Thomas Fudakowski: September 23, 1947 - April 4, 2022

   It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Tomasz Roman Fudakowski (Tom) on April 4, 2022. Tom was born in Penley, England in 1947 and immigrated with his family to Cowansville, Quebec at the age of two.

   Tom was a man with one passion and that was flying. He obtained his private pilot’s license at the tender age of 16 and could fly a plane before he could drive a car.

   He enjoyed a long career in air traffic services with Transport Canada and later with Nav Canada, first as an Air Traffic Controller in Montreal before moving on to Ottawa, Calgary, and back to Ottawa in various management positions. He was honoured to attend the National Defense College in Kingston, Ontario graduating in 1994.

   In his retirement, his favourite pastime was chatting under the gazebo with his buddies at the Rockcliffe Flying Club. He was an enthusiastic volunteer grass cutter at the airport, which amusingly did not translate to his duties at home. Quebec Eastern Townshippers at heart, he and Cynthia often returned to reconnect with old friends and tour the beautiful part of Quebec where they grew up. Their far-flung travels also took them to Poland, Portugal, France, Spain, the USA and points beyond.

   He is predeceased by his father Leon and brother Jacek (Marysia), survived by his mother Halina (nee Daszkowska) and sister Sophie. Tom is the beloved husband of 53 years to Cynthia (nee Allen), dear father of Amanda (Joel), Kristy and Emily. He is the proud grandfather of Avery, Samantha, Tommy and Adaira and uncle to Monika and Juan Sebastian. He will be missed by his family in Canada, Poland and around the world.

   Heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff at the Ottawa General Hospital 6 East and the ICU.

   A celebration of life will be held at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa on April 19 at 1:00pm.

   *The family is requesting that all attendees wear face masks.*

   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s honour to The Canada-Ukraine Foundation and/or The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.

   Condolences and tributes may be made at www.beechwoodottawa.ca.

from Phil Gies: I first met Tom in Ottawa during September 1966, we were attendees on VFR course 20. Tom's passion truly was flying - aviation's loss was atc's gain, a good man.