Terrance Anthony Tafelski

Terry Tafelski, 75, passed away on June 15th, after being in ill health for a number of years. Terry was the loving husband of Jeanette D. Balikowski to whom he was happily married for 53 years, having celebrated their anniversary on May 9th. Born in Detroit, MI, he was the son of the late Anthony J and Helen M. Tafelski. In addition to his wife Jeanne, he is survived by two sons, David, husband of Katherine, Loganville, GA, and Michael, husband of Terry, Lancaster, and two daughters, Teresa Hughes of Turnersville, NJ, and Marianne, wife of Craig McKimpson, Watsontown, PA. He was preceded in death by a son Steven (husband of Julie, Kill Devil Hills, NC) and a grandson, Blake McKimpson. Terry was the proud Dzia Dzia of 12 grandchildren – Tasha, Kristen, Sean, Kati, Elizabeth, AJ, Spencer, Skylar, Casey, Cooper, Brady and Carter. Terry attended Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, MI; Mercer University in Macon, GA and Mt. San Antonio College, Walnut CA. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy on board the destroyer the USS Ingraham from 1955 to 1957. He started his distinguished business career with Winter Seal Corp, in Detroit, MI in 1957 and opened small window factories in GA and CA. He then spent 20 years in the Recreational Vehicle and manufactured housing industry. For ten years he was the Vice President of Operations for 8 plants on the East Coast with Skyline Corp. He then became sole owner of TATCO, Inc, a successful supplier to the RV and manufactured housing industry for 10 years. He retired in 1985. He has enjoyed traveling with his wife Jeanne to 49 states and traveled to GA, MI, NC, and NJ to visit family. Terry lived his Catholic Faith through his dedication and participation in his parishes and schools (St. Annes, Lancaster Catholic High School, and St. Basils Church (near Eagles Mere, PA)). He was past President of St. Annes PTO, Lancaster Catholic Athletic Association (and founding member of the LCHS Carnival), Chairman of LCHS Annual Fund, and lifelong member of St. Vincent DePaul Society and Polish Falcons of America (Nest # 959). He volunteered as coach for the St. Anne Crusaders Midget Football, LCHS and Sullivan County HS softball teams. He was also an former member of the Eagles Mere Country Club where he served on the Board of Directors and also was the golf chariman. Terry enjoyed his family, grandchildren, golf and cheering for Notre Dame Football. He will be remembered for instilling a strong sense of family, faith and his generosity to all he encountered. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 601 East Delp Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. A viewing will be held from 6-9 PM on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 with the Holy Rosary recited at 8:30 PM. A second viewing will be at the church from 9-11 AM Wednesday morning. Interment will be held in Eagles Mere, PA. In Lieu of Flowers, donations in Terry’s name may be made to LCHS Athletic Association, 650 Juliette Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601. To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100 As Dad wanted us all to remember “I have run the race, I have fought the good fight”. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Terrance Anthony Tafelski, please visit our flower store.