Can not and will not ever forget Teddy..  A real friend which is very rare these days....

He referred to me as “The Kid “ and took me under his wing. I was a young sales rep with NDC and Ted was with Barton Brands. The year was 1976 and I was a struggling to drum up sales in my territory (South Beach to Hollywood  and all of Hialeah). Ted gave me a case of Barton Reserve to make deals with. Scored the well at Tropical Acres in Hollywood and Mike Gordon’s on 79th Street. To this very day his gesture is etched in my memory. 
Ted was above all a professional, extremely captivating and funny. I can’t think of anyone that could hold your attention better during a sales presentation to a large group than Ted.  As time passes, we lose touch with those that we spent time with in life, but Ted, I have always remembered  you my friend. You were one of a kind. God Bless you and your family.  

Uncle Ted - a spirit (no punt intended) like no other!  

From the early days of Corner Creek (and apparently long before, but I have forgotten), we were his customers who introduced his baby in Japan (beforehand we introduced Matusalem rum, the Cuban tradition, to Japan).

If anything, the contact continued to strengthen - my father, Dr. B, Uncle Ted, and in recent years also Sam.

Not once but multiple times did Uncle Ted forget to include us on his e-mail updates (with all recipients visible to each other - so trusting and sharing he was), the reason was simple - it was not a "mass mailer," rather each recipient was individually selected for a reason.   Always, without exception, Uncle Ted  would immediately remember and forward the e-mail.  Not very advanced technologically, but full of heart, soul and real Mench intentions.

Life, for Uncle Ted, was a flame that cannot be extinguished, and he brought everyone together.  So we do not say "Farewell," to a pioneer in our industry, a father figure and a mentor.  We say "THANK YOU" just for being your special you.

B'SHALOM!

the Bussel Family
Beverly Hills, CA, USA

What a guy!!  Could make you laugh like no other.   I worked with Ted back in the Barton Brands days.  He was always fun and always dedicated to his job and co workers.   I thought the world of him  RIP MY FRIEND!!  YOU BUDDY AND FRIEND Kenny

Ted was one of the funniest people my family has ever known! He was the one who believed in my brother and I,  when it came to soccer. My family loved him and cherished him. We will miss you with all our hearts!

Ted, you could always make me laugh. 
Rest on.

Ted was a contemporary of my father.  At the WSWA Conventions Ted was always in the room and larger then life.  A big smile and engaging personality, Ted would talk to you like you were the only person in the room.  My dad loved Ted since the Ron Matusalen days.  After my dad stopped going to the convention I would see Ted early in the morning getting a cup of coffee.  He would hang out and catch up with everyone like he was the mayor of the town!  I will miss Ted, and I'm sure my father met him at the pearly gates with a drink in hand!

Ted,

You will be greatly missed & never forgotten!  You are engraved in our hearts forever.

Gene, Tammy & Alixa

I was fortunate to know and work with Teodoro for many years. I go back with him when he was with Ron Matusalén , way before he was a successful entrepreneur. A man of dignity and a passion for our business. I remember when he needed to make ends meet after the Matusalén gig was over, he held his head up high and became a part time bag boy. I considered him a friend and I admired him. I was a kiddie in the business and he always treated me like a very special person. We always kept in touch.  His Spanish phrase was “Arroz con Pollo!” He told me the story about his phrase but I forgot. I can still hear him reciting it loudly and finishing it with his contagious and sincere laughter. I will always treasure the memory of you!!
Mario

 I knew Ted for 18 years and he was a man who knew how to sell with dogged, optimistic, determination. There was something very human about him. As a Canadian, Ted always reminded me of what was best in the American spirit which is to be always hopeful, always digging to close the sale, always moving forward, while showing loyalty to your family and friends. Rest well.

Max Smith

You will be missed, everyone’s “Uncle Teddie!”
Ted was one of those unique characters of the spirits industry, with his warm, eye-twinkling smile, always energetic, laughing, forever seeing the bright side, even when enduring life's struggles. Early in his career, there were the phone calls, then the hilarious voice mail messages, and eventually, in Uncle Teddie one-of-a-kind style, the lengthy, one-paragraph emails touting the success of his beloved Corner Creek Bourbon.
Whenever we think of you, those many you touched across the country, there will always be smiles and laughter.

OBITUARY

Theodore Kraut

January 4, 1940 – May 17, 2019

Menorah Gardens & Funeral Chapels

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