Edward W. (Tito) Kijek

April 16, 1935 - January 26, 2021
Edward W. (Tito) Kijek thumbnail
 
Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home
Kymberly Diotalevi Light a candle

Obituary

Edward (Tito) Kijek, 85, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2021.  A longtime Ludlow resident, Eddie was born in Springfield, April 16, 1935.  He was the son of the late Wladyslaw (Bill) Kijek and Della (Sczcebak) Kijek.  Eddie was a star baseball player at Springfield Trade High School and played for the Washington Senators minor league farm team.  Eddie served as a reservist in the Army National Guard from 1957 to 1960.  He worked for 47 years as a Manager for Big Y Foods where he often entertained the young children shopping with their parents by wiggling his ears for them.  Eddie was life-long baseball fan and in his retirement worked for his two favorite teams the Toronto Blue Jays and his beloved Boston Red Sox, or “those bums” as he referred to them when they were losing.

He leaves behind the love of his life for 63 years, Peggy Lou (Stevens) Kijek; his loving daughters Lisa Kim Gaudette and her husband Mark of Chicopee and Lori Ann Gallant and her partner Louis Langlois of Ludlow; his cherished grandchildren Kristin Gagnon and her husband Eddie of Springfield; Ross Gaudette and his wife Tambria of Chicopee and Jordyn Gallant of South Hadley.  Eddie also leaves behind his great-grandchildren Annabella and Eddie Gagnon of Springfield. He was predeceased by his brothers Edmund (Muni) Kijek; Bronislaus (Benny) Kijek, William (Biba) Kijek and his son-in-law Steven Gallant.

Walk-through, no contact visiting hours for Eddie will be held Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 10:15-11:00 AM at Christ the King Church, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM.  Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Eddie’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org. Masks, social distancing, no contact and all gathering restrictions will be adhered to.

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Service Schedule

Visitation Information

Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Time: 10:15 am - 11:00 am

Christ the King Catholic Church

Address:

41 Warsaw Avenue, Ludlow, MA, 1056

| Map

Walk-through, no contact visiting hours for Eddie will be held Wednesday, February 3, 2021 from 10:15-11:00 AM at Christ the King Church.

Masks, social distancing, no contact and all gathering restrictions will be adhered to.

 


Service Information

Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Time: 11:00 am

Christ the King Catholic Church

Address:

41 Warsaw Avenue, Ludlow, MA, 1056

| Map

A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Eddie will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 11:00 AM in Christ the King Church.  Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.

Masks, social distancing, no contact and all gathering restrictions will be adhered to.


Donation Information

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Eddie’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.


 

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Timeline for Edward W. (Tito) Kijek

Born: April 16, 1935
Died: January 26, 2021

Condolences for Edward W. (Tito) Kijek

Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home

Our sincere condolences.

The staff of Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home.

 

Mrs. Robert (Mary) Sakowski posted on 2/14/21

Dear Peggy and family sorry for your loss at Eddy's passing.

 

Colette G Denette posted on 2/3/21

Dear Peggy and family: I worked for many years with Ed at the Big Y. He always looked at the world with the glass half full. Always a smile and sometimes a story to brighten our day. More recently, we saw you both at Friendly's and he would always stop to chat. My husband Rick and I offer our deepest condolences at this very sad time. We will miss him. Sincerely, Rick and Colette Denette

 

LUANN STANISZEWSKI posted on 1/31/21

Sorry for your loss. I liked working with Eddie at the Palmer Big Y.

 

John and Penny DeBarge posted on 1/30/21

John and I wish to extend our deepest condolences. We'll treasure all the times we ran into them in Friendly's and chatted our meal away.

 

Mark Bourcier posted on 1/30/21

Ed was a great guy - my boss at Big Y working my first job. He will be missed!

 

Mary E. Haggerty posted on 1/30/21

Lisa, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your father. I never met him but he seemed like a nice person from reading his obit. Take good care of your mom as she will need you now. You and your family will be in my prayers. Take care and stay healthy

 

Mary Ann Gianni posted on 1/30/21

So sorry for your loss...Ed and I swam at the Ludlow Rec many years ago. My husband And I loved talking to Ed about our beloved Red Sox and his adventures at Spring training. He will be missed! RIP Ed...You will definitely be on the Major League baseball team in HEAVEN! ?

 

Keith Ouellette posted on 1/30/21

Eddy was a great man, he had a heart of gold. When I was 15yo my sister Diane who had worked with Ed years before told me to see him about getting a job at Big Y. Ed had me stop in every week until I was 16 then he hired me. He wasn't my Dad but he taught me something about life. So sorry for your Loss.

 

Laurie alves posted on 1/29/21

Lori, So sorry for your loss. Sending positive thoughts to you and your family. Laurie (Dygon) Alves

 

JamesEsteves posted on 1/29/21

Mrs. Kijek, Lisa and Lori my thoughts and prayers are with you and , your entire family...??????

 

Paula and Dennis Selvitella posted on 1/29/21

So sad to hear of Tito's passing. He was one of my mother's favorite nephews!! She told the story of him as a boy sneaking into the kitchen before Sunday dinner to ask her to give him a leg from the chicken! He always had a wonderful sense of humor and lovely, twinkling blue eyes. Our thoughts and prayers are with Peggy and the family. May his memory always be for blessing.

 

Kymberly Diotalevi posted on 1/29/21

In memory of Edward W. (Tito) Kijek, Kymberly Diotalevi lit a candle

 

Kymberly Diotalevi posted on 1/29/21

I'm so sorry for your loss. May you all find much peace, strength & love during this time. I remember him as a cute little man that made everyone happy at family get togethers. Rest in peace and keep wiggling those ears.

 

Shelley Hopkins posted on 1/29/21

Lifting you all in prayer! May you all find comfort and peace in your love and memories. Love, Shelley Hopkins

 

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