The Final Journey of the Late Professor Bogumił Łączyński
The ceremonial farewell of Professor Bogumił Łączyński took place on 9th May 2023 at the Oliwa Cemetery in Gdansk.
The funeral mass began at the St Francis of Assisi Church in Gdansk with the introduction of the Gdynia Maritime University banner. The mass was celebrated by parish priest Jacek Tabor as well as the Pastor of the People of the Sea, the Chaplain of Gdynia Maritime University, Father Dr Edward Pracz. In his homily, he spoke of Professor Łączyński as a navigator who always reached his determined destination, and in doing so, left behind him many outstanding works.
The funeral ceremony at the Oliwa Cemetery began with a prayer in the chapel in the presence of the coffin of the deceased. The funeral procession was accompanied by a guard of honour and standard bearers. Bidding farewell to Professor Bogumił Łączyński on his final journey were his family, the Rector, Senate, members of the Gdynia Maritime University Academic Community, and representatives of organisations and maritime institutions with which Professor Łączyński cooperated during his lifetime. Speaking on behalf of the family during the ceremony was the Professor's son, as well as Dr and Master Mariner Andrzej Królikowski, the Head of the Master Mariner's Association, and Marek Dzida – a representative of the Lech Kobyliński Foundation for the Safety of Navigation and Environmental Protection.
On behalf of the entire academic community, Professor Adam Weintrit, the Rector of the Gdynia Maritime University, also spoke:
We bid farewell to an outstanding man, a special person. I travelled to five continents with Professor Bogumił Łączyński, and I could always count on him in any situation. The Professor represented our University around the world; he was our ambassador. Today, at noon, the "Dar Młodzieży," the "Horyzont II," and the "IMOR," as well as the model ships in the Ship Handling Centre in Iława, sounded their sirens in tribute to the Director of the GMU Ship Management Office.
Professor, Director, Captain! Thank you. It was an honour to work with you. On behalf of myself, the Senate, staff, students and graduates of Gdynia Maritime University, I offer my deepest condolences.
Professor Łączyński was a Master Mariner, Director of the GMU Ship Management Office, a co-founder and long-term Deputy Director of the Iława Ship Handling Research and Training Centre, Deputy Chair of the Council of the Foundation for Safety of Navigation and Environmental Protection in Iława, Vice President of the Management Board of the Polish Shipowners' Association, former Deputy Rector for Maritime Affairs, a member of the Maritime Higher School and Gdynia Maritime Academy Senates, Director and Head of the Institute and Department of Ship Operation, Director of Academy Maritime Services Ltd., and a co-founder of the International Association of Maritime Universities. He died suddenly on 1st May 2023 at the age of 70.
