Theodore R. "Ted" Wurz

Theodore R. "Ted" Wurz, 95, a lifelong resident of Utica, passed away peacefully after a brief illness in the comfort of his home, with family by his side on Friday morning, July 28, 2023.

 

Ted was born in Utica on May 22, 1928 and resided in Utica, his entire life. Ted was one of seven siblings born to the late Theodore Wurz and Rose Carrie. He graduated from Utica Free Academy and worked as an insurance salesman until he retired. Ted married the former Santina Zangrone in 1951. 

 

Ted got into cross country skiing and had some of the best times of his life with Sandy. They had a built in swimming pool in their backyard and opened the pool every year for his family and friends to enjoy. He loved to cook on the grill and share stories over a beer or two. One of his most passionate sports was boating and water skiing. With some of his stretched dollars he gave up things to take his family to the lake. He coached Little League for his youngest son, David and the team won the series that year. When his children were in need of most anything, he was there. He worked with his oldest son, Ted, to rebuild an automobile or two and always encouraged him to become all he could be. He helped John back to life when he was critically injured in a car accident and his grandson John who was struck by a car resulting in his need for constant care, was always there to comfort little John. At a young age, his only daughter was diagnosed with cancer and Ted was there at the hospital by her side on the midnight shift to make sure meds were given at the scheduled time and that she was taken care of.

 

Ted was an avid water skier, fisherman, especially fly fishing. He was a hunter, gardener, singer and especially enjoyed singing in the choir at St. John's Historic Church in Utica, where he was a member. He was a man of many talents. He also had a love of flying and enjoyed this with his grandson, Mark. I am pretty sure that God gave him wings to fly in heaven.

 

He was predeceased by his sister-in-law, a special lady, Mary Costello and her husband, Richard (Dick).  Ted is survived by his wife, Sandy, his three sons, Ted and his best friend Maryann, John and Vivian, David and Wendy and his daughter, Mary Rose, his grandchildren, Mark Malinowski, John and Amanda Wurz, Michael and his fiance Maria Pawlak, Stacy and Jason Alamond, Tom and Karen Wurz, and Ted and Loretta Wurz. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

 

Ted also had a few good friends who have predeceased him, five of whom are Ralph Reitienger, Bob Hughes, Carman Suma, Frank Allen and Al Grimaldi.  He is also predeceased by his six sisters Kathleen Bord, Dorothy Cunningham, Alice Stafford, Esther Domser, Betty Bartlett, Joan Williams and by his brother, Robert Wurz. He was predeceased by Celeste Wurz, Davids’ first wife, his brother-in-law, Tony Zangrone and his wife Carol, and his great, great grandson, Johnathon Wurz. You will be forever missed, pops!

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the locally owned and operated Mohawk Valley Funerals and Cremations, 7507 State Route 5, Little Falls, 315-508-5131. There will be no calling hours. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to Ted's services, where visitation will take place from 9:00 am to 10:00 am with a Mass of Christian Burial commencing at 10am, on Saturday August 5th, 2023 all from the Historic Old St. John's Church, 240 Bleecker St, Utica, N.Y.  Procession will follow to Crown Hill Memorial Park where burial will take place.  Kindly consider and send memorial contributions to the Anita's Stevens Swan Humane Society, 5664 Horatio St., Utica, NY 13501 as a tribute to Ted's love for dogs.