Thaddeus J. Glembocki

Thaddeus "Ted" Glembocki, 91, passed away October 1, 2008 in his Wyomissing residence. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Elizabeth (Matuszak) Glembocki.

Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Frank and Antoinette (Jankowski) Glembocki.

Ted began his career in the glass industry at Penn Optical Co. in 1934 and remained there until his retirement from the position of executive vice-president in charge of manufacturing in 1971.

Dr. Charles R. Essick, noted area philanthropist and founder of Penn Optical, trained "Ted" in all the facets of the glass industry. Their collaboration in research and development of grinding and polishing processes led to standards of powder gradation still in use today.

Under Ted's leadership, Penn Optical produced thousands of night vision goggles, which provided a distinct advantage for our armed forces during combat in WWII.

In 1952, upon the completion of the grinding and polishing of massive 3500 lb. windows necessary for atomic plant installations, The Atomic Energy Commission personally commended Ted.

In 1960 he perfected a method for finishing hard heat resistant material (pyroceram) which eventually resulted in corning ware.

Ted and his wife Elizabeth founded Paragon Optical Co. in 1972, where he continued formulating plans for the expansion and diversification of the field of precision optics.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Patricia (Glembocki), widow of David Hohl, Sr., Wyomissing and Claire (Glembocki) McVaugh, Reading and a son, Ted P., husband of Jeanne (Long) Glembocki, Robesonia.

Other survivors include eleven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Also surviving are four sisters. Ted is predeceased by one brother and two sisters.

Services will be Monday at 10 a.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading. Entombment will be in Gethsemane Mausoleum. Friends may call one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.