Hillman Photography Initiative

This is the only photograph my husband has of his father, Peter P. Babyak. My husband asked me to give the Certificate of Citizenship photo a cleaner look because it's the only picture he has. I tried my best considering it's a document photograph. Peter came from Czechoslovakia when he was 8 years old. He lived in North Braddock with his family. Peter's dad was killed in a work related accident and Peter P. Babyak was expected to financially provide for his mother and sister; it was the way of his original country. In 1920 Peter ran away to join the service. He didn't care much for the old country way and wanted to make himself a life. My husband found an archived Pittsburgh Press article from 1920 stating that Peter Paul Babyak was missing and his mother was anxious about his where abouts. It was very exciting to come across the old article! Peter P. Babyak married a much younger woman, my husband's mom, and they were entrepreneurs most of their married life. My husband remembers his parents owning restaurants, clubs, rental properties and owning games in carnivals. Imagine that, my husband was a Carny! At the age of 13 years old, my husband found his father had stopped breathing. Peter P. Babyak passed away from a heart attack while sitting in his chair. He had been sick and had been trying to recuperate. Continue to R.I.P. Peter P. Babyak.