Theodore L. Haggis

Theodore L. “Ted”, 92, of New Milford, NJ on November 19th, 2015. Beloved husband of Florence L. Haggis for 70 years. Loving father to Louis T. and his wife Lisa Haggis, Alexander C. and his wife Lisa Haggis, Alena M. and her husband Steven Lytwyn, and William H. and his wife Laura Haggis. Predeceased by his loving daughter Alexis Diane and son Theodore “Little Teddy” Haggis. Loving Pop-Pop to Ted, Laura, Carrie, Jack, Will, Billy, Nick Haggis and Greg, Emily and Andrew Lytwyn. Cherished great grandfather to Joshua and Logan Lytwyn. Also survived by his sisters, Eve Hunter of Maryland and Ileana Coles of Florida

Born in NY City to Louis Theodore and Susan Cany Haggis, Ted began working at a very young age to support his mom and 2 younger sisters, his dad passing away at the age of 36. While doing singing telegrams, he met and sang for Babe Ruth. He would go on to work in the navy shipyards as a young adult, later enlisting in the US Navy during WWII, seeing action in the South Pacific. While deployed there in 1945 as an EM 3-C, his light cruiser, the USS Biloxi, was struck by a Kamikaze pilot, only to see the bomb not detonate. The ship limped into harbor in California. With 7 days leave, he travelled 3 days cross country by train and married Florence L. of Queens, NY., had a 1 night honeymoon, then travelled 3 days back. They remained happily married for 70 years this past May.

Post WWII, Ted worked for the NY Telephone Company for 43 years, retiring in 1988 as the 2nd longest tenured employee. During his time performing telephone installs, he watched an episode of the Honeymooners with Jackie Gleason being filmed on set in the studio, and met many celebrities, including Nelson Rockefeller, Carol Burnett, Robert & John Kennedy, Eddie Cantor, Rock Hudson, Art Carney, Jackie Gleason and Jack Lord.

Ted volunteered and was very proud of his 20 years served as New Milford Men’s Softball League umpire and commissioner. Ted was also a renowned old movie cinema buff, especially any and all Errol Flynn movies, especially those of the swashbuckling genre.

The family will receive their friends at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ on Sunday, 2-4 and 7-9. Funeral Liturgy at Sacred Heart Church, Haworth, NJ on Monday at 10AM. Entombment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ.

Becker-Funeralhome.com