Jozef was born in the village of Doliniany, Poland on 22 December 1922, to Stefan and Zofia Kiszka.

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A decorated war veteran, he joined the Polish 2nd Corps as a young man, trained in the Middle East, participated in the battle of Tobruk in North Africa and fought in the Italian Campaign, including at Ortona, Monte Casino, and Bologna in Italy. Along with a number of other medals, he was awarded the Cross of Valour for his courage in battle.

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Jozef emigrated to Saskatchewan, Canada, and worked as a labourer while learning the language and customs of his new country. He settled in Marcelin, Saskatchewan, where he worked for St. Joseph's Nursing Home. He met Mary Katelnikoff and they were married on 27 September 1949, sharing 55 years of love, laughter and some tears together. They worked hard and eventually were able to purchase their own land.

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Jozef took special pride in his family and in his farm; they were his whole life and there was nothing he loved more. He was a man of honour, a man of his word, and lived his entire life in honesty and integrity. Proud, yet humble, his quiet strength, dignity, steadfast determination, and gentle manner made him the rock-solid foundation of his family, and someone to look up to. He and his wife raised their four children with a firm yet gentle hand, always encouraging work well-done, good education, discipline, faith and all the same values he lived in his daily life.

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A hard worker, he spent many long hours in the fields and barns, taking great pride in producing a good harvest and fine livestock. He always loved life and watching things grow, and perhaps that's why he chose farming as his occupation.

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Jozef Kiszka, late of Marcelin, Saskatchewan passed away atShellbrook Hospital on 23 September 2004 at the age of 81 years.