MALINOWSKI, THEODORE J.
Theodore J. “Ted” Malinowski was born on March 5th, 1925 to parents Marianna and Ludwik at their home on 28th Street, Brooklyn.
Ted and his six sisters attended Our Lady of Czestochowa church and school. Ted graduated after eight years in 1939, then studied the electrical course in Textile High School in Manhattan, graduating after three and a half years in January 1943.
Ted was known by many names: Theodore, Teador, Tadeusz, Thaddeus, Tadziu, and Tadek. He wore many hats starting with enlistment in the Marines in February 1943 at age 17: Marine from 1943-1945 where he served including in the 3rd Raider Battalion, power press operator in 1946, electrician 1946-51, NYC police patrolman 1951-1957, and NYFD firefighter where his career spanned four decades from 1957 to 1986 and saw him promoted to lieutenant and then captain. Despite such a successful career, Ted’s most cherished roles were those of husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.
On October 15th, 1949, Ted married Helen Burkhardt. They had two daughters Janet and Karen. As his daughters grew up, married and had children of their own, Ted considered himself blessed every opportunity he had to spend time with family. He considered his long life a gift, an opportunity to gather together as often as possible and share food, laughter, and stories.
To those who served with him and to all those who loved him, Ted was a hero, always going above and beyond. He received the highest FDNY award for the bravery he exhibited in a rescue on December 4th, 1965. Ted said that he had a guardian angel protecting him as he lived through 4 D-Days in the Marines, 6 years in the NYPD and 29 years in the FDNY.
Even after retirement until the very end, Ted was a fixture in his neighborhood. He would sit at the top of his stoop, greeting passersby, receiving warm responses and enlivening the street.
Ted’s life ended peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones on October 31st, 2017. He is survived by his wife Helen, sister Dorothy, daughters Janet and Karen with their respective husbands Salvatore and James, grandsons Michael and Robert, and numerous other relatives and friends. Ted is preceded in death by his sisters Jane, Mania, Terry, Irene, and Alice.
The wake will be held on Friday, November 3rd from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Aievoli Funeral Home 1275 65th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219. The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, November 4th at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Czestochowa, 183 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to: Uniformed Firefighters Association, 204 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010 C/O & checks payable to: The UFA Widows and Children’s Fund.