1924-2023

Bob Gondek

Zbigniew (Robert “Bob”) Gondek was born on January 31, 1924, in Poland. He served alongside Allied Forces with the 2nd Polish Corps during the Italian Campaign, where he saw action at the Sangro River, Monte Cassino and Ancona.

In 2018, Mr. Gondek attended a special event to unveil the Canada Post commemorative envelope celebrating the Association’s 100^th anniversary.

Awards:

• Distinguished Service Membership, The War AmpsThe War Amps
• Honorary CHAMP Membership
• Virtuti Militari (Polish equivalent of the Victoria Cross)
• Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restitua (Poland)

In 1944, at the age of 20, he was wounded and lost part of his left arm below the elbow. He was awarded the Virtuti Militari, the Polish equivalent of the Victoria Cross, for his valour in destroying two enemy machine gun nests. He also received from Poland the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restitua.

Mr. Gondek moved to Canada in 1954 and joined The War Amps in 1958.

He was an active member of The War Amps and dedicated a lifetime of service to the Association. He was a Member on The War Amps Board of Directors from 1960 until his passing, holding such positions as First Vice-President, as well as Branch President and National Director of the Toronto Branch.

An avid golfer and fisherman in his younger years, Mr. Gondek was an inspiration to other amputees. He acted as a role model to Champs and their families, many of whom had the pleasure of meeting him at seminars and through his involvement with PLAYSAFE.

Always committed to raising awareness about The War Amps and the Key Tag Service, he gave media interviews and school presentations about his war experiences and the work of The War Amps. He told his story in the video entitled War Amputees Gather to Reflect on The War Amps Legacy.

Mr. Gondek was the recipient of The War Amps Distinguished Service Membership and the Honorary CHAMP Membership. He passed away on October 12, 2023.
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