Editing Oscar S. Willenzik
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{{Infobox Biography | {{Infobox Biography | ||
| subject_name =Oscar S. Willenzik | | subject_name =Oscar S. Willenzik | ||
− | | image_name = | + | | image_name = |
− | | image_size = | + | | image_size = |
− | | image_caption = | + | | image_caption = |
| date_of_birth =[[June 18]], [[1918]] | | date_of_birth =[[June 18]], [[1918]] | ||
− | | place_of_birth = | + | | place_of_birth = |
| date_of_death =[[March 18]], [[2007]] | | date_of_death =[[March 18]], [[2007]] | ||
− | | place_of_death = | + | | place_of_death = |
| occupation =Restaurant supply entrepreneur | | occupation =Restaurant supply entrepreneur | ||
− | | religion =[[ | + | | religion =[[B'Nai Israel Synagogue|Jewish]] |
− | | spouse = | + | | spouse = |
− | | parents =[[William | + | | parents =[[William Willenzik]] |
− | | children =Sally Schukar | + | | children =Sally Schukar, Judy Cunningham, Jerry Willenzik & Susie Antweil |
| signature = | | signature = | ||
| signaturesize = | | signaturesize = | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | '''Oscar Samuel Willenzik''' ([[1918]]-[[2007]]) was a Pensacola businessman who owned [[ | + | '''Oscar Samuel Willenzik''' ([[1918]]-[[2007]]) was a Pensacola businessman who owned [[Oscar's Penko]] restaurant supply company, located in the [[Lewis Bear Building|Lewis Bear]] and [[Willko Building]]s on [[Palafox Place]] at [[Main Street|Main]]. |
− | + | Raised in Pensacola, Willenzik attended Tulane University and was valedictorian of his senior class, then studied law at the University of Florida. He served in the [[Navy]] during [[World War II]]. Returning to Pensacola, he and his father [[William Willenzik|William]] launched the Pensacola Restaurant Supply Company on [[April 1]], [[1946]], and quickly expanded their business from 1,600 square feet to 36,500 square feet.<ref name="forsale">"Historic buildings for sale." ''Pensacola News Journal'', May 11, 2003.</ref> The company also included Oscar's brother [[Norman Willenzik|Norman]] and sister-in-law [[Carla Willenzik|Carla]]. | |
− | Raised in Pensacola, Willenzik attended Tulane University and was valedictorian of his senior class, then studied law at the University of Florida. He served in the [[Navy]] during [[World War II]]. Returning to Pensacola, he and his father | ||
− | + | Facing an economic downturn in the new century, Willenzik consolidated much of his business and let go about half of his employees, including several family members.<ref name="forsale"/> In October [[2006]], the [[City of Pensacola]]'s [[Code Enforcement Board]] cited the Willenziks for code violations on their two properties. Oscar wrote to the ''[[Pensacola News Journal]]'' in response to the code citation: | |
− | Facing an economic downturn in the new century, Willenzik consolidated much of his business and let go about half of his employees, including several family members<ref name="forsale"/> | ||
{{cquote|I am still operating Oscar's Penko, Inc. as successor to Pensacola Restaurant Supply, at times unprofitably, primarily to avoid these buildings becoming vacant and being victims of vandalism and decay. [[Hurricane Ivan]] came and left its destruction, accompanied by a myriad of large problems never before experienced in our area during my lifetime. … We have already spent approximately $1,262,000 on repairs, and are in the process of entering into new written contacts, estimated to be in excess of $400,000, to complete this project. … Even Ivan, the most catastrophic hurricane to ever hit our area, and Father Time of 88 years can never take away the pride and love I have for these two buildings. It has been two years of frustration, perseverance and hard work. I hope there will be gratification in the end.<ref>"Building repair a priority downtown." ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 19, 2006.</ref>}} | {{cquote|I am still operating Oscar's Penko, Inc. as successor to Pensacola Restaurant Supply, at times unprofitably, primarily to avoid these buildings becoming vacant and being victims of vandalism and decay. [[Hurricane Ivan]] came and left its destruction, accompanied by a myriad of large problems never before experienced in our area during my lifetime. … We have already spent approximately $1,262,000 on repairs, and are in the process of entering into new written contacts, estimated to be in excess of $400,000, to complete this project. … Even Ivan, the most catastrophic hurricane to ever hit our area, and Father Time of 88 years can never take away the pride and love I have for these two buildings. It has been two years of frustration, perseverance and hard work. I hope there will be gratification in the end.<ref>"Building repair a priority downtown." ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 19, 2006.</ref>}} | ||
− | A few months later, on [[March 18]], [[2007]], Willenzik passed away at age 88 | + | A few months later, on [[March 18]], [[2007]], Willenzik passed away at age 88. |
− | Willenzik was past president of [[B' | + | Willenzik was past president of [[B'Nai Israel Synagogue]] and a member of [[B'Nai Brith]], the [[Pensacola Federated Jewish Charities]], the [[Tiger Bay Club]], the [[Pensacola Historical Society]] and the [[Downtown Improvement Board]]. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
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{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
− | [[Category:2007 deaths|Willenzik, Oscar]] [[Category:Business biographies | + | [[Category:2007 deaths|Willenzik, Oscar]] [[Category:Business biographies|Willenzik, Oscar]] |