Born in Băița, Maramureș County, then part of Austria-Hungary, his parents were Ion Șugar, a miner, and his wife Floarea (née Griga).
[1] His later university years coincided with Romania's participation in World War II, and Șiugariu was briefly called up twice during this period.
Considered undesirable by the temporary authorities due to his political stance, he had to take a 12 km (7.5 mi) walk daily to the gendarmes' post for visa purposes.
[4] In 1944, after Romania switched sides to the Allies, he participated in the Romanian Army's push into Central Europe, reaching the Czechoslovak Front.
His first book was the 1938 poetry volume Trecere prin alba poartă, followed by two other collections: Paradisul peregrinar (1942) and Țara de foc (1943).