Robert Wensell "Wense" Grabarek (May 21, 1919 – December 15, 2019) served as

mayor In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities of a mayor as well a ...

Durham, North Carolina Durham ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the county seat of Durham County, North Carolina, Durham County. Small portions of the city limits extend into Orange County, North Carolina, Orange County and Wake County, North Carol ...

from 1963 to 1971. Greeted upon entering office with mass

civil rights Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's entitlement to participate in the civil and political life of ...

demonstrations, Grabarek was credited with striking a tone of moderation. He established the "Durham Interim Committee," composed of two black and nine white members, with a mandate to “resolve and reconcile” racial differences. Over the next few months,

segregation Segregation may refer to: Separation of people * Geographical segregation, rates of two or more populations which are not homogenous throughout a defined space * School segregation * Housing segregation * Racial segregation, separation of humans ...

ended at most of Durham's restaurants, hotels and movie theaters, swimming pools, libraries, the

chamber of commerce A chamber of commerce, or board of trade, is a form of business network. For example, a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to ad ...

, and the

Jaycees The United States Junior Chamber, also known as the Jaycees, JCs or JCI USA, is a leadership training, service organization and civic organization for people between the ages of 18 and 40. It is a branch of Junior Chamber International (JCI) ...

. Grabarek also served on the Durham City Council from 1957 to 1961. Grabarek was born in

Luzerne, Pennsylvania Luzerne is a borough located north of Wilkes Barre in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 2,703 at the time of the 2020 census. History The community was first settled in 1807. It was later incorporated as a boroug ...

. He served in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin University and worked as an accountant. Grabarek, his wife, and family moved to Durham, North Carolina in the 1950s.R. Wense Grabarek-obituary
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References

People from Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Benjamin Franklin University alumni Military personnel from Pennsylvania Mayors of Durham, North Carolina North Carolina city council members 1919 births 2019 deaths American accountants American centenarians Businesspeople from North Carolina Men centenarians North Carolina Democrats {{Pennsylvania-politician-stub