Theodore Jackson Maines Jr.

Ted lived an extraordinary life. Led by a strong moral compass, his passions for activism, philanthropy, fun and above all, style, guided his path. Ted’s presence and charm lit up and electrified any room he entered and he was renowned for his humor and wit. During his thirty six years in Orlando, Ted left an indelible mark on his family and many, many friends that will be forever remembered.

Theodore Jackson Maines Jr. was born in Irvington N.J. on May 23, 1958, to Theodore and Gertrude Maines. As a teenager, he roamed the streets and stores of New York City and developed a passion for art and design. He attended Rutgers University and then worked for many years in upper level management at a Fortune 500 company. At the pinnacle of this chapter in his career, consistent with his principles and commitment to fairness, Ted made a hiring decision to promote a qualified minority employee. This decision ultimately resulted not only in his constructive termination, but also the largest whistleblower jury verdict, in his favor, in Central Florida.

Upon leaving the corporate world, Ted pursued his passion and began the second, and most fulfilling, professional chapter in his life. He founded Ted Maines Interiors, an award winning firm in Winter Park, FL, where he dazzled his clients and friends with his acute sense of design. He also pursued his other passions of philanthropy and activism, volunteering in numerous arts, civic and charitable organizations in Orlando. Together with his husband, Jeffrey Miller, Ted hosted many political and charitable fundraisers, events and dinners where community and thought leaders gathered. Ted and Jeff

were pioneers in the struggle for LGBTQ rights both locally and nationally and they were involved in numerous community organizations, boards and causes.

Ted served for many years as the President of the Board of Trustees of the Orange County Public Library System and was on the Historic Preservation Board of the City of Orlando, as well as the Boards of the Orlando Ballet, The Creative City Project, Hope and Help and the Orlando Police Foundation.

Ted and his beloved Italian Greyhound, Donatella, also co-chaired the Paws for Peace Walk, benefitting the pet shelter at Harbor House of Central Florida, and Ted was instrumental in creating the Upstanders Anti-Bullying Campaign at the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida.

Ted is survived by his husband of 39 years, Jeffrey Miller, his sister Marilyn Maines of Silver Spring ,Md, his sisters and brothers in law Karin and Gary Grossman, and Mark Miller and Linda Hakins of Winter Park and Orlando, and beloved nephews and nieces Adam Miller, Seth Miller, Jonah Grossman, Aleksander Schwab, Sonja Schwab and Alexandra Grossman.

A memorial service will be held at a later date where Ted’s zest for life, his love and collection of art, obsession with cars, quick wit and enduring generosity will be celebrated. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Holocaust Resource and Education Center of Florida, Harbor House of Central Florida and the Zebra Coalition.