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In Memoriam - Marian Bielec
By Joan Legris
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In April 2002, Marian Bielec began work in the Deployed Operations division of CFPSA. His background was impressive. In addition to an MBA, and extensive international business and commerce experience, Marian was fluent in Polish, French, German, English and Russian.
Marian’s first position was Welfare Manager for Task Force Bosnia Herzegovina. His leadership and dedication to enhancing the morale and welfare of the Canadian military community in Bosnia was exemplary, and he was awarded a medal of honour, a rare occurrence for a civilian.
In March 2003, Marian became PSP Manager for CFSU (Europe) in Geilenkirchen, Germany. He lead a team of over 80 employees spread over five countries. As a manager, his compassion and commitment to his staff was evident. He was a friendly, personable individual who liked to have fun and enjoyed a variety of interests, including travel and fitness. He was a successful troubleshooter who could think outside the box, often creating unique strategies to get a job done. His motto was, “If member is happy, PSP is happy.” He strived for, and achieved, a stellar level of customer service.
Marian was a consummate diplomat who was adept at stick handling difficult situations. His ease with languages combined with his kindness and compassion kept his skills in great demand. He was highly respected throughout the European/Canadian community, and influenced the lives of many.
Marian took CFPSA’s motto very seriously, and was a model team member, “Serving Those Who Serve”. He enjoyed working in the field with the Canadian military, and was especially proud of the service medal he earned during his tenure in Bosnia.
From 2003-2005, I served in Geilenkirchen, Germany as the HR Manager Europe, and had the pleasure of working closely with Marian. I found him to be a warm, supportive, colleague, and his enthusiasm and dedication were contagious. He was charming, flamboyant, always optimistic and became a bright light in both my professional and personal life. He was a cherished friend. He will be sorely missed.
Marian Bielec was born in Poland on July 28, 1949. He died in Montreal on January 9, 2006. He had one child – a daughter Sylwia.