We are deeply saddened to tell you of the passing of Ted Vescio - a dear husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Following a brief illness, Ted passed away on Sunday, January 25th in the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre surrounded by loving family members.
Ted was born on April 21st, 1926 (the same day as Queen Elizabeth!). He was raised in the East End, where he developed many strong and lasting friendships and most importantly met the love of his life, Betty Dulacka, his true soul mate. They married on July 17, 1948, with guests commenting that he was one lucky man! There were three pillars that gave Ted his amazing strength – family, faith and hard work.
Ted and Betty were blessed with eight children, who were raised with unconditional love. Sunday dinners were a family tradition, featuring Ted’s fabulous spaghetti sauce and Betty’s delicious meatballs.
We all enjoyed watching football (especially the Packers) and baseball (a true Yankees fan) together. Faith was the second important element for Ted, and he truly lived his faith every day. He followed the golden rule, treating everyone who crossed his path with kindness and respect. He also believed in the value of hard work, beginning his working life at Canada Car early in the 1940s and retiring from the former Great Lakes Forest Products in 1989 as Assistant Superintendent of the Finishing Room.
Ted was a proud veteran, serving his country in World War II. He was en route to the Pacific theatre when the war ended. He was proud to serve the Slovak Legion as Secretary for many years, and was recently awarded a Legion life membership. He was also a life-time member of the Moose Lodge. Ted was an accomplished athlete: he played baseball and softball in his younger days and later became a competitive bowler, winning many championships.
He passed on his love of sports to all of his children, and was immensely proud to see four of his sons inducted into the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. He followed all of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren with keen interest and pride. There was also a special place in his heart for the family pets, which included all of our own four-legged friends.
Ted was the very definition of a good man, and he is deeply missed by his wife of more than 66 years, Betty; his brother Jimmy; his children and their partners, who were all so proud to call him ‘Dad’: Nancy and Dennis, Brian and Trudy, Ted and Debbie, Dave and Carrie, Bruce and Debbie, Rick and Krista, Laureen and Vince, and Kevin and Vicki. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren: Mike, Lynn and Nick (Gia), Brianne and Scott (Soren), Marcie and Matt, Laura and Will (Aurelia), Kerrie and Jonathan (Rory and Blake), Daryl and Amy (Brinley and Dexen), Stacey and Tyler (Addilyn, Keirlyn, and Brielle), Joe, Lily, Carling and Natasha, Monica, Brea-Lyn and Trisha, and Payton, as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Ted will be honoured at a private family mass. Relatives and friends are invited to join the family at a Celebration of Life in the Michelangelo Room of the Da Vinci Centre on Monday, February 2nd between 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, we gratefully request donations to St. Elizabeth’s Church, which was such a big part of Ted’s life, or to the charity of your choice.
Ted’s passing has left a void in our hearts and in our lives, as a man such as he will not likely come our way again. He will be forever loved and missed, and we pray that our cherished memories of him will give us strength in the days to come.
“Don’t worry: one day at a time.”
Ted Vescio will be remembered in the Blake Funeral Chapel Memorial Grove. Annual dedication service Sunday, June 12, 2016.
