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Theodore A. "Ted" Spatol
Theodore A. "Ted" Spatol
Obituary
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Theodore Spatol Obituary
Ted died Dec. 14, 2006, after a short illness, while serving his country in Iraq. He was with the Army's 1041st Engineer Company.
Born April 1, 1947, to Thomas G. and Bessie M. (Empy) Spatol in Oneida, N.Y., he grew up in a military family, living in various locations, including six years in Japan. The family moved to New Jersey, where he graduated with the class of 1966. After graduation, he joined the Navy Seabees, serving three tours in Vietnam. He later joined the Army National Guard, where he was enlisted until the time of his death, serving his country for 40 years.
In 1979, he married the love of his life, Kathy Dawn French, in Egg Harbor Township, N.J. They moved to Lander, where they owned and operated TnK Delicatessen from 1980 to 1986. They then moved to Thermopolis, where Ted became a recruiter for the Wyoming Army National Guard, a position held for six years. He and his wife then opened Spatol's Delicatessen, serving the best hoagies in the West. Selling the business in 1997, they opened Yesterday's Detail Shop, selling it after two years. They then operated a concession hot dog cart, "Hot Spot Dogs," and people would come from all around to visit with Ted and enjoy his infectious smile.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge – Free Masons from 1972 to the present. He was a member of the Methodist Church. His interests included NASCAR racing, motorcycles and restoring antique cars. He worked as a heavy equipment mechanic most of his life.
Survivors include his wife, Kathy, of 27 years, of Thermopolis; three daughters, Pamela (Richard) Giannino of Riverton and Krystal and Elisabeth "Lisa" Spatol of Thermopolis; brother Donald of New Jersey; sister Irene Guisinger of New York; four grandchildren, AJ, Ricquelle and Jonathan Giannino and Koren Gene; plus several nieces and nephews of Wyoming, New York and New Jersey. He was preceded in death by an infant son, parents and two brothers.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the NASCAR Victory Junction Camp for terminally ill children, c/o Pinnacle Bank, PO Box 1369, Thermopolis, WY 82443.
Mortimore Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
This obituary was originally published in the Billings Gazette.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
December 18, 2011
Ted and Cathy...
You are both in my thoughts during this Christmas holiday.
Jim Broomall
Peggy Childers
December 14, 2011
To the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class Theodore A. Spatol:
Please accept my remembrance of Theodore on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.
Peggy Childers
December 14, 2010
To the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class Theodore A. Spatol:
Remembering Theodore on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
Donna Gillette
December 25, 2009
On this day and with each day that we enjoy our freedom, I would like to give thanks and let you know that I do not take our troops for granted. May you experience God when you feel your loss.
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Mike Hatley
September 5, 2009
I had the honor of meeting Sfc Spatol while visiting wounded soldiers at WRAMC. As bad as Ted was feeling from his cancer, when I mentioned I had served during Vietnam and my love of riding Harley Davidson motorcycles his eyes lit up and he became a ball of energy. What a short but valuable time I had with Ted. I will always remember that the time I spent with Ted fondly.
Kenna Larra
February 25, 2009
We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,450 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com. If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Kenna
Peggy Childers
December 15, 2008
To the family of Sgt. 1st Class Theodore A. Spatol:
Theodore gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
In Memory of Theodore ~ (Debra Estep)
December 14, 2008
Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.
The Wind on The Downs
“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”
(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )
Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….
“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”
I did not know Theodore, but I am remembering
his service and sacrifice. He is my hero. !
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Other Side
i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.
can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.
i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.
it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.
i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side
the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.
i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.
Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)
“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008
The Other Side –
(To hear the song)
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol
Sincerely,
Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB
Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB
Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55
Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b
June 16, 2008
You are remembered and respected. Thank you Sgt 1st Class Spatol!
August 21, 2007
There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.
Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.
I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON, a dear family friend who joined the Army with three other friends, one of whom is my son (Le Ron was killed in action on 07/06/07 at the age of 18) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.
REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!
PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Currently stationed in Germany
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)
August 4, 2007
Thank you for the sacrifice made by Sgt 1st Class Spatol and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!
Robyn Garside
April 11, 2007
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF YOUR GREAT LOSS AND WISH TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO DO CARE AND YOUR HERO WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR TREASURED MEMORIES THAT HIS SPECIAL SMILE MAY CONTINUE TO SHINE ON FOR YOUR FAMILY. I PRAY THAT PEACE WILL FIND YOU ALL SOMEDAY. GODSPEED AND SEMPER FI.
A PROUD MARINE MOM
Diane Franczyk
February 27, 2007
I was so saddened to hear of Uncle Ted's passing. By distance, families move apart and we had lost touch over the many years. I remember the times in New Jersey and the summer times in Ilion and Rome, NY and all the fun times we had. He was my step-Uncle and the "cool guy". You will be missed.
Glen
January 29, 2007
“Soldier”
To Honor the Service of Our Fallen Soldiers
Soldiers write history, we pay the price
Many miles distant, you live the life
Entered the Battle of our own free will
Out of Duty for Country, and we’d do it still
We hope and pray that all will find peace
In God, in the flag, in memories of valor
Gone now, our pride and courage you see
“An Army of One” our motto forever
Willing to risk all for love of our Brothers
We’re still Your Soldiers…and we showed the way
Our Lives too short, now pray for the others
Lived free died Heroes in lands far away
Deep within souls all cherished our Service
We’ll always have what some never know
Courage and Honor, our names forever
Lived life with purpose…just our time to go
We march in the Heavens with Honor and Glory
Missions accomplished we fought the Good Fight
Many years from now…we’ll tell the full story
Until that Day we will live in the Light
Our lives we laid down in a land far away
Still watching o’er you this night and by day
No need to talk…just know we are with you
There in your hearts and we hear what you pray
Yes we are your soldiers
Our lives we laid down
Still We guard o’er you
Still Duty bound
Entered the Battle of our own free will
Out of Duty for Country, and we’d do it still
We’ll always have what some never know
Lived life with purpose…it was our time to go
Lee Sirotnak
January 26, 2007
Please accept our condolences for the loss of your loved one, and our prayers that you find peace and consolation in God’s grace. We are indebted to your Soldier for his great sacrifice and we will not forget.
Tena
January 25, 2007
Ted was my nephew. The son of my brother Thomas. My deepest sympathy to Ted's wife and children. You are in my prayers.
Michael L. Cozzens
January 16, 2007
I knew Ted very well. I am going to miss him. He influenced my life a great deal. I have a lot of good memories regarding Ted.
Tom Gugliuzza-Smith
January 5, 2007
My heartfelt sympathy to the Spatol family in the loss of Ted. I did not know Ted, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. My heart was touched by the many wonderful/beautiful things written about you. Ted you are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.
I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace
Tom
To live in the hearts
of those you leave behind
is never to die"
~Robert Orr~
David Fink
January 5, 2007
Ted was my buddy.We were going to retire together after this deployment.Love ya Ted, your friend SGT David Fink.
Trudy Lowe
January 3, 2007
My heartfelt sympathies to your family. My heart breaks with each new name added to this list, and I am saddened by your loss. Know that you are surrounded by prayers, grace and the deep gratitude of all who live in freedom. My God hold you in his arms and grant you peace. Please find joy in the memories of your loved one and comfort knowing so many are holding you in their hearts.
Mitch McTee
December 28, 2006
Ted was always cheery and upbeat, never having a bad word to say about anyone. He made serving together in the Wyo Guard enjoyable. I remember the great sandwiches at the T & K Deli, also.
I pray for comfort for his family and pride for his noble service. He was a true patriot and will be missed.
Gary Allain
December 25, 2006
Staff Sgt. Theodore A. Spatol
you are my hero
may god keep you in his arms forever.
Cordy Diaz
December 24, 2006
To the family of Staff Sgt. Theodore A. Spatol, It is with great sorrow that I offer my deepest sympathy and condolences. Theodore will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with you always.
Garnet Jenkins
December 23, 2006
My deepest and most heartfelt sympathy to the family of Staff Sgt. Theodore A. Spatol, with a multitude of Thanks for this Brave Soldier's Courage, Dedication and Service to our Country and for Freedom.
The price Theodore and his family have paid, Will Never Be Forgotten.
May he Rest Safely, in God's Care and may God's Loving Peace and Comfort be with the Spatol family.
I am the Sister of a young hero, who made the Ultimate Sacrifice in Vietnam, many years ago
Surely He hath borne our grief, and carried our sorrow.
Isaiah 53:4
May you find comfort and strength, in the beautiful memories of times spent with Theodore. Quietly and gently, may healing come, with each new day.
You are in my thoughts and my prayers.
Jerry Williamson
December 19, 2006
Ted was an inspiration to many young and old soldiers alike. His ability to get a job done was commendable. He will be greatly missed by all.
Dale Wood
December 19, 2006
Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you. May the peace of knowing the Lord be with each of you during this difficult time. Ted was a friend from our times in the 1st Bn 49th Field Artillery. His smile and friendship will be missed, but always remembered.
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