LONGTIME PNA EMPLOYEE AND ACTIVIST
THADDEUS J. JADACH PASSES AWAY

Stickney, Illinois – On February 16, 2011 just two weeks after his 93^rd Birthday, longtime PNA activitst Thaddeus J. Jadach passed away from complications of pneumonia.

Ted had started his involvement with the Polish National Alliance early on in his youth, being active with the PNA Youth Camp Association of Districts 12 and 13 in Yorkville, Illinois. His father Andrew Jadach was one of the original organizers that started the camp. After High School, Ted came to work for the Polish National Alliance Home Office in 1940 and was in charge of the Assessment Department for many years. In 1955, he was elected as Financial Secretary of Lodge 825 in Cicero, Illinois and was the manager of the Cicero Society Hall until the hall was destroyed by fire in 1975. The lodge purchased another building and he managed that building as well.

Throughout the years, Ted followed in his Father Andrew’s steps by keeping active with the Youth Camp, becoming the Camp President and Director for a combined total of 40 plus years, was the first PNA employee who achieved working at the Home Office for 53 years until his retirement and held the position of Lodge 825 secretary for over 40 years as well. Ted was a Sales Representative for the lodge and Home Office for many years. He also worked many PNA Conventions and was a delegate to the Convention in Orlando, Florida in 1983. He also looked forward to attending the PNA South Side Seniors meetings, to see many of the friends he made thoughout the years.

In 1942, he married Martha Kasper, originally from Wisconsin. They had three children, Florence, Thaddeus S. and Robert. The family would be involved with the PNA as well, Martha was the cook at the Youth Camp, she also decorated the store front windows at the Cicero Society Hall on Laramie, the children partook in working at the Cicero Society Hall with various jobs from the coat room to bingo workers and caller, worked a variety of jobs at the PNA Youth Camp, and worked at the PNA Home Office (Florence for 2 years and Robert into his 37^th year). Ted’s grandchildren were also involved working at the camp in their teen years. Ted’s sister Adele even worked for a short time at the PNA Home Office in the 1940’s.

Ted was awarded the PNA Bronze Cross when he retired, and was honored by the lodge 825 and Youth Camp for his dedication.

Thaddeus is the son of the late Andrew and late Sophie (Soltys) Jadach, husband of the late Martha (Kasper), father of Florence, late Thaddeus S. (Judy) and Robert, grandfather to Susanne (Dean) Hiles, Melissa (Richard) Buss and Jennifer (John) Hatchko, great grandfather of Nicholas, Megan, Gina, Jacob, Leah, Mark, Kaitlyn and Lauren Hiles, Richard, Ryan and Melanie Buss, Miranda and Ricky Hatchko, brother of the late Adele (late Frank) Pechnik.

Submitted by
Robert M. Jadach

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