Obituary of Thaddeus Edmund Kecki

South Hadley-Thaddeus E. Kecki, 94, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on January 31, 2024. Born January 25, 1930 in Ludlow, he was the son of Edmund and Stella (Giza) Kecki. He was one of seven children. He was predeceased by brothers Mitchell, Henry and Louis Kecki and leaves brothers Leo and Chester Kecki and a sister Jane Forkey. Thaddeus was fondly known by family and friends as Ted, Teddy, Todge, Teddy Bear and Take Home Teddy. Thaddeus grew up in Indian Orchard and proudly served his country in the US Army and Airforce. In 1957 after his marriage to the late Jane F. (Dudrik), Thaddeus moved to South Hadley where he raised his family. In 2007 Thaddeus was predeceased by his wife of 49 years and in 2019 he was predeceased by his daughter Donna Jette. His love and memory will forever remain with his surviving children, Michael Kecki of Belchertown and Lori Jagodowski and her husband Paul of South Hadley. Thaddeus leaves 7 grandchildren, Michael Jr. Matthew, Zachary, Kayleigh, Marissa, Jeffrey and Cindy; 4 great grandchildren, Destiny, Noah, Arianna, Gabriel and 2 great great grandchildren, Peyton and Ryder. In his leisure Ted enjoyed hunting and fishing with his son and son-in-law as well as gardening and was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. Ted enjoyed weekend BBQs with family and friends and loved telling stories of his childhood and time spent in the military as well as giving all the kids advise on life. For 18 years Thaddeus worked as a machinist at Monsanto. He then worked at Avery Dennison until his retirement in 1992.  A memorial Mass will be held Wednesday, February 7 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Theresas Church with burial and military honors to follow at 1 p.m. at the MA Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery. Please meet directly at the church. Beers & Story Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arraignments. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.