Tadeusz (Ted) Julian Socha
January 8, 1919 – November 13, 2013
Ted passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends. He was comforted by his niece Elizabeth Hyatt and her husband Mike who came from England to share the last weeks of Ted’s life with him. Ted was pre-deceased by his beloved wife, Monica and his only daughter, Lucinda. He will be greatly missed by his extended family in England, Poland, and by his Canadian friends.
Ted was born in Maciejowice, Poland. During World War II, he served his country as a Flight Lieutenant flying for the Polish Forces under French command in 1939. When France capitulated in 1940, Ted began flying with the Polish Forces under British command. He was a member of the 315, 317 and 318 Polish Fighter Squadrons. Ted finished has military service in 1949 after 10 years of flying Spitfires, Hurricanes and Austers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa…often with a small dog on his lap called Kim.
Ted met Monica in England during the war and they married in 1947. After the war, Ted, Monica and Lucinda immigrated to Ontario. Ted worked at a variety of jobs prior to establishing himself as a research and development engineer. He had a brilliant and creative mind. Ted invented the pressure sensitive labelling system now used widely throughout the world along with many other tools and devices for increasing work efficiency.
Ted and Monica retired to Parksville in 1988. In most recent years, Ted was a member of the Stroke Recovery group and a guest member of the local ham radio club. Ted was a survivor…he faced every challenge in life from top to bottom with a conquering spirit.
Family and neighbours are very thankful for the loving care provided by his very special care givers over the last 2 years of his life…Vera Chamberland, Marevic Jordan and Cecile Ellen Delos Reyes.
A service will be held at the Parksville Fellowship Baptist Church on
Friday, November 29, 2013 at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ted’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
To send a condolence to the family please visit www.yatesfuneral.ca
YATES FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORIUM
(250-248-5859) in care of arrangements.