Andrew Babiak Sr. Family History
To the best of my knowledge this family came to this country in 1910. They originated in the Carpathian Mountains of the Ukraine(at that time it was considered a part of Austria). Not much is known about the family before emigration to the USA. The family name may have originally been spelled Babyak or Babjak, but was arbitrarily changed during the emigration. The most characteristic family features are the deep seated blue eyes, wide chest and wide hips.
Andrew Babiak Sr. was born on Oct. 29,1909. He was the first born son of John Babiak & Antonia(Ference)Babiak who emigrated to the USA in 1910, with their first son Andrew, and were later blessed with 3 more sons, John, Peter and Paul.
John Babiak worked two jobs to support his family. He worked for the Ford Motor Company and as an insurance salesman in Newark, New Jersey. He also did tailor work in his spare time for his family and friends.
Antonia Ference was originally from Alsace Loraine. A small country near France. She was a rather tall woman both in frame and character. Which allowed her to tower over her four sons as she worked at home to raise them.
Andrew proved to be her most challenging child. A very gorgeous child who being raised in a neighborhood composed mostly of a mixed group of emigrants, learned to speak at an early age several languages, which included Ukrainian, Slovak and Polish. His over friendly nature often got him in trouble at school, as he often would be more interested is socializing than in studying. But all in all, he proved to be a very bright person who learned the newspaper publishing business and spent many years printing the add inserts for the Newark newspaper. He was not always a good example for his younger brothers, but did supply a wealth of examples of what not to do.....
When World War II arrived he was drafted and served in the European Theater. Shortly before the war ended he was wounded by a land mine, impairing his vision, which made it impossible for him to return to the printing business. Instead he spent the rest of his working years delivering kegs and cases of beer to local establishments for the Balintine Brewery. During that time he married and fathered one son. Shortly after his sons first year his marriage ended and he never remarried. Time spent with his son was mostly on weekends and during summer vacations.....
Andrew Babiak Sr. died alone in his home about a year after his son was drafted into the army in 1967. At the time of his death his son had received papers to report for duty to Vietenam. His departure was interupted for his fathers furneral, which Andrew Jr. often times considers saved his life. After a short leave Andrew Jr. was ordered to report to Germany instead of Vietenam.
Anyone searching Babiak family relations are welcome to contact us if they feel they might be a relative.