Julian Padowicz, 91, died at his home, December 24, 2023.  He was born in Lodz, Poland on January 13, 1932.  In 1939, at the beginning of WWII, when Poland was invaded he and his family were living in Warsaw.  Julian's mother, knowing that, being Jewish, they would be in mortal danger, fled Warsaw, Poland and began a two year journey that would take them across Europe, to South America and finally to the United States.  Julian spent most of his life in the U.S. in Connecticut.  He attended college at Colgate University in Hamilton, NY.  Following his military service of 4 years in the U.S. Air Force, he embarked on a career as a screen writer and producer of documentary and educational films.  In 2006, at the age of 74, he published a memoir recounting the story of the harrowing escape from Poland into Hungary.  "Mother and Me, Escape from Warsaw, 1939" went on to win awards and accolades from many sources.  This book was followed by 4 additional volumes recounting the rest of the journey, from Hungary to Brazil to the United States and his subsequent life in America.  His concluding book in the series was published in 2022. "Never Been This Old Before" recounts his life after a move from Connecticut to Hampton, VA.

Julian also used his extraordinary creativity and humor to pen a series of novels and 2 children's books as well as numerous short stories.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Donna; 3 daughters, Karen (Stu), Joanne (Ron) and Nadine (Tom); and 2 step-sons, Tom (Grace) and Joe (Jody); as well as 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.  He leaves behind many other beloved family members and dear friends.

Julian's ability to maintain his creativity and beautiful sense of humor after his harrowing beginning in this world was a continual inspiration to his friends and family.  He was kind, humorous, intelligent and most of all a gentleman and a gentle human being.  He will be so missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2PM on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Peninsula, Youngs Mill Lane, NN.