Theodore A. “Ted” Pelosi Jr., 85, passed away March 6, 2012 at the Merrimack Valley Hospital surrounded by his loving family.
He was a lifelong resident of Haverhill, MA. Born June 16, 1926, he was the son of Theodore and Anna (Fitzgerald) Pelosi of Haverhill, MA.
Ted was educated in Haverhill, graduating from Haverhill High in 1944. While at HHS he was editor of the Brown & Gold. He attended Mass Maritime Academy, graduating in 1946 where he was a battalion commander. Upon graduation he joined the Navy, achieving the rank of lieutenant. He then attended Boston College, graduating in 1952 with a degree in Economics. He was recalled to the Navy and served in the Korea Conflict.
Ted began his career at the Western Electric Company on Locust St. in 1952 transferring to the Merrimack Valley Plant in North Andover. He retired in 1982 as a quality control engineer. He attended BC at night, getting his MBA in Business Administration and took advanced classes toward his PhD while at Western Electric. After retiring, he summered at Cape Cod and was an adjunct professor in Economics at the University Of Lowell.
Ted married his beloved wife, Patricia Lagasse in 1952 at St. Joseph’s Church in Haverhill. They shared 60 wonderful years together and had four children, Felice, Claudia, Francis, and Andrew.
He was a Haverhill City Councilor for 20 years, serving as President for 10 of those years. In 1988 he was elected Mayor of Haverhill and served for six years. He was the first Italian-American Mayor of Haverhill and the first Mayor to serve three consecutive terms.
Ted was a communicant of Sacred Hearts Parish, serving as President of the first Parish Council. He was a longtime member of the Sons of Italy, VFW, and Knights of Columbus.
He also served on many boards including the Council on Aging, Career Resources, The Red Cross, Mass. Mayors’ Association of which he served as President, and Bradford Historic Commission. He has received numerous awards including B’nai B’rith, Boy Scouts of America, Salvation Army, and Mass. Maritime Alum of the Year.
He is survived by his wife Patricia C. (Lagasse) Pelosi, his four children Felice P. and her husband Peter Beil of Boston, MA, Claudia P. and her husband Peter Cuddy of Jamaica Plain, MA, Francis X. Pelosi and his wife Dorothy of Virginia Beach, VA, and Andrew P. Pelosi and his wife Allison of Needham, MA, his grandchildren Patricia M., Douglas F., Henry T. and Aidan T. and brother Richard P. Pelosi and his wife Jean of Sutton, MA as well as several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at the Anna Jaques Hospital, Hannah Duston Rehabilitation Hospital, and Merrimack Valley Hospital.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral Mass on Thursday, March 8th at 10:30 in Sacred Hearts Church, 165 So. Main St. Bradford. Interment with military honors will be in the Bourne National Cemetery. Calling hours at the H.L. Farmer & Sons Bradford Funeral Home, 210 So. Main St. Bradford were held on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Angelo Petrocelli Food Pantry at Sacred Hearts Church, 48 So. Chestnut St., Bradford, MA, 01835 or to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences to his family may be made at www.farmerfuneralhomes.com
