Jan ‘Yanek’ Liebgold, 94, of New Hope, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at the Bridges at Warwick in Jameson, PA. His loving family was at his side.

Yanek was born on May 4, 1922 in Krakow, Poland as the youngest child of Solomon and Basia Liebgold. His parents were traveling actors and Yanek spent all his early childhood with his grandparents, Marcus Sauber and Mindla Heu in Przemysl. He rejoined his parents in Krakow, after his grandmother’s death. When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Yanek was taken from his home and sent to a labor camp in Krzesowice. His parents and sister , Toni, were taken to the ghetto in Tarnow. Yanek took advantage of an opportunity to escape and returned to his family in Tarnow. There they urged him to go back to his grandfather in Przemysl, which he did. When the German occupied borders were open within Poland in 1940, Yanek crossed back to the German side to find his family who were still in the ghetto. However, Yanek was captured by the Germans and taken to Pustkow concentration camp. There he shared a bunk with two young prisoners, Adam and Willie, with whom he became lifelong friends. In 1944 Yanek and his group were transported by cattle car to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Upon arrival, he was selected for work at a sub-camp called Glivitz Drie. There he was tattooed. As the Russian Army pushed west, Yanek was moved or marched to several more camps until the Russians liberated him on May 8, 1945 in Theresienstadt.

In 1946, Yanek came to New York on the Liberty ship Marine Perch. He was sponsored by his brother, Leon, an actor in the New York Yiddish Theater who had spent the war years in the United States Army. Yanek began a 22 year career in the New York garment industry. In 1953 he married Ann Walker, the daughter of Audrey and Don Walker, a dancer who also grew up in a theatrical family. Ann was a native of Solebury Township and when the opportunity came to purchase the Cryer Hardware Store in New Hope, they took it. Ann and Yanek moved their young family to New Hope. They expanded their business with a decorative hardware shop called Cryer’s Little Shop. Yanek became active in the New Hope community. With his friend, John Larsen, he reorganized the New Hope Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the Exchange Club and served on the New Hope Zoning Hearing Board. He was a supporter of the arts and collected the work of many local artists. He was an avid tennis player.

Yanek was a man of intellect and gentle humor. He was a great friend to many. He was proud of his heritage. Yanek treasured his wife, Ann, their family and the life they built together.

Yanek is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Ann Walker Liebgold; his son Michael Liebgold of Morrisville and his daughter and son-in-law Tania and Bradford Finch of Furlong; his grandchildren Scott and Benjamin Finch , Nicole Williams and Marcus Liebgold and his great-grandchildren Gavin, Ashley and Tyler Williams.

Private graveside services were held on March 1 at the Thompson Memorial Church Cemetery in Solebury.

Contributions in Jan Liebgold’s memory may be made to: The Alzheimer's Association Research Center, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 (alz.org).

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