R. "Ted" Theodore Vreeland

R. Theodore “Ted” Vreeland, 81, of Chatham, MA, beloved husband of Patricia, with whom he shared more than 42 years of marriage, passed away unexpectedly on December 30, 2010 after a brief illness at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

He was the devoted father of Amy Dow, Alison Douglass, Amanda Joseph and loving grandfather of Roman Douglass, and Casey and Ryan Joseph. He will be missed by his sons-in-law James Dow, Bill Douglass and Paul Joseph.

Ted was born and raised in Totowa Borough, NJ, where his family owned and operated The Chicken Barn restaurant on the Vreeland Farm. He lived with his wife, Pat, in Chatham for 26 years after moving his family from Boonton, NJ in 1984.

A past member of the Holland Society, Ted served as Alderman in Boonton, NJ, where he also worked for the New Jersey State Department of Transportation in right-of-way acquisition. Since 1978, he worked as a MAI, SRA, and MRA certified real estate appraiser in commercial and residential real estate, and served for many years on the Chatham Board of Assessors.

He treasured his family above all else and loved the seaside life, taking great pleasure in shellfishing, beachcombing and boating. He was an avid birdwatcher who also loved opera and history. His strength, loving spirit, quick wit and persevering faith will be remembered by all who were fortunate to know and love him.

He was the son of the late Clara Marguerite Sala and Josiah Pierson Vreeland. He was predeceased by his sister Clara Louise German and his brother Josiah Pierson Vreeland, Jr.

Visitation will be at Nickerson Funeral Home at 87 Crowell Road in Chatham on Monday, January 3rd from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. A memorial mass will be held at Holy Redeemer Church at 57 Highland Avenue in Chatham on Tuesday, January 4th at 10:00 a.m. with burial following at Union Cemetery at Route 28 and Heritage Lane in Chatham.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Chatham Angel Fund/Chatham Teachers Children’s Fund c/o 425 Crowell Road, Chatham, MA 02633.