Obituary of Andrzej Bielanski

Dr. Andrzej Bielanski, a devoted husband of 52 years to Krystyna, a loving father to their daughter Magdalena and her husband David Cyr and a doting grandpa to their sons Filip and Sebastian, suddenly and unexpectedly left us on Saturday, July 29, 2023

 Andrzej grew up in Poland with his three siblings Wladyslaw, Maja and Katarzyna, in a family of prof Wladyslaw Bielanski and Marta Sosnowska, and with children of his aunt prof Zofia Bielanska - Osuchowska and uncle prof Adam Bielanski. 

Like the majority of his relatives, Andrzej dedicated his life to science. After acquiring his degree as Dr. of Veterinary Medicine, PhD in reproductive physiology, then the title of docent habil in Poland, he then continued his flourishing career in the field of animal reproduction. He was invited to Canada to work here as a researcher. He could not return to Poland due to political upheaval at the same time, having his expertise, great achievements, and dedication to his work highly valued, co-researchers encouraged him to continue his contribution in his field to science in Canada.

In Canada, Dr Bielanski was a committed and highly skilled researcher in the field of reproductive science. He collaborated with researchers at the Ontario Veterinary College at Guelph University, Western College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Saskatchewan, as well as USDA researchers at Plum Island, New York, and was awarded a research fellowship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). He spent over three decades working for the Canadian Government at the Animal Diseases Research Institute (ADRI) in Nepean focusing on disease transmission of variety of viral, bacterial, and parasitic agents. His most recent research focused on contamination of embryos during cryopreservation, and had direct applications to human reproductive technologies, and global shipment of reproductive material.

Dr Bielanski's scientific pursuits led to his publication of over one hundred research papers and reviews in peer-reviewed international journals, co-authorship of chapters in the International Embryo Transfer Manual, as well as two reproductive science university textbooks. In 2013 he was awarded the international Embryo Transfer Society Distinguished Service Award. His contributions have been of great benefit to the scientific society and to assisted reproductive technology at large. 

Andrzej was a humble man, with a big heart, an exceptionally inquiring mind, and a great passion for life. Although remarkably busy, he always found time to help everyone in need. Although a man of science, he mastered many other skills. Always on the go, never wasted a minute. He was either working, writing and reading professional papers, reading factual and documentary literature, exploring a variety of topics of his wide interests or just fixing or making something. 

His outdoor original passions were for skiing, motor biking, mountain hiking and kayaking, which he shared with his family. He spent his winter vacations as a ski instructor. 

In Canada, his love for outdoor sports continued. With his family, they became familiar with hills around the city either walking, biking or skiing there, took their kayaks on rivers and he also ski patrolled on some winter weekends. Eventually, he became interested in wind surfing, and in his fifties switched to kitesurfing. This sport took him and his family on vacations to various places here and abroad. 

On Saturday he was to go kiting for two hours. Like his father Wladyslaw, who had died doing what he loved, namely riding his horse, Andrzej abandoned us to join God, while on the river, relishing his favorite activity. 

Deeply loved and cherished by family and friends, an inspiration to all, Andrzej leaves a big hole in our hearts and will be missed profoundly. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.