The illness he was battling, which struck a strong, fit man in the prime of his professional life, shocked not only his loved ones but also ordinary people. For Dariusz Kwaśniewski, serving as starosta was both a job and a passion—at the same time, an obligation and an honor.
When he began battling a serious neurological illness at the beginning of 2016, as a result of which he suffered quadriplegia and experienced breathing difficulties, he emphasized that his condition in no way affected his intellectual abilities. Until November 2016, he coordinated the work of county institutions and shared his knowledge, skills and experience.
As starosta of our county, he wrote in a summary of his work that it had been full of commitment and wonderful moments that rewarded the hard work, full of efforts, decisions and their results. But also of failures and disappointed hopes, as well as ongoing crises. Yet it had never contained crises of motivation or doubts about the goals Dariusz Kwaśniewski considered important.
His last—and, as it turned out, one of his greatest—projects, into which he put his heart, was building cooperation with Bosnia, which he visited in 2015. He received an exceptionally warm welcome there. He wrote about that first trip to Bosnia: “it was as if I were at home.” During the trip, he primarily spoke with people. He liked that; it was important to him. He sincerely thanked Franjo Komarica, bishop of the Diocese of Banja Luka, for organizing talks with representatives of municipalities where Poles lived. With representatives of Polish associations in Bosnia, he agreed on activities for the following two years. He was deeply impressed by his meeting with the Polish residents of Celinovac—who had selflessly nurtured their Polish identity for decades through prayer, singing and customs. Helping these people was a great obligation for Dariusz Kwaśniewski.
When he left office, he warmly said goodbye to everyone who had supported him in his work for the benefit of the County, and he forgot no one. He thanked the heads and employees of the Starosty Office, who had managed to build an institution that was competent and friendly to residents. He thanked school principals and teachers, whose help enabled him to create a functional county education system that became a distinguishing feature of Lower Silesia and the country; directors and managers of county organizational units; heads of services, inspection bodies and guards; as well as the employees of those units for their work and commitment. He thanked the local-government officials with whom he had had the pleasure of working, the Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, fellow starostas, and representatives of associations and social organizations.
Friends and colleagues about Dariusz Kwaśniewski
Cezary Przybylski, Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship:
Dariusz Kwaśniewski will remain in my memory forever as a good person, a wonderful colleague and an exceptionally ambitious local-government official. His colleagues valued him greatly for his commitment and diligence. Nearly two decades of cooperation allow one to get to know a person well. Together, we completed many projects. He could always be relied upon, and he always devoted himself to his duties with passion. He was not only very creative, but also able to implement his ideas effectively. It is partly thanks to his efforts that our county is now one of the strongest in the region, while the vocational education reform launched here has become a model for others to follow. Death took Dariusz from us far too soon. May his soul rest in peace.
Karol Stasik, Bolesławiec starosta:
With great sorrow, we say goodbye to Our Colleague and Local-Government Official, who achieved a great deal, particularly in education. His contribution to the present state of county schools is invaluable. Years ago, he showed great intuition by elevating vocational schools at a time when they were being closed throughout Poland. He pursued his ideas with determination and was also able to persuade many creative people to support them. As a result, major educational projects were completed, one of the largest undoubtedly being the Modernization of Vocational Education Centers in Lower Silesia. Focusing on skilled workers and vocational professionals was an excellent decision, as time has confirmed. Only today are programs being implemented throughout Poland to save vocational education, which had been neglected for years. He was able to persuade many people from the so-called educational team to support his efforts, and this is by no means obvious in other counties. His appropriate management style inspired school principals to cooperate and develop creatively. It is difficult to deny his insight in action and his pioneering decisions concerning the continuous improvement of the quality of education. To this day, our schools lead in obtaining funds for educational initiatives and projects. Creating an atmosphere of partnership and alliance in a “good cause” was also a great skill Dariusz possessed. Thank you for your life, achievements and our shared work. Unfortunately, you were taken from us prematurely by a merciless illness. You will remain in our memory. I share the family’s and loved ones’ pain and extend my sincere condolences.
Piotr Roman, Mayor of Bolesławiec:
Some people become symbols of total dedication to their work, enormous empathy, and treating the fulfillment of their duties for the good of society as an extremely important goal. At the same time, they can maintain a sensible view of reality and the proper distance from everyday difficulties. Dariusz Kwaśniewski was such a person; I had the pleasure of inviting him to work for the local government in 1998. From that time onward, his dedication to his daily duties inspired my respect and admiration. Darek, you will remain in my memory and recollections as a sensitive person, able to win people over, see the world around us from a different perspective, bravely defend the ideas he believed in, and promote sport with passion.
Stanisław Chwojnicki, permanent member of the Board of Powiat Bolesławiecki:
I met him many years ago; I was impressed by his energy and consistency in carrying out his ideas. He succeeded in implementing many valuable projects in county schools that changed the face of education in Powiat Bolesławiecki. For years, we tried to work well together as part of the County Board. I will remember him as an open and kind person. I remained in constant contact with him until the end, trying to help him in his struggle with such a serious illness—one that shocked us all and took Darek from us prematurely. I wish to express my sincere grief and condolences over such an immeasurable loss.
Józef Król, deputy chair of the County Council:
It is difficult to write in the past tense about someone who, in the fullness of life and creative strength, falls seriously ill and dies as a result. He leaves us—colleagues, friends and family. This is not how it should be; it is hard to accept, but sadly Darek is no longer with us. He has left us, and we will no longer ponder together which County matters are more important or urgent; time has stopped. In this inevitable drama of departure, there is one positive thing: people like Darek live on in the memories of others for a long time, because Darek was a committed man with great passion, very hardworking and open to others. This is the Darek I remember, and this is how he will remain in my memory. Farewell, Darek; we will miss you.
Mirosław Sakowski, principal of the II General Secondary School in Bolesławiec:
God has taken you on a long journey, giving Us one hope: that one day those who remained here in pain will also cross the threshold of Heaven...
Mariusz Lickiewicz, social and sports activist with BCIL Via Sudetica and Klub Kolarski XTRABIKE Bolesławiec:
A true Friend. A Great Man—with a capital G. An outstanding politician and local-government activist with immense knowledge, intelligence, effectiveness and consistency. Sensitive to the problems of others. A good colleague, ready to devote his time to those who shared the same passion.
A condolence book was placed at the headquarters of the County Starosty Office on Piłsudski Square. The final farewell to Dariusz Kwaśniewski took place on Friday, October 6, at the cemetery on Słowiańska Street in Świdnica, the deceased’s hometown.
