Theodore P. Kiritsis

East Lyme- Theodore (Ted) Philip Kiritsis Sr passed away peacefully on Saturday October 19, 2024. Ted was born in New London on October 30, 1933 the son of Greek immigrants Philip and Evdoxia (Kirushi) Kiritsis. Ted was especially proud of his Greek heritage. Ted graduated from local schools and the University of Connecticut. He also served during the Korean War.

Ted was a chronic do-it-yourselfer, always busy working around the big yellow house in Old Lyme that he built for Claire and their children. Keeping six children fed, clothed and out of trouble could wear out the most devoted father, but Ted relied on an endless repertoire of word puns, silly songs and Sunday drives to treat the family to Hallmark Drive-In ice cream. Ted always enjoyed the holidays with his family, and for years, would pack the whole family in the station wagon and visit both sets of grandparents. Ted was a meticulous car mechanic and was known to spend hours keeping the family cars in top notch running condition.

Ted was an energetic member of the Old Lyme Zoning Board and Open Space Committee for over twenty years. Ted developed many design projects, worked in ship control systems and held many different positions at General Dynamics Electric Boat, retiring as a Principal Engineer in 1996 after working forty years. Ted will be remembered most for his absolute honesty and integrity. He would never make a promise he couldn’t keep and always practiced what he preached.

Ted will be sorely missed by his beloved wife Claire, his children Theodore Kiritsis Jr and wife Patricia Lynch, Katherine Kiritsis and husband Anthony Gargano, Anne Bliven and husband Arthur, Arthur Kiritsis and wife Yasmin Colon, Sarah Kiritsis, Peter Kiritsis and wife Olesia Arvamenko, as well as grandchildren Trevor and Dylan Taylor, Zoe Kiritsis Foss, Olivia and Dante Kiritsis. Ted was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Helen Kiritsis Kortesis, Athena Kiritsis Susi and his grandchild Grayson Kiritsis.

Donations in his memory may be made to Connecticut Hospice, Branford.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in Christ the King Church, Old Lyme. Interment will follow in Duck River Cemetery.