It is with great honour and reverence we acknowledge the long life and passing of Antonina (Tosia) Haydar on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at the age of 100 years plus 34 days old.

Tosia was a loving devoted mother to Jeannette Petkoglou and husband George, Frank Haydar and wife Pauline, Michael Haydar and wife Terri. Further more, an adoring Nonna to her grandchildren Paolo (Gina), Ryan (Alyson), Jeff (Cammy), Darren (Sara), John (Heidi), Fallon (Jonathan), and Jenna.

Great Nonna Tosia cherished beyond measure her 17 Great Grandchildren; Julia, Victoria, Brooke, Carter, Deacon, Cooper, Maddy Liam, Quinn, Owen, Justin, Sarah, Travis, Allie, Emma, Isaac, baby Carter.

She was dedicated and inseparable to her sister Stasia Raciborski nee Saladziak, who sorrowfully passed just four days before, 27th of November 2024, at 96 years old. Sisters bonded through blood, in their daily lives, finally spirit with spirit, joining our glorious Lord together. Tosia was born on the 28th of October 1924 in Wojtkowa, Poland to Michal and Maria Saladziak. She was a twin, and daughter to a family of seven siblings - Pawel, Tadek, Mary, Tosia & Helen, Stasia, and Joseph. Her life journey is a story of triumph over adversity, of love in family, faith in God, and an enduring sense of community all of which laid the foundation for
her extraordinary will and indomitable spirit.

Her journey from Poland to Canada is a testament to her virtue and character. At the age of sixteen, in 1940 Tosia along with her family and hundreds of thousands of fellow Poles were deported in sealed freight trains from their towns and villages to Gulags in Siberia in Russia. Her father and brother were tragically killed through this imprisoned journey. Tosia and her family survived unimaginable inhumane conditions by foraging for food and living in unheated unsanitary shelters. When released by the Soviets, Tosia and her surviving compatriots were left on their own to cross the vast frozen expanses of Siberia through the deserts of central Asia to seek safety in Polish refugee camps around the world. The Saladziak family ended up settling in a camp of British Tanganyika, Africa to rebuild their life from scratch.

In this new found life and land is where Tosia met her husband, Albert Haydar. In fact, three Saladziak sisters, Tosia, her twin Helen, and Stasia wed three Haydar brothers, Albert, Emile, and Louis. This was the start of a new generational family chapter TOGETHER. Tosia and Albert were united in marriage June 1, 1946 in Tanzania Africa. This blessed marriage bore four children; Jeannette, Joseph (infant loss), Francis, and Michael.

Tosia and Albert immigrated in 1972 to Toronto where they worked hard to build a new comfortable life for themselves and their children. Sadly Tosia was widowed in October of 1999, having celebrated 53 beautiful years of marriage and life together.

Tosia was extremely proud of her Polish and Catholic heritage. She particularly cherished participating with the Mlodzi Sercem Copernicus Choir. She was the epitome of devotion to her Catholic faith. Her life was a constant reflection of prayer, sacrifice, and service—all reminders of her unshakable faith. She had a deep, unspoken connection with God, and her prayer life was unwavering. Her faith was the foundation of everything she did, for her community, friends, and utmost her family. Tosia’s faith wasn’t just something she practiced; it was who she was. She embodied the love, humility and grace that come with being a true follower of Christ.

Tosia’s biggest prayer and wish was for her children and family, simple yet profound: to live in unity and support one another, no matter what. This was all she wanted as her legacy—strengthening the family bond and ensuring that love and care for one another would always remain at the heart of everything. It’s a powerful reminder that the truest legacies aren’t just material, but the values we pass down through generations.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at the Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W. Toronto, Ontario on Wednesday, December 4 from 5 - 8 pm, rosary with priest at 5 pm.

Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, December 5 at St. Casimir's Church, 156 Roncesvalles Ave., Toronto, Ontario at 10 am. Interment will follow at Sanctuary Park Cemetery, 1570 Royal York Rd. Etobicoke, Ontario.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to Copernicus Lodge Foundation. We give many thanks to Copernicus for the care and comfort provided to Stasia & Tosia.