Felix Stanley Pikul died peacefully on June 5, 2025 at age 94. He was born on September 30, 1930 at the family homestead in Palmer Center to John M. Pikul and Bronisława (Bridget) Węgiel. The youngest of eight children, life was not easy for Felix and his siblings. By the time of his birth, the family had survived two house fires and the loss of their business during the depression. While yet a toddler, an industrial accident left his father suffering from a series of strokes and unable to work. With a strong Polish spirit, his mother cared for her invalid husband, raised eight wonderful children and saw all of her sons and son-in-law serve their country honorably in WWII and Korea. Felix was always proud of the accomplishments of his older siblings and credits them for helping his mother to raise him.
After graduating from Palmer High School in 1949, Felix entered the workforce. 1950 arrived and he married the love of his life, Mary Josephine Adzima from Belchertown, who predeceased him in 2017. With the war in Korea looming, Felix joined the Army in March of 1952 and was sent overseas the following January. Attaining the rank of Corporal, Pikul served with the 24th Reconnaissance Co, 24th Infantry Division as a track mechanic, a precursor to his lifelong career. In later years, he made it a point to join the Korean War Veterans Association.
During high school, Felix was a standout on the football field and it was at that time he developed a lifelong friendship with Robert (Lobby) Johnson. A fellow serviceman, Sgt. Johnson spent 30 months in a Korean prisoner of war camp. Felix appreciated the mutual respect they had for each other and Robert’s ability to challenge him on and off the gridiron. Felix readily admitted his friend was better at football. In the late 1950s, the Reliable Service Center on East Street in Ludlow was born and later relocated into a site in downtown Indian Orchard. Felix worked side- by-side with his wife – he in the trenches doing transmission and auto repairs while she handled the business end; Mary was his “right hand” and true life partner in all they did. After almost forty years in business, Felix and Mary packed up and moved to Florida to enjoy the warmer weather. In 2022, despite the cold weather, he elected to return to his roots and spend his years closer to family in Massachusetts.
A communicant of Christ the King Church in Ludlow, MA, Felix’s Catholic faith was always an important part of his life. He joined the Knights of Columbus and rose to become a 3rd Degree Knight, participating in numerous events to serve the Church and using his talents to set an example for others.
Integral with his faith was the pride he had in his Polish heritage. Felix’s parents journeyed to the United States from Poland in the early 1900s and he never tired of hearing stories about his ancestors or telling people about his relatives. More than anything, he wanted people to know the successes of his siblings after their return from serving their country in WWII – Anthony a CPA for a major accounting firm, Martin the owner of a plumbing and oil burner service company, Edward an accomplished and respected carpenter, Clarence a master electrician, Chester a certified diesel mechanic for Baystate Gas and George, a well-respected millwright for Monsanto. Felix cherished his sister Julia, a wife and mother who worked hard to maintain her home and support the career of her husband Henry Lord, an engineer at Diamond International and holder of many patents.
Felix is survived by his son Craig, daughter Cynthia and grandson Andrew, along with many nieces and nephews from both the Pikul and Adzima families. In addition to his wife Mary, he was predeceased by all his brothers and his beloved sister.
Visiting hours are on Thursday June 12th from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Ludlow Funeral Home. Funeral services for Felix will be held on Friday, June 13th at 10:00am from Ludlow Funeral Home with Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:00am in Christ the King Church. Friends and family may then gather for interment with Military Honors on Tuesday, June 17th at 2:00pm directly at Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. Due to cemetery restrictions, the family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Felix’s memory to Christ the King Church.
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Previous Events
Visitation
12
Jun
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Service
13
Jun
432 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Funeral Liturgy
13
Jun
41 Warsaw Avenue
Ludlow, Ma 01056
Graveside
17
Jun
1390 Main Street
Agawam, Ma 01001
Cemetery Details
Location
1390 Main Street
Agawam, Ma 01001
