Tadeusz "Ted" Tarasiak, 85, of Worcester, died Monday, October 5, 2009 in Life Care Center of Auburn. His wife, Maria T. (Jaskiewicz) Tarasiak died in 2007. He leaves, four sons, Thaddeus Tarasiak, Jr. and his wife, Rosemary of Worcester, Paul Tarasiak and his wife, Geraldine of Millbury, Mark Tarasiak and his wife, Elisabete of Worcester and Rev. Robert Tarasiak and his wife Marianna of Ohio; two daughters, Jane Gaudreau and her husband, Robert of Dudley and Frances Tarasiak and her fiancé, Gordon of Worcester; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Stanley Tarasiak; a sister, Theresa Radzemska, and a grandson, Michael Tarasiak. Tadeusz was born in Chelm, Poland, a son of Stefan and Maria (Adamczyk) Tarasiak and immigrated to the United States in 1949.

    Mr. Tarasiak worked for General Motors as a Quality Line Inspector for over thirty years, before retiring in 1982. He was very active in the Polish Community not only belonging to several organizations but assisting other Polish immigrants and veterans in achieving goals. He was a member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, its choir and the St. Mary's Booster Club. He also sang with the Greendale Retired Men's Club Choral. He was an active member in the PNI Club, PNA-Lodge 758, The White Eagle Club, Quo Vadis Club, the Polish Army Veterans Association-Post 52, and the Worcester Veterans Council. Tadeusz was proud of his Polish heritage. He traveled with the dance group "Piast".

    Tadeusz was a Polish Army Veteran of World War II, survivor of the Holocaust and accomplished much in the Polish Underground. He was a recipient of the key to the City of Worcester. Besides being with his family, he also enjoyed bowling and golf. The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to all the staff of the Dialysis Unit at Saint Vincent Hospital for their kind and supportive care given to their father.

    The funeral will be held on Thursday, October 8, 2009 from HENRY – DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St., with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward St. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours in the funeral home will be Wednesday, October 7, 2009 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dialysis Unit, c/o St. Vincent Hospital, 123 Summer St., Worcester, MA, 01608-1216.