In the mid-'90s, when we arrived in Poland as Peace Corps volunteers, we were made aware mostly of Edward Piszek's generosity
Piszek's legacy
As two Americans from Mount Laurel teaching English in a teachers college in Poland, we would be negligent if we allowed the death of the Polish-American "fish-cake king" and philanthropist Edward Piszek to go by without our words of tribute.
In the mid-'90s, when we arrived in Poland as Peace Corps volunteers, we were made aware mostly of his generosity. The Peace Corps presence and volunteerism were due largely to his advocacy of bringing English as a second language and American economic values to this newly emerging democracy. His Copernicus Society published an educational and entertaining magazine for children and adults titled World of English.
Little League baseball came to Poland through his funding of the Kutno Stadium. Even today, one can find English textbooks in many Polish schools that have Delaware Valley connections. His Liberty Foundation shipped tons of textbooks collected from the Wissahickon, Colonial, Perkasie and Upper Dublin districts, and others as well.
Piszek's efforts are helping to produce a generation of tolerant, open-minded and worldly citizens.
Paz and Jack Lutz
Nowy Sacz, Poland
