Theodore S. Napolitano

Born to Felix and Ruth (Ripley) Napolitano, in Maywood, California. Ted was predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Robert Napolitano, Carlo Napolitano, Felix Napolitano and his sister, Jennie Ruth Westmoreland. He is survived by his sisters Teresa Kirkaldy and Lora Vincent. While attending Compton College, Ted was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943. He served stateside during World War II as a Meat and Dairy inspector. He was honorably discharged in 1946. At a USO picnic in 1943 Ted met Josephine C. Monroy, whom he married on February 19, 1944. They were married, until her passing in 2001, for 57 years. Together they raised seven children, Ted, Jo Marie (Brandon), Michael, Anita (Paez), Rosy (Hungerford), Christine(Duner) and Judy, all of whom survive him. In addition, Ted is survived by his sons-in-law, Joey Paez, Tom Hungerford and John Duner. Ted’s daughter-in-law, Barbara Napolitano (Michael) and son-in-law, Dennis Brandon (Jo Marie) passed away before him. Ted has 24 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Ted possessed a strong work ethic beginning with selling Liberty Magazines on a street corner as a young child. During his teen years he worked, after school, at Felix Packing House, which his father started, and at Farmer John Packing House. After Ted’s discharge from the Army he worked as a butcher and grocer, with his father and brothers, Robert and Carlo at their family store, Felix Market. With the decline of Mom and Pop type stores, Ted started his own business, Ted Nap Express. It was a short haul trucking company delivering everything from meat and produce to ribbons and soap. He ran his business until his retirement in 1999. As an active parishioner at St. Finbar Catholic Church in Burbank, for over 70 years, Ted served as an usher and Eucharistic Minister and brought Communion to Catholics in local nursing homes. He served on the Parish Council and Finance Committee. Ted also supported and worked on various church activities such as newspaper drives,Bingo, Pancake Breakfast and the annual Fiesta. He often chaired the event and could also be found cooking the pasta dinner in the parish hall. Ted was a loyal member of the Italian Catholic Federation.

Ted belonged to several Catholic men’s organizations in which he usually held an elected office. Those organizations were the Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus, being a member for 77 years and where he was Grand Knight at least twice, 4 th Degree, the Chalice Program and the Order of the Alhambra. For 16 years, even after his stroke, he volunteered weekly at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. He also was a member of the American Legion. Ted learned to make Rosaries and sent dozens of them to Catholic missions around the world. A few years after his first wife passed away, Ted married Betty Bolduc. He was widowed again upon her death in 2009. Although Ted’s stroke in 2011 brought change to his life, he did not let it define him. He displayed determination, perseverance, courage and coping skills in learning to adjust to the changes. In addition to his immediate family Ted leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends plus the staff and clients at One Generation who became his second family, and caregivers,most especially Chris Scilot and Richard Noprada who were with him until his passing.

~Eternal rest grant unto Ted, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen