Thaddeus “Ted” Joseph Pianka, 69, of Naugatuck, Connecticut, passed away on April 8, 2026.

He was born on January 24, 1957, in Osowiec, Poland, to Marianna and Stanislaw Pianka. In 1964, his family emigrated to the United States and settled in Naugatuck, Connecticut, where he was raised. He later lived in Watertown before eventually moving to Port Jefferson, New York, to be closer to his daughter.

Ted attended St. Hedwig School and graduated from Naugatuck High School in 1976. He continued his education at Naugatuck Valley Community College.

Ted was a dedicated employee of Sikorsky Aircraft, where he began his career as a machinist in 1980. Following the company’s acquisition by Lockheed Martin, he went on to serve as an Aero Inspector, a role he held until his retirement in 2023. After retiring, Ted moved to Port Jefferson, New York, where he enjoyed walking along the nearby beaches and getting to know the village and community.

Ted was known for his strong work ethic and unwavering dedication to both his career and his family. He was a familiar face at church services and could often be found playing Bingo with his mother. He deeply valued his family, maintaining close relationships with his siblings and extended relatives. Thoughtful and generous, Ted frequently went out of his way to show appreciation for others.

A lover of history, Ted enjoyed sharing his knowledge with anyone willing to listen. He also had a passion for cars and fondly reminisced about the 1969 Roadrunner he shared with his brother Mike in his younger years. He loved the Polish community from which he came, often connecting with others over Poland’s history and language.

In September of 2020, Ted was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer, however, he would not let it get the best of him. Until his retirement, Ted never mentioned his diagnosis and continued to work full time through his treatments. There is a lot to be said about mindset. Ted never viewed cancer as the end game. He never complained, followed through with every treatment and procedure with a positive attitude and powerful spirit. He overcame the odds, living through each passing year and looking forward to the next to come. It is because of this positive outlook and the caring medical and support teams of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Stony Brook Medicine and Catholic Health that Ted overcame the many obstacles that come with this diagnosis. Our family is forever grateful for the length of time we have been able to have with him and those who treated his care as though he was their family, too.

He is survived by his daughter, Elisa Palumbo, and her wife, Nicole Palumbo; his brothers, Mike Pianka and his wife, Heidi, John Pianka, and Richard Pianka; and his sister, Elizabeth (Pianka) May, and her husband, Richard. He is also survived by two young girls whom he lovingly helped raise, Mercedes and Destiny Polak as well as his nieces, Lindsay Pianka and Sarah Tingley, and his nephews, Michael Pianka and Stephen Woodfield. He was predeceased by his brother, Kevin Pianka.

Visitation will be held at Naugatuck Valley Memorial Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home , 240 North Main Street Naugatuck on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 4 PM to 8 PM. A funeral service will be held at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, Naugatuck on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 10:00 A.M., with burial to follow at St. James Catholic Cemetery in Naugatuck.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in his name to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to further cancer research.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

To send an online condolence please visit Naugatuckvalleymemorial. com