Hartmayer
Submitted by his daughter, Shlomit Hartmeyer, Holon
Leon (Arye) Hartmeyer was born in Boryslaw June 10th, 1928. He was the oldest son of Josef, a constructor, and Ettle. His father constructed homes in Boryslaw. His mother was a good-hearted woman who loved her family and loved to cook and entertain family and friends.
Leon had a sister, Betka, who two years younger than him and who was murdered in the holocaust. As a child, he loved reading and studying. He was especially interested in history, geography and literature.
Leon was a student when the war started. On September 1st, 1939 he woke-up to the thundering noise of the German airplanes on their way to bomb the oil facilities in Boryslaw. During the war, the family was separated. Initially, Leon was in the Boryslaw ghetto and then he was transferred with his uncle to Auschwitz–Birkenau. Leon survived the Holocaust thanks to his resourcefulness, courage and pure luck.
After the war, Leon arrived in Katowice, where he met his father and together they immigrated to Israel and settled in Holon. Leon studied to become a radio technician. He served in the air force in different roles for more than 40 years.
In Holon, Leon met Rachel. They married and had two daughters.
Leon passed away in Holon on December 30th, 2016.
