Theodore Burton Rosenthal

Theodore Burton Rosenthal lived to the ripe old age of 95. He came into this world on February 13th, 1927, in Brooklyn, New York. This was also the year Charles Lindberg made his historic transatlantic flight. In the same year his Cousin Natalie was also born whom he remained close to until her passing a few years ago.

Dad had various jobs when he was 14: working as an umbrella person at Jones Beach in NY working for tips, spending some summers working as a caddie at the Long Island golf course, or selling newspapers to make enough money to go to the Metropolitan Opera. One summer, he would take a bus to New York City to work at Macy’s as an escalator person. “Please watch your step he would say.” Customer Service was in his genes.

In 1941, he was at the Polo Ground in NY with his father attending a football game where the NY Giants were playing. Suddenly an announcement came over the PA system for all servicemen to report to their posts. He was inspired by it.

Dad enlisted right after high school as a Navy person working on a hospital ship. He trained in Sampson NY and was able to visit there in person a few years ago to relive those memories, 75 years later. I could see in his eyes a sudden flash of memories from a bygone period. He always said he felt our country during this time was the most united he had ever experienced as random people came together for a common good.

Dad worked in the NY City garment industry with his Father who helped to manufacture women’s furs and coats. Dad decided to set out on his own and opened up his own dress shop in the 1960s in McClean VA, naming it Michael Rose after his first son. Ethel Kennedy was a regular customer, and he mentioned a few times that Rose Kennedy even shopped at his store. During this time, he was very active in the Lions Club and was District Governor in Northern VA. His motto for running was “Get ahead with Ted”. He helped to open up many of the Lions Clubs throughout Northern Virginia that are still active today. The ‘60s and ‘70s were great times for him as he had much success in business and family, and became an avid golfer and founding member of West Wood Country Club in Vienna VA.

Dad loved music, loved the opera, and anything Big Band. He played the piano and saxophone. Over the years, he wrote many songs, including a few Christmas songs. In 1964, he composed a song called “Land of the Free” that was so close to having it used as Lyndon Johnson’s Presidential Campaign song. Unfortunately, he lost out to “Hello, Dolly!”, which was changed to “Hello, Lyndon!”. He tried over the years to get his music published and was still trying up to a few years before he passed. He always said it was such a tough industry to crack, but I know it was always a sad spot in his life that he wasn’t able to do anything with his music.

Over the years, Dad had his ups and downs as we all have this experience called life. During these times, he experienced the death of his first two sons, lost his store due to the changing times, and eventually lost his job in the women’s boutique industry. But Dad had integrity and always put everyone first, never focusing on his own feelings. When he lost his job at age 65, he went on Social Security, but realized he could still work to qualify and make some extra money. I think this was one of the lowest points of his life, but he showed his deep integrity, swallowed his pride, and found a part-time job at McDonald’s to make extra money on top of the Social Security he qualified for to help plug the holes in income. During his time there, he worked the front counters, worked the drive through, and always had the best customer service. His entire life was in customer service. Dad believed in his heart that everyone should be treated with respect. He always made the morning rounds, serving up coffee to those he called the “Old Timers” who came in every morning to shoot the breeze. I know deep down he wished he were there with them, but he never let it show.

Dad started to slow down as the years passed and started reducing his hours as he got older. For many years he would clock 40 hours on his feet as though he was still a young man in his early years. In his 80’s he won the area McDonalds soup contest with his customer service and was honored at a Steeler Game. He loved sports and was a devoted Penguin Fan. He developed a big following of customers after 23 years. Many of the customers even went to his line just to have the privilege to be waited on by him even if it meant taking longer than the other lines. Dad worked all the way up to age 88 and officially retired after working for 74 years.

Dad never had anything fancy and every once in a while he would splurge on himself, but for family members in times of need he would always offer what he had. He was always the optimist and always saying, “Let’s see what happens”. After he retired, I showed him that he could watch Operas or listen to his favorite singer, Frank Sinatra, on YouTube for free. He thought this was the greatest invention. He was hard of hearing and the TV and sound bar was always on 50 and we would hear Broadway tunes being belted throughout the house. He spent his last few years watching every old movie out there that he had seen growing up. There wasn’t a movie from the 1930s, 1940s or 1950s that he couldn’t recite from memory. One of our favorite games would be to guess the year it came out. He always won. He was still driving everywhere at age 92 and was still driving locally even at 94. We would call ahead for people to stay off the roads. :)

Dad started slowing down and using his cane full time last October to help with his balance. His breathing became heavier; he was more tired than normal. He developed pneumonia this past January. We thought and hoped the “energizer bunny” would bounce back, but we had to head back to ER a few weeks ago and the damage had been done to his lungs. Even with his latest illness, we could see him fighting to the end to keep going to, “see what happens”. He passed peacefully into the morning of March 4, 2022, with a smile on his face. One of his favorite songs was “I Did it My Way” by Frank Sinatra. We will miss you Pops.

Theodore Burton Rosenthal leaves behind four sons: Larry Rosenthal (Holly), Jeffrey Rosenthal (Nicole), Freddie Rosenthal, and Sanford Rosenthal (Dian). He is predeceased by his parents, Morris (from Odesa, Ukraine) and Alice Rosenthal; his sister, Sheila, and brother, Norman; and two sons, Michael Rosenthal and Stevie Rosenthal. Dad also leaves behind four stepdaughters who, in his special way, he always introduced as his daughters: Carol Steve (George), Lynne Humphries-Russ (Daniel), Sharon Humphries-Brooks (Steve), and Gail Humphries. Dad was married three times in his life. He was predeceased by two of his wives, Elaine Hamen and Mary Louise Humphries. He shares his sons, Sanford and Jeff, with his former wife, Janet. Dad also leaves behind 14 grandchildren 3 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ukraine Emergency Fund or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Theodore's name at the links below.