Thaddeus R. Glica

He is survived by his son, Stephen; daughter, Joanne (Anthony); grandchildren, Lauren (Brian) and Michael (Elizabeth); and great-grandchildren, Lily, James, and John. Born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Ted proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II as an Electrician’s Mate Third Class USN. He was stationed in Hawaii and Japan and honorably discharged after being awarded a World War II Victory medal. He returned home to build a long and respected career that started in elevator construction and ended with many years of service as an elevator mechanic, repairing and maintaining elevators all over New York City and Long Island.

Most importantly, for nearly 70 years, Ted shared a beautiful marriage with his beloved wife, Eileen, who passed away in March 2024. Together, they quite literally built a home filled with love, laughter, and unwavering devotion. Their partnership was an enduring example of love and commitment that inspired everyone around them.

Following his retirement, Ted found joy in life's simple pleasures. He loved golfing, bowling with friends, and operating trains on the model railroad he built in his basement. Family would often find him working in his garage, where there always seemed to be a project waiting to be repaired. If something was broken, family and friends knew they could count on him to fix it. More importantly, if someone needed help, Ted never hesitated to lend a hand. Never seeking recognition, he would give the shirt off his back to clean up a mess, risk his own safety to help another (even falling through a ceiling on one occasion) and brave snowstorms to make sure a loved one made it home safely.

Ted's family was the greatest joy of his life, and each person shared a special bond with him. He and his son, Stephen, spent countless hours golfing, talking politics, and working on the model railroad. To his daughter, Joanne, her father was simply her hero: the one who was always there to save the day. From comforting her after a twisted ankle on the school playground to standing beside her through the joys and challenges of raising her own children, he was always there. To his grandchildren, "Pa" was a teacher and mentor, always eager to pass along practical lessons, whether it was how to jump rope, read a map, or change a tire, Pa ensured his grandkids would have some street smarts too.

Photographs of Ted are surprisingly rare because he was almost always behind the camcorder, faithfully capturing not only his family’s milestones but the more average moments that became treasured memories. In his later years, he found renewed happiness in his great-grandchildren. Whether they were playing peekaboo, reading a book together, or marveling at his flashlight collection, nothing brought a bigger smile to Pa's face than spending time with them.

Ted expressed his love not through grand gestures, but through quiet acts of service, generosity, and dependability. The unwavering sense of security he gave his family is a gift they will carry with them forever.

While his family and friends mourn the loss of an extraordinary man, they find comfort in knowing he is once again reunited with his bride Eileen, his parents and his siblings. Ted's lifelong examples of honor, hard work, compassion, and unconditional love will continue to live on in the hearts of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who were blessed to know him. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the National MS Society would be greatly appreciated by Ted's family.

Visiting hours will be held at Whalen & Ball on Friday, July 17, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony's Catholic Church on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., followed by interment at St. Mary's Cemetery.