Most lives are a combination of the heroic and the mundane. Some heroism is well-known & seen by many. Some mundanity is is well-known & seen by many. Most heroism and most mundanity are seen by few. Here’s Kaz Scibor– fighter of Nazis, maker of furniture.
KAZIMIERZ SCIBOR, 77
February 24, 2003
As a teenager during World War II in German-occupied Warsaw, Kazimierz Scibor struggled to survive by selling newspapers and delivering furniture. Mr. Scibor fought in the Warsaw Uprising, and was one of the few in his battalion to survive.
Mr. “Kaz” Scibor, 77, retired owner of Scibor Custom Furniture and Upholstery in the South Side and Palos Heights, died of complications from lung cancer Friday, Feb. 21, in West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park.
“The whole war experience gave him a strong will to be resourceful and to survive,” said his daughter Yvonne. Mr. Scibor, who was born in the countryside town of Lublin, Poland, was the youngest of 12 children.
When the Nazis invaded Poland, Mr. Scibor’s parents took him to stay with older siblings in Warsaw. The Nazis later executed his father. Mr. Scibor ended up in a POW camp in Germany with Allied forces, which led to his recognition as a U.S. veteran. After the war Mr. Scibor settled in London, where he learned the upholstery trade.
In 1952, a year after immigrating to the U.S., Mr. Scibor opened his first store on 54th Street and Ashland Avenue in Chicago and met his wife of 49 years, Helen, at a Polish dance in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. He moved the business two years later to the Beverly neighborhood.
With his retirement about six years ago, he was able to enjoy more traveling, golf and games of gin rummy. His daughter took over the business, relocating it to Palos Heights.
Other survivors include a son, Henry; two other daughters, Ranay Luthin and Diane Grisamore; and three grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Monday in Lawn Funeral Home, 7732 W. 159th St., Orland Park. A mass will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Michael Church, 14327 S. Highland, Ave., Orland Park.