Thaddeus M. Nosek

NOSEK THADDEUS M. NOSEK Died Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at his home in Melbourne, FL. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Jean A. (nee Kaszalka), brother, Stanley and sister, Sophie Piekarski. He is survived by his sister, Helen and brother-in-law Edward Otremba; along with many nieces and nephews. Col. Nosek grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and was a long-time resident of Alexandria, VA. In 1940, he graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point and went to war as a combat engineer officer in the European Theatre. He participated in the Invasion of Normandy at Utah Beach as a regimental commander. After the war he served as a professor of engineering at West Point, and commanded units in peace-time France, Korea and the US. He served as Assist. Engineering Commissioner of the District of Columbia and in several senior staff positions at the Pentagon. His military awards include the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Ribbon, the French Legion D''Honneur, and the Legion of Merit. He retired from the military in 1964. Col. Nosek earned master degrees in civil engineering from MIT in 1947, and in engineering admin from George Washington U. in 1962. Following retirement from the military, he held positions as Director of Public Works for West Hartford, CT, and for the US Trust Territory in the Mariana Islands. As a VP at Metcalf and Eddy Engineering he managed contracts in Vietnam and Panama. Col. Nosek served as president of the Friends of John Paul II Foundation, the American Center for Polish Culture, and his graduating class for the West Point Alumni Assoc. He was an avid golfer. Col. Nosek was a soldier, scholar, engineer, administrator, and pillar of his church, who carried his Polish heritage and upbringing with pride and honor. On Saturday, September 11, there will be a memorial service at St. Andrews Catholic Church, 395 Anton St., Bridgeport, CT at 9 a.m. and interment at St. John Cemetery, 80-01 Metropolitan Ave., Middle Village, NY at 11:30 a.m.