Simsbury Grange member Thaddeus W. Wendell, 85, of West Simsbury, CT, beloved husband of Jane (Gryszkiewicz) Wendell, died Thursday, April 22, 2010 at home.

He was born March 22, 1925 in Westfield, MA, son of the late Joseph and Antonina (Wichrowski) Wojtkiewicz. Thaddeus was a veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Navy Sea Bees 122nd Battalion in the Pacific Theater and was a recipient of the Bronze Star. Mr. Wendell was a Machinist and Inspector at Dell Manufacturing Co. prior to his retirement in 1991.

Thaddeus was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Church, West Simsbury, CT, Simsbury Grange #197 and the Cawasa Grange #34. He was a longtime volunteer at the Connecticut Agricultural Fair, and held numerous offices in Farmington Valley Pomona Grange #11 and the Connecticut State Grange.

He was also a Boy Scout Leader in Westfield, MA, Longmeadow, MA and continued in Connecticut when he moved in 1968 to Simsbury, CT.

The love of camping followed throughout his family life across the country.

Besides his wife, he leaves his three daughters, Anita Brucker and husband Gene of Granby, CT, Laura Taylor and husband Edward of Missoula, MT and Nancy Krause and husband Jeffery of Torrington, CT; three grandchildren, Cristin and her husband Ryan, Carolyn and Jesse; two great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his oldest brother, Frank who perished on the USS Arizona in the attack on Pearl Harbor, his brothers, Stanley, Matthew and Robert and his sisters, Bernice Scougall and Cecilia Shamatovich and his grandson, Jeb.

Friends may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT, Monday, April 26th from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, April 27th, 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 265 Stratton Brook Road, West Simsbury, CT.

Burial with military honors will be in Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Agawam, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Catherine of Siena Church, 265 Stratton Brook Road, West Simsbury, CT 06092 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

For online condolences please visit www.vincentfuneralhome.com.