Thaddeus Francis Kocon

Thaddeus “Ted” Francis Kocon, 95, kind and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully but unexpectedly on Saturday, January 16, 2021 in Albuquerque, NM. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Margaret (Puskar); sister, Celia Kocon from Allentown, PA.; daughters, Terry Kocon and husband Ed Jaworski, Kathy Kocon, and Elizabeth Levine and husband Daved Levine; son, Mark Kocon; grandchildren, Jordy Hicks and wife Emily Myer, Ryan Levine and wife Teryn, and Jordan Thorpe and husband Tymm; and great-grandchildren, Lydia Michelle Thorpe, Maeve Delaney Myer-Hicks and Lyle Jensen Levine. Ted is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Ted was born on Sunday, February 22, 1925, in Lansford, PA, and lived there until age 18 when his life changed. He began his life-long military career on his 18th birthday when he received a letter from President Roosevelt saying, “Greetings, the country needs you.” He had a week of Army Basic Training in Fort Riley, Kansas, before boarding the “USS George O. Squire” in San Francisco, heading to New Caledonia in the South Pacific. Ted served in the 164th Infantry Regiment of the Americal Division in World War II and participated in campaigns in Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and the Philippines, operating as a flame thrower on Hill 260 in Bougainville. He received the Purple Heart Medal and Bronze Star for his service in WWII.
After the war, Ted returned to his hometown of Lansford, Pennsylvania, and married his sweetheart Margaret. With their four children they spent a wonderful life as an Air Force family traveling from Pennsylvania to Texas (Wichita Falls), to South Carolina (Donaldson AFB), to Paris, France (NATO Headquarters), to New Jersey (McGuire AFB), and finally to his last tour in Albuquerque (Kirkland AFB), completing a total of 23 years of military service.
During Ted’s career he was a flight engineer on C-46 aircraft (during the Korean War stationed in Japan) then on C-124 aircraft (in New Zealand during Operation Deep Freeze). He went off flying status and continued his military service as a technical illustrator.
After his final tour, Ted and his family retired in Albuquerque. He had a wonderful life before and during retirement playing golf, fishing, and traveling with his wife where they shared time at many beautiful golf courses across the country. He played golf up until age 89. They loved to dance, and Ted was quite fond of Polka music. He was always there for his family and did everything from taking them fishing to teaching them golf to helping with science projects and car repairs. He was a loving father who gave his children everything they could have wanted. He created a happy home for his wife and family. Ted was a gifted artist and enjoyed oil painting, creating miniature watercolors, and whittling small toys that he gave to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren over the years. He could fix anything and was always eager to help family, neighbors, and friends with any project they might have. He volunteered at the New Mexico Veteran’s Memorial, a place he dearly loved. He enjoyed his last four years living with Margaret at The Good Samaritan Village (Manzano del Sol) in Albuquerque, where they have had a supportive and caring community of friends. The Kocon family is especially grateful for the loving care from Mary and Ann.
Ted was a devout Catholic his entire life and a proud soldier to the end.
A Funeral Mass was held at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Albuquerque on Friday, January 22, 2021. The service was private and included immediate family only. Interment followed at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Mexico Veteran’s Memorial in Albuquerque, NM.