Franciszek Gajowniczek, the Polish army sergeant whose life was spared when a Franciscan monk took his death sentence at Auschwitz 53 years ago, died on Monday in the Polish city of Brzeg. He was 94.

Mr. Gajowniczek, one of several prisoners selected by the Nazis to die by starvation in a dungeon at Auschwitz called the "hunger bunker," survived because the Rev. Maksymilian Kolbe volunteered to take his place.

When the punishment was imposed because another inmate had escaped, Mr. Gajowniczek, who was a farmer in civilian life, pleaded that he should be spared because he had a wife and children.

On a visit to the United States last December, Mr. Gajowniczek told the story himself: "Father Kolbe told the commandant, 'I want to go instead of the man who was selected. He has a wife and family. I am alone. I am a Catholic priest.' " The priest also contended that he was "elderly," Mr. Gajowniczek said. Father Kolbe was then 47. Mr. Gajowniczek was 41. The commandant agreed to the switch.