CHICOPEE – Theodore L. “Ted” “Lenny” Klekotka, 68, of the Chicopee Falls section of Chicopee and a former longtime resident of Woodcrest Drive in the Aldenville section of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, December 7, 2016. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Holyoke on September 2, 1948, a beloved son of the late Thaddeus A. and Angeline T. (Swiszcz) Klekotka. He was raised in South Hadley and graduated from Springfield Trade High School. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Specialist Fifth Grade. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and a Bronze Star Medal. Following his military service, he returned to the area and then received an Associate’s Degree in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Services from Springfield Technical Community College. He moved to Chicopee in 1974 where he resided for the remainder of his life. He was employed as a Journeyman Electrician for over 30 years for the United States Postal Service. He worked at the Bulk Mail Center on Tapley Street in Indian Orchard and last worked in maintenance at the Main Street Office on Liberty Street in Springfield. He was a communicant of Sainte Rose de Lima Church in Chicopee. He was a member of the Moose Family Center and the Tiger’s Athletic Club, both in Chicopee Falls. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Pioneer Valley Credit Union. Above all, he loved spending time with his family and friends. He leaves his beloved wife and best friend, Linda L. (O’Connor) Klekotka. They were married on October 17, 1970 at Saint Jerome Church in Holyoke and were blessed with over 46 years of happiness together. He also leaves his two loving children, Theodore A. “Teddy” Klekotka and his wife, Tracie, of Granby and Jodi Lynn Ripka and her husband, Joseph, of South Hadley; his four cherished grandchildren, triplets, Ariana Rose, Emma Lynn and Kayla Marie Klekotka, and Lucas Joseph Ripka; his two dear brothers, Raymond Klekotka and David Klekotka and his wife, Nicki, all of South Hadley; his dear sister, Eileen Ray and her husband, Michael, of Santa Barbara, CA; his four dear brothers-in-law, John O’Connor and James O’Connor and his wife, Joan, all of South Hadley, Gerald O’Connor of Phoenix, AZ and Donald O’Connor of Chicopee; his dear sister-in-law, Gail Boudreau of Westfield; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Klekotka and O’Connor families. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his dear brother, Richard Klekotka; his dear sister-in-law, Beverly Trombley; and his dear brother-in-law, James Boudreau. His funeral will be held on Tuesday morning, December 13, 2016 beginning at the St. Pierre-Phaneuf Aldenville Chapels, (413-532-9806), 13 Dale Street, Chicopee, MA 01020, (funeral home will open at 7:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. at Sainte Rose de Lima Church, 600 Grattan Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. His Committal Service with United States Army Military Honors will follow the Mass at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday, December 12, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The parking lot and main entrance are located at the rear of the funeral home at 20 Lafayette Street, Chicopee, MA 01020. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the Friends of the Soldiers Home, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com