Theodore Laquercia

Dr. Theodore “Ted” Laquercia, PhD died peacefully surrounded by his wife Carole and son Brett on Thursday, April 13th after battling several long-term illnesses. Carole was his tireless caregiver for two and a half years, and she and their son Brett were at his side throughout his final weeks.

Ted was the devoted and adoring husband of Carole, married 51 years, father of Brett and grandfather of Lily. They were a loving, joyful, supportive, and close family, and Ted will be deeply missed.

Ted also leaves behind a brother, Thomas, and two sisters, Phyllis and Josephine (he was predeceased by his brother Salvatore), and nieces Donna, Debbie, Rachel and Marla, and nephews Thomas, Marc, Justin and Ross.

Ted Laquercia was born in Brooklyn on June 5th, 1938, to Josephine and Antonio Salvatore Laquercia.

Ted was a proud US Marine from 1956-1959. He served on a peacekeeping mission in Morocco during its war for independence. Ted was recognized as a hero in a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, and received a medal for bravery when, with disregard for his own life and safety while transporting prisoners in Boston he rushed into a burning train after witnessing an explosion and carried out wounded civilians to safety.

He was a dance instructor for Arthur Murray Dance Studios in the 1960s and loved dancing with his wife Carole throughout their lives together.

Ted was an administrator, and one of America’s youngest high school Principal’s at Boro Hall Academy, in Brooklyn in the 1960s and 70’s, where he was a transformative influence on the program and students there.

Ted received his Bachelors, and master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling, from Long Island University. He received his PhD in Psychology from the California Graduate Institute.

Dr. Theodore Laquercia started his career as a psychoanalyst in 1969, while he was a high school principal. He continued as a practicing psychoanalyst, trainer and supervisor of psychoanalysts for over 50 years. He helped countless patients to change their lives for the better.

Dr. Laquercia became a leader in his field attaining respected leadership positions as:

· Member, Board of Trustees; Faculty and Supervisor at the New York Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies

· President, VP-Provost, Chairman of Certificate Division, and Dean of the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis

· President; Member, Board of Directors of the Society of Modern Psychoanalysts

· Member, Board of Directors National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis

· Chairman, American Board of Psychoanalysis

· Organizer and leader for decades, of Global Conferences of psychoanalysts in Russia, Argentina, Italy, Spain, Paris, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Caribbean, and more.

Over the years Dr. Laquercia published numerous papers on psychoanalytic theory and practice in scholarly journals.

Dr. Laquercia was revered and truly loved by hundreds of patients, supervisees, and students. To the Boston and New York institutes he gave tirelessly and generously of his time, wisdom, energy, and care. He helped grow both institutes from their inceptions.

Ted was a gifted artist: A sculptor, painter and sketch artist with remarkable abilities. He would casually dash off realistic sketches of people, to their delight. He more formally sculpting small-scale nudes, and busts of his father, and of Hyman Spotnitz, MD the psychoanalyst upon whose theories Modern Psychoanalysis is based, and who was one of Dr. Laquercia’s psychoanalytic supervisors. This bust can be seen to this day on display at the New York Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies.

Ted was known for his sense of humor. He made an indelible mark on the world with laughter, a hilarious and spontaneous wit, a great memory for jokes, and a way with children.

Dr. Theodore “Ted” Laquercia has had an outsized impact on the world and leaves behind an enduring legacy on the lives of all those whom he touched - especially his adoring and bereaved family, friends, patients, students, and colleagues.

Dr. Theodore Laquercia’s lifelong commitment to Modern Psychoanalysis can be honored by making a gift in his memory to the Center for Modern Psychoanalytic Studies, which is establishing the Theodore Laquercia Scholarship Fund. All donations are tax deductible and may be sent to:

CMPS

16 West 10th Street

New York, NY 10011

Please make check out to “CMPS” and note in the memo area that the gift is for the Theodore Laquercia Scholarship Fund.