Family History
Kostrubala
The Kostrubala’s in the USA all originated from Anton and Helen Kostrubala and their three sons, John, Joseph and Marion. They came from the area of Zamosc, Poland arriving in Chicago 1912 (Anton) and Helen and the three boys in 1913.
Anton, (photo left side), was a member of the Polish Underground in Russian occupied Poland. He was exposed and escaped. Helen and the three boys were arrested, expelled to Austria and made their way to Chicago assisted by ex pat Poles. Anton arrived a year earlier in Chicago also through the assistance of Poles supporting the emergence of Poland as a free nation.
The photo below shows Helen and Anton in front with Marion to the left,
the middle is John and Joseph to the right. This is a photo taken at
Helen’s and Anton’s 50th wedding Anniversary in Chicago, 1948.
- John had two children, Pola and Bart. Pola married and had a son and a daughter, Paul Koro and Christine. Bart had 4 sons; Bart Jr., Gary, Craig and Mark and one daughter, Sharon.
- Joseph had one son, me. Thaddeus Lewis.
- Marion had a son, Jan and a daughter, Dana.
This is the Harkot family. Photo taken in Poland prior to her marriage
to Anton. Facing the photo she is in the back row farthest to the left.
Evidently a brother is next to her. Another sister on the right.
My father had a home on the East coast of Florida but he died just two years after he retired.
Seated below are the two parents.
The tropical background has been realized by one grandchild here in Southwest Florida. Curious that they would choose such a backdrop.
Observing
my own life pattern I have been reaching for this tropical situation my
entire life. It was first realized by my Internship at Tripler Army
Hospital in Hawaii. Then from 1988 to 1990 on Kauai.
To the right is Anton and Helen Kostrubala in Chicago.
They were affectionately called Babcia and Dzia Dzia "Ja-Ja."