THE SECOND OF MY SUMMER SERIES COLUMNS *** A CONVERSATION WITH JOE KOLODZIE ***

THE SECOND OF MY SUMMER SERIES COLUMNS *** A CONVERSATION WITH JOE KOLODZIE *** HAVE A GREAT OSHAWA DAY is a sentiment long ago put into words by my friend Joe Kolodzie, a former educator, Alderman, and Oshawa City Councillor. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to chat with Joe about his life experiences, and this is a brief account of a man who has spent his life giving back to his community. Cultural norms between generations are forever evolving, but for Joe Kolodzie, traditional values proved a powerful prescription, having ensured a successful life as a husband and father, educator, and ultimately one of Oshawa’s most respected statesmen. Joe and his twin brother Ed were brought into this world by Dr. Edward Rundle on Christmas Day in 1938, and in their youth, they and their sister Jean enjoyed the benefits of being raised in a close-knit community – a working class neighbourhood where many homes were built by individual families. Joe’s father, Vincent, a Polish immigrant who came to Canada as a skilled carpenter, would eventually build several houses on land that stretches between Olive Avenue and the soon-to-be-removed Albert Street bridge – an area my friend would call home for many years. Joe described to me the hundreds of hours he enjoyed playing basketball in the gymnasium behind Simcoe Hall, at that time run by Harold McNeill, a man Joe credits for having instilled in him a lasting sense of social responsibility. Also a short walk from their home was Holy Cross Catholic School and Church, where Joe would begin his lifetime of learning. He and I discussed his having been an altar boy under the mentorship of Monsignor Coffey, and his having served at funerals where he and his friends would each receive 50 cents for their attendance. He also spoke fondly of having played hockey at the old Oshawa Arena, and his participation on the Sunnyside Park baseball team in 1954. In his own words, my friend describes his years in Albert Street as having been “richly happy” and it’s easy to see why. Having won awards in athletic achievements while a student at Central Collegiate, Joe was also recognized for his overall academic skills in his graduating year. With his diploma in hand, he would move on to the University of Toronto where he obtained his Bachelor of Physical Education as well as his Bachelor of Arts degree at St Michael College in 1962. He would eventually earn his Masters at the University of Ottawa in 1972. This led to a life-long teaching career that would enable Joe to offer a positive influence to his students through coaching, as noted in the Pete Beach Award he received, an honor given to those who are seen as having contributed beyond sport and into a young person’s career and life. Although best known for his election win in the mid-1980’s as a City Alderman, and later as a City & Regional Councillor, one has to look back to the election of 1972 to see the real origins of my friend’s political career, starting with his interest in what he calls “planning for people” and the need to revive a community feeling of pride. He can be seen as a visionary by way of his commitment to the establishment of a network of bike paths and hiking trails throughout the city, ideas that were seemingly well ahead of his time. Joe would go on to lose this first election bid, however his activism remained and he would eventually prevail. Fast forward to the election campaign of 1985. Joe’s brother Ed had been an elected member of Oshawa Council since 1978, and with the urging of friends and family, Joe would once again throw his hat into the ring. By this time he had long established a successful teaching career, and the Kolodzie name was certainly a familiar one. He recalled his election win as “a time of great excitement.” As it happens, Joe would hit the ground running – for what was then known as South Ward 1 & 2, moving a motion two weeks into his first term that would see the City acquire the Second Marsh for preservation and public use. It was a motion that would ultimately be successful, and he told me about Doug Wilson, a well-known and experienced Alderman taking him aside and quietly saying in his ear, ‘I can’t believe you just got elected and managed to get your motion passed!’ Over the course of the next 25 years, Joe’s commitment to his community would fuel many debates at city hall, including his fight for a local community centre in the south end of the city and his push to enact environmentally friendly policies throughout the municipality. The establishment of the Joseph Kolodzie Oshawa Creek Bike Path in 2010 – in honour of his 25 years as an advocate for the health and well-being of the residents of Oshawa, was a testament to my friend’s devotion to his community. His is a legacy that will last for generations to come, and few among the members of council who have helped govern the city can lay claim to such a long lasting achievement. An account of my friend’s life and experiences would not be complete without making reference to one of the most difficult times he has had to face, and that is the passing of his twin brother, political mentor, and friend, Edward Kolodzie. Ed died on October 4, 1997 after a lengthy struggle against the effects of a massive stroke, which left him paralyzed and unable to speak for a number of years. As Joe described it in a very moving tribute to his brother, “Ed was famous for his “Kolodzie’s Laws” and his never-ending efforts to control costs at City Hall.” Joe went on to add, “Our parents’ values were fundamental to Jean, Ed and me, and as Ed would always say, if you see it at home – it rubs off on you.” I encourage my readers to join with me in taking a moment to pay tribute to a true Oshawa statesman; one who helped to forever change this city for the better – for his tireless devotion at giving younger generations a hand up in life, and his endeavors at creating a legacy which, more important than bearing his name, has enabled individuals and families to better enjoy time spent outdoors. As a member of Oshawa Council, Joe brought a sincere willingness to see his hometown governed with fairness, and an understanding of the need to forever maintain a sense of pride for their community. “Have a great Oshawa day!”