home - He is in there for respite care at the moment but we hope to get him settled somewhere better soon.

Thanks again and Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: fat B****rd
Date: 11 Jun 12 - 01:57 PM

BAH ! Missed this. May I wish your Dad a belated Very Happy Birthday.
Charlie in Scotland.

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Jun 12 - 02:06 PM

I hope you sang "Pije Kuba do Jakuba, Kuba do Mikala"...!

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: Rog Peek
Date: 11 Jun 12 - 06:40 PM

Happy Birthday to your Dad! What a great milestone.

Rog

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Jun 12 - 10:20 PM

what a life! sending him a belated birthday greeting.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 11 Jun 12 - 11:55 PM

Happy birthday from me, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Jun 12 - 08:53 AM

I was in York for the weekend , so missed this post first time round !
Thats a good score , though My Old Mum is ahead of him by six years !
Hope he continues for a while longer Dave !

Subject: RE: BS: Gnomedad is 90!
From: alanabit
Date: 12 Jun 12 - 03:34 PM

I just want to pitch in with the good wishes for this remarkable man.