Theodore J. Vigneau

Theodore J. “Ted” Vigneau, 86, of Rochester Hills, Michigan, was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. Ted was born in Manitoba, Canada, to American parents, Theodore and Mary Vigneau. He spent his early years in Detroit, Michigan, and most of his childhood in Walled Lake, Michigan. Ted had 9 siblings who lived to adulthood.

Ted joined the US Air Force and served as an Air Policeman from 1956 to 1960, traveling to places such as North Africa, Massachusetts, and California. Following his Honorable Discharge from the Air Force, Ted worked laying carpet for Johnson Rug Company in California. It was around this time that he married the love of his life, Darlene, in Livingston, California. Later, due to his father’s untimely death, the couple moved to Clawson, Michigan, to help his mother with his remaining siblings still at home. Ted and Darlene started their own family, too, and ultimately had three children: daughters Fawn and Penny, and son Brock.

Ted then worked at Chrysler on the line, building cars. With encouragement from his wife, he began attending night school, first at Oakland Community College and later at Wayne State University School of Business, where he obtained his Bachelor of Accounting degree. He was later invited by his employer to participate in an advanced management program at the University of Michigan, Dearborn campus, which he completed in 1983. During his education, he was promoted at Chrysler to the accounting department and later to corporate accounting, where he oversaw all hourly payroll for Chrysler Corporation in North America. Ted retired from Chrysler as an Accounting Analyst after 30 years of service.

Ted loved his family, good food, sports, learning, old cars, 50’s/60’s music, western novels, and camaraderie. Ted and Darlene also loved to travel. They traveled throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, and to both Canada and Mexico. Their post-retirement trips included visiting their out-of-state children. The entire family was able to vacation in Santa Maria Island one year, and Ted enjoyed going to the beach. Ted’s daughter-in-law, Sharon, rented Ted a ‘beach’ wheelchair, which allowed him to go out onto the sand, and arranged a picture shoot for the family. While his grandsons, Matthew and Benjamin, lived out of state, he loved watching them open their presents via video on Christmas Day.

Ted loved learning new things. His father taught him basic carpentry skills, and he was also a self-taught woodworker, farmer, rancher, and furniture maker. As he and Darlene worked to build a good life for their family, Ted finished the basements in each of their subsequent new homes, performing diverse remodeling techniques, such as tiling, rough carpentry, insulating, drywalling, door-hanging, painting, and drop-ceiling installations. He also helped his children with their school and home projects throughout the years. In Oxford, Ted planted a huge garden and had responsibility for mowing an acre around their home. Some of his happiest memories were riding the big red farm tractor around that property and harvesting pounds of strawberries, zucchini, and other produce. After retiring, Ted and Darlene moved to Texas, where he tried cattle ranching. He got a kick out of the neighbor’s bull jumping the fence, and months later, unexpectedly getting a free baby bull. They ultimately returned to Michigan and settled in Auburn Hills while spending winters in Florida. Ted and Darlene tried one more adventure, moving to Florida full-time with their daughters. The family decided to move back to Michigan in recent years.

In his spare time, Ted loved to watch sports, read western novels, play online solitaire and cribbage, and cook. His favorite sport was hockey, followed closely by football and basketball. He tracked the players and could often tell you how teams fared throughout the year and in their respective leagues. He also enjoyed fishing during his Florida winters.

Most of all, Ted loved his family and camaraderie. He, Darlene, and the kids would often attend family reunions throughout the United States. At one of those, he cooked a monster breakfast omelet for the guests. He loved making breakfast for a crowd! As his health declined, he became less able to participate in his hobbies, but he kept his humor through the end.

On his final day, he dressed himself and settled into his recliner, where he peacefully passed away. He will be missed…. But we expect he is in a meadow somewhere, enjoying his family and friends who preceded him in Heaven, and regaling them with funny tales of his life.

Survivors:

Ted was predeceased by his parents and by his siblings Bill, Mary Ann, Joan, Jim, and David. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Darlene; children Fawn, Penny, and Brock; daughter-in-law Sharon; grandsons Matthew and Benjamin; siblings Robert, Ed, Tony, and Teresa; and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Donations:

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

Visitation for Ted will be held at Pixley Funeral Home, 322 West University Drive, Rochester, MI 48307, US, on April 4, 2026, from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm with a funeral service being held at 12:00 pm. A light lunch will follow the funeral.