Hank and Terri Doktorski: Hank’s Early Years

Hank and his mother at their home in South River, New Jersey (c. 1931).

Hank and his father at their home in South River, New Jersey (c. 1931).

Hank was born Henry Doktorski on September 14, 1929 in South River, New Jersey. He was the first of four children: the twins John and Joan, and brother Anthony who died at the age of two years. While Hank was very small both his parents worked during the day, so he was cared for by his maternal grandmother Franciszka Wysocki who lived just a few blocks away. Since his grandmother (and parents) spoke mostly Polish at home, Hank did not become fluent in English until he entered first grade; Polish was his first language.

Hank’s first communion: Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church (1936)

The eldest of four children, Hank learned responsibility early in life. He remembers pushing his twin brother and sister in their carriage and being in charge of keeping the peace when they had a squabble. During his pre-teen years he worked on a nearby farm and also earned money as a paperboy. A portion of his earnings went to his mother to use as she saw fit.

As a boy Hank raised rabbits to supplement the family income and dinner table. His hutches contained 100 rabbits during its heyday; he is fond of telling the story of one large and aggressive rabbit which successfully chased a barking dog from the property.

At the age of sixteen he left high school to work on a farm which his parents were hoping to purchase. He retained a love for tilling the soil for the rest of his life. At the age of 18 he completed a correspondence course in drafting.

Hank was a member of the wedding party at the marriage of one of his buddies (ca. 1950).

Hank, Terri, Irene Sitkowski and Hank’s brother John at the South River High School Senior Prom (1950).

Terri’s Early Years

Hank and Terri’s Home Page