PITTSFIELD – Theodore J. “Ted” LaBrie, 84, of Pittsfield and formerly of Plymouth, passed away unexpectedly Saturday morning, Feb. 23, 2008 in the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital of Cooperstown.
Born in Nov. of 1923 in Rumford, Maine, Ted was the son of Alexander and Yvonne (LaFleur) LaBrie. During the Depression his family migrated to New York City, where Ted attended St. Michael’s Elementary School and later graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School. After a couple of years of college, Ted joined the Merchant Marine during World War II. He graduated from Fort Schuyler Military Academy in the Bronx with a commission in the Merchant Marine, and served his country until the end of the war.
In New York City on May 12, 1945, he married his childhood sweetheart, Frances Hamilton. Ted worked for 30 years for the New York City Board of Education, as the engineer in charge of keeping the heating plants in good working order. Following his 1979 retirement, Ted and his family moved to Plymouth, where they purchased acreage and lived in the house that Ted himself built. Ted and Frances raised fresh vegetables and fruit, mainly raspberries and strawberries, which they sold at the Chenango County Farmers’ Market in Norwich, along with the jam that Frances made from some of their fruit. During their stint on the market, Ted served as President of the group for several years. They began spending their winters in Florida, continuing until the drive got to be too long. In 2001 they sold their farm in Plymouth and moved to Pittsfield to be near their son and his family.
Ted is survived by his wife of 63 years, Frances LaBrie of Pittsfield; by his sons, Richard LaBrie of Portland, Ore., and Ronald LaBrie and wife Darlene of Pittsfield; and by six grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was predeceased by his son, Robert LaBrie, and by his sister, Ruth Korpita.
A Mass of Resurrection for Ted will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from St. Paul’s Catholic Church of Norwich. The Rev. Douglas Cunningham, pastor, will officiate, Interment will be in the spring in St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the Marian Chapel at St. Paul’s Church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the service at 11.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to St. Paul’s Church, 30 Pleasant St., Norwich, NY 13815; or to the Pittsfield Emergency Squad, Pittsfield.
Arrangements are by the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home.