Thaddeus J. Jachera

Thaddeus Joseph Jachera, age 90, of Marco Island, FL and Pompton Plains, NJ, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Sunday, November 15, 2020.

Thaddeus, known to all as “Ted” was born in Bayonne, NJ on 3/12/30, the third of four children of Polish immigrant parents Louis and Aniela. Ted grew up in Bayonne with his family.  He went to high school at St. John Kanty All Boys School in Erie, PA and graduated in 1948. Soon after graduation, he worked as a runner for the NYC Stock Exchange. Ted was then called to duty in the US Army where he served as cook on the front lines during the Korean War. The experience he gained as a cook would affect the future course of his life.

Ted’s family eventually moved from Bayonne to Wayne, NJ.  His parents purchased a tavern called the Hi Ho Club and his entire family worked there. Ted played the drums with his band at the club and during breaks he would bartend.

Ted would eventually meet the love of his life, Sugar, at a dance in the Poconos. What began that evening was a beautiful love story and on November 12, 1960 Ted and Sugar exchanged their wedding vows at the Epiphany Church in Cliffside Park.  They settled into their first home in Packanack Manor on Chandler Drive.

With the skills he had learned, Ted decided to take a chance and open a catering business in 1964. He, his brother Stan Jachera and friend Jerry Cardillo built a catering hall on Route 23 and called it the Wayne Manor. Ted’s younger brother John Jachera would also join the business and together the Wayne Manor became a huge success. They brought joy to many people’s lives by hosting thousands of weddings and social events throughout the years. After Ted’s retirement, the family business continued on with the next generation for a total of 41 years.

Ted and Sugar were blessed with three children Kathleen, Robert and Thomas. In 1980, the family moved into their dream home in Pompton Plains, NJ. They enjoyed many summer vacations at their home at the Hideout in PA.  In their golden years, they retired to Marco Island, FL. They were able to travel the world, took up playing golf, played tennis and enjoyed their wonderful friends and extended family, including nine grandchildren.

Ted was a diehard NY Giants fan! He has been a season ticket holder since 1958. One of his greatest memories was attending the Giants first Super Bowl win in 1987 with his family and his brother-in-law, Al Aitkens.

Ted was a man who always acknowledged God’s presence in his life. He was an active parishioner in every church he belonged to. Ted was extremely kind and generous, yet very humble. On their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary and the Wayne Manor’s twentieth anniversary of business, Ted took 75 staff members, friends and family away to the Bahamas for a celebration like no other. He donated to many charitable organizations: Little Sisters of the Poor, Huntington’s Disease and also set up a scholarship at DePaul Catholic High School, to name a few. Ted’s life philosophy was God comes first, family next and if you work hard, are a good person and give back to those less fortunate, you will be blessed.

Ted is survived by his beloved wife, Ethel “Sugar” Jachera, blessed in a loving marriage for 60 years: his daughter Kathleen Jachera and her children Keith and Ryan Agnello; his son Robert and his wife Nancy Jachera and their children Matthew, Daniel, David and Jessica; his son Thomas and his wife Lisa Jachera and their children Nicholas, Gabriella and Thomas; numerous nieces and nephews; and his sister-in-law Winifred Jachera. Ted was predeceased by his sister Helen Zuba and husband Stan, his brother Stanley Jachera, his brother John Jachera, and his nephew Michael Jachera.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Thaddeus’ name are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial Processing, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959. To donate online click here www.stjude.org.