Peter Albert Knize

Haberdasher

And Educator

Peter Albert Knize, 86, of Newtown and Pine Crest, Fla., died June 19. He was born in his beloved city of Vienna, Austria, June 16, 1934.

Mr Knize and his parents were forced to flee Austria during the Nazi Anschluss. After two years of hiding in France, Spain, and Portugal, they procured passage to New York where they started a new life. Mr Knize returned to Europe as an American soldier and fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.

He was the head of Knize, Inc, a fine custom tailoring business in Vienna, Austria, originated in 1858. There were stores in Paris, Prague, London, Bad Gastein, New York, and on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. The Vienna store clothed the European royalty and elite, while the American stores attired actors, musicians, composers, and artists, including Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, Leonard Bernstein, Gary Cooper, Georgia O‘Keeffe, George Sanders, Yul Brynner, Charles Boyer, Bruno Walter — and the Shah of Iran.

Later in life, Mr Knize sold his business and pursued his love of teaching of language and history.

His wife Lili of Newtown and Florida; his children Frederick, Christine, and Francis; and four grandchildren survive Mr Knize.

Interment was held privately by the family.

The Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, was in charge of arrangements.

The Newtown Bee        June 25, 2010