Theodore James Volger Jr.

Theodore James Volger Jr., loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at his home with his family by his side. Despite the challenges he faced over the past four years with cancer he remained a remarkably strong person who had a zest for life that few of us could match. Even through his illness and treatments Ted maintained an infectious vitality.

Ted was born on March 15, 1961, to Theodore James and Ellen Burke Volger of Portland. He grew up in Portland’s Libbytown neighborhood and attended Portland public schools, graduating from Portland High School in 1979. While at Portland High, Ted was an outstanding baseball player, he relished his moments playing for the legendary Edson Hadlock. In 1977 he started as a third basemen for the State Championship team and the following two years was selected for the All-Telegram league all-star teams. Ted was also a quarterback and defensive back on the PHS football team where he received honors for both positions. His white football cleats made him easily recognizable on the field and gave him the nickname “Teddy White Shoes”.

Ted met the love of his life Julie and they were married on June 21, 1991. He immortalized her in a song he wrote and recorded called “Trouble Brewin”. He always said that “she changed my life in so many ways”. Ted cherished his time raising his children Angela, Teddy and Nick. His greatest gift to his children was the time that he spent with them. He took great pride in the fact that he never missed one of his children’s athletic events over the past 20 years. He enjoyed spending time at his camp on Pequawket Lake with his family. Ted and Julie always felt fortunate that they were able to purchase the camp next to his parent’s camp where Ted and his sister’s Pat, Ellen and brother Paul shared many special family memories. He loved to watch his grandchildren Patrick, Bella and Avery trying to catch frogs and cast a line from the dock. Ted spent countless hours taking Teddy and Nick and their friends tubing around the lake. He looked forward each year to having his family and friends at the annual 4th of July party and the Camp Sunshine ice fishing derby. Ted and Julie’s door was always open to all to eat, drink and be merry. Ted expressed many times that he wanted these traditions to continue.

Coaching youth sports was one of Ted’s lifelong passions. He began coaching baseball at the Senior Little League level in 1990 and then at Deering High School in 1994. He coached all levels of Little League and Babe Ruth and held various positions as a coach, field director and board member. One of his fondest memories was in 2007 when he took his 13 year old Portland North All Star team to compete in the New England Regional tournament in Bristol, Connecticut. During his coaching tenure his Little League and Babe Ruth teams won four State Championships and competed in the New England regional tournaments. He enjoyed hosting celebratory baseball gatherings at his home and at the lake. Ted was also involved in coaching Little Ladd Football for many years. Ted was extremely proud of each of the players that he coached and the friendships he developed through his years of coaching. Ted’s daily routine started with reading the sport’s page and it brought a smile to his face when he read the name of a former “Viking” or baseball player that he had coached. One of his proudest sports moments was being inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving the President’s Award on July 31, 2011.

Ted worked for many years as a real estate appraiser for Bud Solari and Randy Kempton before setting up his own appraisal company. He was a dedicated worker and thoroughly enjoyed the interactions with town clerks and clients that his job required. Even though he was unable to work once he became sick, he still kept in contact with many former coworkers.

Ted was a passionate NY football Giants, Red Sox and Portland High School fan as well as an avid fisherman, hunter and outdoorsman. Deer hunting season was a time that he cherished. He looked forward to it all year and planned his hunts long before November arrived. He spent many days with his brother and friends hunting and fishing. Clear Lake, in northern Maine, was one of his favorite spots to enjoy the outdoors and relax. He relished organizing an annual ice fishing trip to various places in the state for the past twenty eight years. This became a ritual in which many of his best friends looked forward to taking part in every year. The “Gov’nah”, as he would become known, could be found each night of the trip holding court before a roaring fire in camp.

Ted was an authentic, fun and loving person. Those traits showed themselves in his extraordinary number of friends he had. His passing leaves us all saddened, but we were the ones blessed to have spent this time with him. Ted’s family would like to thank his oncologist, Matthew Dugan and his staff Marcy, Jim and Julie for their extraordinary care that they provided him over the pasts four years. Also a special thanks to Sue Bowden and her wonderful and caring nursing staff.

Ted is predeceased by his parents Theodore James Volger Sr. and Ellen Burke Volger. He is survived by his wife Julie, his daughter Angela, his son’s Teddy and Nick, his grandchildren Patrick, Isabella and Avery, his sister Pat Taylor and her husband Jon, his sister Ellen Profenno and her husband Tony, his brother Paul Volger and his wife Susan and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited for a time of visitation from 4-8 pm Friday, December 9, 2011 at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Portland, ME 04103. Prayers will be recited at 9:15 am at the funeral home followed by A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 am Saturday, December 10 at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 72 Federal St. Portland. Interment will follow at Old Calvary Cemetery in South Portland. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Ted’s memory to fund an annual Portland High School sports scholarship to: The Ted Volger Youth Center Cumberland County Federal Credit Union 101 Gray Road Falmouth, Maine 04105

Family and friends may visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com to share their condolences and fond memories with the Volger family.