Marian B. "Frenchy" Lesniowski

Marian B. “Frenchy” Lesniowski, 83, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Saturday, March 7, 2009, at Plum Creek Care Center in Lexington. He was born September 8, 1925, at Krakow, Poland to Wincenty and Irma Nee (Ebel) Lesniowski. Frenchy was the eldest of five children. In 1939, fourteen year old Frenchy was in a bread line when KGB soldiers ordered him and others in the line into their trucks. He was taken to a Russian labor camp close to Siberia. He escaped in 1940 and walked home to Poland. In 1942, he was a few yards from his polish farm home when the Nazi’s picked him up. He was taken to Dachau, the first German concentration camp established in 1933. Dachau was the model and training center for all other S.S. organized camps. In WWII, the major camp was supplemented by about 150 branches in southern Germany and Austria. This camp was the first and most important camp at which laboratories were setup to perform medical experiments. Such experiments and the harsh living conditions made Dachau one of the most notorious camps. While at Dauchau, Frenchy was in a weakened condition and near death. His body was pitched into a ditch in 1943. The Polish Resistance rescued him. Frenchy heard that polish exile Prime Minister General Sirkorski was rallying the freedom fighting polish in England. Frenchy and others made their way across Europe through France and then to Spain. While making his way across Europe, he was so hungry that he could smell food cooking in a farm house two miles away. Many farmers and other groups hid and aided them. Spanish fishermen took Frenchy and others to England. September 21, 1944, found Frenchy and others in England where Frenchy reunited with his brother. There were 80,000 free Polish that had beckoned to polish General Sikorsnis’s call. The Polish nation was the only nation that served on all fronts in WWII. Poland was the first and only nation that said “No” to Hitler and because of that they paid dearly. Frenchy saw action all over Europe. He volunteered for service abroad. He was in the battle of Monte Cassino, Italy and also on a ship that transported captured S.S. officers. His brother was killed on that ship by an S.S. officer. Frenchy received the France and Germany Star medal which was a Campaign medal of British Commonwealth awarded for service during WWII. It was awarded for operational service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Germany from June 6, 1944, to May 8, 1945. The War medal 1939-1945, was also bestowed to Frenchy. It was a British decoration awarded to those who had served in the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines fulltime for at least 28 days between September 3, 1939 and September 2, 1945. Frenchy attained the rank of Corporal for his service with the Polish forces under British command from September, 1944 to September, 1947, and service with the Polish Resettlement Corp on October 6, 1947 to R.A. Res. Class “W” on January 1, 1948. He was finally discharged on September 6, 1949. Frenchy immigrated to the United States after 1958, with a Visa. He received his certificate of Naturalization to the United States of America in 1967. Prior to WWII, Frenchy was a turner-goldsmith apprentice. After the war, he was employed at a Goodyear tire factory in England. He was also a formica foreman and could install countertops. He was a carpenter, minor repair plumber, automotive mechanic’s helper, a rigger in a steel factory and a router. He was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad as a club porter, driver dispatcher, outfit helper on the system steel gang, operated heavy equipment, and was also a cook. Frenchy’s service in WWII and an employee for the Union Pacific Railroad made him well-traveled. Frenchy was an icon in Lexington. He knew everyone he met. He was warm, friendly and had a good sense of humor. His trademarks were his harmonica, keeping time to music with spoons and his butterscotch candy that he gave to whomever he met. He was described as a “little man in stature, but had a big heart”. Frenchy never married and had no children. His parents and siblings preceded him in death. He is survived by many friends and acquaintenances. A Graveside Service was held for Frenchy on Friday, March 13, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Lexington with Reverend Paul Colling officiating. The Lexington Volunteer Fire Department held a special place in Frenchy’s heart, so all memorials are to be directed to the fire department. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to: reynoldslovefuneralhome.com.