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Obituary for Theodore P. Litwin

Theodore P.  Litwin
Theodore P. Litwin (Ted)

Theodore (Ted) P. Litwin died peacefully on May 18, 2018. He was 94 years old. He died from natural causes with loved ones at his side. He lived a full life, driven by enthusiasm, curiosity and dedication to public service.

Ted was the last survivor of his family’s generational line. He was born in Brookfield, Connecticut on April 30, 1924. He was the youngest of five children born to Peter Litwin and Tekla Staszowski Litwin who had emigrated to America in 1906 from Poland. At the age of four he moved with his family to Arbutus Farm in Litchfield, Connecticut. He attended the one room schoolhouse in Milton. He left Litchfield High School to assume responsibility for the family’s dairy farm which he operated for over 25 years. Prior to taking government positions he was chosen as the “Outstanding Young Farmer” for the State of Connecticut in 1956.

He was a wonderful father, grandfather, and great grandfather, a devoted husband, loyal friend and good neighbor. He loved life, people, places and nature. He followed his curiosity in many travels and revelled in the people he met and the stories he collected. He was an avid student of history who read all manner of autobiographies about the people who made America, in both war and peace.

Ted was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Martha, his great-grandson Stuart Blair and his second wife, Gayle Ingraham. He is survived by his three children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His daughter, Sandra Santa Maria, is married to John Santa Maria and lives in Torrington, Connecticut. Ted had three grandchildren by Sandy and John, Thomas, Gary and Scott and one great-grandchild, Hannah. Ted’s son Peter lives in Litchfield with his wife Eileen. They have three children, Kathryn, Nathan and Joshua. Ted has three great-grandchildren through Peter and Eileen, Ben Litwin Anderson, Sara Litwin Anderson and Samuel Dario Litwin. Ted’s youngest daughter, Mary Blair, is married to Michael Blair. They live in Seattle, Washington with their son, Ted’s grandson, Tyler Blair. In a profound loss, Ted was predeceased by Mary and Mike’s youngest son Stuart.

In an event of great grace, Ted married Gayle Ingraham in 2008. Upon her death in 2015, she was survived by four children, Judith, Norman, Jeffrey and Bruce, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Ted lived a life dedicated to public service. He was a Justice of the Peace, a District Fire Warden, a 4-H Leader, Litchfield Grange Master, a Director of the Litchfield County Farm Bureau, Litchfield County Dairy Committee, Litchfield County 4-H Fair Association, Connecticut Milk Producers Association, Soil and Water Conservation District and Connecticut Milk Regulation Board. He was immersed in local affairs on the Milton Historical Study Committee, Library Building Fund, Town Office Building Committee, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Fund, Friends of White Memorial Foundation, Democrat Town Committee, and Town of Litchfield Board of Selectmen. Ted was appointed as the Executive Director of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation service in 1965. He was responsible for the administration of the Federal agricultural programs for the State of Connecticut for more than eight years. He was elected as the First selectman of the Town of Litchfield in 1975, a position he held for four consecutive terms. Ted completed his public career as Liason Officer for the Federal Energy Administration. He retired to Naples, Florida, a place and its people which became dear to his heart.

Special gratitude to all the wonderful people who cared for Ted over his last four years. With Marla Clark as our field commander they were the best! Thank you to Dr. Terrence Ryan, Companions and Homemakers, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Dr. Al Langou, VNS of Connecticut, and Hospice.

A Funeral Mass to celebrate Ted’s life will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 10 A.M. at St. Anthony’s Church at 49 South Street, Litchfield, Connecticut. All are welcome.

In Lieu of Flowers and in honor of Ted’s love of the land, the family requests donations be sent to: Litchfield Land Trust, P.O. Box 712, Litchfield, CT 06759.

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