Theodore Angelo Santuae

LCDR Theodore Angelo (Ted) Santuae, USN (Retired), age 87, unexpectedly passed away at home, in Boulder, CO, on Sunday, September 2, 2018. He will be remembered for his keen sense of humor, the perpetual sparkle in his eyes, and his contagious and distinctive good-natured laugh. Ted had a pure sense of optimism that he carried with him wherever he went.

Born June 2, 1931, in Groton, New York, the only son to Angelina and Theodore Santuae, Ted is survived by an older sister, Ruth Redmond, of Syracuse, NY and predeceased by sisters Barbara Moffitt, Sue Hastings, Mickeleene Griffin, and Victoria Poerio.

He was married for 41 years to his beloved wife, Theresa Mary (Terry) Timmons, of New Prague, MN. She preceded him in death on November 14, 2000. Their son, Mark William Santuae, preceded them both in death on May 19, 1979.

Their other three children and their families survive Ted and Terry: Chris and Claire (Lane) Santuae of Coppell, TX (grandchildren Mark and Mary Glen); Dean & Michelle (Carlson) Santuae of Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Ann Marie (Santuae) and Chris Cates of San Clemente, CA (granddaughters Alexandra and Olivia).

Spending his youth in upstate New York, Ted was a 10-letter athlete, who was voted into the Groton High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2000. Following high school graduation, he attended Cortland State College (now known as SUNY Cortland) for two years, before answering the call to serve in the US Navy. Ted went on to earn the wings of a Naval Aviator, flew P-2 Neptunes and TS-2 Trackers, and proudly served his country at duty stations in Virginia, California, Texas and Cuba. One of his naval career highlights was in 1961 when he became a “Plank Owner” of the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) by taking part in the ship’s maiden voyage.

Ted and Terry settled into the community of Boulder in 1974, upon his naval retirement. Ted went on to earn a B.A. in Business from the University of Colorado, and thoroughly enjoyed life in Boulder for more than four decades. He will be missed by all of his family and friends, who he dearly loved and whose lives he touched. Rest in Peace, dear Ted.

Celebrations of Ted’s life scheduled in Boulder: Visitation at Crist Mortuary will take place on Sunday, September 16th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm (Rosary from 6:00 – 6:30). Mass of Christian Burial at St. Martin De Porres Catholic Church on Monday, September 17th from 10:00 – 11:00 am.

Interment scheduled in Denver: at Fort Logan National Cemetery, with military funeral honors, on Tuesday, September 18th from 9:00 – 9:20 am.

If friends prefer, remembrances in memory of Ted may be made to the charity of your choice.