CHICOPEE – Theodore S. “Ted” Chmura Jr., of Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Thursday, April 16, 2020. He passed into Eternal Life at his home in the care and comfort of his loving family. He was born in Springfield on August 19, 1940, a beloved son of the late Theodore Stanley Chmura and Frances M. (Pelczarski) Chmura. He was raised in Chicopee, graduated from Chicopee High School in 1957, and later studied Fire Science at Springfield Technical Community College. Ted was employed for many years as a firefighter for the City of Springfield, where he was stationed at the Armory Street and Indian Orchard Fire Stations. He worked on one of the first EMT crews for the Springfield Fire Dept. and in later years worked as an Arson Investigator for the Springfield Fire Dept. He also worked as a Federal Marshal.
During his leisure time, Ted loved keeping active and busy, including traveling to the ocean and the Berkshires, where he and their Mom, Joan Chmura, taught all of their six children to swim and waterski by the age of 6. In addition, his children’s friends were always welcomed to the summer cottage where they too enjoyed swimming, hiking and waterskiing.
Ted particularly enjoyed playing softball and volleyball. He played softball for over 40 years on teams for Fire Departments, Police Stations, and Churches. He played on many winning Regional and State Championship teams in Massachusetts and Connecticut and on a National Championship team, which won in Louisiana. He played as a pitcher and shortstop and would fill in on any team that was short of players. He was very happy to be a member of the Western Mass Relics Senior Softball League.
Ted was a hardworking family man. In addition to his Firefighter job, Ted did many side jobs, including installing house antennas, snow plowing, welding, tree cutting, and repairing cars at his small business, the “Bug Hut”, where he worked on VW Beetles in the 1970’s.
In his later years, Ted loved going to the casino, where he seemed to always have extremely good luck! He loved his pet dogs over the years including Impy, Schnitzle, Mandy, Motley, Max, and Vinnie. He also took in many stray cats through the years. He loved all creatures, great and small.
Most of all, he loved his family and his many friends. He leaves his six devoted children, Virginia D. Chmura and her partner, Thomas Wilk, of East Longmeadow, Kathleen A. Chmura-Fournier and her husband, Roger Fournier, of Springfield, Diane M. Miner and her husband, Raymond, of Ludlow, Carol A. Cote of West Springfield, Theodore S. Chmura III and his wife, Rachel, of Ludlow and Joanne M. Flescher and her husband, David, of Feeding Hills; his four cherished grandchildren whom he adored, Raven A. Fournier and Brendan G. Fournier, and Julie E. Chmura and Catherine A. Chmura. He is also survived by his former wife and mother of his children, Joan Chmura of Springfield, and a niece and two nephews.
Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his two dear sisters and their husbands, Carol Meyer and her husband, Harold “Bud” and Joan Precanico and her husband, Vincent.
His family would like to thank his wonderful caregivers from O’Connell Care at Home and Baystate Hospice for their compassionate care during his final week at home.
Because of the COVID Pandemic, his services will be private and a Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107 is assisting his family. His family requests that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Dakin Humane Society, PO Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101-6307 or to Baystate Hospice, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01199. For online condolences, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com