Marcu was born to Jewish parents in a small, ethnically diverse city in east central Moldavia [in Romania], a region known for its wine. He married at the age of 23, and had a son and a daughter with his wife, Anna. After World War I, Marcu followed in his father's footsteps by going into the wine making business.

1933-39: The price of wine was low due to the worldwide economic depression. Because the quality of my wine was excellent, however, it still fetched a good price. I spent much of my time cultivating my vineyards and then transforming the grapes into wine. In November 1939 my 20-year-old son Ion was drafted into the Romanian army.

1940-44: In 1941 Romania went to war with the USSR as Germany's ally [Axis]. A Yiddish-speaking stranger came to my door saying that the Soviets were coming to liberate Jews. This was a ploy to catch traitors, and I refused to fall for it. That day I was arrested by Romanian fascists [Iron Guard], who accused me of being a communist just because I was Jewish. I was badly beaten, tried by a military court and acquitted. But then I was held hostage to prevent acts of sabotage. When I was finally released, my vineyards and home had been confiscated.

Marcu was liberated by the Soviet army in August 1944. He continued to live in Romania after the war.

Marcu Butnaru