Bohlsen, Herman (42060992): Difference between revisions

Herman H. Bohlsen was born October 18 1906 in Ostrhauderfehn, Germany. Many West Islip residents may not know who the Bohlsen family is by name, but they might be familiar with one of the five Long Island restaurants they own: Tellers Chophouse and Verace in Islip, the Beachtree Cafe in East Islip, H2O Seafood Grill in Smithtown and Prime in Huntington. However, the family's restaurant history on Long Island began with the Pine Lake Tavern on Montauk Highway in West Islip, across from where Saltwaters Tackle and Bait Shop is today. The Pine Lake Tavern was opened by Herman and Hilda Bohlsen, both originally from Germany. Herman was born on October 18, 1906 in Ostrhauderfehn and Hilda was born on August 14, 1912 in Mackenbach. Both immigrated to America between 1924 and 1927. When Herman arrived he lived with his brother, Gerhardt, who was already living in America. "The Tavern was most basically described as a German restaurant and bar, but not completely German," Michael Bohlsen said. "My grandfather bartended and my grandmother was the chef. Mostly German food and steaks, hamburgers and other American food. Sauerbraten was the specialty. Herman and Hilda's legacy of family owned restaurants was passed on to their son John. He and his wife, Linda, opened Arby's--a fast food restaurant in 1969--before moving into the full service restaurant business in 1983 with the acquisition of the Beachtree Cafe in 1983. "My grandparents lived the American Dream as it was taught to us as children," Bohlsen said. "They came to this country with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a willingness to work hard. "They served their community and their country in order to give their children more than they had. Our business today is a direct result of the opportunities these two German immigrants started working for in 1927." Said the couple's grandson, Michael Bohlsen: At some point during the war, when my grandfather was 35-years-old, he decided to demonstrate his patriotism by joining the Army with a restaurant, a wife and two children at home. The restaurant was closed for two years while he served in the Army, interpreting and interrogating captured German soldiers." PVT Bohlsen was discharged at Fort Dix on August 29, 1945 and received the Good Conduct Medal. PVT Bohlsen passed away on August 16, 1993 at the age of 86, and is buried at Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, NY. Attached is a family photo of the Bohlsen family dated from the mid to late 1940s.