Some dreams are saved for others

[Times photo: Stefanie Boyar] After his retirement from an information systems career, Zenon Sawicki wasn't quite ready for a life of nothing but leisure, so he continues to help others by working as a security guard and doorman at a condominium on Tampa's Bayshore Boulevard.

Interview By Susan Dix

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 13, 2001

Zenon Sawicki, 73, is a security officer at 345 Bayshore condominiums in Tampa

As I was growing up, my intention was to be a surgeon. I felt that I am extremely skillful, having excellent hand and eye coordination, and I always felt that I could -- I had a feeling for a person that was hurting, and I knew deep down in me that I could help. Military life hindered that ambition.

I was born in Poland in a place known as Lwow, which is now in Ukraine territory. Since my family was basically an aristocratic family, the family intent for a political career led me at the age of 4 to enter the Polish Military Academy, where I stayed until the invasion of Poland in 1939. We emigrated to Africa, where I undertook French schooling prior to my immigration to the United States in 1948. Then, for the first time in my life, I became a citizen of a country after being a stateless person for 22 years. That should tell you that my sentiments for America by far exceed the sentiments of a natural-born American.

My military career led to a business career dealing with information science management, which I did until retirement, so a medical career was out of the question. Now, my dream is to enjoy my retirement. I moved from Washington, D.C., where I had a very diversified and hectic professional career and have finally had the opportunity to move to Florida, which was a long desire for over 30 years. I finally made that at the age of 72. It took me a long time to get here. So, instead of me being a surgeon, now my daughter will be one.

Photo by Stefanie Boyar. Interview by Susan Dix.

My Dream is a new feature in which people discuss their goals and aspirations. It appears on Saturdays in Floridian.

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