Casimir Sienkiewicz Explained

Casimir Sienkiewicz
Birth Name:Casimir Anthony Sienkiewicz
Birth Date:1 July 1892
Birth Place:Białystok, Congress Poland
Death Place:Doylestown, Pennsylvania, US
Nationality:Polish-American
Occupation:Economist and banker
Known For:Named first chairman of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), 1964; also was a well-known impressionist painter
Spouse:Jane Patton

Casimir Anthony Sienkiewicz (July 1, 1892 in Białystok, Congress Poland – June 24, 1974 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States) was a prominent American economist and banker who emigrated from Congress Poland in 1906.[1]

He was also the first chairman of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).[2]

Biography

A 1919 graduate of Princeton University,[3] Sienkiewicz became an advisor to federal, state, and local governments and an active civic and community leader. A well-known impressionist painter,[4] he was the husband of Jane (Patton) Sienkiewicz and the father of John C. Sienkiewicz (1933-2012), Wilbur P. ("Bur") Sienkiewicz and Michael A. Sienkiewicz.[3] [5] [6]

He joined the Federal Reserve Bank in Philadelphia in 1919 and eventually rose to vice president in charge of research, statistics, and bank and public relations.[7] [3]

From 1945 to 1946, he served on the United States House of Representatives' bipartisan post-war policy and planning committee.[3]

In 1947, he joined the Central-Penn National Bank of Philadelphia as its president, and later served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer.[7] During this time, he was also a president of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association[8] and, from 1958 to 1960, represented the Federal Reserve's third district as a member of the Federal Advisory Council.[3]

During the early 1960s, he chaired the Philadelphia Passenger Service Improvement Corporation.[9] [10] [11] In 1964, he was named first chairman of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), one of the largest urban mass transit agencies in the nation.[7] [3] [12] During his tenure as chair, Pennsylvania's state auditor general ordered a review of SEPTA's handling of state funds.[13]

In 2006, a historical marker was placed in front of his long-time Doylestown residence by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, recognizing his service and achievements.[4]

Philanthropic and civic affairs activities

A member of the United Fund's executive committee and board of trustees during the 1950s,[14] he chaired the fund's 1958 campaign. Between 1963 and 1965, he served as the chair of the building fund for the Jefferson Medical College and Medical Center. A member of the board of trustees for the Associated Hospital Service of Philadelphia (Blue Cross) and of the board of trustees of the Solebury School in New Hope, he also served as vice chair of the board of trustees of Doylestown's Tabor Home for Children and chaired the Doylestown Borough Authority.[3]

Death and funeral

He died in his early eighties in Doylestown, Pennsylvania on June 24, 1974.[3] His funeral was held at the Presbyterian Church in Doylestown on Friday, June 28.[15]

Notes and References

  1. "Casimir Sienkiewicz, Banker, 82." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 26, 1974, p. 33 (subscription required).
  2. "Casimir Sienkiewicz, ex-banker, SEPTA chief." Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call, June 27, 1974, p. 38 (subscription required).
  3. "Casimir Sienkiewicz, Banker, 82," The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 26, 1974.
  4. Web site: "Leadership in Excellence", 2006-2007 Annual Report ., Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Pennsylvania Heritage Society.
  5. "John Casimir Sienkiewicz" (obituary). West Palm Beach, Florida: The Palm Beach Post, January 22, 2012, p. B006 (subscription required).
  6. "Sienkiewicz, John" (obituary). Hartford, Connecticut: The Hartford Courant, January 22, 2012, p. B07 (subscription required).
  7. "Casimir A. Sienkiewicz Dies; Retired Bank Chairman", Gwiazda, July 4, 1974.
  8. "Economy in Balance, Area Bankers Told." Allentown, Pennsylvania: The Morning Call, October 20, 1955, p. 5 (subscription required).
  9. "Bucks Offers Cooperation on Mass Transit." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, front page (subscription required).
  10. "Plan to Be Unveiled for County's Future." Levittown, Pennsylvania: The Levittown Times, May 9, 1962, p. 2 (subscription required).
  11. Stanton, Jim. "Future Plans Are Outlined for County." Levittown, Pennsylvania: The Levittown Times, May 11, 1962, front page (subscription required).
  12. "Discussion Set on Transit Bills." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 19, 1867, p. 42 (subscription required).
  13. "Audit Ordered of SEPTA State Aid." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, November 29, 1967, p. 6 (subscription required).
  14. "UF Solicitation Opens This Week." Perkasie, Pennsylvania: News Herald, October 1, 1959, front page (subscription required).
  15. "Casimir Sienkiewicz, 81, dies." Doylestown, Pennsylvania: The Daily Intelligencer, June 25, 1942, front page (subscription required).