Edward Joseph Wodecki of Sun City, Arizona returned to the loving arms of our Father in Heaven, on July 24, 2022 at the age of 84. His loving & devoted wife Ginger and other family members were by his side at home, where he transitioned peacefully from the effects of MDS, a type of cancer.
“Ed” was born on September 20, 1937 to John and Anna (Majowicz) Wodecki, in Hartford, CT. His parents spoke fluent Polish in the home, which inspired him to also speak the language. He took much pride in his Polish heritage, in addition to his US citizenship. He attended St. Cyril and Methodius Polish Catholic Elementary School up until 1951, and then graduated from Bulkeley High school in 1955. Edward joined the Army reserves while in High School & continued service through college. He received an honorable discharge on February 29,1964. He earned a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration degree, from the University of Connecticut in June of 1960.
Soon after, he married the love of his life, Virginia “Ginger” Rose on November 5, 1960 at St. Patrick’s RC Church in East Hampton, Connecticut. He spent 61 years adoring & honoring his lovely bride, and considered her his biggest and best achievement. They had 4 beautiful children (3 boys and 1 girl) Norman Douglas, Philip Edward, Scott Michael, and Theresa Ann, who were all born within a short 3 1/2 year period, in Manchester, CT, which really kept them on their toes.
In 1967 they moved to upstate New York, to the Rochester/Henrietta area, where they raised their family. Ed worked in various buyer and managerial positions for Xerox Corporation in Rochester NY, from 1967 until he retired in 1989. They then moved to Phoenix, Arizona to be closer to 3 of their grown children and to enjoy plenty of sunshine, without the vast amounts of snow that they had grown tired of back East. He then purchased a Kwik Copy Printing Business that he owned and operated for 11 years in Phoenix, AZ.
Ed and Ginger also have 9 amazing grandchildren Matthew, Steven, David, Ashley, Greg, Genevieve, Makiah, Ke’arah, and Zachary, as well as 8 precious great-grandchildren, Jackson Vito, Philip Anthony, Charlotte Rose, Grace Evelyn, Zya Bliss, Zev Maxx, Ashlynn Rose & Ascher Lee Michael (with 3 more on the way).
In his early days, Ed thoroughly enjoyed playing Golf, and watching sports of all kinds. He took pride in seeing his sons and grandsons excel in golf and various other sports. He enjoyed going to the gym and staying active, up until his health no longer permitted it. Ed & Ginger enjoyed traveling and vacationing, especially to Maui and the islands. Their children gifted them a trip to Rome Italy for their 50th Anniversary, where they enjoyed visiting the Vatican. They also had the opportunity to travel to the UK, into Ireland, England, Wales, & Scotland.
Spending time with his wife and children was his favorite past time. He loved to hear and tell stories from when they were younger, and basked in the banter back and forth between his children, as they often would poke fun at one another. It especially raised his spirits in his last days. Ed absolutely loved pizza, Polish perogies, and dinners at Red Lobster. If you wanted to get on his good side, you could typically get the job done with one of these briberies.
Ed loved the Lord, and was an active & faithful member of his church. He was a lector at several Catholic parishes over many years. In later years he enjoyed working at the Riverboat Bingo Hall, raising funds for abused women, which gave him purpose and kept him active. He looked forward to the comradery of the friendships he built there.
Edward is survived by his wife Ginger, by his four children and their spouses, Norm (Lisa) Wodecki, Phil (Anita) Wodecki, Scott (Rejli) Wodecki, and Theresa (Mike) Hoeve, and by his 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by both of his parents and his sister Jean Ann Wodecki.
A Catholic Memorial Mass for Edward will be held Monday, August 8, 2022 from 10:30 AM until 11:30 AM at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 6180 W. Utopia Rd. in Glendale, AZ. Following the Memorial Mass, Edward will be laid to rest in the Sunland Memorial Park, Garden of Valor, located at 15826 N Del Webb Blvd, in Sun City, AZ with Military Honors from 12:15 PM until 12:30 PM.
Family & Friends are invited to a Reception/Luncheon (immediately following) at 1:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 13014 N. 108th Ave in Sun City, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that a donation be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Research Center, in Ed’s name and memory.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunlandmemorial.com for the Wodecki family.
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