Ted Yarosz

On Monday, December 12, 2022, Ted Stanley Yarosz a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and a friend to many, passed away at the age of 92, with his loving wife Margaret, by his side.  He was born to the late Frank and Nellie Yarosz in Conemaugh, PA.

He graduated from Windber High School in 1948.  In high school, he had the unique personal skills of being a gifted musician, playing both the clarinet and saxophone in the band, while also being an All-Star pitcher for the Windber High Ramblers baseball team where he held a record of 19 strikeouts in one game.

While in high school, he met the love of his life, Margaret Diane Swansinger.  Their early love was so evident, their high school teacher put them in a side-by-side desk together.  In Ted’s yearbook, Margaret signed it “To my One Love”…..which Ted repeated back to Margaret throughout their 69 years of marriage.

Following high school, Ted became a professional musician traveling throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia playing concerts with the Steve Stralko Band until he was drafted into the Army in 1950.  He proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict from 1950-1953.  While in Korea, he devotedly wrote Margaret a letter every day.

Upon his return in October 1953, he immediately married Margaret on a snowy November 7, 1953 morning.  Knowing they would start a family, Ted decided to seek a more financially secure career and moved with his new wife In March, 1954 to Milwaukee and enrolled in the Milwaukee School of Engineering.  Subsequently, Ted was invited to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union leading to a lifelong career as a Master Electrician.

Following a 30-day period of below zero temperature in Milwaukee during 1958, Ted and Margaret sought the “year-round” comfort of Miami, Florida.  Arriving during the Golden Era of the south Florida Boom, Ted’s career bloomed and so did his and Margaret’s family.

Their first child, a daughter, Susan Diane was born.  Susan was followed by her brother, John Francis, and her sisters, Joan Marie, and Karen Diane.  The children followed their parents devotion to the Catholic faith where they worshiped and attended school at St. Timothy Catholic Church.  Ted was involved in church fundraisers and projects and a favorite of the clergy.  On most days of the week, because of Margaret’s skills in the kitchen, it was not unusual for the children to be accompanied at lunch and dinner by one of the local or visiting Priests.

Ted’s successful career allowed him to provide for his four children to attend private schools and college (and wear braces!).  He took great pride, that an “every-day man” could provide for his children to graduate without any debt.

Following his retirement, Ted and Margaret moved to the Gulfport, Mississippi area to be closer to their seven grandchildren. His love of tools and anything electrical or mechanical made Ted the legend of the Roxbury Place neighborhood as “the guy who knew how to fix anything.”  Like his life, his workshop was meticulous, his tools polished and organized with a place for everything.

A man proud of his Polish heritage, for their 50th Anniversary, Ted and Margaret fulfilled their lifelong dream of traveling to Poland to visit his parent’s birthplace.  Unfortunately, all of the records of his family were destroyed during World War II and he was unable to find his relatives.  But Ted took great pride in his Polish heritage, spoke the language fluently and delighted many by teaching them Polish phrases or teasing them with a joke only he could understand.  He enjoyed Marge’s homemade pierogies, all Polish foods, and especially Polish beers.

Ted is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Nellie Yarosz, his sisters Helen Ksiazek, Sophie Pzywara, and Frances Miklos.

Ted lived with Alzheimer’s the last 8 years of his life. He battled the disease with strength, bravery, and humor living everyday with determination and positivity. He is survived by his wife Margaret Swansinger: his daughter, Susan (Stephen) James: his son, John Yarosz; his daughter, Joan Vaccari (Ernest) Johnson; and daughter, Karen (Troy) Skelton; his grandchildren, Victoria, Nicholas (Kara), Daniel (Haley) and Emerson Vaccari, Caroline and Katherine Skelton, and Lindsay James; and his great-grandchild, Ezra Makai (Vaccari).

Ted’s wife Margaret and his family would like to thank the many caregivers who cared for and loved him to the very end.

Ted’s “joie de vivre” or his joy for life was evident throughout his 92 years.   His ending was a perfect reflection of the way he lived his life, with his last breath, he turned to his Margaret, smiled and passed peacefully to his God and his family.  Ted’s life was a devotion to God.  He lived his life with love and smiling eyes.  In his honor, I would ask when you remember our father, you try to follow his example: live your life with love for others and a smile for all.

The Prayer service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 15, 2022, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, with the visitation for family and friends starting at 10:00 a.m. until time of service.

Mr. Yarosz life will be celebrated during a Mass at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Windber, Pennsylvania on Saturday December 17th at 12:00 p.m. followed by his interment at Saint John Cantius Catholic Church Cemetery.

Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport is serving the family.