1925
Theodore
2013
Theodore Joseph Mahan
April 12, 1925 — January 26, 2013
Biography
RUTLAND – Theodore J. Mahan, 87, of Campbell Court, died peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on Saturday, January 26, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Marlborough and raised in Clinton, Ted was the son of Theodore S. and Helen F. (Strategakis) Mahan and lived 58 years in Rutland.
Ted possessed a true love and appreciation for horses which began in his teenage years and continued throughout his life. In his youth, Ted rode horses competitively and in his early 20s entered his lifelong career as a professional horseman. In 1951, Ted met Elissa Oliver, the daughter of a prominent Leominster lawyer, at a riding stable in Lancaster. Marrying in 1951, they bought a farm in Rutland which Ted named “My-Lee Farm” after his wife. As a well-known gifted blacksmith, Ted made custom and corrective shoes for horses throughout New England. He was also a horse trainer and provided riding lessons on the farm.
Ted was a seasoned rider and showman and won numerous awards including the Massachusetts Open Jumper Championship and New England Open Jumper Championship. He was particularly fond of “Flower Pot”, an Appaloosa and “Seymore”, a Thoroughbred, two championship horses he enjoyed riding at shows. He was a member of the Professional Horseman’s Association, New England Horseman’s Association and both the New England and the Massachusetts Horseman Councils.
In his spare time, Ted played the acoustic and bass guitars and sang vocals with the “Ted Mahan and the Westerners,” a country and western band that not only played at local venues, but aired on local radio stations. It was just several weeks ago, after many treatments for cancer, that his son, Teddy, lovingly encouraged his dad to ride one of his horses, knowing it may be their last ride together. He will be remembered for his relentless sense of humor, passion for his horses, and as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elissa “Lee” R. Oliver Mahan, his son, Theodore “Teddy” J. Mahan and his wife Christine of Rutland; two grandchildren, Liam and Lindsey Mahan; nephews and nieces. His brother, Jack Mahan and sister, Janet Hill predeceased him.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 31, at St. Patrick’s Church, 258 Main St., Rutland. Memorial donations may be made in Ted’s name to Ride with Pride, Forge Works Farm, 21 Campbell Court, Rutland, MA 01543, a therapeutic horseback riding program for special needs children and adults ( www.forgeworks.net ).
To share a memory or offer a condolence, please sign the guestbook at the bottom right of the page.
RUTLAND – Theodore J. Mahan, 87, of Campbell Court, died peacefully at home with his loving family by his side on Saturday, January 26, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Marlborough and raised in Clinton, Ted was the son of Theodore S. and Helen F. (Strategakis) Mahan and lived 58 years in Rutland.
Ted possessed a true love and appreciation for horses which began in his teenage years and continued throughout his life. In his youth, Ted rode horses competitively and in his early 20s entered his lifelong career as a professional horseman. In 1951, Ted met Elissa Oliver, the daughter of a prominent Leominster lawyer, at a riding stable in Lancaster. Marrying in 1951, they bought a farm in Rutland which Ted named “My-Lee Farm” after his wife. As a well-known gifted blacksmith, Ted made custom and corrective shoes for horses throughout New England. He was also a horse trainer and provided riding lessons on the farm.
Ted was a seasoned rider and showman and won numerous awards including the Massachusetts Open Jumper Championship and New England Open Jumper Championship. He was particularly fond of “Flower Pot”, an Appaloosa and “Seymore”, a Thoroughbred, two championship horses he enjoyed riding at shows. He was a member of the Professional Horseman’s Association, New England Horseman’s Association and both the New England and the Massachusetts Horseman Councils.
In his spare time, Ted played the acoustic and bass guitars and sang vocals with the “Ted Mahan and the Westerners,” a country and western band that not only played at local venues, but aired on local radio stations. It was just several weeks ago, after many treatments for cancer, that his son, Teddy, lovingly encouraged his dad to ride one of his horses, knowing it may be their last ride together. He will be remembered for his relentless sense of humor, passion for his horses, and as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elissa “Lee” R. Oliver Mahan, his son, Theodore “Teddy” J. Mahan and his wife Christine of Rutland; two grandchildren, Liam and Lindsey Mahan; nephews and nieces. His brother, Jack Mahan and sister, Janet Hill predeceased him.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 31, at St. Patrick’s Church, 258 Main St., Rutland. Memorial donations may be made in Ted’s name to Ride with Pride, Forge Works Farm, 21 Campbell Court, Rutland, MA 01543, a therapeutic horseback riding program for special needs children and adults ( www.forgeworks.net ).
To share a memory or offer a condolence, please sign the guestbook at the bottom right of the page.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Theodore Joseph Mahan, please visit our flower store.
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