NEW HARTFORD, NY - Thaddeus (Ted) Christopher Rajchel Sr., beloved husband of nearly 55 years to Joan (Schneider) Rajchel, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 9, 2024 with his loving family by his side. He was born June 5, 1938 in Utica to the late Stanley and Stefanie Rajchel.
Ted spent most of his life in the Utica area, attending the Holy Trinity School through eighth grade and graduating from the Utica Free Academy. He proudly served his country as a war combat medic in the US Army and served in the 331st Combat Support for the Army Reserves with a total of 23 years of service. He worked for the NYS Department of Transportation and Utica City Hall before earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from SUNY Oswego and a master’s degree in reading education from SUNY Cortland in order to pursue his dream of becoming a teacher, and went on to teach at the Utica City School District.
Ted was most proud of his family’s lineage of military service, his teaching career, and his son and grandchildren. He enjoyed attending his son’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, watching hockey games, visits to Lake George, and travelling – particularly throughout Europe and especially to Poland. He celebrated his Polish heritage by writing a monthly column, The Voice of Polonia, for The Phoenix. A man of faith, he was a communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church in New Hartford.
Ted is survived by his wife Joan, who he married on April 12, 1969, his son Thaddeus (Christopher) Rajchel Jr. and his wife Susan of Clifton Park, and his cherished grandchildren Jackson, Gillian, and Gwendolyn, who affectionately called him Bonka. He is also survived by his sisters Cecelia Waters (of New Hartford) and Veronica Pororefsky (of Utica), and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Joseph, John, and Ferdinand (Finny), who joined him as US veterans, as well as his brother Richard and sister Theresa.
Visiting hours will take place Tuesday, April 16, 2024 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at Friedel, Williams and Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Road, New Hartford, and a Catholic Mass will be held at 12:00 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 66 Oxford Road, New Hartford. Interment will take place immediately following at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Utica.
In Ted’s giving nature, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Central New York Veterans Outreach Center, 726 Washington St., Utica, NY 13502 or Utica Veterans’ Food Pantry, 502 Broad St., Utica, NY 13501.
