Tadeusz J Latawiec

Tadeusz (Ted/Tad) Jozef Latawiec began his journey with the Lord on 29 May 2020. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years Krystyna Alicia Pelc. His demise was brought upon by complications from dementia. Born on 14 February 1928 in Lukow, Poland, his childhood was interrupted by the forces of World War Two. The German and Soviet invasions of Poland took his family by storm and Soviet forces imprisoned and transported along with many others his brother and parents deep into Siberia for internment in labor camps. Other family members perished in the war and at Katyn Forest. Upon liberation/release from the labor camp, he and many other Poles in Eastern Russia teamed together to convoy south to join Allied Forces in Palestine. There he joined the Polish Kadets (ROTC) training for the remainder of the war. Whilst in the Middle East and as a mischievous teenager, he and his friends climbed to the top of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

The end of the war saw the diaspora of Polish refugees across the world and he and his family followed the path to London, England. There he studied to become an Engineer and there he met his future wife Krystyna Pelc. A successful Engineer and Project Controller with M.W. Kellogg and as a consultant, his working assignments took him to Germany, New York, Iran, Italy, London, Manchester, Michigan, Houston, South Korea, Japan, and Indonesia. He enjoyed the building of refineries and plants around the world and was known to build a few things at home as well. A lifelong desire reaching back to his childhood in Poland was a passion to live in the United States. His efforts came to fruition in 1973 when he and the family emigrated to America. In time, an especially proud moment was becoming a United States citizen.

Retirement brought an opportunity to settle down and spend time with children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Always a quiet man, he was forever polite and courteous to any and all people, he led by example and was a hardworking, kind, generous, and fair individual. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's swim meets, art shows, soccer matches, basketball games, and gymnastics events. Trips to Colorado always brought joy when skiing and ice skating with the family there and playing chess with the boys.

Tadeusz was always dedicated to his Catholic faith and recalled Jesuit teachers from his youth. It should be noted the courteous Mr. Latawiec even thanked Father Justin for coming by and performing the Sacrament of Last Rites prior to his passing.

Along with his life partner of 66 years Krystyna Alicia Pelc, he is survived by his children Anita and husband Robert (deceased) Klebieko, Edward and wife Anita Latawiec, and Mark and wife Catherine Latawiec. His grandchildren Caroline and husband Craig Witherspoon, Cassandra Latawiec, Tadeusz Latawiec, Nicholas Latawiec, Holland Latawiec, Justin Klebieko, Christopher Klebieko, Sarah Klebieko, Natalie Klebieko and his great grandchildren Alden and Rolan Witherspoon. Also his brother Leszek and wife Jasia Latawiec and cousin Dzunia Latawiec, and by nieces and nephews Barbara and Witek Cieszkowski, Hania Bociek, Yvonne Latawiec and Ed Day, and Alex and Jan Naks and their children Emma and husband Richard Showan and Louisa Naks. Tadeusz is preceded in death by his parents Wlodzimierz and Paulina Latawiec.

Tadeusz will be missed by all who knew him but the knowledge of his full and kind life should be an inspiration and bring comfort to us all. Going forward, countless fond memories by all will be tokens of joy now and in times of sadness. Honor a life well lived!

Donations to Alzheimers/Dementia organizations may be placed in lieu of flowers.