Tadeusz J. Szelag, 89, of Dartmouth, formerly of New Bedford, died Sunday September 14, 2008 at Sunrise Assisted Living with friends at his side after a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Alice (Pykosz) Szelag.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late Jozef and Mary A. (Kosiba) Szelag, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
He was a communicant of St. Julie Billiart Church.
Mr. Szelag was formerly employed as an automotive shop instructor at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School until his retirement. Known as "Mr. Z." to all his students, Ted was a man who loved all his students, calling them "His Kids". With his kind, caring, and generous heart, he established two scholarships, the Tadeusz J. Szelag Scholarship and the Alice Szelag Scholarship in memory of his beloved wife.
He attended New Bedford High School and Bridgewater State Teachers College. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Damien Council in Mattapoisett and the Retired Teachers of Bristol County. He was an active member of the former St. Hedwig Church, where he served on the parish council, sang with the church choir, and volunteered with all of its fundraisers. He was awarded the Marian Medal from the Diocese of Fall River. In his earlier days, he enjoyed boating and polka dancing at all of the picnics and dances. He and his late wife traveled extensively with friends to Europe and throughout the United States.
Survivors include a sister, Josephine B. Brownell of Middletown, RI; a cousin, Patricia Taylor; his godchildren, Mary Porada and Diane Goulder; his dear friends, Matthew and Terry Midura, David and Larry Bigos, Regina and Andrea Polek, Ted and Lillian Pankiewicz, Deolinda Freitas, and Lucy Bond; and his favorite pet, Sierra.
He was the brother of the late Walter J. and Helena M. Szelag, and brother-in-law of the late Leo and Irene Strahoska.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 AM in St. Julie Billiart Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Beacon Hospice, 45 North Main St., Fall River, MA 02720. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.