BAJER, Tadeusz “Ted”

January 3, 1938 — October 4, 2025

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Tadeusz “Ted” Bajer on October 4, 2025, in Paris, France. Ted was 87 but in many ways, going on 50. He was born on January 3, 1938 in Faust, Alberta, the youngest of the 9 surviving children of Jan and Maria Bajer, Polish Immigrants. Ted grew up , first on the family homestead and later in Kinuso on Lesser Slave Lake, where his father owned a hotel and pool hall. Ted’s love of family stems from early childhood with love and affection from his brothers, sisters and his parents, whom he loved and respected greatly.

Ted grew up excelling at school and especially with sports. He was a fine hockey player in particular and later in life coached hockey and soccer with teams that included two of his sons. Ted was a life long curler and soft ball player, endeavours which he pursued into his 80s.

Ted graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and in 1961 started a family in Edmonton with Grace Eveleen Thompson, raised three boys, Russell, Jeffery and Vincent. Ted worked then for Chemcell Petrochemical Plant and then moved the family to Calgary where he was a technician with Western Cooperative Fertilizer. The years in Calgary were happy ones with Grace and the boys. There were many gatherings with the large, gregarious extended family. There was always great food, merriment and music with the very musical Bajer clan.

Ted’s natural musical ability was always on display, whether in voice or on guitar or accordian. His humour was infectious. He was one of the great storytellers and usually there would be a twist often a ‘Dad’ joke to make you laugh or groan.

In 1972 Ted moved the family to the even greener pastures of Kelowna, BC where he spent almost all his remaining years. In 1979 Grace and Ted separated and then divorced. In 1984 Ted dated and later married Sandra Gail McConnell, then in 1985 Kelly Erin was born, followed in 1989 by Marisha Rose. The love Ted had for his beautiful daughters and for his sons continued his whole lives. He lived to make a better life for his children. We have indeed lost a great patriarch.

In addition to his remarkable career with the Water Dept at the City of Kelowna Ted continued with all his sports which included bonspiels with Sandy and softball tournaments with her within and outside Canada. Ted also became a volunteer firefighter for many years with the Okanagan Mission Fire Dept. He also started his beloved hobby of singing with the Kelowna Barbershop Choir and formed his own Barbershop Quartet, which has delighted audiences. His connection to the Barbershop choir community is where he met many friends and years after the sad passing of Sandy, he met Debra Parmenter, who became a loving companion for the last 8 years of his life. They enjoyed music making and multitude games of cards, especially cribbage.

The breadth of knowledge and skill set Ted possessed is almost herculean. His success with real estate ventures involved creating a sub division In the Ok Mission. He donated back land to the city on which today stands a public tennis court. His abilities with electrical work and plumbing gave his the ability to renovate houses and even build bathrooms.

Anything Ted set out to do he excelled at it.

Ted’s youthful strength prompted him to travel often and in the early years there were many exciting camping trips with the boys and later lovely vacations with the girls, including to Europe.

In 2019 at age 81, Ted, Russell and his partner, Roy Kiers, Kelly and her husband, Jesse Church embarked on an epic tour of Europe where they visited Polish cousins south of Krakow. Ted had retained his spoken Polish so well that he was able to be the center of attention with the cousins and tell tales of his parents adventures as immigrants. We were all so amazed and so proud; a great story teller in two languages!

Sadly it was on the most recent trip to Europe to see French/Polish relatives that Ted succumbed to a heart attack in Paris with Debbie by his side.

Ted was predeceased by all 8 of his brothers and sisters; his sons Jeffrey and Vincent; and his wife Sandy. He is survived in loving memory by his son, Russell; his two daughters, Kelly and Marisha; his grandchildren, Valeri, Cohen, Lilly, Beau, and Hayes; his large extended family and friends; as well as his companion Debbie.

We have lost a remarkable man and will miss him terribly.

A Celebration of Life, with Celebrant Clair Jantzen officiating, will be held on SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026, at 1:00 PM (PDT), at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. A reception will be held following the service.

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