Copernicus Lodge Building Committee members, Kazia Bladek (centre), Dr. Ted Ptak (third from right) and Father Michael Smith (far right) at the construction site in 1978.
Founders’ story – Kazia Bladek & Dr. Ted Ptak
In the early 1970s, a visionary idea took root in Toronto’s Polish community: the creation of a senior’s home where aging Poles lived surrounded by their culture and heritage. This dream would eventually become Copernicus Lodge.
Father Michael Smith, a Polish-Canadian priest known for his community work—from building St. Casimir’s Catholic Church to establishing the Polish Credit Union on Roncesvalles Avenue—led the charge. His ability to inspire others brought together a diverse group of loyal and devoted followers, including Casimire “Kazia” Bladek, a Polish-Canadian nurse and Dr. Theadore (Ted) Ptak.
Kazia’s involvement began with conversations in her own home, where she and her husband, Dr. Roman Bladek, first learned about the project from Father Smith. Her background in health care, including a diploma in Public Health Nursing from the University of Toronto, made her a valuable partner to help realize the project.
Her commitment and devotion was long-lasting. She became one of the inaugural founders of Copernicus Lodge in 1976 and served on the Board of Directors for over 30 years, at one point holding the position of second Chair.
In 1977, she co-chaired the Founders’ Ball with Mona Kotowski. This fundraising gala was a milestone event organized to raise funds to realize the dream of building Copernicus Lodge, attracting donor support from the Polish-Canadian community and the commitment and involvement of prominent political figures like the Honourable Senator Stanley Haidasz and Toronto City Councillor Ben Grys. The goal was to secure pledges totalling $500,000. The mission was accomplished!
Dr. Ted Ptak, currently a practicing gastroenterologist at Humber River Regional Hospital, joined the effort at the same time as Kazia Bladek after he was encouraged to meet with Father Smith by Murphy (Marian) Hull, a close personal friend of his and a Polish-Canadian developer who was deeply committed to helping to achieve the dream of building Copernicus Lodge. For many, including Dr. Ptak himself, the project had would later gain personal significance. Both his mother and mother-in-law would eventually become residents of Copernicus Lodge.
Building Copernicus Lodge wasn’t easy. Guided by Father Smith, the founding directors faced challenges with funding, bureaucracy, and coordination. But they persevered, driven by their commitment to the Polish community and the pressing need for such a facility.
This year, as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of the opening of Copernicus Lodge in May 1979, Kazia Bladek and Dr. Ted Ptak are a testament to community action and being united to achieve a common purpose. Their collective efforts, with those of more than two dozen other founding directors, created a home where Polish Canadians have been able for the last four decades to age with grace and dignity, surrounded by their language, culture and traditions.
Casimire Bladek passed away on April 7, 2024, in her 95th year.
