---

John (Janusz) Textor
(1947 - August 28, 2008)
engineer, writer

Born in Gdansk, John arrived in the United States when he was 16 years old. He joined the US Navy and served for three years, then finished his engineering studies. He settled in Sheboygen, MI, in a house situated on Lake Michigan. His interest in history and the various maritime disasters on the lake inspired him to write a historical novel about a tragic journey undertaken by Dutch emigrants in 1847 to seek land in the American West. The steamer which was to take them to a new place caught fire and sank near Sheboygen taking most of its passengers to their deaths. In those times this was the worst maritime disaster in North America. The novel "Phoenix: The Fateful Journey" gained recognition among readers and John was invited to conduct an author's evening at the "Kawiarenka przy swiecach" [Candlelight Cafe] at the Polish American Citizens' Club in South Boston. He delivered his presentation both in perfect Polish and in excellent English. A review of this highly absorbing book, and a chapter, were printed by the "White Eagle" [newspaper].

During the last weeks of his life John was working on a play based on incidents in the book which he planned to have performed at a theater in Sheboygen but the rapidly deteriorating state of his health would not allow him to finish.

Among his journalistic accomplishments John had an interview with Lt. Stanislaw Rollerder, the oldest still living cavalryman from the September 1939 campaign who fought first the Germans and then against the Russian Red Army which attacked Poland on Sept. 17, 1939. This text contained valuable information about the events which transpired as Poland fought against overwhelming odds. This interview was also published in the "White Eagle" which John aided through his writing but also financially.

From: Editorial Staff, White Eagle - Bialy Orzel Bialy, Sept. 19, 2008

---