Stanisław Furmanek was born in 1900 in Daleszyce where he lived with his wife Stefania and 5 children. The Furmanek family had a shop. The Jewish Bajla Szlam’s family lived opposite and ran a bakery. The two families were friends. Bajla had a daughter Estera, the four sons, and among Moredk, the daughter-in-law Gołda and a grandson. In 1941 the German gendarmerie from the Bieliny police station looted the Jews of all their belongings and flour stocks. Stanisław came in aid – he helped by providing food.

In September 1942, just before the planned displacement of Jews from Daleszyce, Stanisław Furmanek agreed to help the Szlam family get out of the city. Using their own cart, Stanisław with his 12-year-old son Czesław transported the whole Jewish family to Raków where they were offered further help. The cart was driven by Czesław. He often travelled this way to transport commodities to his father’s shop. This therefore did not arouse anyone’s suspicions – recalls Teresa Baćkowska, Stanisław’s granddaughter and Czesław Furmanek’s daughter.

It was early dawn when my father Czesław and his father Stanisław tool cart and set off with the Jews. They left the cart near Rakow, thanked my father and grandfather and promised “Czesiu, if we survive we will set up a bakery business together”. As far as we know, they have survived.

Many more Daleszyce inhabitants were involved in transporting Jews to safe places. In September 1942, 300 out of about 600 Jewish residents remained in Daleszyce. Several people, including Stanisław Furmanek were arrested by the German gendarmerie for helping the local Jews. Their families were deprived of horses, cars and property. The Furmaneks’ estate was put up for sale and the family was to be sent to Germany for forced-labour camps. However, one of Daleszyce inhabitants bought the Furmaneks’ property and received the permit to have Stefania and her children stay in and work for him. This saved the family as their fate was uncertain, from that time 12-year-old Czesław Furmanek and his mother were to provide for the family and take care of the siblings.

Stanisław Furmanek was imprisoned in Kielce, he was also tortured. Stanisław died on 3 April 1943. In 1994, he was honoured with the Righteous Among the Nations posthumously.

Marlena Płaska