Timeline for Edward W. (Tito) Kijek
Born: April 16, 1935
Died: January 26, 2021
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.
Dear Peggy and family sorry for your loss at Eddy's passing.
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
Sorry for your loss. I liked working with Eddie at the Palmer Big Y.
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.
Ed was a great guy - my boss at Big Y working my first job. He will be missed!
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
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! ?
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.
Lori, So sorry for your loss. Sending positive thoughts to you and your family. Laurie (Dygon) Alves
Mrs. Kijek, Lisa and Lori my thoughts and prayers are with you and , your entire family...??????
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.
In memory of Edward W. (Tito) Kijek, Kymberly Diotalevi lit a candle
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.
Lifting you all in prayer! May you all find comfort and peace in your love and memories. Love, Shelley Hopkins
Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Time: 10:15 am - 11:00 am
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.
Date: Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Time: 11:00 am
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.
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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Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home.
Dear Peggy and family sorry for your loss at Eddy's passing.
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
Sorry for your loss. I liked working with Eddie at the Palmer Big Y.
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.
Ed was a great guy - my boss at Big Y working my first job. He will be missed!
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
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! ?
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.
Lori, So sorry for your loss. Sending positive thoughts to you and your family. Laurie (Dygon) Alves
Mrs. Kijek, Lisa and Lori my thoughts and prayers are with you and , your entire family...??????
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.
In memory of Edward W. (Tito) Kijek, Kymberly Diotalevi lit a candle
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.
Lifting you all in prayer! May you all find comfort and peace in your love and memories. Love, Shelley Hopkins
Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home.