INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

Is the secret to longevity moderation, travel, and sugar water? Two extraordinary residents of our region – Ryszard Kosiński from Toruń and Stanisława Ochmańska from Nakonowo (Włocławek County) – recently celebrated their 100th birthdays. On this special occasion, both were awarded the Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis medal.

 

“May the kindness you have shown others return to you magnified by care, warmth, and attention. May each day bring moments full of joy, love, and support,” wished Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

 

Ryszard Kosiński was born on April 13, 1925, in Lublin, to Helena née Szubstarska and Czesław Kosiński. He spent his childhood and youth in his hometown, where he completed primary and secondary school. He joined the resistance movement, initially as a soldier in the People’s Army and later as a partisan. After his unit was broken up by the Germans, and for a long time after the war, he was forced to live under an assumed name.

 

After the war, Ryszard settled in the Pomorze region. Beginning in 1945, he worked at the sugar refinery in Mełno, then in Nakło, and from 1968 onward, at the Toruń Sugar Factory, where he remained until retirement. He also worked for many years in a division of the company SugarPol. He is a qualified economic technician and certified accountant.

 

Privately, he was married to Jadwiga, whom he met at work. They married in 1949 and had two children – Adam and Anna – as well as three grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

 

He is known for his warm and cheerful personality and his curiosity about the world. He has traveled to the Dominican Republic, China, Egypt, Norway, South Africa, and many European countries. He loves crime and spy novels, and his life motto is: “Everything in moderation.” He still lives in Toruń, surrounded by the love of his family and the respect of his neighbors. On his birthday, he was visited by Katarzyna Lubańska, Vice-President of the Regional Parliament, who presented him with congratulations and the Unitas Durat medal.

 

Stanisława Ochmańska, née Kaniecka, was born on April 22, 1925, in Choceń (Włocławek County). Life tested her from a young age – she was orphaned early and had to grow up quickly and become self-reliant. At age 20, she married Wacław Ochmański and settled in Sykule, Włocławek County, where they ran a farm together.

 

She gave birth to two children – a son and a daughter – and later took care of her granddaughter as well. She was known for her deep care, strength, and resilience. Today, she lives with her loved ones, who care for her with great devotion.

 

Mrs. Stanisława was actively involved in the local Rural Housewives’ Association for many years, organizing meetings and events. She has always been known for her open heart, hospitality, and culinary talent – especially her famous duck blood soup (czernina). To this day, she can’t imagine a meal without a pinch of salt, and her go-to home remedy is… sugar water. Even into her nineties, she enjoyed cycling so much that only her family’s gentle intervention finally “hid” her beloved bicycle.

 

Mrs. Stanisława was visited by Aneta Jędrzejewska, Vice-Marshal of the Region, who presented her with the Unitas Durat medal and warm congratulations.

 

The regional self-government has been honoring centenarian residents since 2018. Families of residents approaching their 100th birthday – or older – are encouraged to contact us at +48 56 62 18 344 or stulatkowie@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl.

 

Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office

 

May 6, 2025