Theodore R. Wurz

Utica - Theodore R. Wurz, 95, of Utica, passed away peacefully after a brief illness in the comfort of his Utica home, with family by his side in July.

Ted was one of seven siblings born to the late Theodore Wurz and Rose Carrie. He graduated from Utica Free Academy and worked as an insurance salesman until he retired. Ted married the former Santina Zangrone in 1951.

Ted got into cross country skiing and had some of the best times of his life with Sandy. They had a built in swimming pool in their backyard and opened the pool every year for his family and friends to enjoy. He loved to cook on the grill and share stories over a beer or two. One of his most passionate sports was boating and water skiing. With some of his stretched dollars he gave up things to take his family to the lake. He coached Little League for his youngest son, David and the team won the series that year. He worked with his oldest son, Ted, to rebuild an automobile or two and always encouraged him to become all he could be. He helped John back to life when he was critically injured in a car accident and his grandson John who was struck by a car resulting in his need for constant care. At a young age, his only daughter was diagnosed with cancer and Ted was there at the hospital by her side on the midnight shift.

He was predeceased by his sister-in-law, a special lady, Mary Costello and her husband, Richard (Dick). Ted is survived by his wife, Sandy, his three sons, Ted and his best friend Maryann, John and Vivian, David and Wendy and his daughter, Mary Rose, his grandchildren, Mark Malinowski, John and Amanda Wurz, Michael and his fiance Maria Pawlak, Stacy and Jason Alamond, Tom and Karen Wurz, and Ted and Loretta Wurz.

Ted also had a few good friends who have predeceased him, five of whom are Ralph Reitienger, Bob Hughes, Carman Suma, Frank Allen and Al Grimaldi. He is also predeceased by his six sisters Kathleen Bord, Dorothy Cunningham, Alice Stafford, Esther Domser, Betty Bartlett, Joan Williams and by his brother, Robert Wurz. He was predeceased by Celeste Wurz, Davids' first wife, his brother-in-law, Tony Zangrone and his wife Carol, and his great, great grandson, Johnathon Wurz.

A Mass of Christian Burial commenced at 10am, on Saturday August 5th, 2023 from the Historic Old St. John's Church, 240 Bleecker St, Utica, N.Y. Kindly consider and send memorial contributions to the Anita's Stevens Swan Humane Society, 5664 Horatio St., Utica, NY 13501. Please visit www.mohawkvalleyfunerals.com to offer condolences.