Theodore Wirkowski
World War II Veteran, Retired Accountant, 98 Years Old
Theodore Wirkowski, just shy of 99 and living in his first home in Westfield NJ, died peacefully on Thursday, June 10, 2021.
He was born on August 30, 1922, in Newark NJ to Michael and Mary Wirkijowski. Ted graduated from Weequahic High School in 1939, and is a veteran of World War II, having served active duty in the Army from 1943 to 1946.
After discharge, Ted completed his BS degree in Business and Accounting in 1949, from Rutgers University, in Newark NJ. Ted held various accounting positions before joining Amerada Hess Corporation as an Accounting Manager, retiring in 1986.
Ted enjoyed spending time at his vacation home in Love Ladies, on Long Beach Island. He also enjoyed gardening, town sports, his neighbors and regularly attending church. He was a spiritual man and an active member of Saint Helen’s parish, in Westfield NJ, since its inception.
One of the many highlights in Ted‘s life was his Boy Scout experience. He began scouts in Troop 5 in Newark NJ, at the age of 12. When Ted was 24, he gathered many of his scouting alumni and formed a lifelong adult Boy Scout group called the Nataquas, an Indian name meaning “Those that are bound together”. The Nataquas met monthly for 70 years and included their wives on annual trips and gatherings.
Ted married his wife, June Johnston, in 1952 and was blessed with a long beautiful marriage, lasting 63 years. They enjoyed traveling together and spending time with friends and family in their retirement.
Ted is predeceased by his wife June, his parents Mary and Michael, his brother Edward and sister Doris Rokosz. He is survived by his son Michael of Houston TX, daughters Gail Folinas and her partner George Folinas of Barnegat NJ, Barbara of Middletown NJ, and Mary Shendell and her husband Mark Shendell of Westfield NJ.
There are six grandchildren; Michael John, Steven and his wife Kalissa Adkins, Theodore, Geordie, Melissa and her husband Joshua Norton, and Matthew plus one great grandson, Oliver Norton Shendell.
Ted always had a kind word and a friendly smile for everyone. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Visitation will be at Higgins and Bonner Funeral Home in Westfield NJ on Friday, June 18th, from 4 to 8 PM. Funeral services will begin at Higgins and Bonner on Saturday, June 19th, at 9 AM followed by a 10 AM funeral mass at Saint Helens in Westfield NJ. Interment will be in the Gates of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover NJ.
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