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

One hundred and one years of life and hundreds of memories – the 101st birthday of Mr Leon Nadarzyński, a railwayman by vocation, a community worker by passion and a witness to the turbulent history of the last century, was celebrated in Śliwice (Tuchola County). The jubilee was an opportunity to pay tribute to him and to present him with the Marshal’s Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis medal. The ceremony was attended by the voivodship councillor Tadeusz Pogoda and the mayor of Śliwice municipality Daniel Kożuch.

– They are a treasury of experience, good advice and memories. May each day be a source of joy for them and may it pass in an atmosphere of love and support,’ said Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

Mr Leon was born on 11 April 1924 in the village of Bedlenki in Świecie county. Raised in a large family, he learnt the values of work and solidarity from an early age. The years of his youth coincided with the difficult time of the Second World War. His memories of the outbreak of war, his unsuccessful evacuation by goods train to the east and his return on foot in difficult conditions are still vivid in his mind. From 1940, he worked physically on the Belno agricultural estate.

When the war ended, he began working on the railways – first at the railway station in Laskowice Pomorskie, where he was trained as a traffic officer. As early as 1 October 1945, he took up this post at Starogard Przedmieście station, and later worked at many stations in the region, including Axis, Czersk Świeckie, Tleń, Śliwice, Szlachta, Ocypel, Czersk, Gutowiec and Kaliska. On 15 May 1952, he became stationmaster at Śliwice, with which he associated his further life. Mr Leon inherited his love for railways from his father. To this day, he remains interested in railways, especially steam locomotives, which he holds in great affection.

In March 1946, he married Mrs Helena, who came from the Borderlands. Together they raised three children – a son and two daughters.

From 1968 to 1971 he served as Chairman of the Gromadzka Rada Narodowa in Śliwice. One of his greatest achievements at that time was the commissioning of the local Community Centre, of which he is still very proud.

He still lives with his family in Śliwice. He enjoys everyday life, spending time with his loved ones, including his three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She loves solving crossword puzzles and reading regional literature.

The regional government has been honouring centenarians in the region since 2018, with more than four hundred and sixty people having received the Unitas Durat medal to date. Families of the region’s residents who are about to turn one hundred years old, as well as those who are older, are encouraged to contact us at 56 62 18 344 and at the following email address: stulatkowie@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl.

Beata Krzemińska

Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office

14 April 2025.