Thaddeus Gomulinski Obituary

Thaddeus Marion Gomulinski, age 86, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025 in Longmont, Colorado. Ted, as he was known to many, lived a life that was built on community. Wherever he went, whoever he met, he always brought his specific brand of Polish power: a steely resolve, unwavering belief in the power of helping others, and a consistent kindness. All that knew him can attest to his ability to make anyone feel heard and his willingness to not just listen to your problems, but actively try to solve them. Ted's belief in the power of human connection and charity is embedded across his entire life.
Born on July 5, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan to Sevrey and Jane Gomulinski, Thaddeus was a pillar of his family, helping his parents with their numerous businesses in Detroit. He graduated from North Eastern High School in 1957 and was drafted into the Army shortly after. However, before he was drafted, he went in for a routine dental checkup and made a connection that would change his life. His dental hygienist that day was his future wife, Sylvia Baczkowski, he was bowled over by her and they quickly engaged to be married. Once he returned from service in Korea, they had a big, traditional Polish wedding in the spring of 1964 surrounded by their family and friends at St. Louis of the King Catholic Church in Detroit. It was a wedding that is still talked about to this day, filled with good Polish food, Polish dancing, a Polish band, and well just an outstanding Polish time.
Thaddeus and Sylvia moved to Center Line, Michigan and quickly put down roots, becoming integral members of the community. They raised a family of three beautiful children, Gary, Laura, and Tracy. Thaddeus and his family made Center Line their home. He was a key part of their church, St. Clements Catholic Church, where he served as an usher as well as the oft heralded chef of Friday Night Fish Frys. He also was involved in other charitable endeavors whether it was the American Polish Century Club, the Lions Club, the Center Line High School Parents Panthers Club, or the Father Kramer Knights of Columbus, a member for 67 years. He was also a regular at the Red Cross Blood Donation center, a cause he passionately pursued across his entire life, consistently donating blood everywhere he lived. Ted's consistency and charity made him a foundational part of the Center Line community, where he lived until his partner in life Sylvia passed in 2004.
In 2006, he moved into Town Village in Sterling Heights, Michigan, where for ten years, he was no longer known as Ted but rather "The Mayor of Town Village". He was an indispensable member of the community; he spoke up on behalf of the quieter residents, was a constant smiling face in the dining room and bingo hall, and had a personality that people gravitated towards. He made friends that would last a lifetime and made every day at Town Village full of life and energy.
In 2016, he decided it was time to lend some of his verve to his family in Colorado, moving to Boulder that spring. It brought him closer to his children Gary and Tracy, as well as his two grandchildren Calvin and Klaus. Once in Boulder, he did the Thaddeus Gomulinski thing of quickly becoming a key thread in the tapestry of the community. He gave his time to volunteer across a number of organizations, helping raise money for childhood cancer research with St. Baldricks and making meals for families in need with the Team Chop program at There With Care. His service was distinguished in both quantity and quality as across his over 240 volunteer hours, in 2018 he was honored and received the Inspiration Award at TWC for his kindness, dedication, and support making meals for families and children impacted by critical illnesses in the area.
While in Boulder, he also made time for fun and family. He was a known uno shark, beating anyone that dared stand in his way, and wasn't too shabby at bingo either. He loved to be outside, whether that was eating kielbasa at a backyard picnic, taking a walk with his grandsons, or enjoying music at the high school or at Band on the Bricks. He became a Colorado sports fan, enjoying Detroit style pizza nights during Broncos and Buffs game, a family tradition, but those closest to him know that his true loves were still the hometown Detroit Lions, Redwings, and Tigers, Pistons, as evidenced by their team logo stickers on the back of his scooter. Amongst all of his favorite activities, he found time to share stories and learn about people's lives, whether it was his grandsons or a random person on the street. He exhibited the same care, dedication, and interest in others that defined every prior stop in his life.
To say he was an amazing man is an understatement, and he is survived by family that is forever touched by his special blend of heart and mettle: Gary Gomulinski & Cindy Jones, Laura & Pete Rizzo, and Tracy & Timothy Heiman; his beloved grandsons Calvin and Klaus Heiman; his younger brother Paul Gomulinski and his wife Debbie, deceased older brother Melvin Gomulinski and his wife Patricia; and his many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
In honor of his constant dedication to charity, his family kindly request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Thaddeus's name to Father Kramer Knights of Columbus or the American Polish Century Club-two causes close to his heart in Michigan.
Thaddeus will forever live on in the countless lives and communities he touched. He wove a tapestry that stretched from Michigan to Colorado and is filled with countless friends, families, and organizations that will always have a piece of him with them. His spirit and belief in connection will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
Services will be held at 9:30 AM on Saturday, August 23rd at St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families, in Center Line, Michigan. The family of Thaddeus Gomulinski requests your presence at a special Polish luncheon as he envisioned, sharing beautiful moments and memories at the American Polish Century Club in Sterling Heights from 12:30pm until 2:30pm. Please RSVP by calling or texting 303-960-7322 and letting Tracy know you are attending by August 17th.