Font Size

Philadelphia Region Local News

Red Cross Reuniting Holocaust Survivors

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: American Red Cross logo
CBS

Close

numSlides of totalImages

Related Slideshows

: Flyers Fans 'Flyered Up'

: Zoo Babies: Cuteness Unleashed

: Celebrity Bump Watch

: Celebrity Mug Shots

: Real Or Fake?

The American Red Cross said they have located the brother of a Philadelphia woman after the two were separated over six decades ago during the Holocaust.

Officials said 83-year-old Irene Famulak, who lives in the Art Museum area, recently learned her brother, 81-year-old George Galizkij, is living somewhere in Ukraine. The two have not seen each other in 66 years.

The family was separated in 1942 when the Nazis invaded their Ukrainian home and split up the six siblings and their parents. Famulak was sent to Germany to be a cook while it is unclear what happened to Galizkij.

Famulak, who was 17 at the time, said her days were grueling.

"We worked from until 7 in the morning until 7 at night," she said.

The months turned into years and Famulak eventually married and moved to the United States. She settled in Philadelphia, but never heard from any of her family again.

But with the help of the Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center of the American Red Cross in Baltimore, officials were able to eventually locate her youngest brother.

Galizkij contacted the Red Cross Tracing Center and a short time later, Famulak learned he was still alive and looking for her.

"I said, 'My God.' It's my dream, it's a good thing," she said.

While the two have not yet spoken, the Red Cross is working on planning for them to meet. Famulak's daughter said the family will most likely travel to the Ukraine to see her brother and possibly two sisters.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross is currently working to trace 18 Holocaust survivors in the Philadelphia area.

CBS3.com Editor's Picks

You need the latest Flash player to view video content.
Click here to download.

Click here to bypass this detection if you already have the latest Flash Player.