Theodore Duguay

Theodore “Ted” Duguay , retired educator, was born on August 25, 1929 and died on August 26, 2009. He was the son of the late Antoine and Alice (Babin) Duguay. Theodore grew up in Riverside. As a teen Ted was a member of the Hermits athletic club and at the age of 17 he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout (the highest attainable award in the Boy Scout movement). He graduated in 1948 from Riverside High and from Brockport State College in 1952. He married Elizabeth Mudra in January of his senior year of college. After two years service in the US Army, he began his career in education as a sixth grade teacher in the Akron Central School District. While in Akron Ted also worked as the recreation director for the towns of Akron and Newstead. He earned his Masters degree from the University of Buffalo along with his administrative credentials. In 1959 Ted was appointed an assistant principal at the Academy Elementary School in Williamsville. In July of 1962 he was appointed principal of Pine Woods Elementary School in North Tonawanda. He also served as principal of Meadow, Spruce, and Gilmore Elementary Schools until his retirement in 1988. Theodore and Elizabeth were married for 30 years and raised five sons: Michael, Mark (Andrea), Matthew (Laura), Mitchell, and Marshall. Theodore has resided in North Tonawanda for the past 45 years. He was owner of Clanceys Stationery Store in Mid-City Plaza for 20 years, a member and past president of the Exchange Club of the Tonawandas, a member of Sikora Post American Legion, a member of the International Lederhosen Ski Club of Buffalo, an active leader in the NYS Parent Teachers Association, a North Tonawanda mayoral candidate, and a negotiator for various local administrative bargaining units. Since retiring, Ted has spent his life following his passions: spending time with his sons and numerous friends, doing community service, golfing, skiing, reading, sailing, traveling, dancing, playing billiards and various card games, bicycling, snorkeling, attending Bills games, concerts, and UB sporting events, dining out, meeting old friends for breakfast or lunch, and spending time at his summer place on the Niagara River. Besides his five sons, Theodore leaves behind his four siblings, Gilbert, Ronald, Irven (Arlene), and Shirley (Leonard), six grandchildren, Daniel (Sabrina), Bernadette (Amadou), Zachary (Rachael), Jordan, Sophie, and Kalyn, and five great-grandchildren, Chaz, Gianna, Austin, Audrey, and Gavin.

Friends received by the family on Saturday and Sunday 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at the Brunner Funeral Home (692-3841), 156 Robinson Street, North Tonawanda. A Mass of Christian Burial at St. Jude the Apostle Parish on Monday morning at 10:00 A.M. (Please assemble at the Church). Interment will be private. Memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice, Inc. or the Boy Scouts of America.