How I came in possesion of my Grandfather's picture:

When we lived in Liverpool, NY, my wife was interested in getting an antique oval frame for whatever reason I don't remember.  At this time I was with a division of Chrysler called New Process Gear for 7 years.  This was my first assignment after I received my Masters Degree in Automotive Engineering from the Chrysler Institute of Engineering.  On one of our visits home to the Buffalo area, ( my wife was from Cheektowaga) I remembered seeing an oval frame in my parents' attic some time ago. While visiting them, I went to the attic to rummage through the junk that was there and found the picture of my grandfather.  I asked my father if I could have it and he said yes.  I  then asked who the man in the picture was and he said, "that is your grandfather."  HELLO!!!!  I was never told about him or that I was named after him.  He is listed on the ship's registry on the boat my father came to the US on as his father, again the last name misspelled.  I have been unsuccessful in finding his records at Ellis Island as to when he came and when he went back to Poland. The picture is circa early 1900s and I don't know where it was taken but I assume here in the Buffalo area.

The picture (above) was taken somewhere in Poland. My father is sitting on the left. The man standing is my dad's best friend who traveled with him to this country, Michael Antosz.  Michael is also my oldest sister's Godfather. She is also the one who had 85th birthday party a couple of years ago. Her name is Mary Matecki. (picture below)

 

Mom and Dad
September 19, 1916
Our Lady of Czestochowa Church
North Tonawanda, NY

As a side note:   All five of my parents' children were married in the same church as they were.  My four sisters' weddings took place at OLC....ONLY IN AMERICA!!!!!!!

The little guy is me @ 1 year.

My First Communion picture
was taken about 1942/1943

Our wedding picture was taken 9/7/57