Marion "Ted" Stolarek

Marion “Ted” Stolarek, 73, of Chicago, Il, passed away at home on May 4,2020, after a valiant fight with cancer. 

Ted was born in Germany on August 2, 1946 to parents that were displaced by World War II. He and his family eventually emigrated to the United States in hopes of a better life. Ted graduated from Wells High School in Chicago and soon after went to work for the Coca Cola Company as a delivery driver. He quickly decided that formal education was the path to a better life. He could not afford college, but because of the GI bill, he enlisted in the Air Force.  As luck would have it, Ted ended up with a military tour in Germany. Ted eventually earned a Bachelor’s Degree at Loyola University in Chicago, and a Master’s degree from DePaul University. 

Returning to “civilian” life, Ted became a Physical Education teacher at a Catholic Elementary school on the northwest side of Chicago. Teaching was not his calling, and he soon found himself in the banking industry. He started as a teller and worked his way up to International Banking, which allowed him to travel the world. The banking industry took a turn in the 1980’s and Ted rolled with the punches. He was in tech, before tech was cool. He eventually found himself a niche, as an independent  IT Project Manager contractor for major hospital and banking firms. He wrote his own ticket, and was frequently asked to remain on beyond his original contractual terms, sometimes against company policy on extensions...because he was that good!

None of the above compares to the devotion he had for his children and grandchildren. Ted loved his children unconditionally, even until his last breath. His unrelenting happiness and joy began when Ada, his first grandchild, was born in 2010. He loved and admired Isaac, a gift he did not anticipate. However, he met his match in Emilia, who would challenge his ideas of limit setting. 

Ted was fortunate enough to find an adoring companion in Louise Bail of Sour Lake, Texas. She took care of him, and met his needs with a sweet, gentle, touch when he was at his most vulnerable.

In addition to his beloved grandchildren, Ted is survived by his son, Thaddeus, (Big Rapids, MI) and his daughter and son-in-law  Rebecca and Michael Maholland (Hickory Hill, IL), his siblings: Elizabeth, Regina, Christine, Bruno, Harriet, and Theresa.

Ted is preceded in death by his mother, Maria Stolarek, and his sister, Anna Tomlinson. 

A memorial service and celebration of Ted’s life  will be held when it is safe to do so.  Further information regarding said service will be shared when plans are finalized. Arrangments by Cooney Funeral Home, Park Ridge (847) 685-1002

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