Pawel Antosik

Pawel Antosik departed this life on March 3, 2021 at the age of 43. Pawel was taken from his loved ones way too soon by cowardice and senseless gun violence. Pawel lived an extraordinary life where he began his first trek in this life in Poznań, Poland with his loving family and few close friends. Even with a caring family, typical life during this era in his beloved Poland was not easy for a kid considered “different” and he eventually ran away to Berlin, Germany a few years after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Pawel’s second milestone in his life commenced in Berlin and used his favorite European city as his home-Base and visited almost every corner of the world, including the stunning cities of Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, China & Hong Kong, etc. In 2006, he met his current husband, a US Army Soldier visiting Berlin during leave and had their first unconventional dates in visiting Berlin’s sites, museums, and off-the-trail tourist spots. They continued their travels throughout Europe and met many wonderful lifelong friends along the way. In his last life ambition, Pawel and his husband decided to make the big move across the ocean to New Orleans, Louisiana where Pawel fell in love with the city, the culture, and the people. Pawel embraced his new city and its laissez-faire culture, married his Love-at-First-Sight husband, worked at some of the best restaurants in New Orleans, bought their first house together, and recently became a US citizen in 2020. Before and during the COVID pandemic, Pawel was known to use his extraordinary culinary skills to make gourmet meals for the entire neighborhood, the homeless, the poor, elderly people, stock up the free-refrigerator on Claiborne & Elysian Fields on a weekly basis, and make dinner plates for anyone who would post on Facebook about their family’s hunger and deliver them personally on his bike. Pawel had a big heart and lived a motto of ensuring no one went hungry. Pawel had a love of history; architecture (especially old Catholic cathedrals, basilicas, and churches); fighting for his principle causes on equity and equality, climate, work, social, and racial injustices; Cooking and food; Traveling; Charity; and Exploring his beloved New Orleans through strolls and bike rides. Pawel is survived by his husband, Anthony Bonal; his mother, Ewa Olejniczak; his sister, Aneta and her husband Mariusz with their children; niece Hania & nephew Piotrus; American Mom-Melody, Brother-in-law Danny and his niece Emjay and nephew Daniel; Milka Stepien & family; His beloved Fifi, Beaux-Beaux, Jena, Patois; and a host of friends who became his family over the years and in many countries (Ewa, Roman, Daryl, Desmond, Albertas, Rudolph, QBT Berlin family, Düsseldorfer family, Cruise Buddies, Katherine & Moira, Debbie & Bud, Trey & Raven, Rabbit & family, Maddie, Peter & Bob, and many, many others). Pawel is also highly cherished and remembered by his beloved restaurant families at Satsuma Café, Patois, and Dick & Jenny’s. As many has invoked his memory, the world lost a beloved book character who truly lived in every moment and invited us into this creative world, who was passionate about societal injustices & human rights, helping others, and living HIS own American dream with that Polish/ German flair. Even though our Pawel is enough for one lifetime, the world would be a much better place if we had many more Pawels. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church at 1835 St Roch Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117 on March 17, 2021at 10:00 am. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am. Interment will be at St. Louis #3 Cemetery, 3421 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119. As mandated by the State of Louisiana due to the COVID-19 pandemic, attendance is limited. Everyone is required to adhere to all restrictions. You must wear a face mask at all times and practice social distancing. Arrangements are by D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to sign the online guestbook and to share memories and condolences for the family.