Difference between revisions of "Oscar S. Willenzik"
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'''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]]. | '''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, [[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]]. |
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"/> 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: | ||
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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== | ||
Revision as of 01:31, 5 August 2008
| Oscar S. Willenzik | |
|---|---|
 Willenzik, center, at a Progress Club function in 1948
| |
| Born | June 18, 1918 Pensacola, Florida |
| Died | March 18, 2007 Pensacola, Florida |
| Occupation | Restaurant supply entrepreneur |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Spouse | Ethel Willenzik Linda Pell |
| Parents | William and Helen Willenzik |
| Children | Sally Schukar Judy Cunningham Jerry Willenzik Susie Antweil |
Oscar Samuel Willenzik (1918-2007) was a Pensacola businessman who owned Oscar's Penko restaurant supply company, located in the Lewis Bear and Willko Buildings on Palafox Place at 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, 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.[1] The company also included Oscar's brother Norman and sister-in-law Carla.
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.[1] 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:
| 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.[2] |
A few months later, on March 18, 2007, Willenzik passed away at age 88.
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
- WorldVitalRecords.com
- Obituary. Pensacola News Journal, March 20, 2007.
