Theodore J. Livesay

Ted is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Marie Livesay, his children Kim Maffeo, Mark Livesay (Viviana) and Susan Livesay (Joe Dawson), his grandchildren, Melissa, Jessica, Christina, Tommy and Billy, and step-granddaughter Madison, and his siblings, Bob, June, Dick, Dotty and Betty.

Ted had a remarkable life. He was born in Centralia, IL on October 25, 1930 to Harry and Eva Livesay and spent his middle and high school years in Danville, IL. A proud graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY (Class of 1955), Ted was a distinguished military officer, honorably serving his country for nearly 30 years. He was an infantryman, expert rifleman, and Army Ranger who also completed Airborne School. Ted fought valiantly in Korea (2nd Infantry Division) and Vietnam (1st Cavalry Division), earning a Bronze Star for valor and the Combat Infantryman Badge twice. After returning home from Vietnam, Ted served as a professor and the head of the Spanish Language Department at West Point. He had met the love of his life, Marie, in the summer of 1964 at Middlebury College in VT where both were in the same class working toward their Master’s degrees in Spanish Language and Literature. They married on March 12, 1966 at West Point.

After retiring from the military, Ted earned an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, one of his three Master’s degrees. Ted had a successful business career, rising through the ranks at Chase Manhattan Bank, Columbia University, and TDK Electronics at its U.S. headquarters in Port Washington, NY where Ted was the head of Human Resources until his retirement. He spent most of his post-military years living in Manhasset, NY with his family where he was active in the Plandome Volunteer Fire Department and Boy Scout Troop 71. Ted enjoyed nearly 25 years of retirement with Marie, most of those in Naples, FL where they formed many close friendships.

Ted loved and valued life. He was an eternal optimist and was quietly compassionate and generous toward friends and strangers alike. He was trustworthy and saw the good in everyone. Ted was a humble man of strong character and integrity. In all things, Ted embodied the ideals of the West Point motto — Duty, Honor, Country. Ted was a dedicated family man, passionately devoted to Marie, and deeply spiritual. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He always had a sharp mind and a wonderful sense of humor. No one told a joke or story better than Ted. He also became an honorary Italian and member of the Italian Cultural Society and grew to be a foodie because of his Italian wife. His interests during different stages of his life included painting, traveling, reading, enjoying music, playing tennis, running, cycling, ballroom dancing, cooking, writing his autobiography, and of course Army football. Go Army, Beat Navy!

A viewing will be held at Hodges Funeral Home located at 525 111th Ave N, Naples, FL on February 24th from 5pm-7pm.

Words of Remembrance followed by a Funeral Mass will commence at 9:45am on February 25th at St. William Catholic Church, 601 Seagate Drive, Naples.

Ted will be laid to rest at a private burial at West Point, a special place to Ted because of the many memorable years he spent there as both a cadet and professor, and also because he was married and two of his three children were born there.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor and memory of Theodore J. Livesay, LTC (Ret) to the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) at https://heroes.vfw.org.