Theodore M. Vecchione

Ted was born November 27, 1946 in Orange, NJ, the son of Louis and Kathryn (Bonacci) Vecchione. Ted attended Our Lady of the Valley High School and graduated from Orange High School in 1965. He excelled on the gridiron as a half back, and made lifelong friends playing high school football. A third generation master carpenter for 55-years, Ted was a proud union member of The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 1342 and 253.

On March 17, 1971, Ted met the love of his life, Kathleen McDonald, at McCarthy’s Bar on Scotland Road. They married October 25, 1975, at Our Lady of Valley Catholic Church in Orange, NJ. Together, Ted and Kathy had four children.

Ted was an avid supporter and volunteer for East Hanover’s youth sports, including football, softball, and basketball. He served as director of youth football and president of the Hanover Park Fifth Quarter Club. He coached girl’s softball and basketball. Ted also was a member of East Hanover’s Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T).

Ted shared his love of the beach with his family. Memories were made for many years along the beaches of the Jersey shore, many of which were captured in his beautiful photographs. He enjoyed fishing with his brother, son, and cousins and he was always on the hunt for the perfect striper.

After retiring as a union carpenter, Ted worked for East Hanover’s Public Works Department for 10 years. Even in retirement, Ted never stopped working. He filled his days fixing everything and anything for his friends and family. No project was too big for Ted, with a few (too many) trips to Home Depot. “Poppy” was blessed with six grandchildren whom he loved with all his heart.

Theodore, Ted, “Big Ted”, Dad, Daddy, Coach, Poppy leaves behind work boots too large to fill and a legacy of hard work, strength and a passion for life that his family will carry on.

Ted is survived by his wife Kathleen; brother Louis Vecchione and Barbara Vecchione; daughter Rebecca Vecchione and Mark Wenczel, daughter Nicole Vecchione and Patrick Millien, son Theodore Vecchione Jr. and Jessica Vecchione, and daughter Kathryn Bodkin and Walter Bodkin; six grandchildren, Sarah Sophia and Charlotte Rebecca Wenczel, Alexander Theodore and Lilliana Lucille Vecchione, and John Walter and Lilah Rose Bodkin; his nephews Todd and Christopher Vecchione; his sister-in-law Maureen McDonald, and many dear cousins and friends.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 145 East Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 21, 2023 at 11:30 AM at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 312 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, NJ, 07936. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Ave, East Hanover, NJ 07936.