Zenon Handzel RIP

image - Polish Catholic Mission

Source: Polish Catholic Mission

Mr Zenon Handzel, a leading member of the Polish Catholic community in London died on 1 August 2021.

Born on January 1, 1949 in Krakow, he was a graduate of the Hutnico-Gornic Academy there. He came to London in 1973, and became involved in the Polish Catholic community soon after his arrival.

Mr Handzel was a long time President of the Parent Committee of the Polish School in Willesden Green. Since 1996, he was President of the Parish Council, and from 2010-2016 President of the Local Administrative Council of the Polish Catholic Mission to Willesden Green.

He was initially a member of the IPAK Executive Board and then appointed Chairman of the Programme Committee. After several years in this role, he was appointed by the then Rector of the Polish Catholic Mission in England and Wales, Mgr Tadeusz Kukla - President of the Polish Catholic Action Institute in the UK.

MR Handzel was very involved in charity work, retreats, conventions, symposium, parish jubilees and annual pilgrimages to Aylesford. He assisted in the publication of several books and organised many lecture events. He met St Pope John Paul II.

For his work for the Church he received the Order of Saint Gregory.

He is survived by his wife and three sons.

Details of his funeral have not been released yet.