Smusz, Teddy Felix

Teddy Felix Smusz died a peaceful, old fashioned death with comfort and dignity on December 19, 2013, in Blacksburg Virginia under hospice care. One of 7 children born in Weirton, West Virginia, to Polish immigrant millworkers, Walter and Sophia Dziadula Smusz, he survived 95 years of life and limb threatening home repairs and gardening adventures. He served in World War II with the Army Air Core in Alaska and graduated from Ohio University with a BS in mechanical engineering (compliments of the GI bill). He worked for the Royal McBee Corporation, then for more than 20 years with Electro-Tec Corporation and affiliates (now MOOG). Teddy designed integral parts for the first CT scanners and earliest windmill powered generators. He outlived both his wives, Mattie Louise Cornelison Smusz, mother of his twins, and his later marriage to Peggy Frazier Smusz. Teddy is survived by his remaining sibling, Leona Bourgeious of Alexandria Va., as well as his children and their families: Teddy Hamilton Smusz (Terry) and Tina Louise Smusz (Mark Hileman) all of Blacksburg. Teddy was most proud of his 4 wonderful “Polish” grandchildren, Emily and Ian Smusz and Jacob and Emma Hileman. He was especially fond of Joe and John Frazier, his youngest grandchildren by marriage to Peggy. He leaves behind many kind nieces, nephews, stepchildren and their children, too numerous to name. Pop taught us all to “do every job right”, laugh, make music, help family and neighbors in need, and cook Galumpke. His family thanks all his loving and attentive caregivers, especially Gala, Juanita, Frances and Deborah. We owe a debt of gratitude to Carilion Hospice for greatly enhancing Teddy’s quality of life with music, comfort and enthusiastic listening to his life story over the past 5 months. We appreciate Dr. Clem Binnings and his nurses who supported Ted’s wishes to “keep it simple” when it came to medical care in his later years. We are also grateful to Mary Anne and Comfort Care Senior Home where he lived for the past year and found his toddler buddy, Airbella. A memorial service will be held at a later date when all grandchildren can attend. Ted requested that any memorial donations go to his church, St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, “the little church with a big heart”, PO Box 4706, Roanoke VA, 24015.