Theodore F. Twardzik, 89, used mother's pierogi recipe to create Pa. frozen food firm

Theodore F. Twardzik, 89, who took his mother's pierogi recipe and turned it into the successful Mrs. T's frozen food business in Shenandoah, Pa., has died, the New York Times reports.

Mr. Twardzik's son Tom told the Times his father died Nov. 10 in Pottsville.

The company, which started with five women working in Mary Twardzik's kitchen in 1952, now employs 240 people and produces more than a dozen variety of pierogis, including feta and spinach and jalapeno and cheddar.

A 1945 graduate of Mahanoy Township High School. Mr. Twardzik served in the Army and graduated with a business degree from Notre Dame University in 1951.

After a short stint as an accountant at Arthur Anderson, he returned home to start Mrs. T's.

In 2000, Mr. Twardzik co-founded Lee's Oriental Gourmet Foods, the Times said.

Besides his son Tom, who now runs the business, he is survived by his wife of 60 years, the former Jean Roberts; two other sons, Ted Jr. and Tim; and five grandsons.