Atkinson- Edward "Edziu" Polonka, 65, died peacefully on January 18, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. He was a man of unshaken commitment and perseverance with a deep faith in God.

Edward was born, raised and educated in Poland. He graduated from Technical School with an Electro-Mechanical Specialty and he was immediately recruited by the Polish Navy into their Naval Specialist Training School. Ed graduated the program as an Engine Specialist of Aquatic and Underwater Vessels. He was assigned to the Polish Special Forces of the Amphibian Assault Regiment, where he reached the rank of Corporal. However, his aspirations of a future in the Navy were diminished, when he refused to join the Communist Party. In 1976, he was employed by GRYF, a Polish fishing company. As a Marine Engine Specialist, he worked on fishing vessels sailing all around the globe for thirteen years, being out at sea for seven to eight month sailings. It was at this time that Ed became active in Poland's underground Solidarity movement, where his travels abroad brought insight of western civilization to censored Poland.

On January 5,1989, Ed bravely led eleven Polish seamen in a daring ship jump in Boston Harbor escaping Communist/Socialist Poland in search of American freedom and a new life, an event widely covered by the national media. In a recent article, the Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza hailed Edward Polonka as one of the last defectors of Communist/Socialist Poland. In 2013, his life story was depicted in the book "A Leap to Freedom: Boston Harbor 1989."

Homeless, on the streets of Boston, Ed with a strong resolve; his two hands and his deep faith in God, created his new life - the American Dream. In 1996, he became a US Citizen, grateful and proud of his new country and the opportunity it afforded him. He became a true American patriot and defender of the American way of life.

Ed was a man of many skills, trades and talents. If he could envision it, he could create, build or fix it. Friends referred to him as " A Modern-Day MacGyver." Ed worked as a mechanical maintenance specialist at the Haverhill Paperboard, Ogden Martin Systems, Chesterton and The Greater Lawrence Sanitary District. Throughout his career he received many awards and recognitions for his ideas, improvements, and increase of production to plant operations, which he proudly displayed at his home.

He cherished and appreciated all forms of nature. Ed had a passion for racing pigeons where he enjoyed breeding and spending time with them. He could be seen walking the trails of New Hampshire and Maine with his Schnoodle "GiGi," a companion who never left his side. He took great pride in his vegetable gardens, orchards and Christmas tree farm. Ed especially loved fishing, boating, drinking red wine with friends and spending his summers on Frye Island, Maine.

Ed's greatest pride and joy was the loving family he leaves behind. He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of twenty-eight years, Christine (Nowacki) Polonka; his two daughters Katherine and Diana, who meant the world to him and of whom he was so very proud of; and by his many dear friends. Ed is predeceased by his father Tadeusz Polonka and survived by a host of family in Poland.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Berube-Comeau Funeral home, 47 Broadway, Haverhill, MA. His funeral will begin on Thursday morning at 9 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in All Saints Church, Haverhill. Burial will follow in Saint Patrick's Cemetery, Haverhill. To send a message of condolence to the family, please visit www.berubecomeau.com .