Tadeusz Stanislaw Skiba

Tadeusz Stanisław Skiba passed away on May 10, 2020 after a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma.

He was born in Grodzisko Dolne, Poland on April 7, 1957 to his mother Bronisława Burda and father Wladysław Skiba.

He is survived by his wife, Chris Skiba, daughters, Monika and Teresa Skiba, brothers Tomasz and Czesław Skiba, uncle and aunt Felix and Milka Burda, and many brother and sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

In Poland he fondly remembered the light heartedness and laughter while working the farm fields with his family, making bread with his mother, riding on his Uncle Felix’s motorcycle,  and hunting mushrooms with his great uncle in the nearby woods. Tadeusz pursued a career as a high voltage electrician lineman, building electrical towers throughout Europe. He brought back his earnings to buy treats and essentials for his family. In 1978 Tadeusz was drafted into the Polish Air Force, as a two-striped Corporal. He was first in command radio operator who oversaw six other radio operators and second in command to a platoon of 32. He served two years and was awarded two medals: Wzorowy Żołnierz “exemplary soldier” and Wzorowy Dowódca “exemplary commander.”

In 1981 Tadeusz fled Poland prior to the Solidarność  social movement. He traveled by train to Austria where he sought political asylum from the Polish Communist government. Living in a refugee camp, he met his dear friends Bogdan Watczuk, Krzysztof Harenski, and Mariusz Talaska. They came from different regions of Poland and a variety of educational backgrounds, but what brought them together was their creativity, youthful energy, empty pockets, and a shitty situation. Everyone played a role to survive:  Tadek and Bogdan were in charge of food and alcohol, Mariusz was the hairdresser and tailor, and Krysztof organized bodybuilding workouts in the forest.  In solidarity they were a superforce. Tadek was granted asylum as a political refugee by the United States in 1983. He was assigned to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He felt heartbroken leaving sweet Poland and his beloved family, but bravely moved forward to start a new life.

Tadek arrived to a snow-covered Albuquerque in January 1983. He took the advice from his friends to pack light because the desert was blazing hot. He arrived in a pair of slacks, a white button up, a wool blazer, polished brown leather shoes and carried a small suitcase holding a few personal belongings. When services from the refugee program were discontinued and his electrical license from Poland was not honored in the United States, he had to start from the beginning.  He and his friend, Tomasz Cibicki, lived in a small red tent near the Albuquerque Airport while they saved up money. He met his friend and future wife, Chris Radoslovich, at Chama Days, and they married a year later. Tadek and Chris were married and best friends for 35 years. Together they raised two beautiful daughters, Monika and Teresa Skiba. Tadek was very proud of his family and taught them the value of living simply with joy in their hearts, and honoring their traditional Polish ways.

He worked as a commercial/industrial journeyman electrician for 32 years and maintained a current license until the day he passed. He brought light to many hospitals and schools across New Mexico. He took pride in his work and was acknowledged for the quality and ingenuity of his craft.

Tadek and Chris built their home in the South Valley from the ground up. Together they planted dozens of fruit and nut trees, raised chickens, gardened, watered from the acequias, and kept beehives.  Tadek taught friends and family to mushroom hunt, fish, and garden. He was known for his ability to improvise while fishing by collecting insects and worms for bait, making fishing rods from scavenged aluminum cans, washers and fishing line and even using his bare hands.

Tadek was renowned for his cooking. He cooked by taste and from memories of time spent with his mother in the kitchen. He smoked trout, caught in South Valley ditches, with cherry and apple tree branches, made zurek and bigos, prepared beautiful loaves of sourdough breads, and always had a jar of honey to share with family and friends. He often said, “You don’t need to clean the house before a party, you just need to have good food.” Every Christmas Eve Tadek cooked traditional Polish courses for his family--typically a twelve course meal. Preceding dinner he would place opłatek on the table for family blessings and well wishes.  Tadek made certain that Polish traditions were honored.

In January of 2015 Tadek was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.  Shortly after, he and Chris made the decision to care for Chris's elder mother Eleanore in the comfort of her home. Tadek said, “I’m going to be in pain regardless if I am at our home, or taking care of Mom in hers.” He had a deep respect for family and elders and was devoted to doing the right thing. Together they spent weekends with Eleanore, and Tadek spent weekdays watching over her and taking care of her garden and land.

Tadek never hesitated to help others in need. He was instrumental in getting the bee hives going at St. Edwin’s Catholic Church and taught fellow parishioners how to care for the bees. Last summer a neighbor’s tall tomato plant outgrew its hoop and Tadek came over with an apple tree branch to stabilize it. The neighbor expressed Tad’s thoughtfulness and the branch will be used again this summer. Tadek helped family and friends with electrical needs. A neighbor was planning to wire a light fixture on his porch and before he even explained Tad asked for a few tools and got it done in 10 minutes.  Weeks before his passing, Tadek added electricity to his daughter’s shed in her backyard and worked on connecting a new stove in his brother-in-law's kitchen.

Tadek is remembered as a charismatic leader whose generosity and kindness touched more than we will ever know. His legacy will live on through future generations of fisherpeople, beekeepers and gardeners.  In lieu of flowers, consider honoring Tadek by planting a fruit tree, a pollinator garden, or practicing simple acts of kindness toward your neighbors, family and friends.

Tadek's Life Celebration will begin with a Rosary to be recited on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 9:15 am at St. Edwin Catholic Church located at 2105 Barcelona RD SW, 87105. Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Mount Cavary Cemetery located at 1900 Edith Blvd NE, 87102.

Due to the COVID restrictions set in place by the Governor masks are MANDATORY to attend Tadek's services. St. Edwin's has a capacity of 80 people.

Pallbearers will be Ray Badua, Bob Matczuk, Tomasz Cibicki, and Henry Chabez.

Tadek's services will be live streamed on Salazar Mortuary's Facebook page on the following link https://www.facebook.com/SalazarFunerals/ The live stream will not start until the services start.