Let's celebrate the life of a truly remarkable person. Though we say goodbye with heavy hearts, we can take comfort in knowing that he lived a life filled with joy, love, and adventure.

Ted was born on January 20th, 1931, in an eastern region of Poland called Wołyń (Volhynia). In 1939, 16 days after Germany invaded Poland, Ted's village was invaded by the Russians. Later in 1941, the Nazi army stormed through his village on the way to Russia. Surviving both encounters, the worst was yet to happen. Ted and his family were the survivors of the Wołyń genocide of Poles, perpetrated by the Ukrainian insurgency army between 1943 and 1945. More than 100 villages and approximately 50,000–60,000 Poles died as a result of the genocide. Without a home, Ted and his family were captured by the German army and sent to a work camp in Germany.

With the war ending in 1945, Ted and his family relocated to West Germany. Ted played minor league soccer and provided local security to the Americans who came to rebuild Germany. In the early 50s, He came to America with nothing, just for a start at a new life. Over the years, he married five times but loved three spectacular women most of all.

Elizabeth Betty Jean Rudnicki, their love burned twice as bright but lasted half as long as it should have. Ted fathered two wonderful children with Elizabeth, whom I've since had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with.

Ksawera Marya Rudnicki, was married for over 25 years until Ksawera's death. Ted took in three troubled children who weren't his own. He provided for them, raised them, and loved them the best he could...unconditionally!

Shirley Rudnicki, married for over 16 years. They spent most of their golden years together. They traveled the West Coast, cared for each other, and loved each other tremendously.

On the surface, he was opinionated, cantankerous, and brutally honest. Peel that away, and you'd find a hard-working man, a caring person who loved to sing, with an infectious laugh, a wicked sense of humor, and a heart of absolute gold.

Ted was a true inspiration to all of us. His love of family was always present, even as he grieved the tragic loss of his brother Mark and later his sister Agnes. His most brutal loss came in recently with the passing of his daughter Cindy, which rocked him to his core. Through all the tragedies Ted endured, he remained steadfast toward his loved ones and handled all life threw at him with grace and dignity. He never lost his sense of humor or infectious smile. Ted lived life to the fullest and never let anything hold him back.

He is survived by:

His wife, Shirley Rudnicki, whom he loved so much, always bragged about how lucky he was to be with her.

His sister Lotti, who was his best friend. Ted loved to serenade over the phone.

His sister Mary, whom he loved very much.

His son Marty, whom he loved and was so very proud of.

His step-children Dorothy, Peter, and Mariusz. His love for us was unquestionable.

And many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

I want to share a personal story about who Ted was to me.

My mother paid my biological father to send my brother and me to America. My father refused to put me on the plane on the departure date unless my mother agreed to send him more money. I'm told that Ted grabbed the phone and, in his booming voice, said, "PUT HIM ON THE PLANE. I'LL SEND YOU 500 DOLLARS WHEN HE LANDS IN AMERICA! "

So, my biological father put me on the plane, and I got the chance to have a new life in America, too. Ted is the one who bought me from bondage and helped raise me. To me, Ted is and has always been my dad.

In loving memory, your son,

Mariusz

P. S. Ted never sent my father that 500 dollars. What an absolute legend!