True and Fascinating Canadian History

Vet of the Month: April 2013

Special Constable Stanley 'Stan' Kubin

by J. J. Healy
RCMP Vets. Ottawa, ON

Stan Kubin died recently.

Over the years, he was an extraordinary person who led an extraordinary life; student, fighter, hero, father, son, husband, adventurer, linguist, sailor, immigrant, proud Canadian, flight engineer, dedicated Member of the Force and a Friend of many in the RCMP 'Air' Division.

Stan's life began with struggles. He was born in Poznan, Poland on June 6th 1921. As a teenager, he joined the Polish Underground Army -- and was a hero of the Warsaw Uprising of 1943. In 1943, he was captured and he held as a POW in Germany between the years of 1943 to 1945. After WWII, he joined the Polish Division of the British Army and he served from 1945 until June 29th 1947.

Stan had seen first hand the ravishes of WWII but he chose not to live in the past, but instead make the best of his life which included a move to Canada.

Stan immigrated to Canada in 1947 and it was not long afterwards that he found new adventures within the RCMP. Stan joined the RCMP in 1949 as a Special Constable Air Craft Engineer. He was out of the Force for a short time -- from 1951 to 1953. The break allowed Stan time to improve and upgrade his professional aviation qualifications. He was a very brilliant person and a real asset to 'Air' Division.

At age 50, Stan retired in 1971 to follow his dream which included the design and construction of a sailboat. No one was in doubt that he could do exactly what he intended. Not only was he successful with his new boat but it allowed he and his family to travel to Mexico and return. Stan was happy in the Force, and he was equally happy when he was sailing his yacht.

Stan was the recipient of the RCMP Long Service Medal and the Polish Army Medal.

Special Constable Stanley Kubin passed away on April 20th 2013 in Kelowna, BC. He was predeceased by his wife Peggy. They both will be missed.

Stan's obituary can be found in The Quarterly, V76(3)

Reporting from Fort Healy,

J. J. Healy
April 23, 2013


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