Sigmund Jucker, an original founder of Three Brothers Bakery, died December 11 at age 98.
Jucker’s was a life of hard work, survival, and ultimately rewarding success. He was born in Chrzanow, Poland, in 1922, and, according to his obituary, started working at his family’s bakery at a young age. He was apprehended by Nazi soldiers and sent to a concentration camp in 1939, spending six years in captivity during the Holocaust.
On May 8, 1945, the day Germany surrendered unconditionally during World War II, he awoke in camp to find Nazi Secret Service officers had fled. Jucker cut the wires of the camp’s gate, liberating himself and the other prisoners. A few years later, he moved with his family to America.
After arriving in Houston, Jucker and brothers Sol and Max continued to work in a bakery setting. In 1949, they opened Three Brothers Bakery, which has survived and thrived because of its tried-and-true recipes for challah, bagels, and all kinds of rolls, not to mention cakes and pies, Danish, and cookies.
His eldest son, Robert Jucker, now runs the bakery, which has expanded with multiple locations.Â
The family is hosting a virtual service Monday. In lieu of flowers, the Juckers ask people to consider a donation to Holocaust Museum Houston, Emergency Aid Coalition, or a local food bank.
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