The Reverend Theodore T. Raczynski, a retired Priest of the Archdiocese of Hartford, died Friday, January 1, 2016. He was born April 3, 1929 in Seymour, son of the late Anthony and Cecelia Raczynski. Father Raczynski attended Seymour Public Schools and graduated from Seymour High School in the Class of 1947. He began his studies for the Priesthood at Saint Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, and continued his studies at Saint Bernard’s Seminary, Rochester, NY. He returned to Saint Thomas Seminary for the academic year 1955-56 as a Deacon Prefect. Archbishop Henry J. O’Brien ordained him to the Priesthood on May 10, 1956 in ceremonies at Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, Hartford. On that day thirty-three men were ordained Priests. Following ordination he served in the following parishes within the Archdiocese of Hartford; Saint Mary, Simsbury (1956-62); Saint Joseph, Suffield (1962-63); Saint Lucian Home, New Britain as Chaplain (1963); Holy Cross, New Britain (1963-65); and Saint Robert, Windsor Locks (1965-75). While a priest in Windsor Locks, he was Chaplain of the Windsor Locks Fire Department and was also Chaplain of Riverside Council #26, Knights of Columbus. He was Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Suffield, where he served until his retirement in 2004 when he became Pastor Emeritus. While at Sacred Heart he supervised the construction of the new church and rectory as well as the addition to the parish hall which is now named in his honor. In the Suffield community Father Ted was a member of the Juvenile Review Board and was Chaplain of the Suffield Fire Department. He celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his Ordination in 2006. He remained at Sacred Heart through 2012, where his companionship and ministry were a genuine blessing for his successors and parishioners alike. In addition to his parents, Father Raczynski was predeceased by his stepmother Stella Raczynski; four sisters; Helen Soresina, Mary Yish, Stella Beletsky , Anne Gabianelli; a stepbrother, Theodore Cinsinski.; two stepsisters; Helen Sadowski and Irene Szczesiul as well as many nieces and nephews including Kenneth Gabianelli and Patricia Anderson and her husband John , both of Seymour. On Thursday, January 7, 2016 his body will be received at Sacred Heart Church, with ceremonies beginning at 2:00 pm. Calling Hours will continue thru 5 pm. There will be a Parish Mass of Thanksgiving at 7 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place Friday, January 8, 2016 at 11:00 am in Sacred Heart Church, 446 Mountain Rd, Suffield, CT. The Most Reverend Leonard J. Blair,will be the Principal Concelebrant. Burial will take place privately at Mountain Meadows Cemetery, Seymour. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Father Ted’s memory to Sacred Heart Church – Woman’s Guild Scholarship Fund, 446 Mountain Road, Box 626, Suffield ,CT 06078. Arrangements have been entrusted to Small & Pietras Funeral Home, Rockville, CT. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com

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