CHICOPEE ~ Thomas Kaczowka, 91, of the Aldenville section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, July 25, 2018. He passed into Eternal Life at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Zelichow, Poland on February 6, 1927, a beloved son of the late Jan and Marianna (Halama) Kaczowka. He was educated in Zelichow and immigrated to the United States at the age of 20 where he settled in Southbridge. He later moved to Springfield before moving to Chicopee where he lived the remainder of his life. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War and attained the rank of Corporal. He received the Marksmanship Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He was employed as a Custodian for the Chicopee School Department and had worked at the Bowie Memorial School and the Bellamy Middle School. He was a member of the Chicopee Sportsmen’s Club and the Polish American Club. Above all, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who loved his family and his many dear friends. He was predeceased by his beloved first wife, Victoria M. (Cwiertnia) Kaczowka who was Called Home on July 10, 1999. Thomas leaves his beloved second wife, Helene T. (Labrecque) Kaczowka; his four loving children, Jane V. Lemanski and her husband, Zenon “Zeke” Lemanski, of Chicopee, Theresa M. Jones and her husband, Russell, of Dallas, TX, Christine Farrell and her husband, John, of Westfield and Elaine Laporte of Holyoke; his seven cherished grandchildren, Tracy A. Janik and her husband, Gregory, Jennifer L. Sousa and her husband, Jeffrey, Katie Jones, John Paul Farrell and his wife, Meaghan, Benjamin Farrell, Karen Laporte and David Laporte; his four cherished great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Abel, Emma and Logan; his dear brother, Walter Kaczowka and his wife, Irene, of Bloomfield, CT; his dear sister, Genevieve Dudek of New Britain, CT; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Kaczowka, Cwiertnia, Labrecque and Nieroda families. In addition to his parents and first wife, he was also predeceased by his two dear brothers and three dear sisters. His Funeral Services and Burial will be private at the convenience of his family. There are no visiting hours at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com
