The Olszowiec Family
olszowiec.com
Articles
Acknowledgment: Cape Breton Post, circa 1980.
Miner For
54 Years
Retires
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NEW WATERFORD -- Rudy Olszowiec of 16 King St., Scotchtown returned recently from Lingan Colliery, after achieving a distinguished work record which stretched over 54 years in the various coal mines of Cape Breton.
Mr. Olszowiec came from Poland at a very early age and obtained his first job as "trapper" in New Waterford's No. 16 Colliery when he was just 11 1/2 years old. He went on from haulage engine man, pipe fitter and mechanic to loading coal in which position he obtained his miner's certificate. He then went on from shot firer and face boss to production, transportation and construction overman. During his working career, Mr. Olszowiec was employed In No. 16 Colliery in New Waterford, No. 20 Colliery in Glace Bay, No. 12 Colliery in New Waterford and finally in Lingan Colliery. He was, also, a member of the Mine Rescue Team for 27 years and obtained his medallion, several bars and certificates from the St. John Ambulance Corps. |
During his long career in the coal mines, Mr. Olszowiec enjoyed an excellent relationship with both workers and fellow overman and on retiring received suitable presentations from both.
Mr. Olszowiec is married to the former Elizabeth Bonnar, R.N. and they have three sons and three daughters. Sons are: R. Blair, self employed, Vancouver; D. Brian, B. Sc. Mineral Engineering. Mine Planning Engineer, Leaf Rapids; and J. Gerard, a student at Dalhousie University. Daughters are: Maria C. Quigley, A.I.C.B., Credit Assistant, Toronto Dominion Bank, Toronto: Beverly A. Cathcart, Operations Officer Audit. Scotia Bank, Sydney and E. Karen. B. Sc. Occupational Training. Brantford General Hospital. Mr. Olszowiec has received the best wishes of his relatives and friends for a long and pleasant retirement in which he may pursue his hobbies of gardening. fishing, playing bridge and travelling. |
Webmaster: Scanned, edited and spelling corrected.
Read Rennie MacKenzie's account of Rudy's life as a coalminer.
Rennie's main website: A Coal Miner's Web Page
Alternate: Rudy Olszoeviec (sp)
Webmaster: Above image copied from referenced website.
Resident of the Month
Rudy Olszowiec
Rudy Olszowiec
| Rudolph Joseph Olszowiec was born on July 6th, 1914 to Annie Zukowski and Stanley Olszowiec. At the beginning of World War 1, when Rudy was quite young, his parents, along with 10 other families were smuggled out of Poland. They successfully escaped the country and landed in Scotchtown, Cape Breton. Rudy and his three sisters, Lucy, Annie, and Mary, were raised as Roman Catholics, attending Saint Agnes Parish. He attented school in the area, but had to leave during his Grade 8 year to find work after his father was hurt in the mine. He later enrolled in Mining Courses in a local school where he received his upgrading through day and night classes. Back in the1920’s and 30’s Rudy was an umpire for girls softball games. It was here, while umping a game, that a young lady in the stands caught Rudy’s eye. This bystander, Bessie Bonnar, would later become his girlfriend, his wife, and as time would tell, his everything. Their marriage took place 64 years ago, on September 22nd at Immaculate Conception Parish in Sydney Mines. |  |
Bessie and Rudy welcomed 6 children into a home built by Rudy in Scotchtown. (Blair, Brian (now deceased), Maria, Beverly, Karen and Gerard were raised in a home which valued education -- they all graduated high school, 4 graduated university, and they all went on to create successful lives for themselves. Rudy and his family attended Saint Michael’s Parish in Scotchtown where he served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years.
As a young man, Rudy had a variety of hobbies, which he pursued here in Cape Breton. He played hockey for the Hawks in the 1930’s; he had a hut in Lingan where he ice fished; he enjoyed the outdoors and spent many summer days tending to his flower and vegetable gardens; he loved playing bridge and 45’s with Bessie; and he was a "Mr. Fix-t" no other! Rudy also spent hours on end picking blue berries and cranberries, which Bessie would later make into sauces and pies for the family.
Rudy was a miner, and spent many, many years working in at least 5 mines in the area, No. 16, 12, 18, 20 and Lingan/Phalen. Starting at just 11 1/2 years of age, Rudy would work opening and shutting the air door (the lowest job in the mine). He worked his way up, and became a mine mechanic, a mine supervisor, and finally when he retired; he was in charge of construction and worked as a Mine Examiner. Rudy was involved in two different mining disasters; he was working at No.16 and No. 20 when fires broke out. He was a draeggerman, and was called to help out at the Springhill Mining Disaster in the 1950’s. Rudy was very well respected in the mining community, and even after retirement was heavily involved with community events. He volunteered as a guide for the Miner’s Museum for a year; and also spoke at the Sydney and New Waterford Historical Societies. Rudy was interviewed by CBC for Davis Day, and also for the CBC Morning Show. He was wel known for making models of mines out of household items, which were displayed at the Museum.
| Even after retirement, Rudy was involved in various community projects. He spent 13 years volunteering at New Waterford where he taught carpentry to mentally challenged children through the "Joy Program" he and Bessie also enjoyed annual trips to Ste Anne de Beaupre. In the 1980’s, Rudy was one of the chosen few to serve as a Eucharistic Minister during Pope John Paul’s Mass in Halifax. Now living at Harbourstone, Rudy spends his days at his wife’s side, where they enjoy precious moments together. He thinks the world of her, and recently I remarked, "I would have never reached my goal had it not been for my wife, Bessie." Rudy attends Mass, and other functions offered in the home. He is quite a pleasant and kind man, and is well known and very well respected by staff and residents alike. |
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Acknowledgement: The article was written by the staff of Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Sydney, NS, as part of their "Resident of the Month" programme.
Webmaster: Scanned, edited and spelling corrected.
