Theodore Dunshee

Theodore “Ted” D. Dunshee, 87, of West Brookfield, MA & Englewood, FL passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, August 28th.

Ted was born in New Jersey on September 13,1937 to Sally (Irving) & Kenneth Dunshee. In 1962, he married the love of his life, Janet Goebel. The day he met Janet; he went home and told his mother that he met the woman he was going to marry. Janet predeceased Ted in 2015 after nearly 53 years of marriage. He was also predeceased by his two brothers, Peter and Thomas Dunshee.

Ted worked at several companies in the warehousing / distribution field throughout his career which took the family from Scotch Plains, NJ to Kennebunk, ME and finally to Holden, MA. A small business owner in the 90s, he retired from Weetabix.

Ted, the OG Girl-Dad, is survived by his three daughters, Sarah/Sally Mello and her husband Chuck, Allison Rose and her husband Dan, and Christine Peterson; Six grandchildren, Lindsey and her husband Joe Marabello, Samantha and her husband Tom Lavin, Helen Rose, Michael Rose, Jack Peterson, and Shane Peterson all of whom were his pride and joy. Becoming “GG” (great- grandpa) to Joey, Annie and Madison was a very special title and seemed to make him the proudest.

In addition, he leaves several close cousins, their families, in-laws, and many “adopted” daughters and grandchildren who are friends of his girls.

Ted was a voracious reader, loved trivia and Sudoku. He loved music and treasured his album collection and stereo for many years. A favorite hobby was sailing, and he built two small sailboats in the basement which he successfully launched. He began a third wooden motorboat project, modeling one of his favorite TV characters, Gibbs (IYKYK). Ted was a talented artist as well as an occasional author. In 1967 he wrote a treasured Christmas story for his young daughters. Although he had an occasional gruff exterior, he also had a way of enriching the lives of people that he met and provided a good listening ear, with wise words always at the ready.

After retirement Ted and Janet traveled to Europe and Africa before buying a condo in Englewood, FL. Ted loved walking to the beach with a chair, reading, and finding sharks teeth for his grandchildren.

Most recently Ted was blessed to have Lorena Wheeler as his companion. They shared their life together in all things: spending time with family and friends (particularly holidays with the Mazzella family), watching movies, reading, and especially traveling. Ted and Lorena embarked on many sailing trips to Egypt, Greece, Morocco, Barbados, and Costa Rica. The family wishes to send heartfelt thanks to Lorena for her devotion to Ted and all the love and care she provided in recent years.

Special thanks also to the first responders in West Brookfield for their fast arrival, care, and compassion.

Ted walked regularly and went to the gym three times a week for many years both in Ware, MA and Florida. He was an early adopter of Tree House and became an IPA aficionado, of course only drinking Julius- a habit he enjoyed every day at 4 pm. The last batch of Julius he had on hand, dated 8/13, was labeled “Live Well”. He surely did “live well” and will be greatly missed.

Ted will be buried privately at Grove Cemetery in Holden.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and fellowship at the Hitchcock Tavern, 7 East Main St, West Brookfield, MA on Saturday, September 13th from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the West Brookfield Fire & Rescue Department at 3 Cottage Street, West Brookfield, MA 01585.

Arrangements under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street in Holden.