Thaddeus (Ted) Walter Starowicz

Thaddeus “Ted” Walter Starowicz, 90, of Palmyra, VA, died on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at his home.

He was born on November 5, 1932 in Wyco, WV, a son of the late Joseph and Mary (Debski) Starowicz.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by seven siblings, John Starowicz (Eugenie), Joseph Starowicz (Jackie), Stanley Starowicz (Mary), Helen Starowicz (Michael Zibbon), Rosalia “Rose” Starowicz (Milford Hedges), Josephine Starowicz (Patrick Donovan), and Genevieve (Jenny) Starowicz.

Ted lived in Wyco, WV, a coal mining town, until the age of nine when he moved with his family to Auburn, NY.  Following high school, he served in the United States Navy on a destroyer - the U.S.S. Rowe (DD-564) - during the Korean Conflict and toured the world.  Ted then attended Michigan State University (Class of 1959) where he earned a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree.  He worked for General Electric for over 30 years in the Heavy Military Division, where he designed and installed radar and sonar systems.

To escape the Upstate NY winters, Ted and Carol moved from Baldwinsville, NY to Palmyra, VA in 2007, where they designed and built the retirement home of their dreams.  They were long-time parishioners of St. Mary’s Church in Baldwinsville and Saints Peter and Paul Church in Palmyra.

Ted was a loving and supportive husband and father.  He was a humble and hard-working man, never drawing attention to himself, although he was a talented engineer who could envision, design and build most anything.  As a perfectionist, he never cut corners, always strove for a job well done and took pride in his craftsmanship.  He loved nature, working outdoors and walks in the woods.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Carol (Kinney) Starowicz; two daughters, Sharon Starowicz (William Maatsch), of Bristol, RI, and Cynthia Borcherding (Brooks) of Greenwich, CT; three grandchildren, Ashton Borcherding, Leyton Borcherding, and Helena Borcherding; brother-in-law John Kinney Jr.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Ted was able to remain comfortably at home throughout his illness the past several years, until his passing.  The family wishes to thank Ted’s many caregivers, healthcare providers and Gentiva Hospice staff for their loving compassion and care.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.  Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, Charlottesville. 

The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at Thacker Brothers Lake Monticello Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ted’s memory may be given to All Blessings Flow (www.allblessingsflow.org), Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire and Rescue (lmvfr.org), or Effort Church Comfort and Mobility Closet  (ECAM@EffortChurch.org).

Family and friends may share memories and photos at www.thackerbrothers.com.

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