Thaddeus P. Ozga

Thaddeus P. (Ted) Ozga, age 94, of Galena, Illinois, went home to the Lord on August 5, 2021 following a brief illness.

The fifth child of Thomas and Catherine Ozga, Ted was born and raised in Chicago. He studied at Foreman High School before being drafted into the military.  Ted served in the army infantry and was stationed in the Philippines during WW II.  Upon completion of his military service, Ted went to trade school and became a carpenter.  Amongst his favorite and best-known carpentry projects was the walk-through heart exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

He is survived by his bride of nearly 68 years, Dorothy (Yurkowsky) Ozga and his children, Kathleen (Ken) Pekala of Keller, TX, John (Deb Cook) Ozga of Travelers Rest, SC and James (Laura Larkner) Ozga of Crystal Lake, IL; grandchildren Kyle Pekala, Kristofer (Shelly Jung) Ozga, Kelly (Bhavin) Vadodaria, Michael Ozga, Kevin Pekala, Bekah (Ryan) Nordtvedt, Kristen Pekala, Andrew Ozga and Megan Ozga and great-grandchildren Adalynn Ozga, Everly Ozga, Karina Vadodaria and Chase Nordtvedt.

Although Ted endured many medical challenges, he continued to enjoy his grandchildren and spent many hours traveling to witness their school milestones, concerts and sporting events.  Ted will be greatly missed by his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Ecole L’Erudit de Léogâne (Ted’s daughter-in-law serves as a medical volunteer and director) - a school providing health care, nutrition and education to some of Haiti’s poorest children.  Direct donations to www.intervol.org or via check to InterVol at 100 Kings Highway South, #1200, Rochester, NY 14617.  Please specify that the donation is intended for Ecole L’Erudit.