They would, he and his brother, no doubt, were both from those who could inspire a Hugo or Zola in their quest of the popular characters tortured destiny.

From the distant memory I have of my grandfather, I still perceive the quiet strength that emanated from him. I remember his gigantic veined hands and the tire smell that seemed to never leave him.

I had the chance to see him almost every day and I still admire him, his behavior and his advice are still influenced my decisions today.

During the 30 years I spent with him, I do not remember having seen him lose his self-control, nor slander, nor dwell on yet his rough past.

I remember a man weathered by work, the huge apetite, smile and the catching « joie de vivre » he had. Being sharer, generous and selflessness, that only those who have suffered are able to bring.

I do not think I will ever get to match what it was. I just hope to be worthy of remembrance for those who knew him in the past.

Paul and Marcel were born in Lapoutroie, far away in the German-French Alsace from the beginning of the last century. They were between those two nationalities, like many others at that time

The First World War left them orphaned and without real strong ties to their home region. The East is decimated by years of horror. At the early puberty, they had to migrate to the capital. Therefore, they survive on odd jobs.

Unfortunately, the Second World War began and stopped his ascent. In this period, I have bits and pieces of the future of my grandfather, Marcel nothing. I bite the fingers of not having been more insistent.

Deported by German to the labor camps, he managed to escape twice. The first time he stole a bike of course; and he joined the capital without too much difficulty.

Deported by German to the labor camps, he managed to escape twice. The first time he stole a bike of course; and he joined the capital without too much difficulty.

When the war was finished, Marcel opened a bicycle shop thank to his fame. The bicycle was the sole mean of affordable locomotion; Business is booming, it flowed up to 800 each week.

Equipped with an undeniable commercial flair, he made the bet to stop this activity to be associated with the most advance technology products. He was Frigidaire first dealer and made his fortune with home appliance.

Marcel left us when he was 80 years old, the same way he lived, gloriously. He got a heart attack while driving, he protected with his body as he could his wife at his side and drove straight to a wall to get out of traffic.