Obituary of Teddy P. Zuber

Teddy Zuber, loving husband, devoted father, proud grandfather and great grandfather, passed away peacefully on Monday at the age of 92. Ted's life was characterized by hard work and a devotion to his family, beginning as a young boy when he and his brother, Joe, helped farm a rocky piece of earth in Rhode Island, clearing the stone and delivering it by horse-drawn wagon for fifty cents a ton to help feed their family of ten. Later in life, Ted successfully overcame a life threatening illness and married his wife of 69 years, Irene Dufresne (Rita). They moved to Syracuse in 1947, and Ted became a skilled machinist in Carrier Corporation's Model Shop where he worked for 35 years until his retirement in 1982. Ted's greatest joy in life was his family. He always put his heart into every aspect of the things he did for, and with, his family. As an example, he bought an old dry-rotted wooden boat and painstakingly refinished it. This boat provided many happy times with friends at Sandy Pond, resulting in long lasting memories for his family. Ted took intense pride in his two children, Pam and Joe, for whom he provided opportunities he never had as a child of the depression. He taught his children the value of a good education and the importance of family ties, creating strong bonds between them and their many uncles, aunts, and cousins living in Massachusetts. The high point of the summer would be a family New England style clam bake held at Uncle Fred Zuber's farm on the Westport River, a few miles from the Atlantic. This clam bake became famous in the region, growing from a few dozen guests in the early years to a few hundred over the past several years. Ted took this same pride in his grandsons, spending countless hours with them, always encouraging them to pursue high educational goals. Ted was also devoted to his friends, most of whom he knew for decades and who shared his values of family, hard work and love of life. A member of the Carrier Wellness Center, Ted served as an inspiration to many, proving beyond doubt that exercise is linked to a longer, healthier life. He enthusiastically participated in several Syracuse Heart Walks, helping to raise funds for the organization's research. He was also a member of St. Matthew's parish. Living life to its very fullest, Ted was easily recognized for his undying optimism and the ever-present twinkle in his eye. He will be greatly missed by many. Ted is survived by his wife Irene (Rita), two children, Pamela and Joseph, two brothers, Frederick and Eugene, a son-in-law Earl, and daughter-in-law Linda, four grandchildren, Andrew, Richard, David and Michael, and three great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Kaylee, and Lucy. Calling hours will be held at Goddard, Crandall, Shepardson at 3111 James Street from 4pm to 8pm on Friday with a mass at St. Matthew's in East Syracuse at 9:00 AM Saturday followed by internment at St. Mary's in DeWitt. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association or St. Matthew's Food Pantry (229 West Yates St., East Syracuse, NY 13057).