Martin Baranek was born in 1930 in Starachowice, Poland. After 17 months in a labor camp, he was taken to Auschwitz. In January 1945 he was forced on the Death March from Auschwitz to Mauthausen Concentration Camp.  Martin was later forced on another death March to Gunskierchen. There he was liberated by the American Infantry 71st Division on May 4, 1945. He arrived in Italy in June of 1945 before going on Aliyah-Bet on an illegal ship to Palestine. After a forced stay in Cyprus, Martin landed in Palestine where he was placed in the Atlit Detention Camp. Martin fought in the 1948 War of Independence. In December of 1948, he arrived in Canada and was reunited with his Mother. In 1953, Martin married Betty Eidelman. Together they raised 4 children and are proud grandparents of 9 grandchildren.