Theodore Bliven

Theodore "Ted" Bliven, of 414 McGraw House, Ithaca passed away at Cayuga Medical Center on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the age of 80.

Born in Westerley, Rhode Island on January 22, 1929, Ted was the son of the late Elizabeth Freelove and Emery Mimande. He lived in Hopkington, R.I. until he was 16 and then moved to Groton, New York with his family. While attending school in Groton, Ted acted as manager for various sports teams, played the tuba in the high school band, and was the official operator of the movie projector for the school. He graduated from Groton High School as a member of the class of 1949.

After graduation, Ted entered the U.S. Army where he served for two years. He was stationed at Fort Eustus, Virginia, Fort Meade, Maryland, and finished his active duty in Baltimore as a unit messenger and clerk. Upon returning to Groton, he fulfilled his five year reserve duty in Ithaca and was assigned to the 369th Field Artillery.

Ted worked for several companies over the years including Baker Lumber and Coal Co., National Cash Register, Hathaway Bakeries, Lake View Dairies, Cornell University, and finally Tompkins County where he retired as a custodian. After retirement, he continued to work for Pioneer Printing as a messenger and at the United Methodist Church in Trumansburg as a custodian.

Ted attended the Mecklenburg United Methodist Church and was a life long member of the Mecklenburg Fire Department. He was also a member of the Trumansburg Masonic Lodge #157 F&AM for nearly 40 years.

Ted married the love of his life Lucille Hall on July 27, 1955 and was heartbroken when she passed away on January 12, 2002. In addition to Lucille, Ted was preceded in death by a foster son, Ronald Thomas. He is survived by two sisters, Ida Hall of Greensboro, NC and Shirley Ferguson of Bradington, FL; a sister in law, Edith Hall of Freeville; a daughter in law, Sue Thomas of Wellsville; three grandchildren, Katie, Scott, and Ryan; and several nieces and nephews.

The family will be present to receive their friends from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, January 29 at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St., Trumansburg. Masonic Rites will be given by fellow members of the Trumansburg Masonic Lodge #157 F&AM at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, at the funeral home, with Funeral Services immediately following with the Rev. Jeffery Losey officiating.

Burial with full military honors will be held at the McLean Cemetery in the spring.

The family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Ted's memory to kindly consider the American Heart Assn, 3500 Winton Place Suite 4, Rochester, NY 14623.