Stefan Gonciasz

Stefan Gonciasz was a remarkable man. Although small and fragile in appearance, he had a heart of gold that weighted more than he did. This sweet hearted little man was known by the family as "Jodgie" (grandpa) who spoke only his native tongue of Polish, who loved to roll his own ciggerettes. He had long strong fingernails that probably could rivel the strength of Bear Claws, and two fingers that were stained of golden yellow, and the sweet smell of the tabacco he enjoyed. Stefan was instrumental in helping thousands of people escape Russian Communisum through the Polish Underground Army. When he was finally discovered by the German Soldiers, he was faced with two choices. Death, or flee the country in order to save the lives of his wife and two daughters. Thanks to his incredible wit and spirit, his daughters went on to have full lives, and although his first wife in Poland died, of natural causes, he went on to have another family with another wife, and had 7 more children in America. Certainly, his first family was never forgotten, in heart or spirit, by him or his second family. Unfortunately for Stefan, and his daughters, they could never see each other again. The only means of communication was then done by mail through other family members. Stefan's hardships did not end there, not only did he lose his first family, he also would never see his siblings ever again. He had 1 brother and 3 sisters, rescent information has come from our family in Poland which has confirmed 2 more sisters that we never knew of. We still don't know his brothers first name, but his 3 sisters were Leokadia Gonciarz who went to France, Franciszka Gonciarz who is in Konskie Poland, and Karolina Gonciarz who stayed in Krasna Poland. Our Family is still in contact with the descendants of his first family, still living in Kielce, Poland. Stefan's grand daughter is now living in Stefan's home, on the farm that he lived at and built together with his first wife. We have just recently discovered that his first wife's last name was Wojna. And due to the language barrier, it is extremely difficult to communicate. However, thanks to the efforts of translators, and the postal service, our family has stayed united in small ways. Stefan Gonciasz was a man devoted to the Roman Catholic Religion. And the fact that he helped so many people, of ALL religious faiths, he was a man of great courage. One of which who had a tremendous amount of love for his fellow man, including the Catholic Priest of his Parish, who turned him into the German Soldiers, for helping others to escape......Stefan Gonciasz died April 19, 1968 Alondra Community Hospital, Paramount , Los Angeles, Calif.


"TREASURES FROM OUR BASEMENTS" \| home back to Photo Album Photo 1 \| Stefan Gonciasz \| Agnes Gonciasz's Story \| Anna Gonciasz \| Charlotte Joanne \| The Morehead's \| John & Stella Wolfe \| Stephen \| The Gonciasz's \| Charles Gonciasz \| Eleanor Gonciasz \| "The Kids" \| Stefan/Bertha \| George and Charlotte Ball \| Sandy Bosio \| "Bertha's Naturalization" \| Stefan's Naturalization" \| Family Group \| The Mansfield's \| The Strong's \| Ball Wedding \| "George Ball and Marine Buddies" \| Amber Wells \| Natalia Gonciarz \| Wolfe Family \| Natalie & Yadwiga \| Brother Gonciasz \| Jan & Paulina Gonciarz \| Emily and Ashleigh Oberg \| Nettleton Group Photo \| Gonciasz Marriage \| Jadwiga @ 15 w/Natalia \| Gonciasz Sisters w/ Stefan \| 1963 Stefan & Bertha \| Natalia & Zuzanna, Jadwiga & baby \| Jadwiga Swiat \| Linda and Reuben Jr. \| "Cookie's Story \| Note of Thanks \| Reuben and Agnes Nettleton \| Oberg's/Bingham's \| Phyllis and Jeanie \| Leokadia Florentyna (Wojna) Gonciarz Stefan Gonciasz True name- "Szczepan Gonciarz" Born- Dec. 26, 1879 in Kielce Village, Poland Son of Jon Gonciarz/Gonciasz and Paulina Hano. Stefan Gonciasz was a remarkable man. Although small and fragile in appearance, he had a heart of gold that weighted more than he did. This sweet hearted little man was known by the family as "Jodgie" (grandpa) who spoke only his native tongue of Polish, who loved to roll his own ciggerettes. He had long strong fingernails that probably could rivel the strength of Bear Claws, and two fingers that were stained of golden yellow, and the sweet smell of the tabacco he enjoyed. Stefan was instrumental in helping thousands of people escape Russian Communisum through the Polish Underground Army. When he was finally discovered by the German Soldiers, he was faced with two choices. Death, or flee the country in order to save the lives of his wife and two daughters. Thanks to his incredible wit and spirit, his daughters went on to have full lives, and although his first wife in Poland died, of natural causes, he went on to have another family with another wife, and had 7 more children in America. Certainly, his first family was never forgotten, in heart or spirit, by him or his second family. Unfortunately for Stefan, and his daughters, they could never see each other again. The only means of communication was then done by mail through other family members. Stefan's hardships did not end there, not only did he lose his first family, he also would never see his siblings ever again. He had 1 brother and 3 sisters, rescent information has come from our family in Poland which has confirmed 2 more sisters that we never knew of. We still don't know his brothers first name, but his 3 sisters were Leokadia Gonciarz who went to France, Franciszka Gonciarz who is in Konskie Poland, and Karolina Gonciarz who stayed in Krasna Poland. Our Family is still in contact with the descendants of his first family, still living in Kielce, Poland. Stefan's grand daughter is now living in Stefan's home, on the farm that he lived at and built together with his first wife. We have just recently discovered that his first wife's last name was Wojna. And due to the language barrier, it is extremely difficult to communicate. However, thanks to the efforts of translators, and the postal service, our family has stayed united in small ways. Stefan Gonciasz was a man devoted to the Roman Catholic Religion. And the fact that he helped so many people, of ALL religious faiths, he was a man of great courage. One of which who had a tremendous amount of love for his fellow man, including the Catholic Priest of his Parish, who turned him into the German Soldiers, for helping others to escape......Stefan Gonciasz died April 19, 1968 Alondra Community Hospital, Paramount , Los Angeles, Calif.