Ferdynand Blazonczyk, 93, who immigrated to Chicago from Poland in 1934 and frequently sent money to his native village to maintain a church and build a school and rectory, died Saturday, Jan. 29, of complications caused by hardening of the arteries, in Pine Bush, N.Y. Mr. Blazonczyk was born in Chocholow, Poland in the Tatra Mountain region. Mr. Blazonczyk, who was known as Fred, came to the United States after meeting his wife, Antonina, an American citizen who grew up in Poland. She died in 1972. Remembering his Polish heritage was important to Mr. Blazonczyk, who played the cello in the Polish Highlanders String Ensemble. After World War II, he helped more than 100 Polish immigrants settle in the United States by offering them food, money, or a place to stay, said his daughter, Louise Kurek. Mr. Blazonczyk worked in the Chicago stockyards before opening Mountaineers Tavern at 47th Street and Ashland Avenue, and Pulaski Hall and Restaurant at 18th Street and Ashland Avenues. He served as director of the Polish Highlanders Alliance of North America. Mrs. Blazonczyk is also survived by his son, Edward Sr.; a sister, Zofia Kois; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Ferdynand Blazonczyk, 93, who immigrated to Chicago from Poland in 1934 and frequently sent money to his native village to maintain a church and build a school and rectory, died Saturday, Jan. 29, of complications caused by hardening of the arteries, in Pine Bush, N.Y. Mr. Blazonczyk was born in Chocholow, Poland in the Tatra Mountain region. Mr. Blazonczyk, who was known as Fred, came to the United States after meeting his wife, Antonina, an American citizen who grew up in Poland. She died in 1972. Remembering his Polish heritage was important to Mr. Blazonczyk, who played the cello in the Polish Highlanders String Ensemble. After World War II, he helped more than 100 Polish immigrants settle in the United States by offering them food, money, or a place to stay, said his daughter, Louise Kurek. Mr. Blazonczyk worked in the Chicago stockyards before opening Mountaineers Tavern at 47th Street and Ashland Avenue, and Pulaski Hall and Restaurant at 18th Street and Ashland Avenues. He served as director of the Polish Highlanders Alliance of North America. Mrs. Blazonczyk is also survived by his son, Edward Sr.; a sister, Zofia Kois; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
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