John Thaddeus "Ted" Zawadzki

John Thaddeus "Ted" Zawadzki, Age 90. February 17, 2025
Beloved husband of the late Marilyn Zawadzki passed away on June 1, 1989.
Born February 15, 1935 in Detroit, Michigan. Ted was the son of the late John and Mary
(Branicka) Zawadzki and was preceded in death by his three sisters, Wanda Remington,
Jeanette (Zawadzki) Lubic, and Regina Zawadzki
.
Ted served with the 71st Infantry Division in the Department of the Army under the Yukon
Command in Alaska from 1954 to 1956. He graduated from the University of Detroit with a
Master's in Economics and went on to work with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
In 1959, he began working with the United States Treasury Department as a field officer, which
led to 45 convictions and numerous raids. Ted loved fieldwork and specialized in undercover
operations. His work spanned locations such as Chicago, Milwaukee, New York, and Tijuana,
Mexico. He also undertook undercover contract work in Vietnam, Switzerland, France,
England,and Italy. He also provided Secret Service details in Michigan for former President
Lyndon Johnson and former Attorney General Robert Kennedy.
After his successful tenure with the federal government, he embarked on a new chapter as a
real estate broker buying and selling various commercial buildings in the Detroit area. He
offered advice and consulting support to numerous business owners. In his semi-retirement
years, he found fulfillment as a private investigator.
Ted was passionate about health and fitness. He was a disciplined fitness enthusiast, and his
hobbies included bike riding, downhill skiing, jogging, and weight lifting. A trendsetter, he could
often be seen jogging through his neighborhood in army boots during the 1970's, well before
jogging became popular. Known for his dedication to eating clean and wholesome, he often
said, "I eat to live." Ted's interest in health and fitness extended into business as he managed
"Betty's Grocery Store" in Birmingham, Michigan, during the 1980s when Karen and several of
her friends worked part-time.
Ted is survived by his loving partner of 18 years, Kathleen Clay. He was a loving father and
father-in-law to Karen Zawadzki O'Brien, Robert O'Brien (deceased), and Kathy Zawadzki. He
was a proud grandfather visiting his grandchildren in Colorado over the years to Madeline
(Maddi) Heidemann, Daniel "Danny" O'Brien and John "Jack" O'Brien. His surviving nephews are John (Anne) and Michael (Michelle) Allario.
Ted will be especially remembered for his intelligence, generosity, wisdom, love of reading and
movies, curiosity, commitment to Alcoholics Anonymous, sarcastic sense of humor, keen
knowledge of finance, and practice of frugality-traits he proudly embraced from his Polish
heritage. He was our 'Rock' and will be deeply missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 11:00 am at Hamlin Pub, 48929
Hayes Rd, Shelby Township, MI 48315. Lunch will be served. In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to the Friends of Sterling Heights Library: https://www.sterlingheights.gov/1278/Friends-of-the-Library. Please share your memories at https://www.wujekcalcaterra.com