Ted Wojtowicz

Ted Wojtowicz was always willing to lend a helping hand to a friend in need. He was a devoted family man who took great pride in providing for his children, and he was known for his consistent optimism. When a neighbor asked him why he smiled, Ted said, "I have a wonderful life, and I wouldn't change a thing."

The year 1921 marked the dawn of a decade of economic prosperity and industrial growth. After the victorious end to the Great War, the stock market soared amid the new demands of a peacetime nation. Amid this climate of good fortune, John Wojtowicz and his wife Victoria discovered another reason to celebrate. They were expecting a child, and on April 22, 1921 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their son Thaddeus.

The sixth of ten children, Ted grew up in Posen, Michigan with the company of his sisters Stella, Eleanor, Helen, Clara, and Sophie, and his brothers Frank, Louis, Walter, and Edward. His mother and father had started their family in Detroit, but by the time that Ted was born, they had traded their city house for a farm in Posen. Their forty- acre farm was located on a poor plot of land. The family referred to it as their "rock farm." During the first two years of his life, Ted's father continued to live and work in Detroit.

Ted attended a one-room schoolhouse in Posen through the sixth grade. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He caught and raised homing pigeons for fun, and he enjoyed the companionship of his beagle for rabbit hunting. Ted earned a small income by trapping muskrats and selling their pelts. In addition to his hunting activities, he was also responsible for several chores around the farm. The family raised a variety of crops, and they owned chickens and a few cows. Ted enjoyed his life on the farm, and he always regarded himself as a country boy.

At the age of twenty-one, Ted was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served during World War II in the Philippines and New Guinea. He saw a lot of action during his military service, and he was discharged with the honorable rank of sergeant. Ted served alongside two brothers named Charles and Ray Hartuniewicz. At some point during the war, he began corresponding with their sister Ceil. A friendship bloomed through the letters that they sent to one another. After his discharge in January of 1946, he visited Charles and Ray in Grand Rapids. He was introduced to Ceil and her sister Lucille, with whom he quickly fell in love. They soon began dating, and their courtship ended in marriage on October 26, 1946. The wedding was held at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, and they honeymooned for two weeks at the farm in Posen. This was the first chapter of a marriage that would last fifty-nine wonderful years.

After their honeymoon, Ted and Lucille moved in with her sister Bernice and her husband Alex at 1209 Dayton Street SW, where they lived for three years before saving enough money to buy their own home. They bought the house at 262 Garfield SW where they started their family and continued to live for the duration of the marriage. Ted and Lucille were blessed with seven wonderful children. Vicki was born on December 23, 1947, followed by John on November 19, 1952, Bob on May 8, 1954, Sue on June 23, 1955, Chris on December 30, 1956, Char on June 18, 1960, and Dennis on July 24, 1963. All of the children attended Sacred Heart Elementary School. Vicki and John graduated from West Catholic High School; the rest of the children graduated from Union. Ted was a devoted father who found his greatest moments of happiness in the company of his children. Every Sunday, he took the kids on a walk to the nearby John Ball Zoo. In the summertime the whole family visited the farm in Posen.

Shortly after his marriage, Ted began working for Doehler-Jarvis. He would keep this job for thirty-two years until his retirement, never once calling in sick. He worked in the skilled trades, mostly as a carpenter. Whether he was at the plant or at home, Ted proved to be a very talented woodworker. He was always puttering away at a project in his basement workshop. He made stepladders for each of his children, and over the years he constructed many bird houses, shelves, ottomans, and doll cribs. He even made the casket for Fr. Ed Kubiak, which earned him a write-up in the Grand Rapids Press. He also enjoyed playing the harmonica for his children and then in later years for his grandchildren.

Even though Ted settled down in the city of Grand Rapids, he remained a country boy at heart. In fact, he could never quite believe that he was living in a city. He loved to go mushroom hunting and fishing, especially ice fishing.

Throughout his life, Ted retained his love for the outdoors. At his home in Grand Rapids he raised a wonderful garden filled with spectacular tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, rhubarb, garlic, dill, beans, and beets. Every fall he canned the produce that he raised. He even started a garden for his son John, which he tended until he could no longer ride his moped which he truly enjoyed.

Just prior to his retirement, the Doehler-Jarvis plant in Grand Rapids closed down. Ted was forced to finish his final two years in Toledo. He spent the entire working week in Ohio, returning home only for the weekends. This was hard on his entire family, and Ted was glad when he finally reached his retirement.

With retirement Ted found more time to dedicate to his creative hobbies. He even took an evening class to learn the art of upholstery. Once he had mastered the skill, he began fixing anything that needed fixing. He would reupholster many items for his family, and then he would call up and say, "Come get your junk." He was also a devoted fan of the Detroit Tigers. He faithfully watched them on television or listened on the radio. He especially enjoyed the announcers, Ernie Harwell and George Kell. Ted was also a loyal fan of the Sullivans, and he often dropped by Valley Field to catch a baseball game.

In his later life Ted was thrilled with the blessing of fourteen grandchildren and six great-grandkids. He loved to spend time with his family, and in their company a familiar smile always brimmed over his lips. One of his fondest memories was his fortieth anniversary. The entire family gathered around him and Lucille to celebrate this special day.

In May of 1993 Ted suffered a stroke from which he recovered with mild side effects. He was still able to do his gardening, painting, upholstering, and puttering. Two years ago he suffered an additional stroke, which left him physically unable to carry out everyday tasks. This was very frustrating for Ted, and he continued to try to do things that he was unable to do. He became dependant on the loving family for which he had provided all these years.

Ted was a wonderful family man whose generosity and loving ways earned him a place in the hearts of many. He loved to provide for his family, and he always regarded his children as his greatest accomplishment. Ted died unexpectedly on Monday evening, May 22, 2006 with his wife by his side. Among the many people who loved him, Ted will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Lucille Wojtowicz (Hartuniewicz). He was a proud father to his children, Vicki (Gene) Krzeminski, John (Patti) Wojtowicz, Bob Wojtowicz, Sue Adams, Chris (Scott) Priebe, Char (Arnold) Sluijer, Dennis (Kathleen) Wojtowicz. He was a caring grandfather to his 14 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren. He also leaves his sisters, Eleanor Szott, Helen (Stan) Skierski, Sophie (Mike) Andrzejewski; sisters-in-law, Irene, Frances and Florence; many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by 4 brothers, 2 sisters and his daughter-in-law Yvonne Wojtowicz. Ted was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday morning at 10:00 AM (please meet at the church). Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetary. Relatives and friends are invited to meet his family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW on Wednesday from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 PM with the parish rosary prayed at 7:00 PM, and again at church Thursday from 9:00 AM until Mass begins. Contributions in his memory may be made to Sacred Heart Church Building Fund or a charity of your choice. Please visit Ted's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory, sign the guestbook, or post a memorial contribution.