Theodore F. Agrillo

The son of Theodore and Mary Agrillo, Ted grew up in the Marine Park section of Brooklyn alongside his siblings Mary, Richard, Vicktoria, and Rae. He was a graduate of James Madison High School before heading to CCNY to study graphic arts.

After graduation, Ted headed to Manhattan to begin a career in the book publishing industry that ultimately spanned four decades. It was a pivotal chapter in his life: not only did he forge lifelong friendships with colleagues who became indistinguishable from family. It was at his first job that he met Katherine “Dee” New. The two were married on April 12, 1969, beginning a partnership that would last over half a century.

Though Ted eventually traded the city streets for the bucolic Bethpage in Nassau County, Ted never lost his Brooklyn edge or his love for the water. It was his time in Brooklyn where he developed, with his father and siblings, a love of the water and fishing - even though you would not necessarily call him a strong swimmer! At every point in his life, Ted was never far from his true passion: being on the water with friends and family. His relationship with boats was a full-time occupation; he was perpetually in a cycle of buying a boat, selling a boat, admiring someone else’s boat, or—most frequently—complaining about and fixing a boat. Ted was even a proud member of the Guard auxiliary with his cousin, Rick.

He owned a literal fleet over the years, ranging from a modest 16-foot outboard to a grand 37-foot cabin cruiser. He eventually found his "Goldilocks" vessel in his final and most comfortable acquisition: a pontoon boat. It was here, in the waters of Delaware, that he spent cherished days crabbing with his sons.

In Bethpage, Ted and Dee raised two strikingly handsome and robust sons, Theodore III (Teddy) and Michael (Mike). Ted was a cornerstone of the community, dedicating his time to The Sons of Italy and Knights of Columbus, The Police Athletic League (PAL), where he served as Football Commissioner, and Bethpage Youth Lacrosse, where he was a fixture as an engaged and vocal parent.

He was perhaps most famous among the local dads for organizing legendary group trips where the fathers could relax while the sons were encouraged to "run wild"—creating a lifetime of stories that are mostly unfit for print.

Whether he was navigating the complexities of the publishing world, volunteering in his community, or captaining a boat with more heart than technique, Ted lived with an infectious spirit and an endless supply of boating/fishing stories (the accuracy of which remains a family secret).He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, a wide circle of "family by choice," and a family that will forever miss his guidance and love. He is survived by his wife Dee, his children Teddy (wife Lyndia), Mike (wife Radell), six granddaughters (Sarah, Megan, Morgaine, Talia, Grace, and Skylar; his sister Mary and her daughter Desiree(partner Eric); his brother Rich (wife Pat) and their children Richie (wife Veronica), Anthony (wife Jennifer); his sister Vikki and her children Katrina and George; and many more cousins, and nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Arthur F. White Funeral Home, 234 Broadway, Bethpage, NY 11714, US, on May 7, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Martin of Tours RC Church, 220 Central Ave, Bethpage, NY 11714, US, on May 8, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

Interment will follow at St. Charles / Resurrection Cemeteries, 2015 Wellwood Ave, Farmingdale, NY 11735, US, on May 8, 2026, from 11:45 am to 12:15 pm.