Kalman was in his early twenties when he died in the fire, leaving Sarah(who spoke little English) and was alone in NYC with her then 11 month old daughter Lillian (Elliot’s mother). The story goes on that Harry (Kalman’s older brother) came from Russia, married the widow and raised the child as his own. In fact his grandchildren never knew otherwise until after he died in 1963.

Tags: Family, Fatality, Garment Industry