Meet Paul Sikorski: Gwinnett Veteran Turned 100 Years Old on Veterans Day

By Tana Poncsak

People who live to be 100 years old are bound to witness a lot of change in the world. And that’s certainly the case with Paul Sikorski.

On November 11, 2022, Sikorski, who is a World War II Veteran, had a lot to celebrate –Veterans Day and his 100th birthday. And it was quite a celebration with a special happy hour at his current residence, Dogwood Forest of Grayson, with about 120 people in attendance. “We had quite a celebration here,” Sikorski said about the festivities that included a champagne birthday cake. He also had an additional celebration with family and friends. But Sikorski hasn’t always been a Gwinnett resident. He was born in Chicago and grew up in Riverside, a suburb of Chicago. Sikorski said the area is also called the Village of Winding Streets, which made it quite an experience growing up there and learning how to

get around.

As a young boy, radio, newspapers, and magazines were his sources for information and entertainment.

But like many other young men, Sikorski also spent time in the military. He left for basic training in California around 1942 and served in the United States Army Signal Corps. After basic training, he was sent to Washington D.C., where he was trained in microfilming, and from there he was sent to Liverpool, where he was stationed in London and got his first taste of war. Five days after settling in London, there was an air raid.

“We had our first taste of the war and the first indication there were people out there who would kill us if they got the chance,” he said. “We survived that. It was a close call.”

He said you could hear the V-1 rockets coming, and when the sound stopped that meant they were on their way down. Then the silence was followed by a big explosion. Hitler was sending over more than 100 rockets per day in an attempt to coax Churchill into surrendering.

Sikorski also spent time in Paris while in the military, where he also set up microfilming operations, and he stayed there for the remainder of the war.

After the war, he went to school and earned his degree from Northwestern University. His new employer was expanding, and he found himself back in Europe. This time he was able to enjoy many of the sights Western Europe had to offer. He enjoyed the museums of Amsterdam, Paris, and Madrid, and spent time in Italy, where he visited the historic Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel. But one of his favorite sights can be found in Florence, Italy – the Statue of David by Michelangelo.

“I will always remember that,” he said. “It was just unbelievable.”

With a new job, he made his way south, living in Chattanooga and working for a company in Dalton, Georgia. He retired after forty-five years.

Sikorski’s wife passed away in 2005. He has one son, who still lives in Chattanooga, a daughter in Virginia, and a son who lives close to Dogwood Forest, where he now resides. He referred to his nearby son as the one responsible for his current residence and his chauffeur to his various appointments, adding that “…they’ve been here for thirty-five years, and they know where all the good restaurants are.”

As for Dogwood Forest, Sikorski said he was the first resident to move there. “I’ve been here for five and a half years now,” he said. “It’s been my home, and I’m very happy with it.”

Sikorski exercises seven days a week, and although he uses a walker, the exercises help him stay mobile and out of a wheelchair. Lately, a lot of people have asked him what’s his secret to longevity. “I tell them my secret is vodka and Krispy Crème doughnuts,” he said. “A doughnut every morning, and a vodka at night before bed while watching television.”

business and didn’t know where to even begin. But she went on to say, “God had everything planned out already. He told me to take one step at a time. He gave me everything I needed to start and build my business down to the name, colors, and design.”

So in September 2020, Precious Hands was born. To date they staff twenty caregivers who endure vigorous training and screening before being assigned to clients. Services, such as companionship and sitting; nursing – arranging trips to the doctor, accompanying clients to doctor visits, and picking up prescriptions; and personalized care – bathing, feeding, grooming, dental care, etc., are the primary focus. They also send some of their experienced staff to assisted living and nursing homes as temporary fill-ins when needed.

The one thing Rolande would like others to understand about the home care field is that it’s a heart thing – focused on love and compassion – not about the money.

“We always treat our clients like our own parents,” she said. “Seeing the joy in the family members’ eyes because they know their loved ones are in good hands, is the best part of what we do. One of our clients recently came to me and said, ‘I’ve never found a caregiver who could make my mom smile like she does when your staff visits her,’ and that meant the world to me.”

Yohanna, Rolande’s administrative assistant, shared, “We don’t simply cater to the physical and daily life needs of our clients. We enrich their lives with activities, community events, DIY projects, BINGO nights with cash prizes, and more.”

Rolande added, “We say, ‘Every hand is sent from above,’ which is why I feel God told me to name it Precious Hands. I never thought a dream I had at eighteen would lead me to where I am today.”

More information at www.precioushandscare.com.