Theodore J. Nowacki

Theodore J. Nowacki passed away on May 12, 2023.  He was 76 years old.  Ted was a beloved husband and father, but most important to him, a beloved grandfather.

Ted was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. He began high school in the Holy Cross seminary, intending to become a priest.  He would eventually choose to forgo the priesthood, and his children are thankful.  A diligent, gifted student, he graduated from University of Notre Dame, Phi Beta Kappa, Class of 1969.  He met his would-be wife, Jociel Ganser, on a blind date while they were both seniors in college.  He went on to Law School at the University of Michigan, graduating cum laude in 1972.  Ted and Jociel exchanged vows at the Basilica at the University of Notre Dame in 1971.  He had a life-long love of Notre Dame Football, and instilled the same love in his children.

He began a promising law career in Indianapolis at Bose McKinney and Evans in 1972, achieving partner in 1978 in the Litigation, Appellate, and Financial Institutions Group.  What he enjoyed most about the practice of law was the comradery with his law partners, whom he would call friends, and helping develop and mentor new lawyers.  He was a frequent speaker and author, writing about complex banking issues.

Having been the first in his family to attend and graduate from college, he believed in the importance of education.  He served on both the St. Lawrence Catholic School Board and Hamilton Southeastern School Board, including a term as board president.

His inquisitive mind led him to multiple hobbies, some enduring longer than others, like stargazing, science fair projects with his kids, sporting clays, models, sailing, coffee bean roasting, aquariums, woodworking, gardening, flight simulators, never-ending home improvement projects, and had an impressive collection of gently used power tools, each of which, he assured us, was absolutely essential for some project or another.  Life was a never ending project.

He is survived by his wife Jociel of 52 years; and his children Dr. Elizabeth Nowacki of Cicero, IN (husband Justin Schlick and son Tucker Schlick); Jonathan Nowacki of Indianapolis, IN; Timothy Nowacki of Greenville, SC (wife Kristen and daughters Elliana and Emmeline); and Matthew Nowacki of St. George, UT (fiancé Hannah Huegel).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ted’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and to his grandchildrens’ schools, St Mary’s Catholic School in Greenville, SC, and Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Noblesville, IN.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Ted’s family on Friday, May 19th, from 1pm until 3pm at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at Geist, 10350 Glaser Way Fishers IN 46037.  A Catholic Mass remembering Ted will follow beginning at 3pm.